Accountability Team

Accountability Team Position

Purpose : To guide the long-term work of the UUA in living out its commitments to justice, liberation, anti-oppression, and full inclusion through sustained, ongoing, high-level engagement and feedback with the UUA's elected and appointed leaders.

Overview : In 2020, the UUA's Commission on Institutional Change (COIC) issued its report and recommendations entitled "Widening the Circle of Concern." These recommendations emphasized the need for ongoing systems to ensure the UUA continues its work to address institutional racism and oppression against UUs with historically marginalized identities. The Board and the Administration are committed to following through with the COIC's recommendations and ensuring that this work is sustained through leadership transitions over time.

Background : The Accountability Launch Team (ALT) 20222024

In 2022, the Accountability Launch Team was appointed to guide and support the first round of this systemic work, shaping its own function and focus, in partnership with the Board and Administration. The ALT's purpose was to be involved in real time with the key decisions the UUA made about how to advance equity and liberation through its governance, resources, and priorities, recognizing this is an effort that will require years of work.

Priority Areas of the ALT

• Defining and Practicing Accountability : Developing an understanding of accountability focuses on restoration of relationships and ensuring harm does not continue, rather than the flavor of fault-finding and punishment, is crucial for dismantling white supremacy and patriarchal culture. The ALT may help define accountability within the UUA, and to develop and disseminate practices so it may be integrated at every level (Note : It is not the ALT's function to solely hold accountability for the UUA, but rather to support and facilitate this overall for the Association).
• Reviewing Resource Allocation : Money represents a different form of power, both in how it is earned (investments and fundraising) and how funds are allocated. The ALT may engage with the Board and its committees on key issues, such as reparations and ensuring funding of programs that help our UUA live its mission and values.
• Advising on Board & UUA Governance : The UUA Board embraces a policy-based governance model and derives its authority from the UUA General Assembly and UUA Bylaws. The ALT may help the Board refine a governance model that reflects our anti-racist, anti-oppression and multicultural values, and advise on potential changes to the UUA Bylaws in parallel.

The ALT raised the following potential topic areas for further conversation to narrow this list with the Board :

Now : The Accountability Team (AT) 2025

The Accountability Team will work with the UUA Board and UUA Administration (President and executive staff) to collaboratively develop a covenant to guide their work together. The Team, the Board and the Administration will periodically assess how well we are working consistently with that covenant.

The AT will work to advance the principles of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion within Unitarian Universalism. Building on the foundation laid by the Accountability Launch Team, this team will be dedicated to ensuring transparency, monitoring progress, and fostering a culture of responsibility in alignment with UU values. Members of this team will collaborate with UUA leadership, congregations, and stakeholders to monitor measurable and sustainable change.

Appointment

This position will be appointed by the UUA Board of Trustees. The initial term will be 2 years with the possibility for renewal.

Time Commitment

All meetings will be online or multiplatform, so that travel will not be required of appointees.

Beyond the minimum expectation, the amount of time required for members of the Accountability Team will be based on the Team's determination of when and how their participation is needed. For example, the Team may have one member assigned to each Board Working Group (Governance, Bylaws, Values & Resources).

Qualifications

Supporting the Success of the Accountability Team

We learn as we go, and the support or approach may be adjusted to reflect what is learned.

Aspiration of the UUA

We seek to create a Unitarian Universalist Association which embodies our faith's aspiration to the beloved community, and in which people of all backgrounds and identities can thrive.

We work to support our congregations and leaders to be sources of justice, equity, compassion and liberation in their communities and the wider world.

Equipping Congregations and Communities

The UUA equips congregations and communities for vital ministry to create an ever-widening sense of belonging where no one is outside the circle of love. This means congregations that are :

Training and Supporting Leaders

The UUA supports and trains leaders, both lay and professional, for ministry that is :