Setting up a Friends Group

This Evening’s Workshop Why a Friends’ Scheme? What is special about our churches? Who are our Friends? How do we go about setting a Scheme up? What does a Friends Scheme look like?

Why a Friends’ scheme? They can widen the pool of people who will help support the fabric of the church. To help with the maintenance, repairs and preservation of the fabric of the building – or major items. To make friends and support friendship with those who might share an interest in our church and community.

Why a Friends’ scheme? To grow a support base of friends, in addition to our regular worshippers. To provide activities and communications that develop and sustain that meaning for them and their sense of community. To encourage life in community.

Why a Friends’ scheme?  Friends Schemes offer us a great opportunity to reach out as Christians to members of our wider communities and share with them what makes our churches very special places.

Why are churches important for people in the community? Historic Architecture Cultural landscape Sacred space Community

Who are our Friends? Local residents and businesses Individuals of local standing Former members of the church/parish Those with family/ancestral ties to the parish Members of local societies Pilgrims/visitors Organisations with links to any person or interest connected with the church

Starting out Working party to assess benefits of a Scheme PCC resolution Types of schemes – Sub-committee of the PCC – Separate charity Terms of reference (objects) Membership

Option 1: Sub-committee of PCC Set up under the authority of PCC as a sub-committee. simplest to set up organises events, communications and membership reports to PCC Recommended option for many parishes Types of Scheme

Option 1: Sub-committee of PCC Advantages Charity status as part of the PCC. Tax efficient donations and subscriptions through Gift Aid. No separate constitution required. Some functions can be delegated by the PCC as it is a sub-committee. Its events and personnel may be covered by the PCC’s insurance.

Option 1: Sub-committee of PCC Disadvantages May not attract a wider membership, particularly leadership, if perceived as a sub-committee. Organised by existing church members. Officers must be on the electoral roll. Has no executive powers.

Option 2: independent registered charity Set up as a separate organisation Advantages May attract wider community support. Seen as distinct from the religious activity of the church. Organisation does not fall on the church members. Tax efficient donations through Gift Aid. Types of Scheme

Option 2: independent charity Disadvantages Length of time to establish. Requires its own constitution, AGM, bank accounts and officers. If income is £5,000+ you must register with the Charity Commission. Is divorced from the core purpose of the church building.

Starting out Working party to assess benefits of a Scheme PCC resolution Types of schemes – Sub-committee of the PCC – Separate charity Terms of reference (objects) Membership

Starting Out - Membership Local residents? – Attend events – Active fundraisers People with connections living further afield? – Regular information Visitors/pilgrims? – Background/Regular information

Marketing What’s so special about your church? Why would anyone want to support it? Who are these people, and what do they want? How can you reach them? Targeting

Starting Out - Launch Recruiting initial members? Open meeting or launch event? Honorary ‘Patron’ of the Scheme? First year: – Social event – Fun fundraising event – Review progress

Starting Out - Activities Subscription Fundraising/social events Informative talks Special Friends service? Magazine or newsletter Website

Finance What money do we need to get going? Are we covering costs? Subscriptions? Gift Aid

Watchpoint Friends are not there to provide funds for the general running costs of the church – that task is for the regular worshipping congregation. Friends groups are for friends – not members of the church family. Most events should be organised by the Friends for the Friends – they shouldn’t become one more thing for the church family to do.

Examples Friends of All Saints Witley Friends of Leatherhead Parish Church Friends of St James Weybridge

Any questions?