Does any congregation ever have enough volunteers? Most of us struggle with that. It can be one of the most frustrating parts of being a lay leader. But there are ways to make finding and keeping volunteers less of a problem. Start by asking them the right way: face-to-face....

When Carol Hosmer found it necessary to temporarily drop out of her church ten years ago to deal with some family dynamics that were consuming much of her time, she discovered something uncomfortable. It seemed that no one missed her. She explains: “It was a mid-to-large-size congregation and one...

Ever wonder why friends and members leave your church? The Membership Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley (UUCB) in Kensington, CA (526 members), did and went to the trouble of conducting exit interviews. It’s a process that can tell you a lot about whether people feel...

They go by various names—circle suppers, dinner for eight, second Friday suppers. When they work well they bring friends, newcomers, and members of the congregation together monthly to share food and get acquainted. They can be a powerful tool for creating community in any sized congregation. But...

Should congregations borrow money from their own members for capital improvement projects? It’s an option that some congregations have used, but it’s not without pitfalls. “There are all sorts of reasons why it’s not a good idea,” said Wayne Clark, the Unitarian Universalist...

When you decide to join this church it will be a big moment for you and for us. We have a responsibility to see that you are made welcome and that you find a place in our midst where you can make friends and continue your spiritual journey. In return, we ask that you make an effort to become...

Sample letter about stewardship to be given to prospective members at New Unitarian Universalist (UU) classes and to be sent immediately after joining, along with a pledge card and letter from the membership chair....

A package of two classes to be offered before religious services on Sunday morning or at a brunch after church, or at an evening session. The first session focuses on information about the denomination, the second on an individual congregation. Newcomers should be encouraged to attend both. These...

This is a model for a two hour Newcomer Class session from the Michael Servetus Unitarian Universalist (UU) Fellowship, Vancouver, WA (200 plus members). It is either offered in connection with a brunch after church on Sunday or as an evening dessert event in a private home....

This document is intended as a guide for use in forming and organizing membership committees. It is based on a two hundred to four hundred member congregation, but its numbers and functions can be expanded or contracted to meet the needs of your particular congregation....

Collected thoughts and inspiration for Membership Committees from InterConnections, the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) newsletter for board members and professional staff of all Unitarian Universalist congregations. —Don Skinner, Editor Visitors must be greeted and talked with at coffee...

August 1: Have full greeting teams in place to respond to increase in visitors. August is a prime month for church shoppers. September 1: Have all congregational publications updated, printed and available for visitors and members. October: Hold New Unitarian Universalist (UU) classes....

These membership bylaws are meant as examples only. Please amend them to fit your own needs. Article III Membership Active Members: Any person sixteen years of age or older who agrees with the purposes of this church may become an Active Member by signing the Membership Roll in the presence of an...

The following suggestions were taken from a workshop presented at General Assembly 2004 in Long Beach, CA, by Wayne Clark, UUA (Unitarian Universalist Association) director of Congregational Fundraising Services: To be carefully interviewed and appropriately matched to a meaningful role....

Everycongregation has a story about someone who visited a couple of Sunday mornings,but didn’t really feel a connection, and then joined an adult education courseand then another and pretty soon had made a bunch of friends and become soconnected to their new religious community that any thought o...