We enter this covenant to forge and to maintain strong positive relationships for the staff and for the congregation in support of its mission and vision. This covenant is intended to encourage and promote healthy behaviors in both the staff and congregation. It will give strength to our teamwork and cooperation. When necessary, our covenant will give strength to our making difficult statements and responses that honor the challenge of doing so. We ask that the congregation respect our staff covenant in our shared ministry at Second Unitarian Church. We the staff of the Second Unitarian Church of Chicago, make the following commitments to each other:

1. We will communicate directly with each other and members of the congregation we serve.

2. We will give each other 48 hours to respond to an email. If information is time-sensitive, we will send a text or make a call to the individual involved in the situation/conversation.

3. We will defer to each other’s expertise which includes respecting their time, their knowledge of their subject and their workload.

4. To maintain healthy relationships, we promote open, direct, and honest communication, and work towards resolution. For handling complaints, conflicts, or concerns, whenever possible we will speak directly with persons involved. When a conflict is not resolved directly, people involved will take their concerns to the Head of Staff.

5. We will lean into collaboration as much as possible while celebrating each other’s individual strengths and gifts.

6. We will be mindful of how we can work to dismantle white supremacy culture in our ministries.

7. Privately and together, we will engage in constructive (not destructive) conversations intended to enhance teamwork, and we will deal in issues and behaviors, not personalities. Sensitive information will be held in confidence and will not be shared inappropriately. In our deliberations, we accept the fact that differences of opinion are expected and welcome, but once we have come to a decision, we will all support it.

8. We will be accountable to the congregation, its mission, our goals, this covenant, and each other. We will also hold each other accountable to these commitments.