Richard Nugent

Full name: Rev. Richard Nugent

Email: rnugent@uua.org

Telephone: (617) 948-6456

A portrait of Richard Nugent, an older white man. He is looking at the camera and has on glasses, a purple lanyard, and a blue striped shirt.

Richard A. Nugent has directed the UUA Office of Church Staff Finances (OCSF) since August 2008. In that capacity, he leads a team managing the UUA’s retirement plan, national health plan, and other employee benefit plans. In addition, the OCSF serves as a HR resource to UUA member congregations including recommendations regarding staff compensation, benefits, and staffing practices. In addition, OCSF administers the UUA Living Tradition Fund and various other institutional aid funds providing financial assistance in times of economic need to religious professionals and other congregational staff.

From 1997 to 2008, Rev. Nugent served as interim minister to seven congregations. Richard was ordained to the UU ministry in April 1997. Richard earned a B.A. in Economics from George Washington University, Washington, D.C. and a Masters of Divinity degree from the Pacific School of Religion, Berkeley, California. Before attending seminary, he spent 22 years working in public policy. He has worked as a staff assistant to two United States Senators (Senator Gaylord Nelson and Senator Joseph Biden) for eleven years (1972-1983); as a political/market research consultant (1983-1984); as Director of Government Affairs for the Epilepsy Foundation for seven years (1984-1991); as administrator of a health care project in Indonesia (1992-1993); and as a lobbyist for the Unitarian Universalist Association (1996-1997). Richard resides in Washington, D.C. with his wife, Eileen, and his son, Asa.

From Richard Nugent

Displaying 1 - 10 of 12

In March of 2020, as COVID-19 was taking hold, the Office of Church Staff Finances offered recommendations to congregations regarding staffing and finances through June. Now, in early June, we have issued a comprehensive memo with updated guidance: Staffing and Finances for July and Beyond. This...

By Jan Gartner, Richard Nugent | June 10, 2020 | From LeaderLab

This Sample Personnel Policy Manual is intended to assist Unitarian Universalist congregations and other UUA-related organizations that are creating a Personnel Manual for the first time, or updating their current Personnel Manual. This Manual is an outgrowth of the work done by UUA Compensation...

By Richard Nugent, Jan Gartner | February 17, 2020 | From LeaderLab

The UUA Compensation Program is evolving! We launched Phase I of of our program revisions in early 2020 with the introduction of new Compensation Standards. Please sign up for Compensation and Staffing News and stay informed about upcoming changes....

Leader Resource | By Jan Gartner, Richard Nugent | December 5, 2019 | From LeaderLab

These recommendations and reminders are provided in order to support you in having meaningful, fruitful conversations with any congregation you might consider serving. We want to help you maximize your chances of negotiating an offer that you feel good about, with terms that serve you well...

By Richard Nugent, Jan Gartner | December 5, 2019 | From LeaderLab

Last revised: July 2019 Highlights Nearly all congregational ministers are employees, not independent contractors. There are 3 important tax provisions for ministers – dual tax status, housing allowance, and optional tax withholding. Benefits recommended for all staff, including ministers, are...

Leader Resource | By Richard Nugent, Jan Gartner | December 5, 2019 | From LeaderLab

Last revised: July 2019 Highlights The Ministerial Housing Allowance enables ministers to exclude a portion of their salary from certain taxes. For most active and retired ministers, it is their most important tax benefit....

Leader Resource | By Richard Nugent, Jan Gartner | December 5, 2019 | From LeaderLab

As an employer, the congregation is subject to federal, state, and local employment laws. Keep your congregation in compliance to avoid fines or other penalties.

Leader Resource | By Richard Nugent | August 11, 2019 | From LeaderLab

Jan Gartner and Rev. Richard Nugent explain ministerial compensation, including tax provisions, paycheck components, and benefits. They also share good practices for contracts.

Webinar | By Jan Gartner, Richard Nugent | March 9, 2017 | From LeaderLab

Congregations are legal entities required to comply with all sorts of legal requirements. While religious institutions might be exempt from a FEW legal requirements, churches are NOT exempt from most. This includes many requirements stemming from being an employer. This post pertains to the UU...

By Richard Nugent, UUA Office of Church Staff Finances, Ministries and Faith Development | January 21, 2016 | From LeaderLab

Ministerial compensation is quite confusing. What do congregations and clergy need to know about clergy taxes?

Leader Resource | By Richard Nugent | August 1, 2015 | From LeaderLab

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