Policy Governance

by Carolyn Saunders, Former Board of Trustees President

First, Policy Governance is the structure we have put in place in order to achieve our mutually agreed upon mission.

This sacred community is rooted in our search for meaning, guided by personal experience, diverse religious traditions, and scientific discovery. We are varied as the blooms of the Sonoran Desert, yet draw strength from one another. Envisioning a world where justice and compassion cross all borders, we pledge energy and resources to transform ourselves, this community and the world around us.

In support of fulfilling this mission, the 2005/06 Board developed certain "Ends" that must be achieved. The primary Ends are as follows:

• We actively search for truth; encourage spiritual growth and live meaningful lives as Unitarian Universalists.

• We seek to learn from personal experience, the world's diverse religious traditions, and scientific discovery.

• We minister to each other with caring and compassion, building strong congregational bonds in love and friendship.

• We offer people of all ages a rich variety of programs that encourage, challenge and expand our thinking.

• We welcome diversity in membership and make special efforts to attract, integrate and engage newcomers, families, teens, and young adults.

• We each commit our talents and resources to the sustenance of the congregation and acknowledge every individual's contributions.

• We are respected as a principled religious community that takes action and effects change that enhances the broader community.

• The values of our faith shape our decisions and guide our actions as an institution.

Our use of policy governance also lays out a process that the Board, on behalf of the membership of UUCT, will use to see that UUCT achieves the goals of the mission and the Ends policies. This process includes the task of the Board, the governing style, a code of conduct and job descriptions of the Board members among other things.

Perhaps the most important change this type of governance brings to the church is that the Board delegates day-to-day operations of the church to what we call the Empowerment Team or ET. The ET is composed of the minister and one other professional staff member as well as two lay members. Presently this year (07/08) ET's members are:  Rev. Diane Dowgiert, Rebecca Froom, and John Shepard. (One position is vacant.)

The Board places certain administrative limitations on the ET prohibiting any practice, activity, decision or organizational circumstance which is unlawful, imprudent, unethical or in violation of the principles of the UUA, the Board's Ends policies, or of commonly accepted professional ethics.

This is, of course, only a very brief description of policy governance. If you would like to read the UUCT Governance Policies in full, ask the church office for a copy. There are many books and other information about policy governance available. Check the UUA website (www.uua.org) for more information. Also, it is important to remember that policy governance has only been fully implemented here for one year, and it is new to the leaders of the church as well.  So we continue to learn more about it as we go and make adjustments as needed.

What does this mean to you, a member or friend of UUCT? For one thing, if you have an issue or concern about the operation of the church, take it to the ET. If you have concerns or suggestions for how we can better fulfill the mission of the church, take it to the Board. It also means that members of the church are asked to take more responsibility for fulfilling the mission of the church. There is plenty of work for all at many different levels. Don't wait to be asked -- ask any Board or ET member how you can help make UUCT the truly transforming force that it can and should be.

Additional Information

Click here to view UUCT's Organizational Chart.

Go to www.uuism.net/uuwiki and you'll find Policy Governance at the end of the list of UUA topics. Clicking on it will take you to the main page, where there are links to:

• Articles about policy based governance

• Links to congregations' policies and support documents

• Ideas from the Policy Governance UUA listserve.