Your Right Relations Team is a group of lay church members who covenant to help each of us in the congregation live up to our “solemn agreement” to practice faithful communication and creative conflict based on the UU values of mutuality and respect. As a team, we have “come together” to:
- Create a vision of how we want to be with one another in our congregation.
- Periodically surveying the congregation on topics germane to right relations so we can gauge how we are doing as a congregation with respect to relationship issues and restorative practices.
- Review and revise our church Covenant of Good Relations and Conflict Resolution Guidelines.
- Offer trainings and other learning opportunities around the tensions inevitable in growth and change.
Survey Says!
The first step in measuring the effectiveness of any process is to set a baseline of where we are right now.
What is your view of relations and conflict at First UU? The Right Relations Team (RRT) created a survey to measure where we are at this point. Below are the opinions of those at First UU who kindly responded to our recent congregational survey.
There were seven survey questions asked, and for each question asked for a rating using this scale:
What is your view of relations and conflict at First UU? The Right Relations Team (RRT) created a survey to measure where we are at this point. Below are the opinions of those at First UU who kindly responded to our recent congregational survey.
There were seven survey questions asked, and for each question asked for a rating using this scale:
1. I am aware of and understand our shared vision for right relations at First UU.
47% said they strongly agree or agree with this view. In 2024, we will seek your input on a revised Vision Statement that clarifies how we want to be with one another at church. We will then make it very visible.
2. Conflicts are natural in any church community.
81% said they strongly agree or agree. Whew! Now that we agree it’s to be expected, then we can address conflict more easily and effectively.
3. I have a role to play in contributing to good relations at 1st UU.
A whopping 84% strongly agreed or agreed. This is a great reflection of our UU values of taking individual responsibility for contributing to a better world.
4. I have new skills for addressing conflict.
The answers were spread almost evenly across the five possible ratings. When we repeat this survey in June, we expect the score to be much higher, given the new trainings we plan to offer starting after the first of the year.
5. We currently have good relations among our congregants at First UU.
As for the question above, the scores were spread almost evenly across the five ratings. We have work to do here, and that is the purpose of this committee that Rev Justine brought together. We’ve got plans for 2024!
6. At First UU, we are good at addressing tough issues between congregants.
Sixty percent of us strongly disagreed/disagreed. Our work ahead is clear.
7. I know who to talk to if I have an unresolved conflict with someone at First UU.
Almost half said yes and almost half said no. So we have work to do here. The revised Covenant of Right Relations (that you will be asked to contribute to and vote on in 2024) will include a protocol for who to see and where to go if someone has an unresolved conflict.
47% said they strongly agree or agree with this view. In 2024, we will seek your input on a revised Vision Statement that clarifies how we want to be with one another at church. We will then make it very visible.
2. Conflicts are natural in any church community.
81% said they strongly agree or agree. Whew! Now that we agree it’s to be expected, then we can address conflict more easily and effectively.
3. I have a role to play in contributing to good relations at 1st UU.
A whopping 84% strongly agreed or agreed. This is a great reflection of our UU values of taking individual responsibility for contributing to a better world.
4. I have new skills for addressing conflict.
The answers were spread almost evenly across the five possible ratings. When we repeat this survey in June, we expect the score to be much higher, given the new trainings we plan to offer starting after the first of the year.
5. We currently have good relations among our congregants at First UU.
As for the question above, the scores were spread almost evenly across the five ratings. We have work to do here, and that is the purpose of this committee that Rev Justine brought together. We’ve got plans for 2024!
6. At First UU, we are good at addressing tough issues between congregants.
Sixty percent of us strongly disagreed/disagreed. Our work ahead is clear.
7. I know who to talk to if I have an unresolved conflict with someone at First UU.
Almost half said yes and almost half said no. So we have work to do here. The revised Covenant of Right Relations (that you will be asked to contribute to and vote on in 2024) will include a protocol for who to see and where to go if someone has an unresolved conflict.
Responses
Fifty-seven responses were received; fewer than we would like, but still providing a valuable baseline of views.
As a good measure will periodically re-survey to gauge where we have had improvements and where we still have opportunities to improve.
Your comment or question
Please go to the bottom of this page to submit any comments, questions, or concerns you have.
Fifty-seven responses were received; fewer than we would like, but still providing a valuable baseline of views.
As a good measure will periodically re-survey to gauge where we have had improvements and where we still have opportunities to improve.
Your comment or question
Please go to the bottom of this page to submit any comments, questions, or concerns you have.
Covenant of Good Relations
Covenant is Latin for "come together" and means a "solemn agreement" or "promise from the heart.”
The church currently has a Covenant of Good Relations and a Conflict Resolution process that was completed in 2008; however, it has been long understood that that it needs to be reviewed, updated, and re-socialized. Soon, the team will start the process of reviewing and revising this document so that it better matches our current congregational aspirations and united understanding of relationship.
Training, Learning Opportunities & Resources
Training & Learning Opportunities
- More to come
- More to come
Resources
First Words Articles
First Words Articles
Questions, Concerns or Comments?
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