An Important Message From The Board Of Trustees Concerning Nominees To The Senior Minister Search Committee

Fellow Members of the Congregation,

The Congregation of First Church will soon elect the nine-member Search Committee to identify the minister who will succeed Dr. Hallman as Senior Minister in 2009. Because our work should coordinate with the processes used by the Unitarian Universalist Association, the Congregation needs to elect the Search Committee in February 2007. The Search Committee will first be charged to discern the attributes the Congregation needs in its next Senior Minister. Next, the committee will look at who among ministers available to the Congregation possesses those attributes. Early on we will initiate a two-way discussion with Reverend Daniel Kanter to determine if both he and the Committee feel that he is the most appropriate person to be called next to the position of Senior Minister at First Church. If either he or the Committee determine that this is not the case, the Committee will continue its search. We anticipate that this very important work will take at least 12 months.

The Search Committee’s job is one of the most significant which any church group has been called on to perform in the last 20 years. We are fortunate to have a wealth of wisdom, vision, and commitment within the Congregation to contribute to this vital task.

With respect to calling a new minister, the Board’s role is to create an appropriate process for selecting a search committee, then to consider that committee’s recommendation to call a particular minister to candidate before the entire Congregation. After study and professional consultation, we have developed an open process to ensure that the Congregation has the best possible nominees to the Search Committee. We are beginning to review potential nominees and are asking now for your suggestions. We will make our recommendation for nominees to the Search Committee at the end of the year. After the Board makes its recommendations (compiled with your help), there will be an opportunity, through a petition process, to place additional nominees on the ballot; the final election of Committee members will take place in February.

Between now and December 20, you may send your recommendations to us either by talking to one of the Board members listed below or by e-mailing your nominee to: search-committee@dallasuu.org. If you wish to support your nomination by a narrative, please try to keep your statement to 50 words. Please give the Board your suggestions as soon as possible.

The Board has identified the following skills, attributes and attitudes as desirable in a Search Committee member and asks that you consider them when making nominations:

• 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.

Thank you, from the Board of Trustees.

James Snell, President (214-693-8153)
Janet Tharp, Vice President (214-354-5523)
Glenn Baldwin, Treasurer (972-392-1369)
David Norton, Clerk (214-887-9447)
Michele Bangert (972-470-9390)
Jeanne Clinchy (214-358-0005)
Phillip Collins (214-637-6417)
Susan Hunter (214-642-6504)
Kimberly Leonard (972-699-1770)
Roger Grape (214-363-6682)
Fish Greenfield (214-956-9991)
Janny Strickland (214-696-5663)