Path to Membership Patricia Hall Infante Congregational Life Consultant Central East Region of the UUA

Welcome!

Introductions Share: Write Your first name Your congregation What brings you here today Write A question you have Expectation you have Challenge you are facing

Overview Welcome & Chalice Lighting Introductions Overview Definitions & Motivations Basic Hospitality Multicultural Welcome BREAK

Overview Path to Membership Model Whose work is it? When Things Don’t Go as Planned Small Group Ministry How Service Leads to Leadership Wrap Up/Questions Closing & Gratitude

Definitions: Brainstorm Membership V. Belonging Key Questions: What’s the difference? Who benefits?

Motivations towards Membership Institutional Community Individual Increase resources Life transitions Spiritual Seeker Increase Enhance shared experience Family Ministry diversity Spiritual Crises Maintain reputation and status Relational Need for Community Energy and vitality Prior UU Experience Affirmation

Expectations of Membership Institution Community Individual Participation Increase shared experience Friendship Financial Affirmation of values Volunteer/Lead Increase diversity Spiritual/Personal Growth Share the load

Basic Hospitality Trained greeters Offer welcome packet Warm, extroverted individuals! They should be able to connect first time visitors with information about programs and the facility Offer welcome packet Family welcome packet Simple sign-in process Self service information Accessibility Be authentic in how you represent yourself! Assessment tool on uua.org

Multicultural Welcome Definition of Multiculturalism …means nurturing a religious community where people of all races, ethnicities, and cultures see their cultural identities reflected and affirmed in every aspect of congregational life – worship, fellowship, leadership, governance, religious education, social justice, etc.

Multiculturalism means that we create religious homes where encounters between people of different cultural identities intersect with Unitarian Universalism to create a fully inclusive community where, in the words of a vision statement adopted by the Unitarian Universalist Association’s Leadership Council, “all people are welcomed as blessings and the human family lives whole and reconciled.”

Multiculturalism means that one cultural identity does not dominate all other identities; that people are able to participate in their faith community without denying or hiding their cultural identities, that the role of cultural identity is part of pastoral and prophetic ministry, and that leaders have the competency to understand how their multiple identities and socialization influence their values, attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, and interactions with others.

Key Questions How might our welcome practices by monocultural? What is the role of assumptions in creating inclusive multicultural welcome? What is the role of white supremacy culture in creating inclusive multicultural welcome?

Ten minutes!

“A” Path to Membership Model No right way! Goal is to move folks from a seeker to an integrated member. Serves as a discernment tool for the institution Provides community with a continuity and an ongoing stream newcomers and engaged participants to increase energy Provides clarity of expectations for the individual

Your Path to Membership Should be explicit Connected to mission Doesn’t have to be complicated! Should include: data collection A means to build relationship A systematic way of reaching out and following individual progress

Whose Work is it? Membership Committee Members Board/Leadership Minister/Staff Membership Professional Landscape Director Manager Coordinator UUAMP is a professional organization dedicated to supporting individuals and institutions doing this work. uuamp.org

When Things Don’t Go as Planned First impressions Lack of energy and vitality Mission Misalignment Family Ministry Safety Special Multigenerational worship Cooperative requirements Lack of social media presence You make them uncomfortable NOT EVERYONE IS GOING TO STAY

Small Group Ministry Covenant Groups, Fellowship Groups, Soul Matters Groups, Parenting Groups Helps individuals build relationships that begin to bind them to the community more deeply Experience personal growth and transformation Make friends Commit to service A caveat: Need to ensure they follow a healthy process

Service Leads to Leadership High level of engagement Internalize mission and goals of the institution Experience their own agency to create change Experience the impact of their service High level of commitment Time, Talent and Treasure

wrap up

Take Home Plan 1 Idea to implement 1 learning goal for you The congregation The membership committee The leadership What do you need? Who do you need?

Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? Mary Oliver