Report from Growth and Development Committee

Based on member feedback at the January 2006 Town Meeting and at the 2006 Canvass parties, the UUFP Growth and Development Committee identified the following goals as most important to Fellowship members. The various UUFP committees have agreed to undertake these activities in an effort to attain our collective goals. AS you see, some of these goals require merely having people step forward to accomplish them. Others require both personal and financial commitment. Committees can always use additional members, so please contact any of the chairs or Tom Hackett, Board President, for additional information. (See committee list at end of document.)

Financial Resources & Allocation

1. Goal: Improve electrical efficiency of buildings (B&G)

1. Action: Insulate hot water and heating pipes.
2. Action: Replace most incandescent lights with fluorescent lamps.

2. Goal: Improve Financial Situation (G & D)
1. Action: Encourage board to activate a Fundraising Committee.
2. Action: Encourage board to revisit criteria defining an active member in terms of financial and/or time commitment.
3. Goal: Bring income in line with budget (Finance)
1. Action: Newsletter article on the congregational financial situation.
2. Action: Monthly two-minute presentations at Sunday services.
3. Action: Canvass of those not previously canvassed.
4. Action: Request an additional contribution of a specific amount from each member.
5. Action: Target those who are more able to make larger donations.
6. Action: Give minister access to pledge fund records as a matter of policy.
7. Action: Distribute UU Thank You fund envelopes at events and encourage people to contribute.
8. Action: Maintain the financial “thermometers” in the lobby.
4. Goal: Hold a pledge drive (Board)
1. Supply information needed for congregation to make financial decisions.
2. Members of the board out in front.
3. Promote open and honest discussion of congregational finances.
5. Goal: Support and improve fundraising (Board)
1. Involve outside community.
2. Develop plans for fundraising events.
3. Board members to help greet people.
4. Find a strong PR person.

Community Interaction

1. Goal: Involve children and youth in Social Justice activities (RE)
1. Action: Codify an annual Social Justice plan of action with opportunities for intergenerational interaction.
2. Goal: Improve awareness of UU in community (G&D)
1. Action: Encourage the board to activate a PR Committee
3. Goal: Increase congregation’s awareness of Social Justice activities (SJ)
1. Action: Make a brochure describing our activities which can be given out to new members or others interested in the committee.
4. Goal: Fund a yearly contribution of $500 to the All for Justice speakers' series (SJ). 
1. Action: Encourage the board and the congregation to make this a project supported by the congregation as a whole rather than just by special collections.
5. Develop an ongoing project such as ongoing support of a microcredit organization operating in the third world. (SJ)
1. Action: to be determined

Congregational Happiness

1. Goal: Diversity and balance in Sunday morning services. (Program)

a. Action: Schedule for 2007-8 lay-led services to include circle-style worship services, panel discussions, guest clergy, humanist services, Buddhist services, Seven Principles services, pagan services, “spiritual” services.  Strive for balance of programs that appeal to the many interests of the congregation. 

b. Action: To encourage congregational contact/communication, provide information for the website about the Program Committee and its work.

2. Goal: Youth participation in Sunday morning services (Program)

a. Action: Schedule at least one youth-led Sunday morning service per Fellowship year. 

b. Action: Implementing a plan to encourage regular youth involvement in services – chalice lighting; leading Joys and Concerns, meditations, and responsive reading; and performing music.

3. Goal: Diversity in Music (Program)

a. Action: Purchase of copies of Rise Up Singing.

b. Action: Encourage use of Rise Up Singing and hymnal in services.

c. Action: Enlist members with musical ability to provide music of various types.

4. Goal: Increased Adult RE Offerings (RE)

a. Action: Develop policy for sponsorship of adult RE programs.

b. Action: Encouraging proposal submissions per policy.

5. Goal: A better functioning RE Committee (RE)

a. Action: Develop job descriptions and policies to address safety, behavior, classroom placement, teacher development, and adult RE.

6. Goal: Achieve a stable, reliable Hospitality Committee membership.  (Hospitality)

a. Action: Involve most of the congregation in the weekly services provided by committee.  Create a system were the committee provides oversight but not most of the services.

7. Goal: Kitchen renovation (Hospitality)

a. Action: Bring a list of concerns and costs to the board and the B&G committee.

8. Goal: Establish a regular process for orienting and informing new members about the UU (Membership)

a. Action: Schedule class by minister in fall and spring.

b. Action: New member breakfast or brunch once per six months.

c. Action: Make 30 minute video available for new members, newcomers and visitors.

9. Goal: Establish a Caring Committee with a larger membership (Membership)

a. Action: Set guidelines for Caring expectations

b. Action: Recruit committee members from Small Group Ministry participants and personal appeals.

c. Action: Move chair into a coordination role.

10. Goal: Maintain Fellowship buildings (B&G)

a. Action: Provide a new rug in main meeting room.

b. Action: Provide additional security lighting at rear of the building/garage.

c. Action: Finishing painting the porch – work to be done by volunteers in the spring and summer.

d. Action: Replace inoperable windows (four per year). 

e. Action: Pave the front parking lot in 2007 and side lot in 2008.

f. Action: Provide cove lighting in main meeting room.

11. Goal: Create a more well-organized Sunday morning experience. (G&D)

a. Action: Create a Sunday morning manual.

12. Goal: Support the work of the Membership Committee. (Board)

a. Action: Board members must commit to be ushers and greeters.

b. Action: Board members must orient any visitors/members and should wear name tags

c. Action: Board must get more people involved in committee work.

d. Action: Board will ask the Membership Committee to report monthly to the board. 

2007 Current UUFP Committees and Chairs:

Arts and Décor                          Karl Volk and Maureen Beck

Buildings and Grounds               Richard Sudnik

Finance                                     No chair

Membership                              Ellen Waggener and Paul Silverstein

Program                                    Judith Knauss

Religious Education                   Judith Knauss

Hospitality                                 Margie Watters

Social Justice                            Carol Miyake and Bob Browne

Growth and Development                        Paul Hirsch and Margaret Keefe

Small Group Ministry                  Paula Greenspan and Thalia Sudnik

Newsletter                                 Bryan Cook

Technology                                Bryan Cook

Canvass                                    Judith Knauss and Jim Olson

Fundraising                               No chair, no members

Public Relations                         No chair, no members

Denominational Affairs                No chair, no members

Committee on Ministry               Paul Kassel

Personnel                                  Nick Garin

Endowment                               Nick Garin

Nominating                                Harvey Frankel