Financial Barriers to Leadership

By Renee Ruchotzke

purse

"Volunteering to host coffee hour is a great way for newer folks to get involved."

"We used to have potluck dinners, but we have so many dinners offered in our service auction that we don't seem to have the interest to plan potlucks anymore."

"Attending Leadership School helped me to be an effective congregational leader."

"I'll just buy it and donate it to the church."

How many times have you heard (or said) something like this? For potential leaders (or just people looking for ways to serve or get connected) figuring out the congregation's way of doing things can create a bit of a learning curve, just as in any organization. But for those who don't have much (or any) disposable income, some norms can create a financial barrier against potential involvement.

"Volunteering to host coffee hour is a great way for newer folks to get involved."

  • Financial implication: If you coffee hour host duties include providing snacks, this could be a barrier, especially if some host provide expensive snacks and set the bar a little high.
  • Other ideas: Provide a budget line item for coffee hour snacks -Have separate sign-ups for providing snacks and doing the set-up / clean-up -Organize hospitality teams, such as the UU Fellowship of Centre County, PA does

"We used to have members host potluck dinners, but we have so many dinners offered in our service auction that we don't seem to have the interest to plan potlucks anymore."

  • Financial implication: To make social connections in the congregation, there is a cost.
  • Other ideas: Schedule potlucks or game nights in the church social hall rather than people's homes -Offer low-cost fixed-price dinners

"Attending Leadership School helped me to be an effective congregational leader."

  • Financial implication: Many potential leaders don't have the extra money or time off from work to attend a week-long leadership school.
  • Other ideas: Provide a budget line item for leadership development, especially for young adults.

"I'll just buy it and donate it to the church."

  • Financial implication: The true cost of programs and committees is not reflected in the budget. There may be an unspoken expectation that leaders who take on a responsibility cover the incidental costs in order to be successful.
  • Other ideas: Provide a budget line item for each committee with latitude for the committee chairs to spend the money without being micro-managed -Insist that volunteers and leaders who do donate report those expenditures (and make it easy to do so!)

About the Author

Renee Ruchotzke

Rev. Renee Ruchotzke (ruh-HUT-skee) is a Congregational Life Consultant and program manager for Leadership Development.

For more information contact .