Developing Leaders in our Congregation

It is possible there was a time when “leadership development” in our congregation might have referred primarily to a seasoned Board member’s assurance to a new congregant that “it is only one meeting a month and I know you will do a good job.” Well, times have changed and our church has grown in a variety of ways over the years - numbers of members and friends, clarification of organizational structures, and improved communication systems. However, to ensure sustained growth, we need to be deliberate and intentional about “succession planning” – we need to prepare prospective leaders.

And herein lies the paradox. I would venture to say that, like me, most of us were not attracted to the church to Chair a committee or be the President of the Board of Directors. We are not unique. There is a distinct tension in most UU congregations between the need for a stable and secure organization and the need for a flexible and diverse spiritual environment supporting a personal search for truth and meaning. No wonder leading our congregation is a unique challenge; we need to be thinking with both sides of our brains at the same time.

As we plan for leadership in the next fiscal year, we need to replace five of the ten positions on your Board of Directors. And, as we look for members interested in representing the congregation, it is important that we are thoughtful, open, sincere, and supportive in our encouragement.

To assist in this challenge, I am pleased to announce the resurrection (yes, I just used that word ) of the Volunteer Resource Committee. Long time member and former Board member and Treasurer, Larry Phillips, has agreed to Chair and members are John Burstow, Rosemary George, and Leslie Turnbull. Their most immediate task is to nominate new Board members; however, besides this current priority, they have great potential to be a coordinating group for developing leaders in the congregation by promoting, facilitating development, and celebrating leadership opportunities within the church.

Leadership development occurs in many ways our congregation, but one of the ways we support and celebrate our leaders is through the Chairs/Leadership Dinner Meetings. The Board hosted three of these meetings this year and they have proved to be very valuable in sharing information and ideas among Board members and Chairs.

So, once you have had time to get comfortable in your spiritual quest, please think about what kind of leadership role you might be interested in… and please check the following links for more information on opportunities to develop your talents:

• Board Liaison/Committee Cluster list - for leadership positions in the church
• http://www.cuc.ca/programs/cuul/index.htm - CUUL School Leadership Development seminars to develop UUs interested in congregational leadership, supported by the Canadian Unitarian Council (CUC). Subsidies are available through the church budget.

~ In Faith, Craig Edwards