The Board of Trustees has adopted policy-based governance as the framework for fulfilling its fiduciary responsibilities to the congregation. Policy Governance offers an approach to governance that was originally developed by John and Miriam Carver to aid non-profit boards. Policy Governance is a registered service mark of John Carver. According to the UUA, at least 24 Unitarian Universalist congregations have adopted the Policy Governance model.

This approach enables the board to be guided by the core values and vision of the congregation while ensuring that the congregation's resources are used to make a difference in the lives of members of the congregation, in the larger community and in the world.

Under Policy Governance, the Senior Minister acts as chief executive officer, is responsible to the Board of Trustees for implementing the policies that the board establishes and operates under the general supervision of the board.

Policy Governance:

• Recognizes the congregation as the source of authority for what we do,
• Ensures accountability for the use of resources to achieve outcomes that the congregation identifies as of primary importance,
• Defines the roles and authority relationships of Senior Minister, staff and board,

How does Policy Governance work?

The Board of Trustees governs on behalf of the congregation. It is answerable to the congregation through the democratic process that is defined in our bylaws, it is obligated to listen to the congregation and it is responsible for articulating the congregation's goals and values as Ends statements. Under Policy Governance®, the Board of Trustees governs through written policies and careful monitoring of performance. In essence, the Board of Trustees sees to it that the congregation's resources are used effectively to achieve strategic outcomes that further the values and goals of the congregation.

Congregation:

• Elects and places its trust in the Board of Trustees, to which it delegates the authority to oversee use of the congregation's financial, physical and human resources.
• Establishes the values, principles and goals that guide the work of the church by engaging with the board to define how this congregation will make a difference in the lives of its members, in the larger community and in the world.
• Shares in the realization of the congregation's values, principles and goals by actively participating in the groups and teams that do much of the work of the church.
• Participates in formal and informal opportunities to communicate aspirations, ideas, questions, suggestions and concerns with the Board of Trustees.

• Sets policies that further the interests and values of the congregation.
• Acts on behalf of the congregation to oversee the business operations of the congregation, subject to authority granted under our bylaws.
• Monitors the Senior Minister's performance and compliance with board policies.
• Establishes proscribed activities for the Senior Minister and staff.
• Ensures that financial, physical and human resources are used to accomplish strategic outcomes that reflect the values, goals and priorities of the congregation.
• Creates opportunities to listen to and communicate with members of the congregation concerning our values, goals and priorities.
• Articulates the congregation's goals and values as Ends statements.

Senior Minister:

• Provides religious and spiritual leadership for the congregation.
• Oversees programs and operations that support the congregation's goals and values.
• Leads the staff (both volunteer and paid) in implementing board policies.
• Provides scheduled and regular monitoring reports to the board on the accomplishment of Ends and the avoidance of proscribed activities.

Staff:

• Contributes to accomplishing the Ends formulated by the board.
• Follows board policies.
• Supports the work of the Senior Minister and volunteer groups.

Advantages of Policy Governance

1. Enables us to be clear about our purpose:

Focuses on the congregation's values and strategic priorities. The board, on behalf of and in dialog with the congregation, answers these questions in the form of written Ends statements: Why do we exist as an organization? What difference do we want to make in the world? What good do we wish to accomplish, for whom, and at what cost?

What do we want to become? What goals do we wish to achieve?

• Clearly distinguishes between leadership roles of board and Senior Minister.

• Establishes the Senior Minister's responsibility for programs and operations.

• Establishes the board's responsibility for stewardship of financial, physical and human resources on behalf of the congregation.

• The board establishes these roles through written governance policies.

• The Senior Minister is accountable for compliance with the board's written policies.

• The board actively monitors the Senior Minister's compliance with its policies and Ends statements, by means of regular written reports.

*Adapted from "Taking Care of Business at Unity Church-Unitarian," Unity Church Saint Paul, Minnesota and "Making Community at UUCA," Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia.