A Time for Renewal

Report to the Congregation — December 10, 2006

 

 

CONGREGATIONAL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE

The Congregational Development Initiative is off and running! The Steering Committee has met a number of times, as have the work groups. People are identifying critical steps they will undertake to move MUUS forward. Here are the current work group members and some of the areas they are working on:

Membership Growth

Co-chairs: Joan Smith-Walleck and Tom Oakes
Jim Heetman
Barbara Roberts

Task: To grow our congregation by reaching out to and engaging potential members

The work group has met and members are "brainstorming" several approaches. Some of the things they are working on include getting more information out to prospective members through various directories and via the website, gathering information on "radical hospitality" and the “uncommon denomination,” and ways to avoid losing prospective members. Several activities may overlap with the PR group.

Financial Development

Co-chairs: Marianne and Rod Ashby
Marj Needham
Christine Edelson
Sue Shaloom
Julie Howell

Task: To enhance the financial development of the congregation through planned giving, fund raising, grant writing and other strategies.

Rod is focusing on planned giving and ways to increase the congregation's understanding of estate planning (see Securing Our Congregation’s Future in December’s newsletter). Marianne is working on fundraising activities ranging from more soup lunches for the congregation to events that would bring in the Woodbury community.

Community Outreach and PR

Chair: Jerry Ross
Donna Pereira
Judith Ross
Drew Morten
Marilyn Aligata
Fadwa Najamy
Marj Needham
Mason Cable
John Cummings
Diane Langlois

Task: To expand visibility and awareness of MUUS in our local community.

Individual members are taking responsibility for a number of strategies, including news releases and articles for local papers, comprehensive information on our website, paid advertising, and more information available for visitors in our lobby.

Program Development

Chair: Nancy Taylor
Rev. Carol Wolff
Marj Hanson
Mike Ingber
Barbara Packer
Peter Frisbie
Cathy Bolduc<

Task: To develop and expand our program offerings.

Members have reviewed past programs and brainstormed potential new offerings. They will be seeking input from the congregation through interest surveys and small group discussions. They are looking at increased publicity for events, collaborative programs with other UU Societies, and "just plain fun" winter activities.

Member Involvement

Co-chairs: Connie Ingber and Mike Ingber
Rev. Carol Wolff
Mary Lohman
Denise Pedane
Betty Zinzer

Task: To increase the degree of members’ connection, participation, and involvement in MUUS.

The group has identified several tasks and implemented the first. In an effort to promote a sense of connection among members they will be trying different approaches at coffee hour, like the "cabaret seating" introduced in November. They will be creating an organizational chart for the lobby and promoting a “scavenger hunt" for the kids involving interesting information about members. They have established a regular meeting time to continue work on their goals and activities.

Denominational Outreach

Co-chairs: Tracy Johnson and Adele Taylor
Donna Pereira
Rev. Carol Wolff

Task: To enhance the connection between MUUS and UUA and the Clara Barton District

Members of the group have attended recent Clara Barton District events, including a Radical Hospitality Workshop and the Fall Rally. The group wants to promote wider awareness of District events among our congregation and increased attendance of our members. There will be efforts to connect the Development Initiative to the District Growth Team.

Social Action

Chair: Irene Conley
John Cummings
Tom Oakes
Marilyn Aligata
Maryanne Ashby
Rod Ashby
Barbara King
Kathryn Kass
Cynthia Herron
Angela Frisbie
Vanessa VanHorn

Task: To develop social action initiatives related to UU values and principles

Members have already undertaken a number of activities in support of various social causes. Members attended a rally in New York in support of the Coalition to Save Darfur, promoted a showing of Al Gore's Inconvenient Truth, are participating in the Greater Waterbury Interfaith Ministries, and are planning a showing of videos at the Woodbury library focusing on various social issues.

In addition to these activities, the group has secured the services of Mr. Michael Quarrey, a consultant from the Clara Barton District. The District has provided a very interesting DVD on Breakthrough Congregations that was shown at this past year's General Assembly. We are trying to identify a time that will work to show this to members of the congregation who may be interested in viewing it. Finally, the "Uncommon Denomination" program of the UUA is a fully developed congregational growth and marketing strategy that is being used widely by UU congregations. It includes a clear, step-by-step methodology for congregational development and "professionally designed and tested" marketing materials. This is obviously a resource we should tap into and align our development effort with it. We will be exploring these issues within our Steering Committee and with the Board.

Many of the developmental events that will be undertaken will require additional "person-power." We realize not everyone is prepared to sign up for an ongoing work group, but perhaps you would be willing to lend a hand when specific projects come up. Please let the chairperson know of your willingness to help out in specific areas.

In the near future, we will be providing a more comprehensive report to the congregation on the many efforts being undertaken as a part of this Development Initiative.

Tracy Johnson and Jerry Ross

Co-chairs
12/10/06