Senior Minister Search Committee Report
“No choice is more important to the future of a Unitarian Universalist congregation than its selection of a minister. A thorough, uncorrupted, and mutually respectful search process is the essential first step in the hoped-for partnership of lay and ordained leaders. For both minister and congregation, the process is strenuous, exciting, and informative. It can also be frustrating and discouraging. But generations of lay leaders and ministers testify that such a process, followed well, richly repays the time and effort it requires.”
--from the introduction to the Settlement Handbook of the UUA. Click here to see more or to download the entire handbook:
And So We Begin at First Unitarian Church of Dallas
Because our Senior Minister, Dr. Laurel Hallman, has announced her departure effective June 2009, our Board of Trustees and the congregation have embarked on the first steps towards the important process of searching for and calling a new senior minister.
The Search Committee
In late 2006, the Board of Trustees nominated nine members of the congregation to serve on the Senior Minister Search Committee and the congregation subsequently elected these nine people by voting on a slate that contained these names as well as five petition candidates. The Committee members are a well balanced and diverse group who enthusiastically aspire to be worthy of each of the Board’s lofty criteria for Committee membership, which were:
- Individuals who will not approach this task with an agenda or pre-conceived notions; individuals who are open minded, can think about the “big picture,” who do not represent only one voice or constituency within the Church, and who are involved and well informed.
- Individuals who are flexible; individuals who are neither competitively aggressive nor apt to agree to anything; individuals who work well with others; individuals who are not purely action oriented, but can be reflective; individuals who are good listeners, can ask probing questions, are able to be deliberate in their decision-making, and are comfortable in sharing their opinions.
- Individuals who bring diverse voices and viewpoints to the process and are willing to generate new ideas while remaining attuned to and supportive of the Church’s mission.
- Individuals who understand our Church as an institution, are theologically sensitive and discerning, and are committed to supporting the Congregation.
Individuals who are capable of being honest and direct with candidates and can represent the Church well; individuals who use discretion in their communication and are well-respected by the Congregation.
- Individuals who have and are willing to put in the time, energy, and commitment which this crucial task requires.
Click here for the names of the Committee members.
The Timing
Although June 2009 seems like a long time in the future, the search process must begin in earnest in early 2007. In part this is because consideration of an incumbent minister (Rev. Daniel Kanter) must be built into our timeline and in part because of the process for presenting other potential candidates which is mandated by the Unitarian Universalist Association, by whose procedures this congregation is bound. Here is the general timeframe for the first key dates:
- September 2007: Input from congregation finalized and presented to Board and congregation
- October 2007: Decisions made whether to consider the candidacy of Rev. Kanter and by Rev. Kanter as to whether to candidate
- November/December 2007: Rev. Kanter candidates and congregation votes or a wider search begins
The Search Committee’s Charge
This will not be an easy process. The Committee is fully aware of their deep responsibility and honored to be chosen to implement the search. The committee received this succinct but humbling charge from the Board of Trustees:
“To recommend to the Board a Senior Minister/CEO candidate who will provide leadership, service and vision to the Congregation for the future...The Search Committee is charged only with recommending the candidate for the Senior Minister/CEO position. Other called ministerial positions will be filled in a separate process after the Senior Minister/CEO is hired.”
Click here for more on the Board’s original announcement about the Committee selection process.
The Process & Communication
The Committee is determined to create multiple ways for the congregation and various constituencies in the church to give input prior to any action. These opportunities will be regularly announced in the DU (Dallas Unitarian, the bi-weekly newsletter mailed to all members and friends of the congregation) and in many and varied other ways, including email.
Click here to send the Committee an email.
Confidentiality
While some of the work of the Search Committee requires confidentiality, especially in regards to both the names of any ministers under consideration and some of the details of committee business, this does not prevent the Committee from keeping the congregation fully posted on its progress. The congregation and the Board will be regularly updated on the search process and how the Committee is progressing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Because this is a complex process, there are many questions to be asked and answered. Click here for the Search Committee's responses to some of the most common questions.
Monthly Updates
In addition to the bi-weekly updates in the DU, the Search Committee will post a summary of the previous month’s activities on the Bulletin Board at the church and also on this website. Click here for the most recent update.
