Good Officers Program

Membership Professionals benefit from the support of each other and, at times, circumstances require the outside perspective of a trained, experienced religious professional. UUAMP Good Officers are available to support membership professionals who are navigating challenges at work in order to cultivate healthy strategies that support both the individual and the congregation in reaching satisfactory outcomes whenever possible.

UUAMP has several trained Good Officers available to help. A UUAMP member may select a particular Good Officer because of proximity, acquaintance, or their particular experience  as a Membership Professional. The UUAMP Board appoints and supports training for Good Officers.

When To Call a UUAMP Good Officer

While it is common for congregants to come to Membership Professionals with personal problems and concerns about the church, it is inappropriate for Membership Professionals to take their personal and professional problems to congregants. Therefore, a Good Officer can be helpful:

  • In situations such as conflicts over job descriptions and compensation, honoring boundaries, minister relations, colleague relations, congregant relations, and oppression such as racism, sexism, classism, body shaming, and/or other biases.
  • When talking things over early in a conflict may resolve the situation without further escalation.
  • When conflict has escalated and various parties are willing to engage in meaningful dialogue.

The Good Officer Process

In a problem situation between a UUAMP member and their minister, congregation, or colleague, the Good Officer:

  1. Gather information from the UUAMP member.
  2. Listens sympathetically and reflects understanding of the UUAMP member’s concern(s).
  3. Helps to identify underlying reasons for the difficulty and suggests mutually beneficial solutions.
  4. Recommends resources to empower the UUAMP member to make a plan of action.
  5. May consider the following questions:
    • What were the expectations in terms of roles and relationships?
    • What attempts have been made to resolve the issue(s)?
    • What does the UUAMP member feel has been an obstacle?
    • Within the job description of the UUAMP member, can any of the obstacles be changed?
    • Are the expectations reasonable?

Good Officer Qualifications

  • Active member in UUAMP.
  • Willingness and ability to attend annual Good Offices training prior to GA.
  • Strict adherence to confidentiality within the boundaries of the UUAMP professional code of conduct and mandated reporting laws.
  • The ability to separate one's own experiences from the role of Good Officer.
  • Awareness that listening and reflecting back are the primary role of a UUAMP Good Officer.
  • The trust and confidence of colleagues and UUAMP members.
  • Ability to hold both empathy and objectivity.
  • Considerable experience serving as a membership professional in a congregation- 5 years or more.
  • Training and experience in setting and holding boundaries.
  • Training and experience in conflict resolution.
  • Anti-racism and anti-oppression experience and/or training.
  • Understanding of the UUAMP Code of Professional Conduct.
  • Access to good sources of information, such as the Office of Church Staff Finances, regional resources and UUAMP resources

Good Officer Expectations

The following are the UUAMP Board expectations of Good Officers:

  • Attend Good Officer training, quarterly team meetings, and additional meetings as needed.
  • Provide an annual report and attend the annual meeting.
  • Promote the Good Officer Program to members regularly.
  • Maintain confidentiality and consult, as necessary, with fellow Good Officers or a Board Member about your work with any Membership Professional.
  • Maintain accurate records of all Good Officer interactions.

A Good Officer does not speak for UUAMP and will consult with the Board for any necessary communications on behalf of UUAMP.

In the Absence of a Satisfactory Resolution

If a resolution is not achievable, the Good Officer will call upon UUA Regional staff for recommendations about next steps.

Request a Good Officer

Email go@uuamp.org to reach all Good Officers and one will reply. Or reach out to an individual Good Officer.