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Governance
The Union for Reform Judaism is the congregational arm of the Reform Movement, serving both congregations and their members. Its governance, with oversight responsibility exercised by a lay led board working in close partnership with the professional staff, parallels that of its congregations. The Union’s 253-member Board of Trustees consists almost entirely of lay leaders who are members of Union congregations from all parts of the United States and Canada. Half of the board members are elected directly by the Union’s regions; the other half includes at-large members elected by the General Assembly and ex officio members who represent the Reform Movement's institutions and affiliate bodies. 
The Union's Board of Trustees meets twice each year (typically in June and December) and is responsible to the General Assembly. The 70-member Union for Reform Judaism's Executive Committee also meets twice each year, usually in September and March. The Executive Committee and the officers of the Union are elected by the Board of Trustees.
Peter Weidhorn of New York City is the chairman of the Board of Trustees.
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Policy-Making
The Union's policy-making body is the General Assembly, which meets every other year at the Biennial, in accordance with the Union for Reform Judaism's Constitution and Bylaws. The General Assembly is composed of delegates who are members of and selected by Union congregations in proportion to the size of their synagogue.
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A meeting of the Union's Board of Trustees
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Resolutions adopted by the General Assembly set the policy for the
Union for Reform Judaism and provide the framework for public statements and debates on issues of the day. When the General Assembly is not in session, the Board of Trustees or the Executive Committee has the authority to adopt resolutions.
The process by which congregations may propose resolutions for consideration at the General Assembly is contained in the Bylaws of the Union, Article XIII, Sections 10-11.
More information about Union Policies and Governance.
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Commissions and Committees
Lay and professional leaders of the Reform Movement lend their talent and expertise to joint commissions, on which the Union is joined by the CCAR, HUC-JIR, and other Reform organizations. Through their deliberations, the commissions help determine the Movement's position on critical issues affecting every Reform Jew, such as social justice and political concerns and the role of the non-Jew in synagogue life. More than 400 people serve on the joint commissions and the committees and subcommittees of the Union's Board of Trustees, determining policy and direction for every aspect of the Union's operations.
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Finances
The Union is financed primarily by dues from member congregations, according to the policies adopted by its General Assembly. The Department of Union Maintenance (MUM) and the MUM Committee are responsible for applying these policies fairly and equitably. Approximately one half of all MUM dues go to support the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. The Union's fiscal reports and budgets are available online on the Leadership page. The Union’s 2006-07 operating budget is $22.7 million, of which $18.5 million is from congregational dues.
The Union's camping system, including the youth Israel programs, is budgeted separately. Its budget for the year ending June 30, 2007 is $30.8 million, of which $23.4 million is raised from summer camp fees.
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