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1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to respond to disruptive behavior by members of the Board of Trustees. This policy applies to incidents between two or more Board members, or incidents between a Board member and non-Board member(s), whether such incidents occur at Board meetings, other church activities both on and off church property, and includes communications made by a Board member whether written, by phone, or by email.

In developing this policy, the Board recognizes that failure to confront disruptive persons could result in (a) the church’s failure to provide needed help to an individual who is out of control, (b) and escalation of the disruptive Board member’s (VBM’s) disruptive behavior, (c) the Board becoming an enabler of such disruptive behavior, and (d) harm to individuals inside or outside of church.

2. Revision History

Approval Date	Effective Date	Change	Ref. Section
January 19, 2006	January 19, 2006	New Procedure	NA

3. Church Bodies Affected

Board of Trustees, the Executive Committee, the Committee on Ministry, the Pastoral Associates, the Reconciliation Task Force, and Members and Friends of UUCG

4. Policy

The Board of Trustees of UUCG is responsible for modeling right relationships in our church community and for maintaining a safe, loving environment in which to hold church activities. While disagreements and differences of opinions may occur at its meetings, members of the Board covenant to listen to all opinions and treat one another respectfully. Violations to such covenant may result in sanctions as set forth in Section 7.2 herein.

5. Definitions

5.1 BBTF – The Board Behavioral Task Force was established by the Board of Trustees with a limited lifespan, for the purpose of creating a policy concerning disruptive behavior by Board members.

5.2 ACG – Approved Counseling Groups (church affiliated groups such as COM, the Reconciliation Task Force, the Pastoral Associates, an accredited community-based program, or private counselor).

5.3 COM – Committee on Ministry

5.4 P&PTF – Policies and Procedures Task Force maintains policies and procedures of UUCG and submits new or revised policies and procedures to the Board for approval.

5.5 PTR – Person Taking Report of Violation. President, member of Board of Trustees, member of the COM, or the Minister are persons designated to take such reports.

5.6 VBM – Board Member alleged to have been disruptive

5.7 UUCG – Unitarian Universalist Church of Greensboro

6. Responsibilities

6.1 The Board of Trustees is responsible for making a determination of a violation when an incident occurs during a Board meeting.

6.2 When a violation occurs outside Board meetings, the aggrieved party or a witness to the incident will prepare a written incident report and give such report to a member of the Executive Committee.

6.2.1The Executive Committee is responsible for meeting in a timely manner to take action on an Incident Report. Its action may include referring the Incident to the COM for investigation or ruling if a violation occurred. The Executive Committee will report the Incident and action taken to the Board of Trustees at its next meeting.

6.2.2The Board of Trustees is responsible for ratifying actions by the Executive Committee in response to the reported incident of violation.

6.3 Upon request of the Executive Committee, the Board of Trustees, or the VBM the COM will investigate an alleged grievance and report back to the group making the request.

6.4 A Board appointed task force is responsible for hearing an appeal from the VBM and making a recommendation to the Board of Trustees. Their recommendation may be to reverse a determination of violation and/or remove or lighten any sanctions imposed.

6.5 The Board of Trustees is responsible for determining whether or not to notify any bodies within UUCG (see Section 7.7) of the violation. The content and date of such notification is at the discretion of the Executive Committee.

7. Procedures

7.1 Violations

Potential violations include acts of emotional abuse (verbal outbursts of anger that are insulting, demeaning, or intimidating), threats of physical attack, attempted physical attacks with no resulting physical injuries, and/or physical attacks resulting in injury.

7.2 Sanctions

Upon determination that a violation occurred, sanctions may be imposed based on the severity of the violation, age/health of the VBM, previous incidents within a 12-month period or during the VBM’s term of office, and other mitigating circumstances.

Sanctions that may be imposed include:

(a) VBM is reminded of Covenant;

(b) A break in current activity will be taken to allow for centering before resuming;

(d) VBM is requested to leave premises immediately and may not participate in future activities of UUCG until the Executive Committee or Board of Trustees approves; such approval may be based, in part, on recommendation of the ACG;

(e) VBM is requested to seek counseling with ACG to deal with behavior;

(f) VBM is place on leave of absence for a period of time to be determined by Board or Executive Committee;

(g) VBM is prohibited from participating in UUCG activities until ACG reports that VBM’s behavior is under control;

(h) Church attorney may be consulted and requested to obtain a restraining order to prevent VBM from access to Church premises;

(i) Board of Trustees may call special congregational meeting to request removal of VBM from his/her office;

(j) Incident will be noted in Board Minutes.

7.3 Keys

Keys to the building should be retrieved from a VBM who has been placed on leave of absence or against whom a restraining order has been sought. If unable to retrieve such keys, President of the Congregation of UUCG may find it necessary to authorize the Congregational Administrator to have locks in the building changed.

7.4 Appeal Process

If the VBM disputes a finding that a violation occurred or disputes the level of sanctions applied, the VBM may make a written appeal to the COM. The COM will investigate the matter and make a recommendation to the Board. Depending on the recommendation of the COM, the Board may elect to rescind the determination of a violation and/or lessen the severity of sanctions as originally applied.

7.5 Family Safety

Being mindful that disruptive behavior can be indicative of a wider problem, the Board of Trustees may find it necessary to develop a plan for providing a safe house for the family of the VBM.

7.6 Other Security

If a VBM refuses to voluntarily comply with sanctions or violates a restraining order, additional security may be required. This may include calling police to remove VBM from premises, requesting additional police patrols, or hiring private security guards.

7.7 Notice to UUCG and Others

If the Executive Committee determines that an announcement will be made concerning an incident, the severity of the incident should be considered in determining which bodies using church facilities should be included in such announcement. Groups to consider include but are not limited to:

(a) Paid and unpaid staff

(b) Congregation

(d) Any individual specifically named or targeted by the VBM

(e) Outside groups renting or using the church facilities.