Committee on Ministries

Are you a long-time member of UUCQC? Do you have a knack for evaluating organizations and fostering good relations among people? Are you deeply committed to confidentiality? If so, you may want to ask our Board Chair or Minister about possible appointment to the Committee on Ministries.

This Board Committee works to strengthen the quality of our congregation’s various ministries (such as professional leadership, music, social justice, religious education, and pastoral care) and addresses conflicts that could impact our ministries. The Committee acts as a confidential advisory group for issues brought forward by the Minister and ensures that regular evaluations of both the Minister and our congregational ministries take place. In short, the Committee on Ministry functions as a vision or oversight group for UUCQC.

Our Stories
"When we searched for a new minister, we came together in spirit and action to state our beliefs of what our church meant to each of us so that the leadership we sought would be from us, as a congregation, not from one or two individuals.  That process that our church worked on for over a year gave me so much hope for the future of UUCQC that I again knew I made the right decision fifteen years ago to join this congregation."
Longtime Member

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CONGREGATION OF THE QUAD CITIES
Committee on Ministry
adopted 7.22.17

INTRODUCTION
The Committee on Ministry (COM)is a continuing body whose purpose is to strengthen the quality of ministry within the Congregation. 
 
The COM is responsible for these critical functions:
 
            Conflict Management.
            Ministerial support and discernment.
            Perform the Annual Ministerial Evaluation.
            Perform the required Ministerial Evaluation of a Minister in Preliminary Fellowship.
 
1.0       Conflict Management.
 
            Conflict management is defined as a process to address conflicts that have the potential to have a negative impact on the Congregation.
 
            1.1       Parties in conflict should first attempt conflict resolution amongst themselves. If unsuccessful, the Minister will assist in resolution. If the parties involved are still not satisfied, they will then have the opportunity to bring the conflict to the COM. Members of the Congregation may address conflicts they have with the Minister directly with the COM. The COM may use outside mediators or consultants to assist in conflict resolution.
1.2       The COM may respond with immediacy to conflicts, expressed attitudes, or activities that might threaten or have adverse effect on the Congregation’s ministry.
1.3       Actions of the COM should focus on individuals rather than groups if possible.
1.4       Actions by the COM are always attached to names with no exceptions.
1.5       Actions by the COM propose processes for conflict resolution and do not permit triangulation.
1.6       The COM seeks the resolution of conflicts by those who are directly involved.
1.7       The COM creates an environment or facilitates a process that leads to positive recommendations and focuses on potential solutions rather than the problem. The goal is to assist in conflict resolution.
1.8       The COM solicits responses, which focus on mutual concerns, pooled wisdom and the well being of the Congregation and its ministries.
1.9       Actions are designed in a step-by-step process and involve follow-up until the process is completed.
1.10     Actions are always geared to what is best for the Congregation’s ministries and not to any private agenda.
1.11     Any problem or concern to be brought before the COM must be provided in writing to the Chair of the COM. The COM will respond in a timely fashion.
1.12     The COM will annually inform the Congregation that it has access to the COM for conflict resolution.
 
 
2.0       Ministerial Support and Discernment.
      
            2.1       The COM makes recommendations to the Minister with respect to enhancing the quality of her/his leadership;
            2.2       The COM serves as a body from which the minister may seek counsel and advice.
 
3.0       Perform the Annual Ministerial Evaluation.
 
            3.1       The Minister, with the assistance of the COM, will develop goals after the Board creates the Annual Vision of Ministry.
            3.2       The COM and Minister will maintain an ongoing evaluation throughout the year of the goals and progress towards those goals.
            3.3       The COM will produce a formal Ministerial Evaluation for the Board at least annually.
            3.4       The Board may use this evaluation in determining the Minister’s compensation package.
 
4.0       Annual Ministerial Evaluation of a Minister in Preliminary Fellowship.
 
            4.1       As part of a requirment by the UUA, the COM will perform an Annual Ministerial Evaluation of a Minister in Preliminary Fellowship.
            4.2       The Minister will have the opportunity to review the draft evaluation.
 
 
5.0      Members. 
           
            5.1       The COM shall be composed of six (6) members of the Congregation appointed by the Board of Trustees, each member serving three-year terms. Two members shall be appointed each year, so that each year two members shall leave the COM, and all terms are staggered. Any vacancies shall be filled for the remainder of the term of the member resigning.
5.2       Members of the COM are selected from a list of names presented jointly by the Minister and the Board chair.
5.3       During the first twelve months of a new Minister’s ministry, the COM shall be composed of members of the Ministerial Search Committee.
5.4       The COM shall elect a chair and a clerk from among its members.
5.5       Members of the COM may not be on the Board of Trustees or be a chair of any Committee, Team or Task Force in order to maintain total independence from all other ministries, preserve objectivity in the perceptions of the Congregation, and commit to the time demands of the COM.
5.6       Members of the COM are selected for their overarching commitment to the mission of the Congregation; their ability to look beyond the parts to serve the good of the whole; their personal integrity including the capacity to keep confidences; and the ability to listen thoughtfully and respectfully.
5.7       A member whose term has expired shall not be re-appointed until that person has been off the COM for at least one year.
5.8       The minister attends COM meetings as an ex officio member.
 
6.0      Power 
 
6.1       The COM has no authority except that of making recommendations to all agents of the Congregation’s ministry.
6.2       The COM shall always speak with one voice.
 
7.0      Meetings 
7.1       The COM shall meet as needed.
7.2       Meetings shall be announced in advanced though the meetings will be closed except for those participating in the meeting.
7.3       The COM may hold open meetings as necessary.
7.4       If the Minister is not in attendance at a meeting, he/she must be            briefed on the content of the meeting within forty-eight (48) hours.
 
8.0      Accountability 
8.1       The COM reports directly to the Board of Trustees and may make recommendations to the Board designed to increase the quality of the Board’s ministry.
                       
9.0      Confidentiality 
9.1       COM members make a covenant of confidentiality and mutual honesty with respect to all deliberations.
9.2       The COM may share information with the Board as it feels is necessary. 
9.3       The COM will:
Create a safe environment for deliberations.
Keep open avenues of communication for those who would otherwise be reluctant to share their concerns;
Avoid harmful misinformation and gossip;
Provide time for resolving misunderstandings and conflicts without escalating and inflaming the issues involved;
Provide problem management expeditiously in a manner least harmful to the Congregation’s ministries.
 
 
Revised by the COM for presentation to the Governance Task Force, 6-11-12
Previously approved by Board
 
Adopted 7.22.17

UU congregations each call their own minister - Photo by Joe Maciejko

Rev Jay Wolin was called to UUCQC on May 15, 2011 - Photo by Joe Maciejko