Note: When checking references before calling or hiring a minister, please refer to The Settlement Handbook. Use the following reference check (as well as the background check) guidelines (previously presented as Responsible Staffing) when hiring professional religious leaders and staff, and when...

Use the following background check (as well as reference check) guidelines (previously presented as Responsible Staffing) when hiring professional religious leaders and staff, and when recruiting volunteers whose work will put them in close contact with children and persons in vulnerable...

The UUA wants to help our congregations live into their values by offering benefit plans that protect their employees, including health plans that reflect UU values

In February 2020, the UUA shifted from Compensation Guidelines (salary and benefit recommendations) to Compensation Standards. While we continue to provide recommendations for salaries and benefits, the new UUA Compensation Standards also include legal requirements related to pay and benefits...

Lately I’ve been noticing how many common idioms use the language of extraction, exploitation, coercion or hierarchy: Pipeline to Leadership Drill a Little Deeper Firehose of Information Canary in the Coalmine Changing of the Guard Burn the Candle at Both Ends Rank and File Most – if not all –...

A big part of keeping a congregation going could be called “Back Office” tasks. These are important but hidden tasks, like emailing the newsletter and paying the bills. Doing these well can help a congregation stay healthy and vital.

Be strategic about your communications via email, including what to share and how often.

No one fact says more about a group of human beings than its size. Dan Hotchkiss shares some of the differences in dynamics.

Can you provide guidance and resources for completing W-2 forms for both ministers and other congregational staff? Deadline by January 31 after the tax year (February 1 in 2021), W-2 forms must be given to employees and sent to the Social Security Administration.

Most church leaders don’t need to be experts on ministerial compensation, but it’s important to understand the basics of how payroll and taxes for the minister differ from other employees.

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....

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...

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...

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....

All systems need feedback loops and organizations like congregations are no different. Your Leadership Development program will be more responsive if you develop assessments and other tools to help you learn and adjust as needed. Things you might include in your assessments: How is the...

Spend your leadership development energy on relationship-building and connecting individuals to meaningful service.

A growing library of training materials for various congregational volunteer roles including board members, committee chairs, treasurers, ministry team leaders, teachers, etc.

Effective Leadership Development teams focus on recruiting and relationship building. By using our suite of four leadership development trainings, you can spend less time on content and more on connection. All of our courses have discussion questions that you can use for in-person sessions.

Congregations need to follow copyright laws and ensure their leaders and staff are aware of these laws. The issues surrounding copyright and worship are complex and often confusing. You will also want to review the resource Copyright Issues Related to Worship. Sample Policy Any use of copyrighted...

The board, as "trustees," have specific responsibilities to the congregation that should be articulated in fiduciary policies. Along with the governance policies that guide the board's work , the board also needs to set policies around safety, finance, capital assets, and personnel.