|
Ministerial Evaluation: An update from the Board and Committee on Ministry
Every three years, our church's Committee on Ministry (COM), which oversees all aspects of ministry in our congregation, conducts a formal evaluation of the work of our minister. Last spring the COM interviewed nearly 50 congregants, and its report was presented to the Board in July. It is important that we share with you the process that is now under way for the follow-up to that report.
The ministerial evaluation provides Rev. David Carl Olson with a framework for establishing his goals for the coming years. The achievement of those goals will then be evaluated by the COM in its regular ongoing work with Rev. Olson, and in the next formal evaluative process. The Board recently met in a workshop session to discuss the COM report, and to determine the kind of guidance the Board will give to Rev. Olson for the creation of his new goals.
This meeting was facilitated by Rev. David Pyle, District Executive of the Joseph Priestley District of the UUA. The meeting resulted in the initiation of two processes that we want to share with you. The first was anticipated: The Board is creating guidelines for Rev. Olson to advise the writing of performance and ministry goals that facilitate accountability and measurable progress. Once that has been done, the COM will meet with Rev. Olson to discuss these goals before they are sent to the Board for approval.
With the encouragement of Rev. Pyle, a second process has also begun. The Board has decided to work with Rev. Olson, Rev. Pyle, and the COM to draft a covenant document between Rev. Olson and the Board (and possibly other congregational leaders). According to our church bylaws, one of the COM's functions is to play a mediating role between the minister and the Board. A formal covenant can help improve many relationships by providing clarity about roles and expectations.
We will continue to keep you informed as the steps toward creating the goals and the covenant are established.
We welcome your questions about these processes. You may contact COM Chair Molly Ruhlman (COM@firstunitarian.net) or the Board of Trustees (boardpres@firstunitarian.net) for more information.
We welcome your questions about these processes. You may contact COM Chair Molly Ruhlman (COM@firstunitarian.net) or the Board of Trustees (boardpres@firstunitarian.net) for more information.
|
