Who we are

The Association of Unitarian Universalist Administrators is a continental network of people working as paid administrators in local Unitarian Universalist (UU) congregations, district offices, or UU affiliated organizations, and who have primary or supervisory responsibility in one or more of the following areas: Finances and/or Fund Raising, Facility Management, Personnel Management, Food Service Management, Office Management, or Computer Systems Management.

The purpose of the AUUA is to provide training and support for members; to be a clearing house for church administrative information; and to improve recognition of church administration as a profession.

The association was formally affiliated with the UUA in 1984, receiving a grant from the UU Denominational Grants Panel for organizational purposes. Subsequent grants have funded special AUUA programs, reimbursed transportation costs, underwritten development of the guidebook for church administration and funded development of the AUUA Professional Development (Certification) Program.

What can we do for you?

• Conversation with other administrators on our LISTSERV:  Church-Admin-UU
• General Assembly workshops and Professional Day: We get together to share, learn, and take care of business at our annual meeting.
• Our quarterly newsletter.
• Local and district workshops — a chance to meet and exchange information with nearby administrators.
• Networking: By mail or phone, just a few minutes conversation with another administrator often means the difference between job frustration and the warmth of shared problem solving.
• Help with job descriptions.
• Continuing job education, learning new skills.
• Resources and references we might never discover on our own.

Some of our accomplishments

• Increased associational recognition of church administrators as professionals.
• A steadily growing membership.
• Inclusion of administrators' names in the UUA Directory and in some district directories.
• Support from many local congregations for administrators' attendance at GA and Professional Day.
• A representative on the UUA Council on Church Staff Finances.
• Development of the AUUA guidebook for church administration.
• Membership in Department of Ministry and Professional Leadership
• Membership on the Professional Leadership Coordinating Council (PLCC)

Join the AUUA

Our Goals

• Improved public relations and increased publicity.
• More frequent publication of the newsletter.
• Reaching out to new members.
• Encouraging local AUUA Chapters.
• Expansion of networking throughout the year.
• Greater local support for AUUA programs.

The AUUA Code of Ethics

It is expected that AUUA church administrators will:

• Understand and be in sympathy with the principles and purposes of Unitarian Universalism.
• Maintain an appropriate attitude in meeting and communicating with everyone.
• Maintain professional and personal integrity and be trustworthy with confidential information and communications.
• Being mindful of the power that congregants invest in church employees, strive to serve each member of their congregation in an open, impartial, and non-exploitive manner.
• Cooperate with their minister(s) and other staff members in supporting the total ministry of the congregation.
• Exercise good stewardship in their use of the church’s resources.
• Maintain businesslike and collaborative professional relationships.
• Recognize the need for continuing professional education and training.
• Share with their professional colleagues knowledge and development in professional practices.
• Maintain appropriate professional appearance.
• Exercise leadership within their realm of administrative responsibilities.

AUUA Bylaws