Membership and Volunteer Support
The UUCB received a Chalice Lighter grant in 2012 which enabled the congregation to act on the long-term goal of establishing a half-time Membership Coordinator position. The grant was used to supplement the position in the 2013 and 2014 calendar years, providing time for new and enhanced initiatives to be established while the financial supplement is in place.
Christine Derby-Cuadrado was hired as Membership Coordinator in November 2012, and has been working to deepen and expand the capacity of the congregation to practice hospitality in all its forms. During the first year, the Membership Team began to reconceptualize their role as one of hospitality and welcoming, not only staffing the Welcome Table each Sunday, but also exploring other programs that can make the church culture more welcoming to the newcomer. The Membership Coordinator has designed orientation and training programs based on best practices from other churches, and is beginning to offer those on a regular basis.
Christine Derby-Cuadrado was hired as Membership Coordinator in November 2012, and has been working to deepen and expand the capacity of the congregation to practice hospitality in all its forms. During the first year, the Membership Team began to reconceptualize their role as one of hospitality and welcoming, not only staffing the Welcome Table each Sunday, but also exploring other programs that can make the church culture more welcoming to the newcomer. The Membership Coordinator has designed orientation and training programs based on best practices from other churches, and is beginning to offer those on a regular basis.
The Path to Membership
Realizing that a disappointing number of new members were leaving the church soon after they had joined, the process of becoming a church member has been redesigned to allow for and encourage a period of engagement in congregational life prior to making the membership commitment. A new “Exploring” class was developed in 2013 and is offered monthly to help newcomers get to know one another and begin for forge connections in the church. The “Exploring” class is a pre-requisite to the less frequent “Membership Commitment” class, at which the deeper meanings and responsibilities of membership are emphasized for those who wish to join the church.
Realizing that a disappointing number of new members were leaving the church soon after they had joined, the process of becoming a church member has been redesigned to allow for and encourage a period of engagement in congregational life prior to making the membership commitment. A new “Exploring” class was developed in 2013 and is offered monthly to help newcomers get to know one another and begin for forge connections in the church. The “Exploring” class is a pre-requisite to the less frequent “Membership Commitment” class, at which the deeper meanings and responsibilities of membership are emphasized for those who wish to join the church.
Access and Inclusion Team
The UUCB is one of ten UU churches chosen by the UUA and EqUUal Access to participate in “The Disability/Ability Action” pilot program. EqUUal Access and the UUA recognize access and inclusion as a social justice issue. It is hoped that this pilot program, with the UUCB’s help and feedback, will be fine-tuned for use by other UU churches.
Following acceptance into the program in July 2014, an Access/Inclusion Team was formed making the pilot project the major portion of their work. The Membership Coordinator and Director of Lifespan Faith Development provide staff support. The team meets regularly and works from a 225-page handbook provided by the UUA and EqUUal Access.
After the first step of organizing the team, the next was to generate awareness of the program with church leaders and the congregation. The program was introduced in a special worship service on November 10th, focusing on why this work is important in creating a healthy congregation, how better to support those living with disabilities and their families, and why this is sacred work that promotes social justice. A survey of experiences with disability and access was distributed in that service, and results are being analyzed. Awareness training was offered for RE teachers on December 8, and a building assessment was completed in January 2014.
The UUCB is one of ten UU churches chosen by the UUA and EqUUal Access to participate in “The Disability/Ability Action” pilot program. EqUUal Access and the UUA recognize access and inclusion as a social justice issue. It is hoped that this pilot program, with the UUCB’s help and feedback, will be fine-tuned for use by other UU churches.
Following acceptance into the program in July 2014, an Access/Inclusion Team was formed making the pilot project the major portion of their work. The Membership Coordinator and Director of Lifespan Faith Development provide staff support. The team meets regularly and works from a 225-page handbook provided by the UUA and EqUUal Access.
After the first step of organizing the team, the next was to generate awareness of the program with church leaders and the congregation. The program was introduced in a special worship service on November 10th, focusing on why this work is important in creating a healthy congregation, how better to support those living with disabilities and their families, and why this is sacred work that promotes social justice. A survey of experiences with disability and access was distributed in that service, and results are being analyzed. Awareness training was offered for RE teachers on December 8, and a building assessment was completed in January 2014.