A practical list of search committee mistakes we’ve seen “over and over” and learned from the vantage point of the Transitions Office.

The National Emerging Adult Team(NEAT) formed in August of 2018 in the Pacific Western Region.Since then, the group has worked tirelessly to connect Emerging Adults to one another and to their UU faith....

Your directory or online membership database is a powerful connection tool for your members and friends. But it also has the potential to be misused or abused.

Safety policies help to prevent interpersonal harm as well as safeguards for your assets such as money and building.

While the requirements for membership are in your bylaws, you also need policies ithat define participation, financial support, etc.

If your congregation experiences a crisis, You will often finds yourself dealing with local media along withe the crisis at hand. The tips below will help guide you in how and what to communicate.

When your congregation is developing or revisiting "guiding documents" for leaders that are endorsed by the congregation as a whole (e.g. mission, vision, covenant, bylaws, strategic plan), you will want to have an effective and inclusive process that makes space for creative ideas to emerge.

For congregations that own a parsonage, consider the possibilities as well as implications for structuring a ministerial agreement.

As UU congregations are increasingly being targeted by right-wing hate, all of our congregations should be prepared to respond to threats with skill and courage while also remaining grounded in our values.

Boards may find that delegating part of their fiduciary work to committees (e.g. safety, finance, personnel) and/or task forces helps to free them up for more strategic work.

Personnel Committees don't hire, manage or supervise staff. Instead they advise the board and the senior minister on best practices.

Policies and procedures are a way of telling future boards “this is our best thinking and guidance on this subject.” 

Bylaws guide the congregation’s board in governing by articulating board structure and key fiduciary committees and processes for key decision-making.

One of the most important keys to congregational health and vitality--along with a clear purpose--is a cohesive leadership team.

A summary and commentary of the UU congregational results of the Faith Communitities Today (FACT) 2023 survey that was conducted this past February-April. 

"Beauty Calls Us Together" is a cantata, composed by Kathryn Canan, Rev. Suzelle Lynch, and John-Ruben Piiraine, to celebrate the Flower Ceremony Centennial.

Replenishing their well of being is essential to a minister's ability to serve faithfully and authentically.

Celebrate 100 Years of the Flower Ceremony! The first Flower Ceremony was held in Prague, in June 2023, led by Rev. Norbert Čapek.

Ideally, policies guiding the minister, staff, and ministry teams come out of mutual conversations to create clarity around roles, responsibilities, and accountability. Ministry policies should feel collaborative and serve to guide ongoing programs and future decisions.

Safety policies are especially important to have in place before you need them, so they can be thoughtful without the anxiety of a current safety situation.