Membership
Membership in UU Congregations is an intentional process of commitment and covenant. This guide provides practices and tools useful in training membership teams and/or professionals.
Membership in Bylaws
As part of our congregational polity, all decisions are either made or delegated (e.g. to the minister, the board of trustees, the endowment committee, the nominating committee, etc.) by the authority of the full “membership in meeting.” Your congregational bylaws should give clear direction about how people become members, when they are eligible to vote or hold office, and how and why a person might be removed from membership.
Expectations of Membership
Each congregation determines for itself what it means to be a member. Some areas to consider are:
- Agreeing to the congregational covenant
- Accountable to the congregational policies
- Supports the congregation financially and with their volunteer time
- Participates in the life of the congregation (e.g. attends Sunday services, is part of a Small Group, attends social events)
Train Your Membership Committee
Membership Committee Training
Membership in UU Congregations is an intentional process of commitment and covenant. These trainings can help your membership committee (aka Connections Team) with the membership journey.
Strategies for Membership Growth and Vitality
Below you will find a collection of resources that include strategies for sustainable membership growth.
Contents
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Beyond the Potluck: Offering Programming that Sticks to Your Ribs
Renee Ruchotzke
From LeaderLabTheme-based ministry is happening in more and more congregations throughout the Unitarian Universalist movement. Theme based ministry, sometimes called theme based church, helps create multigenerational connections, as people of all ages explore common themes in age-appropriate ways….
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What if Membership Was a Spectrum?
Carey McDonald, Lori Emison Clair, Marie Luna
From LeaderLabAs Unitarian Universalists, we have a traditionally operated under a model of church that doesn’t acknowledge the kept track of one aspect of involvement in church life, “membership”, which typically means signing a congregation’s membership book and making an annual pledge. But in reality,…
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Breakthrough CongregationsFrom LeaderLab
Stories from UU Congregations showing growth, creativity and vitality in the program that ran from 2005-2019.
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Congregations CountFrom LeaderLab
Collecting and analyzing data is important as a feedback loop. Here are some tools to help.
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Membership Exit Interviews
Renee Ruchotzke
From LeaderLabMembership committees may feel the need for feedback if there seems to be a “revolving door” of members joining and then leaving. It may be helpful to track the reasons why some members decide to leave.
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A Flexible Pathway to Membership
Nicole Duff, Unitarian Universalist Association of Membership Professionals , East Shore Unitarian Church, Bellevue, WA
From LeaderLabMake joining more accessible and inclusive by allowing potential new members to find their own way to membership.
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Putting on the Membership Apron
Renee Ruchotzke
From LeaderLabWhat does it mean to be a member in a congregation? How much can we ask of members? I believe that membership should signify a commitment to the congregation and it’s mission as expressed by the Rev. Michael Piazza. …
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Revitalize Your Congregation With Small Group Ministry
Kathy McGowan
From LeaderLabSGM provides the key ingredients in a vibrant congregation: UU identity, Spiritual depth at all levels, and a spirit of generosity.
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