Mission, Description and Purposes
The Mission of the Right Relations Committee (RRC) is to:
Help the Congregation uphold its Covenant; facilitate healthy and effective communication within First Unitarian Church of Omaha (1stU) by encouraging safe, respectful and open communication, healthy debate and collaboration. In addition,
the RRC will provide training in communication and building healthy communities.
The RRC is available to all associated with the congregation to offer guidance on communication and process. When necessary, it may assist in resolution of disputes by helping parties understand one another and the congregational covenant and processes with which we work together.
In case of serious allegations of misconduct by staff or members, RRC will work to assure the safety of victims or potential victims of misconduct as well as the reputation of those who have not yet been shown to be guilty of misconduct.
A need to consult the Right Relations Committee may arise when an individual has been unable to resolve a matter regarding an interpersonal dispute or a violation of Board or Church policy by dealing with the matter directly. The RRC will try to respond in a way, that balance fairness and healthy transparency with the privacy and safety of those involved.
Note: Individuals may also approach the minister about interpersonal or staff concerns and the Board about policy concerns.
The 1st Unitarian Church of Omaha’s Right Relations Committee (RRC) is chartered by the Board of Trustees to function independently of the Board, operating instead as a committee of the congregation.
The membership of the RRC will be elected by the congregation at the annual meetings. The RRC can only be dissolved by congregational vote at an official meeting, although activities of the RRC may be suspended, if so directed, by an action of the Board of Trustees pending the next called official meeting of the congregation.
The RRC will consist of three voting members of the congregation selected because of their wisdom, experience or skill in conflict resolution.
Members of the RRC are elected to staggered three year terms, with one member elected by the congregation each year, at the congregational annual meeting. The term of office shall begin on the first day of the church year (May 1st).
In the event of a vacancy on the RRC for any reason, the board may appoint a voting member to serve, until the congregation at its next annual meeting shall elect a voting member to serve the unexpired term.
1st Unitarian Church of Omaha’s Right Relations Committee (RRC) will be an Interim Board mandated committee for the remainder of the 2011 -2012 current board year.
Starting in 2012, to begin the cycle of terms, one member will serve 1 year, one member will serve 2 years and one member will serve 3 years.
In subsequent years, the RRC will supply at least two recommendations to the nominating committee for consideration along with suggestions for criteria in evaluating potential candidates. The nominating committee will then select and offer at least one candidate of their choosing to the congregation for the annual election. Nominations
from the floor will be entertained.
The minister(s) will be welcome to attend routine RRC meetings regularly as non-voting member(s). It is intended that the RRC and the minister(s) will usually be working in concert and collaboration in managing harmonious relations within the congregation.
In keeping with 1st Unitarian Church of Omaha’s (1st U) Covenants, vision of ministry, bylaws, church policies and UU principles, the Right Relations Committee (RRC) is charged by the congregation to:
- Facilitate direct and healthy communication within 1st Unitarian Church of Omaha.
- Facilitate a safe environment for congregants and staff against Criminal Behavior, Repeat Harassment and Retaliation.
- Facilitate the well-being of the 1st U Congregation as a whole by fostering, mediating and maintaining harmonious relations within the membership.
- Develop First Unitarian Church of Omaha's Congregational Privacy Policies.
- Guard confidentiality of parties to its work and to keep internal deliberations of the RRC private. Nonetheless, there will be exceptions when confidentiality cannot be offered or
- maintained or inadvertently breached.
- Establish and nurture an atmosphere and a process of congregational responsibility for harmonious relations.
- Develop practices for assisting in the airing and resolution of conflict as appropriate and to design accessible procedures by which the congregation can readily turn to and use
- 1st U’s Covenant of Right Relations and Policies.
- Facilitate resolution of conflicts brought to it under the Congregational Covenant of Right Relations (to be discerned and drafted by the RRC during the rest of this church
- year), by members of the congregation.
- Support the Board and the Minister(s) by relieving them of the routine activities and energies ordinarily devoted to conflict resolution.
- Broadly and regularly publicize and focus attention on the 1st U Covenant of Right Relations (to be discerned and drafted by the RRC during the rest of the 2011 church year), as a basis for relations within the congregation.
- Work with the congregation on development of a Congregational Covenant of Right Relations, to be presented to the congregation for ratification during the Annual Meeting of 2012; thereafter, review and renew the Congregational Covenant of Right Relations with the congregation at each Congregational Annual Meeting.
- Promote the congregation’s awareness of and skills for successful resolution of conflict.
- This effort might include but are not limited to meetings, workshops and church publications.
- Maintain the position of impartiality in the midst of conflict so as to be able to assist in a broad range of issues with a variety of stakeholders.
- Develop and maintain the RRC’s own knowledge and skill regarding harmonious relations on a continual basis. (i.e. workshops and continuing education)
- Be reflective not reactive amidst conflict.
- Recommend changes to 1st U’s current Board Conflict Resolution Policies as necessary.
The RRC will not supplant other documented conflict resolution mechanisms of 1st U or UUA such as 1stU Employee Handbook/Manual or Minister Letter of Agreement.
