Next Steps in the Southern Region’s Collaboration
November 2013
The Reverend Kenneth Gordon Hurto Southern Region Staff Team Lead
“New occasions teach new duties” James Russell Lowell; The Present Crisis, 1844
In late September 2013, Board members from the Florida, Mid-South, Southeast Districts and the Southwest Conference of the Unitarian Universalist Association met at The Mountain (Highlands, NC) to review the progress of cross-District work in the Southern Region. Nearly all Board members were able to attend; they were joined by UUA Moderator Jim Key, UUA Congregational Life (“CL”) Director, the Reverend Scott Tayler, and the UUA Congregational Life Field staff.
A comprehensive report on that meeting was sent to the Region’s congregational leadership and religious professionals in early October. The purpose of this note is to provide a summary of that document.
Background:
In December, 2010, the four Boards met to discuss how better to serve our member congregations and grow our faith. That led to a document, The Orlando Platform, calling for greater district collaboration, committing to the UUA Ends as normative for each District, and withdrawing as co-employers of the Congregation Life field staff.
In late September, 2013, the Boards again met to assess progress and discern future directions. This meeting was equally transformative of our understanding of District & Regional leadership, structure, and ministry. The goal remains to free up energy and resources for both professional and volunteer leaders to grow our congregations and our faith.
The Next Steps:
- The Boards see using a cluster model to keep distinct culture alignment according to current district geographies. Thus, an important next step to implement the vision is to strengthen the existing network of clusters and to create new ones not necessarily limited by District boundaries. Additionally, a new ideal, currently called “affinity clusters”refers to bringing congregations together on the basis of similar situations or interests rather than proximity.
- To illustrate: Consider four congregations, one from each District, all around 150 adult members, with full-time clergy, and dealing with growth issues that require more staff or space. Linking these together would provide an on-going consultation process that allows for mutual support. Effective tools for audio-visual conferencing technologies exist to do this connecting without concern for where the congregations are. Another illustration: We currently have three state-wide legislative ministries; it would be good to have one in every state. An affinity group of the leaders for this unique work would again allow for shared learning and encouragement. One of the many benefits of cooperation between the Districts is the ability for congregations in the same state but different districts (particularly in Tennessee, Georgia and Florida) to work together more smoothly on projects like legislative ministries and public witness.
- These leaders continue to strive toward their initial goal of disentangling multiple levels of governance while allowing volunteers with a passion for serving our larger Unitarian Universalist community to apply their gifts to personally fulfilling cluster and regional service. A vast body of congregational lay and ordained “elders” accountable to one another and to our member congregations engaged in ongoing training and theological reflection has been envisioned. Such a “Council of Elders” could provide a local connection to each congregation, nurture cross congregational ministry, communicate local concerns to the Unitarian Universalist Association Board of Trustees and administration, and encourage participation in democratic processes among and within Southern Region congregations. They could also partner with the professional staff to form the vision of our work into the future and assess our progress.
- Due to reduced governance responsibilities, the Boards believe that Districts can be dissolved and a small regional fiduciary body formed to provide due diligence to ensure the protection of District and Regional assets.
- To deconstruct the legal entities that are the Districts requires the approval of each District’s congregations voting in the Annual Assembly/Meeting. The Boards have established four task forces (Communications, Democratic Process, Elderhood, and Fiduciary) to craft implementation recommendations.
Continuing:
The Congregational Life team of the Southern Region now consists of seven professionals, who are part of our UUA staff. They are responsible for implementing UUA Ends and the UUA President’s strategic plan in the Districts. The Reverend Kenn Hurto is the team lead; he supervises the staff on behalf of the CL Director, the Reverend Scott Tayler. Each member serves the region, with “first contact” responsibilities for 30 to 35 congregations.
The Boards have approved and monitor a unified budget process proportionate to each District. The pilot project, GIFT (Generously Investing for Tomorrow) is in its first year roll-out. GIFT is premised on a single “Ask” of 7% of each congregation’s reported annual expenditures — this in lieu of District and Association “dues” on a per capita basis. Each District is funded directly by the Association.
The Boards are in the process of being reduced from as many as 14 down to 5 members (MSD & FLD are already there, SWUUC and SED are in the midst of a multi- year step-down approved plan). The intent is to transform the Boards from small business enterprises to a covenanted body of spiritual leaders. Going forward, these twenty people will help to identify Elders who may serve as advisors to congregations, clusters and affinity groups.
The Passion:
Our Association, as are many traditional institutions, is in the midst of a great many changes. We are challenged to carry on existing good work while being resilient to adapt ministry to today’s rapidly changing context.
The goal here is not to create a big District. Rather, the goal is to help us all journey forward toward vital ministry, to grow our members spiritually, and to bring our values to bear on larger issues in society. We are eager to stand on the side of love and justice in ever expanding networks of partnership and collaboration, confident we are stronger together than apart. Thank you for coming along on the journey.
In shared faith,
The Reverend Kenneth Gordon Hurto
Congregational Life Staff Member
khurto@uua.org
