Ohio-Meadville District

The Commissioned Lay Leader (CLL) Program provides an opportunity for committed Unitarian Universalist leaders to deepen their faith while serving their congregations in more significant ways. Since the 1970’s this program has commissioned dozens of lay leaders, strengthening congregations in the process. Individuals who satisfactorily complete the requirements and are approved by the Ohio Meadville District Board of Trustees will have legal recognition as a "Commissioned Lay Leader" (CLL) for a term of three years. Download the CLL program brochure.

Overview

Strong lay leadership is a hallmark of the Unitarian Universalist faith tradition. The priesthood and prophethood of all believers has been a theological stance since our movement began. While many ordained ministers have been visionary leaders in our faith, we are equally supported by many talented and committed lay members. Not everyone feels the call to the ordained ministry, but the Ohio-Meadville District offers an alternative to becoming a professional minister.

The Commissioned Lay Leader (CLL) program is designed to help lay leaders take their ministry and service to a deeper level.

A good CLL candidate is already an active and committed lay member of a Unitarian Universalist congregation; someone who has a high level of integrity and has earned the respect of fellow congregants. They want a deeper grounding in Unitarian Universalism and want to gain more wisdom about the inner workings of the church. Most CLLs have particular gifts to offer and feel drawn to a particular area of ministry where they would like to expand their understanding and improve their skills. Typical areas of focus include:

• worship
• pastoral care
• adult religious education
• membership engagement
• leadership development
• leading rites of passage

...though the program is flexible enough to develop individualized training in any area.

Overview of the Process

Interested aspirants should read through the materials (below) and talk to their congregation's governing board and minister(s). If all of the parties agree that the CLL Program looks like a good fit and will serve the congregation's mission, the aspirant can fill out the application materials and request an interview with the CLL Committee.

Those who are accepted into the program are considered to be "CLL Candidates." They are assigned a liaison to the CLL Committee to track their progress, and are also assigned a mentor, who works with the candidate in developing a learning/serving plan. A typical candidate takes 2-4 years to complete the training. When the mentor feels the candidate has completed the needed training, the candidate completes additional paperwork and schedules an in-person interview with the CLL Committee. Upon successful completion of the interview, the candidate's name is sent to the Ohio Meadville District's Board of Trustees for final approval. Successful candidates are issued a Commissioned Lay Leader certificate, which is good for three years. CLLs who wish to continue to serve three years after the initial commissioning can apply for a renewal, also good for three years (see below).

Deadlines

• Paperwork deadlines for application interviews, commissioning interviews and 3-year renewals: April 1 & October 1.
• Send all paperwork to office at ohiomeadville.org

Initial Application

• Instructions and application forms to become a CLL Candidate (word ~ pdf)

CLL Candidate Materials

• CLL Candidate Instructions (word ~ pdf)
• CLL Liaison Responsibilities (word ~ pdf)
• CLL Mentor Responsibilities (word ~ pdf)

Forms required to schedule Commissioning Interview:

• CLL Required Reading List (word ~ pdf)
• CLL Code of Ethics (word ~ pdf)
• Congregation/CLL Letter of Agreement (word ~ pdf)
• CLL Candidate Self Evaluation and Application for Interview (word ~ pdf)
• Reference Evaluation for Commissioning (2 required) (word ~ pdf)
• Mentor Evaluation for Commissioning (word~ pdf)
• Covenant between CLL and Minister(s) (in congregations with a minister) (word ~ pdf)

All active CLL candidates must be in regular contact with their mentor and must submit a quarterly report to their assigned CLL Committee Liaison (due January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1).

CLL Renewals

• CLL Renewal Instructions (word ~ pdf)

Forms required for Re-Commissioning

• CLL Re-commissioning Application (word ~ pdf)
• CLL Code of Ethics (word ~ pdf)
• Congregation/CLL Re-commissioning Letter of Agreement (word ~ pdf)
• Covenant between CLL and Minister(s) (in congregations with a minister) (word ~ pdf)

All active Commissioned Lay Leaders must submit a semiannual report to their assigned CLL Committee liaison (Due April 1 & October 1)

Scale of Minimum Fees for Services Outside of the CLL Letter of Agreement with their Congregation

• WEDDING (in alignment with UUMA guideline): $400; with rehearsal $450; alternatively, 10% of total wedding budget plus current IRS mileage allowance (For weddings performed for congregation members—where a professional minister would perform the ceremony without charging a fee—the congregation is responsible to make sure the CLL is compensated per UUMA guidelines (i.e. The member(s) involved may choose to offer the honorarium but if not, or if the amount falls short of the guidelines, the congregation makes sure the guidelines are met.)
• FUNERAL, MEMORIAL SERVICE OR OTHER RITES OF PASSAGE: $250; with committal or eulogy $300 plus current IRS mileage allowance (For rites of passage performed for congregation members—where a professional minister would perform the ceremony without charging a fee—the congregation is responsible to make sure the CLL is compensated per UUMA guidelines (i.e. The member(s) involved may choose to offer the honorarium but if not, or if the amount falls short of the guidelines, the congregation makes sure the guidelines are met.)
• SERMONS, WORSHIP SERVICES for congregations other than the CLL’s home congregation: $175 (one service) $225 (two services) plus current IRS mileage allowance. In the case of pulpit exchanges, the CLL’s home congregation is responsible to make sure that any compensation (including mileage) is clearly negotiated ahead of time.

NOTES: If overnight lodging is required, the host assumes the cost. Some CLLs prefer home hospitality; others are more comfortable in a motel or hotel. The decision should be made by the CLL. The CLL Committee strongly urges that all financial arrangements between the CLL and individuals or congregations be clearly stated and agreed to in advance. The use of the funds for these services shall be left entirely to the discretion of the CLL.

Note:  These fees are based on Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association Guidelines:  http://www.uuma.org/?professionalfees

For more information about the program, please contact the Commissioned Lay Leader Committee Chair, Rev. Renee Ruchotzke at cll at ohiomeadville.org