For Unitarian Universalist Association Organizations When Adding Clergy, Professional Leaders, Staff, and Volunteers

The original document, Responsible Staffing, was created in 2005 when background checking staff and volunteers was not common place. This page was updated in 2024 to correct links and current names of staffing positions and staff groups, as well as other important updates. We kept in the rationale for doing background checks for those who might need that information.

In addition, it is important to continue to recognize harm can come both from those people who have been criminally convicted and those who have never been apprehended. The following policies can help protect members and friends from harm.

What is the challenge? In the absence of Unitarian Universalist Association recommended guidelines to follow when calling ministers, hiring professional leaders and church staff, and recruiting volunteers, congregations and other UUA organizations may be reluctant to conduct warranted screening of ministers, employees, and volunteers.

Why is the lack of screening a problem? Failure to institute uniform screening procedures can result in unnecessary risks for vulnerable members of the UUA community as well as an unnecessary risk of legal liability for congregations and other UU organizations. Legal liability turns on whether or not, when a congregation or organization gives a person access to vulnerable members, it took appropriate steps to protect those members from harm.

How can this problem be addressed? Only by adopting appropriate screening guidelines and following the procedures they call for will these risks be minimized.

Who ought to take responsibility for implementing this effort? The decision to adopt guidelines and the responsibility for implementing them will be up to the governing board of each congregation, associate member organization, and related organization, to each Regional board, and to the Unitarian Universalist Association Board of Trustees on behalf of the Association, the Ministerial Fellowship Committee, and the Religious Education Credentialing Committee. Although each congregation or organization retains the discretion to adopt or reject this policy, we urge you to consider the potential ramifications of your decision.

When should this problem be addressed? Before it is time to regret the failure to act in time.