How could governance liberate the

Governance Principles for Vibrant, Healthy Congregations Facilitated by Laura Park, Joe Sullivan, and Louise Wolfgramm of Unity Consulting How could governance liberate the energy and creativity of congregations to transform souls and bless the world?

What Is Governance? “...the processes, structures and organizational traditions that determine how power is exercised, how stakeholders have their say, how decisions are taken and how decision-makers are held to account.” Mel Gill, Governing for Results The Governance Question: “What is our process for deciding to make a major change, empowering people to make it happen, and holding them accountable for the results? Dan Hotchkiss, Governance and Ministry

Two Actions for Excellence 1. Fill your congregation’s nested bowls: Values, Mission, Ends.

Two Actions for Excellence 1. Fill your congregation’s nested bowls: Values, Mission, Ends. 2. Clarify roles and accountability: visionary vs. operational leadership

The Nested Bowls Shared Core Values – What transcendent, timeless qualities of our religious community will we carry forward into the future? Values

The Nested Bowls Mission – What overarching difference are we here in the world to make and for whom? Mission Values

All Souls Church, Unitarian Washington, DC Mission: To create a diverse, spirit-growing, justice-seeking community that transforms ourselves and our world into one great family of all souls. Ends Mission Values

Unitarian Universalist Association (Global End) Mission: Grounded in our covenantal tradition, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association will inspire people to lead lives of humility and purpose, connection and service, thereby transforming themselves and the world. Ends Mission Values

The Nested Bowls Ends – What specific, measurable differences will we make and for whom? Ends Mission Values

Ends: Organizing Structure Ends – What specific, measurable differences will we make and for whom? Within the people of the congregation Among the people of the congregation Beyond the congregation, out in the world Ends Ends Mission Values

Unitarian Universalist Association Ends: • Congregations that unlock the power that transforms lives (within). • Congregations that live in covenant with other congregations in our Association. (among) • Congregations that move toward sustainability, wholeness and reconciliation. (beyond) Ends Ends Mission Values

Unity Church—Unitarian Ends: • The people of Unity Church – Unitarian have a deeply meaningful, transforming, liberal religious experience (within) • Unity Church – Unitarian is a radically hospitable, spiritually vital and supportive community (among) • Unity Church – Unitarian is a visible leader and partner, making a positive impact in our neighborhood and in the world (beyond) Ends Ends Mission Values

The Nested Bowls Moral Ownership – connection with our sources of authority & accountability adds the flame Ends Ends Mission Values

Two Actions for Excellence 1. Fill your congregation’s nested bowls: Values, Mission, Ends.

Ends Ends Mission Values Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fort Wayne

Visionary Leadership Asks… • What direction could we go? What direction will we go? • What priority and portion of our resources should we give to each particular end in our vision for the future? • What does our membership care about, think about, ask about? • What is at stake now and in scenarios for the future? What issues or realities do we need to address? • How are our core values expressed in the mission, ends and policies of our congregation?

Who? The Board of Trustees Ends Ends Mission Values Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fort Wayne

Operational Leadership Asks… • What programs and initiatives will enable us to make our vision reality? How will our programs and initiatives flow from the energy and creativity of our members? • What do we need to change about our current situation to achieve our Ends? • Who will be responsible for initiating and managing what programs? How will we manage, update and enhance our resources to achieve our Ends?

Who? The Board of Trustees Ends Ends Who? The Executive Leader Mission Values Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fort Wayne

Typical Questions about Role Distinction • Where are all the other congregational leaders? • How can we make this role clarity happen in a small congregation?

Example Scenario Church facility is limiting the congregation’s ability to advance its mission. • Board asks: • What do we know about church growth and what do we need to know? Particularly, what do we know about how change in church physical plant impacts the mission and ministry outcomes of churches? • How have we addressed such growth-related issues in the Ends? What expectations have we set? What consequences are anticipated? How have we addressed safety in our policies? How are different approaches to growth consistent with our core values and mission? How is stewardship addressed in our ends?

Example Scenario Church facility is limiting the congregation’s ability to advance its mission. • Executive leader asks: • Given this vision and values the Board has articulated, how can we translate the creativity and energy of this church community into either new ways of utilizing our current facility, or renovating or expanding the facility, or moving elsewhere in order to make our vision reality?

Discussion in Pairs Take 5 minutes to talk over what you heard with a partner. What was most interesting to you? What questions would you like to ask?

Q & A Please ask a question that hasn’t been asked already. Tell us your name and your congregation. For questions that don’t get answered here, we have a discussion session: Tomorrow, Saturday June 26 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Hilton Marquette III

How could governance liberate the