Revised and Adopted by Board Motion, December 8, 2025

The purpose of a conflict of interest policy is to protect an organization’s interests by establishing procedures for identifying, disclosing, and managing situations where an individual’s personal interests could potentially conflict with their duties or the organization’s goals. This conflict of interest policy is intended to ensure that the organization continues to operate in accordance with its tax-exempt purpose and serves as a reminder of our covenant with one another to keep our shared values at the center of our faith.

Having a conflict of interest may not necessarily preclude an individual from serving the UUA. This policy is not intended to be a barrier to service, and recognizing the fundamental principle of ethical conduct and the importance of public trust, all officers, trustees, and members of committees of the UUA are required to disclose any personal or financial interests that could potentially create a conflict of interest in the performance of their duties, ensuring that decisions may be made in the best interest of the organization.

Policy on Conflicts of Interest

All officers and trustees of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) and all members of UUA committees shall scrupulously avoid any conflict between their personal, professional, or business interests and the interests of the Association. All UUA leaders who are covered under this policy must annually disclose their actual or potential conflicts of interest in the manner proscribed by the Moderator. If conflicts of interest are identified, the Moderator shall determine whether the conflict substantially interferes with the role of the interested person in the manner described by this policy. If so, the conflict must be resolved in the manner described by this policy.

Definitions

The following terms are used throughout the policy:

“Close Relationship”

A “close relationship” is one of the following:

• A relationship with a spouse or domestic partner; parent or child; sibling, or the spouse of any of these persons; or
• Any other close family, personal, professional, or business relationship that might cause a conflict of interest, as defined in this policy.

“Committee”

A “committee” is any appointed or elected body of the Association, whether it is called a committee or a panel, board, commission, or other name.

“Conflict of Interest”

A “conflict of interest” occurs when an individual has an actual or potential personal, professional, or financial interest that could improperly influence or appear to influence their decision-making in a way that is not in the Association’s best interest. A “conflict of interest” is also a situation in which a person is in a position to derive personal benefit from actions or decisions made in their official capacity as a volunteer leader or officer within the Association.

“Interested Person”

An “interested person” is any officer, trustee, or committee member who has any direct or indirect interest in, or a close relationship with, any individual or organization that proposes to enter into any transaction or affiliation with the Association. This includes, but is not limited to the:

1. sale, purchase, lease or rental of any property or other asset,
2. employment, or rendition of services, personal or otherwise,
3. award of any grant, loan, contract, or subcontract,
4. investment or deposit of any funds of the Association,
5. credentialing or other evaluation of religious professionals, or
6. appointment or election to an Association committee.

The “interested person” shall give notice of such interest or relationship as specified in this policy.

Disclosure

The Moderator shall assure that all officers, trustees, and committee members are informed of this policy.

Officers and trustees of the Association, and members of the Board and Association’s committees, shall disclose possible conflicts to the Moderator.

All applicants for appointment or election to a Board or Association committee shall be informed of this policy and required to disclose any conflicts of interest that might compromise their ability to serve the Association. For applicants selected to move forward in the nomination or appointment process, if any such conflict is disclosed, or is otherwise brought to the attention of the Moderator, the appointment or nomination of the individual may not be considered unless the Moderator determines that the conflict should not bar the individual from service to the Association in the role being considered.

Each officer, trustee, and committee member shall annually:

1. acknowledge receipt of this policy, and
2. disclose any interests in or relationships with individuals or organizations that might cause a conflict of interest.

Conflicts of Interest Concerning Appointments and Nominations

If a member of the Board of Trustees, the Appointments Committee, the Moderator Search Committee, the Nominating Committee, or the Presidential Search Committee has a conflict of interest with regard to an individual who is being considered for nomination or appointment, that member shall disclose the conflict to the Moderator, and no action may be taken on the appointment or nomination unless the Moderator determines that consideration of the individual may proceed. If the conflict involves a trustee, that trustee shall not be present during the executive session. In making their decision, the Moderator shall consider whether the nature of the conflict compromises the ability of the Board or committee to make an impartial decision.

If the Moderator determines that consideration of the nomination or appointment may occur, the Board or committee member shall not participate in any way in gathering information about or otherwise evaluating the individual, shall not attempt to influence the action, and shall leave the meeting during the discussion of and vote on the action. However, the Board or committee member, before leaving the meeting, shall be given the opportunity to provide to the Board or committee material information about the individual that would otherwise not be known.

Conflicts of Interest Concerning Credentialing of Religious Professionals

If a member of the Ministerial Fellowship Committee, the Religious Education Credentialing Committee, or the Board of Review has a conflict of interest with regard to an individual who is the subject of any action by the board or committee on which the member serves, the member shall disclose the relationship prior to the action, shall not participate in any way in gathering information about or otherwise evaluating the individual, and shall not attempt to influence the action. The Moderator shall be sent compliance notification shortly after each committee meeting at which a recusal occurs and shall be informed of the number of recusals which occurred at the meeting. These committees may adopt additional conflict of interest rules or procedures, including additional requirements for recusal, which are not in conflict with this policy.

Conflicts of Interest Concerning Grants and Loans

If an interested person serves on a committee that makes recommendations or decisions concerning grants or loans, the interested person shall not participate in any way in a decision affecting the person or entity whose relationship with the interested person gave rise to the conflict of interest. The interested person shall leave the room during any discussion of the grant or loan. The Moderator shall be notified following any such recusal.

Other Conflicts of Interest

If an interested person discloses to the Moderator a possible conflict of interest (other than those types of possible conflicts discussed in previous sections of this policy), or if the Moderator becomes aware that an undisclosed possible conflict of interest exists concerning an officer, a trustee, or committee member, the matter shall be further investigated by the Moderator.

The interested person shall be given the opportunity to make a statement, either in person or in writing. If the Moderator determines that a material conflict of interest exists, the Board shall consider whether the proposed transaction or affiliation may proceed without harm to the Association.

Any determination concerning a conflict of interest shall promptly be communicated to the interested person and to the chair of the committee on which the person serves.

If the Moderator determines that consideration of a proposed transaction or affiliation can continue despite a material conflict of interest, the interested person shall refrain from attempting to exert any influence on the Association to affect a decision on such matter, shall not participate in any way in committee or other deliberations about the decision, and shall leave the room during any discussion of it.

The President shall assure that all contracts for consulting services protect the Association from conflicts of interest on the part of the consultant.

Conflicts of Commitment

No officer, employee, trustee, or committee member of the Association may use or influence the use of the Association’s financial, personnel, or other resources for personal benefit, or for any purposes other than the achievement of the ends of the Association.

Employment of Trustees

Without prior approval of the Board, a trustee may not apply for or accept employment with the Association within one year after the end of the member’s service on the Board.

Gifts

Officers, trustees, and committee members may not accept gifts, loans, or pledges of behavior, of any kind, from any source, that could be interpreted as attempting to inappropriately influence any action taken by them on behalf of the Association. Officers, trustees, and committee members may not accept cash gifts in any amount, or other gifts, entertainment, or favors in excess of $100 per person per year, from any individual or organization which does or is seeking to do business with the Association.

Delegation of Authority

The Moderator may delegate any of their responsibilities under this policy to the Board of Trustees.

The President is responsible for establishing and administering a conflict of interest policy for members of UUA staff and volunteers on staff committees. The President shall disclose to the Moderator any conflicts of interest received from staff and members of staff committees which have serious implications for the Association.

Violations of the Conflict of Interest Policy

If the Moderator has reasonable cause to believe that an individual has failed to disclose actual or possible conflicts of interest, or has otherwise violated this policy, they shall inform the individual of the basis for such belief and afford the individual an opportunity to explain the alleged violation.

If the Moderator concludes that a serious violation has been committed by a member of the Board or by a member of a committee appointed by the Board or elected by General Assembly, the Moderator shall take appropriate disciplinary measures, up to and including initiating removal from the Board or committee.

Conflicts on the Part of the Moderator

If the potential conflict is on the part of the Moderator, actions heretofore listed as being taken by the Moderator will be taken by the Executive Vice President in coordination with the Board of Trustees.

How to Navigate an Existing or Potential Conflict of Interest While Serving in a Role

The first step should always be to disclose the conflict of interest to the Moderator(s).

If the Moderator(s) approve of managing the conflict of interest,

• share this conflict of interest with those on your committee, and
• inform those on your committee of how you intend to deal with this conflict (e.g. abstaining from votes or conversations).

If Moderator(s) will not accept the conflict of interest,

• eliminate the conflict of interest, or
• withdraw from the committee.