Core Consulting Services
All TJ District congregations, by virtue of their membership in the Association and the District, enjoy a basic level of access to programs and services at no cost. These include:
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Phone and/or e-mail consultation with the District staff;
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Congregation governing board meetings with a member of the District staff for discussions and advice regarding operations issues;
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Attendance and/or participating in ordination and installation services by District staff (as schedule permits);
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Ministry and Director of Religious Education transition interviews and start-up retreats conducted by District staff or specially-trained consultants;
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Facilitation by District staff of low-level conflict management discussions (see Extended Consultation below for higher level conflict situations);
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Initial consultation with the Accepting Allies team (one visit and/or service of up to four hours) on work to support gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, and transgender concerns;
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Compensation consultations (provided by TJ District Compensation Consultants - DCCs);
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Ministerial Settlement consultants (provided by Ministerial Settlement Representatives (MSRs) from UU Ministers Association and the UUA Transitions Office);
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Communications, including:
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all news and information materials (electronic and/or hard copy) sent from the district office;
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listing on the TJD Website;
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access to all leadership development, growth and other resources posted on the website or sent to congregations in other formats.
Additional Services
Additional services and programs are available to all congregations from the District staff and Congregation Consulting team for a fee (see Fee Schedule).
RETREAT FACILITATION
The District staff is available to facilitate a limited number of planning, mission development or general training board or congregation retreats within the district during the year. Priority is given to congregations with which the district staff has not worked in this capacity for a few years.
CONGREGATION CONSULTANT SERVICES
Members of the Congregation Consulting team are available to facilitate board, congregation or committee retreats and provide other consultation services. Congregations, in consultation with the District staff, may engage members of the TJD Congregation Consulting Team as often as they wish. Services include:
WORKSHOPS AND TRAININGS
Workshops, conferences, seminars and other trainings are offered from on a regular basis in the district on various topics. Generally, a registration fee is charged, though for certain workshops and/or conclaves there is no fee.
EXTENDED CONSULTATION
In some cases, an extended consultation period may be warranted or desired. For example, an If a congregation is interested in engaging a consultant over an extended period that might include an initial consultation, phone calls, information sharing, and follow-up visits, arrangements can be made for this service by talking with the District Executive or the Director of Faith Development. Depending on the nature and intent of the consultation, this service might be available at a reduced cost from the normal hourly rate.
Conflict Management
In the event of a high-level conflict in a congregation, the District Executive or Director of Faith Development might recommend an extended consultation. An extended consultation is contracted in an initial meeting with the board and the District Executive or Director of Faith Development or designee, followed by a comprehensive assessment process involving two subsequent visits, interviews, information gathering, report writing, and in-person reporting to board, clergy and congregation. The assessment typically includes 24 to 45 hours each of onsite work and a multiple of that time offsite, varying according to the extent and complexity of the conflict. The District provides full assessments at substantial discount to congregations in such need. The process begins with a conversation with the District Executive who can offer an estimate of cost. Consideration is given to congregation size and Fair Share participation.
UUA CONSULTATION SERVICES
The UUA also offers consultation for a fee to congregations in areas such as strategic planning, capital campaigns, stewardship, social justice planning (JUUST Change). To find out more about these services, contact the TJ District Executive.
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