Growth and Vitality Group

UUCWC’s Growth Group team — seven individuals who committed for three years to attend workshops that include people from other midsized Unitarian Universalist congregations in the Northeast — met in April. UUCWC hosted the event, which involved 27 representatives from seven congregations. The retreat was a great success, culminating in goals for the coming six months and beyond.

Members and friends at UUCWC will be hearing more about these initiatives as they are woven into activities. For more information, please contact anyone on the Growth Group (part of the Growth and Vitality Workshop Series, sponsored by the District and SERGE): Rev. Charles Stephens, Robin Pugh, Maria Baratta, Holly Bussey, Mike Dalzell, Rollie Rahn, or Dan Tuft.

Mission of UUCWC’s Growth Group: To energize, engage, envision, and execute growth by cultivating and nurturing its path.

Six-month goals; outcomes to be reported in October 2011:

  1. Task and Volunteer Board: Create specific lists of tasks that new and/or lightly active members can take on as volunteer assignments. These will be one-and-done assignments that are easily completed.  Holly Bussey, coordinator. We hope to begin posting these tasks in May.
  2. Continue to follow up on internet and social media tools to promote UUCWC to potential new members and other demographics. Communications Committee and Director of Lifespan Religious Dducation, coordinators.
  3. Track the impact of Living Our Principles project as it relates to our congregation’s ability to respond to conflict, develop, and adapt policies and procedures related to working with outside institutions and organizations. Provide guidance to youth involved with organizations in conflict with UU principles. Council for Faith in Action and Committee on Ministry, coordinators.
  4. Investigate Council for Faith in Action’s share of collection plate and types of social action/social justice projects that may be possible by increasing the percentage.
  5. Make the “Living Our Welcoming Congregation” project more visible prior to fall 2011 class. Adult Religious Enrichment, Standing on the Side of Love, and Communications, coordinators.
  6. Growth Group to meet at least once before the next Growth & Vitality workshop.
  7. Begin to engage the congregation in the strategic planning process. Will involve congregation, major committees, Board of Trustees and Communications Committee.
  8. Seek to reinforce the concept of “belonging” among new and old members and friends. Minister and Growth Group members,
    coordinators.
  9. Raise the awareness of Growth and Vitality process within the congregation. Minister to coordinate with outside guests.
  10. Increase the visibility of UUCWC to outsiders who attend certain functions at UUCWC. Charles to discuss with Concert at
    the Crossings manager Scott Cullen.