Governance Policies
These Governance Policies, making up the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Governance Manual, reflect the Policies as adopted by the Board of Trustees during their April 2009 meeting. By Board motion, these policies will go into effect on July 1, 2009. The Board notes that these policies will continue to be revised as we learn more and practice more.
The following documents are in PDF format.
- Section One: Ends
(1 page, May 2009) - Section Two: Executive Limits
(29 pages, May 2009) - Section Three: Governance Process
(14 pages, May 2009) - Section Four: Board-President Linkage
(3 pages, May 2009) - Appendix 3A: Monitoring Schedule
(3 pages, April 2009) - Appendix 3B: Recurring Agenda
(1 page, October 2008) - Notes on UUA Governance Language
(1 page, May 2009)
Our governance model is built on the foundation of John Carver's "Policy Governance®." The Board will begin receiving reporting from the President in alignment with these policies in September 2009.
For assistance with specific governance language adaptations that the UUA has adopted, see the "Notes on UUA Governance Language." For example, The UUA will use "Sources of Authority and Accountability" language instead of the typical "moral ownership." The "Notes on Language..." piece will explain the rationale. The full text of the "Sources..." statement is found in "Section 3: Governance Process."
If you desire general assistance with the terminology of the Policy Governance model, search for "policy governance" on the UUA.org website, and read from the many books published on the subject. Carver's book Boards That Make A Difference is one example.
At last count (early 2009), more than a dozen Unitarian Universalist congregations, and about 8 of our 20 districts, are operating in a policy governance based approach. Many of those congregations and Districts also have their governance policies posted on their own websites. We caution that while Carver lays out many principles for the governance model, almost every organization implements the model in a way that is tailored to their specific situation, so interpretation is required by the reader in every case.
Finally, the Board notes that the decision to move to policy governance on their part is not intended to be a recommendation for adoption by any congregation or district. That is the decision of each district or congregation.
If you have questions about the UUA's new governance model or these policies, you should contact your District or at-large UUA Trustee (UUA Trustees). You may also write the Board's Governance Working Group at uua-gov @ uua.org and a member of that Working Group will respond as soon as practicable. Please understand that the Trustees cannot do "policy governance" education by email.
There is a growing capability to train or consult on Policy Governance among our District staff. Contact your District Executive for assistance.
Last updated on Friday, May 29, 2009.
