Oberlin Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Behavioral Covenant
Created November 2004 and revised March 2009
Because I am committed to the well-being of the Oberlin Unitarian Universalist Fellowship and its members, I willingly enter into this covenant:
To make the Fellowship a safe, open and welcoming place.
Examples of this include, but are not limited to:
• Greeting people and welcoming them; I will recognize that others may not share my views (e.g., theology, political affiliation)
• Recognizing that not everyone feels comfortable saying “no” or disagreeing (e.g., preface requests with qualifiers such as “if you feel comfortable,” ask if people have different viewpoints)
• Recognizing and expressing my own boundaries (physical and emotional), and recognizing and respecting those of others
• Being open to new ideas and new ways of doing things
To treat each individual with respect and compassion.
Examples of this include, but are not limited to:
• Actively listening with an open mind and heart, even to those with whom I disagree (e.g., if one person has a concern, I will treat it as a real/true concern)
• Speaking for myself, not on behalf of others, and I will use “I” statements to express myself
• Leaving space for others to speak, not interrupting, and remembering that some need more time to gather their thoughts (e.g., during forums, meetings, Joys & Concerns)
• Attempting to constructively resolve negative interpersonal interactions/feelings and conflicts directly with the person involved, not through third parties (e.g., not talking about someone else in the parking lot); if there is no resolution, the Committee on Ministry should be involved with all parties participating
• Maintaining and respecting confidentiality in personal conversations (e.g., not spreading gossip)
• Being open to recognizing and owning my limitations and prejudices
To treat the institution and its processes with respect.
Examples of this include, but are not limited to:
• Respecting the leadership of the fellowship by…
> Utilizing the existing processes to create change, express complaints, and resolve conflicts
> Respecting, and working towards understanding decisions made through the established processes, even if the outcome is not to my liking
> Participating fully and honestly in all assessment processes (e.g., Committee on Ministry surveys)
• Participating in and using events within the context of their intended purposes (e.g., not carrying on side conversations, not making announcements during Joys & Concerns, not conducting church business during coffee hour)
• In Fellowship events, striving to present only expressive religious material that supports and affirms any group of people that it mentions