“There are no failures, only lessons.” -adrienne maree brown
On 08/19/2025, the Board appointed a special task force to review policy around those who are survivors of domestic abuse. At a special Board meeting on 01/06/2026, the Safe Here Task Force reported back to the board with; a letter, a statement of conscience, a proposed Abuse Response Policy, appendices, and a proposed charge if the Board determined to create the suggested Survivor Care Collaborative. The Board reviewed the documents over the next two months, consulting with the UUA and an attorney. In an Executive Session at the Board’s meeting on 03/17/2026, the Board voted unanimously to move forward in the following ways to address concerns of survivors and those who are close to survivors, security, and covenantal living:
Survivor care is an important issue, so those who want to see more survivor care at HVUUC are encouraged to create a fellowship group to support those experiencing or affected by abuse
Security is an important issue, so a Security Committee has been created under the Facilities Trustee and it is in its early stages of formation. There will be multiple ways to provide input such as attending our in person (April 5 at 1:00pm) listening circle on the issue of security for the congregation. The group reviewing the congregation’s thoughts on security is also taking written comments (facilities@hvuuc.org).
Living in covenant with one another is an important issue, so Tish Kashdan, Emily Hand, and Reverend Tiffany are in the beginning stages of creating a Congregational Covenant Team (CCT) to help congregants navigate conflict and breaks in covenant. The Disruptive Behavior Policy and Policy Regarding Domestic Violence will fall under the CCT once it is formed.
Executive Session Board Report