1. Join us for General Synod June 30 – July 4, 2017

2. Dynamic Worship and Theological Reflections

3. Discuss, Debate and Vote on Important Issues

4. Hear and Interact With Dynamic Speakers
Pulitzer Prize Winner
Connie Schultz
Winona LaDuke
Native American Activist
and Environmentalist
Antwone Fisher
Author & Director
Rev. Tracy Blackmon
Former Pastor in Ferguson, MO
Acting Executive UCC
Justice Witness Ministries

5. Make a Difference!

6. Witness Important Events in the Life of the UCC

7. Visit the Exhibit Hall, Attend Workshops, and
Observe the Committee Process

8. Wonder what the CAC Delegation was doing…..

9. Overview of Update Committee activities and Volunteer requirements
Fundraising and budget update
Youth Steward Programs
Special Events
Call to Action!

10. Committee Activities 15 Committees, several have already been working:
Transportation - preparing information on public transportation
Information & Communication – preparing binders of reference materials on what there is to do and see in the region
Snacks – identifying types of foods to be provided as snacks in the welcome bags
We need 2 people from each Association to Volunteer to be Snack coordinators for their Association

11. Committee Activities 15 Committees, several have already been working:
Volunteer Recruitment and Scheduling – receiving volunteer information and looking at committee assignments; continuing to recruit volunteers
Special Accommodations – identifying scooter vendors and sign language interpreters
Childcare & Children’s Program – designing the children’s program and providing list of materials and supplies needed
List of items needed have been provided in the ed September GS Update and will be posted on the CAC website

12. Volunteers – the CAC Needs You!
123 Volunteers have signed up on line as of October 4
If you completed a paper form, we still need you to sign up on line!
Register online as a volunteer at
FAQs provided in updates address information for volunteers
$60 registration fee reimbursed post-Synod
$10/hour for each hour volunteered (8 hrs minimum service, 60 hrs maximum service),
Investigating transportation options to make it easier for people to get into Baltimore
Volunteer brochure describes needs of each committee

13. Why Volunteer?
You get to help host a party for over 3,000 people and meet other UCC members from all over the country
You get to learn about the operations of the National UCC and the relationship between the National UCC and its congregations
You can learn about Justice Witness Ministries, Wider Church Ministries, and Local Church Ministries
You get to hear outstanding keynote speakers, attend workshops, and can participate in service projects related to homelessness, the environment, and animal rescue
You can observe first hand how decisions get made, and even participate by providing your perspective before the committees go into their deliberative sessions
You can learn about the key issues being addressed by the wider church through the passage of resolutions
You can purchase books and other UCC-related materials as well as visit with representatives that provide products and services to congregations
You get to worship with people from all over the country and world
Through our radical hospitality you can give visitors to the Central Atlantic Conference an Extravagant Welcome!

14. General Synod 31 Budget Operating Budget Volunteer Reimbursement
$ 86,000
Support for Special Events
$ 35,000
Contingency
$ 30,550
Support for 3 International Guests
$ 15,000
Other
$ 51,752
Sub-Total
$213,302
Missions Budget
Baltimore-based Mission Project
TBD
National Church
$281,698
TOTAL PROJECTED BUDGET
$500,000
Contingency is a percentage of the overall budget that has been added to account for unbudgeted or under budgeted items
Other includes:
LAC costs pre-synod
Expense to obtain background checks for child care workers
Cost to furnish child care area and volunteer area

15. General Synod 31 Fundraising
Number of
Contributors
Contributed / Pledged
Congregations
Catoctin 14
$43,110
Chesapeake 8
$7,815
New Jersey 9
$15,237
Potomac 6
$12,321
Shenandoah 3
$1,941
Association Councils
$5,000 $0
$2,200
$2,600

16. General Synod 31 Fundraising
Number of
Contributors
Contributed / Pledged
Central Atlantic Conference
$40,000
Members of the CAC Board of Directors 16
$9,100
Paramus Trust
$24,000
Trinity Trust
$20,000
Individuals 14
$4,470
Memorial Contributions 42
$7,410
Other
Homewood Sponsorship
$6,000
National Contribution to Childcare Program
$2,000
TOTAL FUNDS CONTRIBUTED / PLEDGED
$203,204

17. Youth Steward Program
12 Youth, age 13 – 18, from the CAC will be chosen to serve as Youth Stewards, honorary positions, at GS31
2 from each Association plus 2 “extra”
Special program planned for Youth Stewards, including times to meet with UCC Leadership
Youth Stewards are expected to participate in the program when available
Youth Stewards will participate in plenary by providing assistance to the Floor Parliamentarian, the Moderators, designated staff, and delegates at the microphones

18. Youth Steward Selection Process
Local churches will nominate their youth by providing information to the LAC as to why the youth is being nominated:
information on activity and leadership at the local church
involvement in wider church activities
faith development
Youth being nominated will provide information on:
their activities at the local church and beyond
their faith formation
why they wish to be a Youth Steward at General Synod
Local churches will receive forms for nomination of youth following the Fall Association Meetings
Nominations need to be received by the LAC by Dec. 31, 2016
The LAC in conjunction with others will review nominations and select the Youth Stewards in January 2017

19. Special Events – Radical Hospitality!
Radical hospitality and an Extravagant welcome to the delegates, visitors and their families
Special events would be held prior to June 30, through Synod, and after July 4 (~June 28–July 5)
Special events include everything from:
Late night Boat tour of Inner Harbor – tickets are $80
Rev. John Deckenback Memorial Crab Feast – lunch on Monday, July 3, tickets are $50
Tours of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Historic Annapolis, Philadelphia and Lancaster Theological Seminary – cost of tours TBD
Educational Event “Baltimore After Freddie Gray” – cost TBD

20. What the LAC Needs You To Do
Sign up to Volunteer!
Talk about General Synod with everyone you meet – members of your congregation, family, friends and help us recruit volunteers
Make a financial contribution
Participate by providing snacks at the direction of your association
Ask us questions! What do YOU need to know about volunteering to help with General Synod 2017?
updates are sent monthly – make sure you’re on the mailing list!
If you haven’t been receiving the updates, send your address to to be added

21. What Else Can You Do? Pray for the success of Synod!!
Attend Synod in 2017 – help us extend an Extravagant Welcome to all who are visiting Baltimore!
Attend Synod and participate in the workshops, special events, service projects, worship, sponsored meals…this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to be able to attend Synod while it is so close!
If you have a performing group (musical, instrumental, dance, etc.) that would like to participate at Synod, send contact information and description of group to Jill White
If you can’t attend all of Synod, at least attend the free community worship service on Sunday afternoon, July 2
Pray for the success of Synod!!

22. Dates to Remember
Sign up to Volunteer at by Jan. 31, 2017
Commit donations to the Childcare & Children’s Programs by Jan. 31, 2017
To donate items contact
Registration for Synod on the UCC website opens Dec. 5, 2016 (Volunteers need to register on the UCC site as well as sign up on the CAC Website)
Stuffing party! Welcome Bags for delegates will be prepared Saturday, June 24, 2017 at St. John’s UCC in Catonsville – no need to register, just show up and join in the fun!
General Synod starts June 30, 2017!