In January we held a workshop to begin the process of creating a Covenant of Right Relationship for OBUUC. Many of you participated in that workshop. Over the last couple of months the Interim Transition Team (Mark Sommer, Mike Rude, Luanne Frey, Jody Spencer, and Nada Kutz) has been hard at work bringing all your work together into this final document and has presented it to the board of trustees. At the Annual Meeting on May 19th you will have the opportunity as a congregation to vote to affirm this covenant.
Olympia Brown Unitarian Universalist Church
Covenant of Right Relationship
Proposed for Adoption May 2019
This covenant is a solemn agreement. It formalizes our expectations of treating one another as we want to be treated. Being human and not perfect, we recognize that while we will strive to uphold the elements of the covenant, we will sometimes fail. When that happens, we will refer to this covenant to help set us back on the right path, as a reminder of our shared vision.
Member* to Self, I promise to:
Take care of myself and strive to overcome barriers to personal growth.
Communicate my needs and accept help when offered.
Continue my spiritual journey and attend church regularly.
Live the principles and stay true to my beliefs.
Listen, keep an open mind, and be receptive to change.
Act with integrity and have a positive attitude.
Be involved with the growth of the church and support it financially.
Member to the OBUUC Community, I promise to:
Listen and interact with others honestly and respectfully.
Show support and appreciation for differing viewpoints.
Seek diverse perspectives and voices for all church work and discussions.
Keep an open heart and mind assuming positive intentions by all members.
Speak directly and respectfully to others in person and on social media, avoiding bullying, gossip, rumors, cliques, and factions.
Respect confidentiality.
Respect the limitations, time, commitments, and privacy of other members.
Be welcoming, inclusive, and develop relationships by including new members, visitors, and people of all ages and backgrounds.
Member to Leadership (Board and elected members, committee chairs), I Promise to:
Trust the good intentions of our leadership, assist as I am able, and accept decisions made.
Commit to work towards common goals.
Do my best to understand the structure of leadership and be willing to serve, mentor, and participate as I am able; encouraging others to do so as well.
Gain information on my own by staying up-to-date on emails and communications.
Speak without fear of criticism.
Share my concerns directly, openly, and respectfully without attacking or using abusive language.
Be open to changes, including leadership transitions.
Be mindful that our leaders are members too and are volunteering their time, skills and efforts.
Express gratitude for their work and dedication, realizing that no position is easy.
Member to Staff, I promise to:
Learn who the staff members are and understand their responsibilities.
Respect staff time, office space, materials, and deadlines.
Respect staff direction, expertise, and their areas of authority.
Recognize the importance of appropriate staffing and the necessity of fair compensation.
Speak directly to staff in a constructive manner when there is a concern.
Encourage professional growth.
Express appreciation.
Offer to help when a need arises.
Member to Minister(s), I promise to:
Recognize that the minister has training, education, and experience in UU ministerial leadership.
Understand that the minister’s role is a professional one, and treat them accordingly.
Trust the minister’s good intentions for the congregation and not expect the minister to be perfect.
Communicate directly and honestly with the minister.
Respect the minister’s time, energy, family, and privacy.
Respect the minister’s need for confidentiality and appropriate boundaries.
Commit to doing my part in adequately compensating the minister with salary, benefits, time off, professional development, spiritual growth, and resources.
Respect the minister’s authority and expertise in planning and leading worship.
Support the minister by keeping an open mind and maintaining a willingness to change
Support the minister by taking on tasks and assuming a leadership role as I am able.
Encourage the minister’s support of and engagement with the UUA and understand its importance.
Member to Wider Community, I promise to:
Work with and support other faith and community groups to pursue common goals and make this world a better place.
Live and share the UU principles and values in the wider community.
Work for social justice and toward dismantling racism and other forms of oppression and discrimination.
Strive to be aware of, participate in, and support work being done by other UU Congregations and the UUA.
Encourage use of conflict resolution practices.
Respect others values, beliefs, and journeys.
Actively participate in the democratic process and hold elected officials accountable.
* (Member refers to members, friends and staff of the church.)
