2063 Youth & Young Adult Ministry Sunday: Funding Our Vision
Development Dept, UUA

Handout Material

Workshop Outline:

Presenters: Alison Miller, Rev. Terry Sweetser and Rebecca Scott

I. Testimonials

• Jacob -Youth
  
• Elizabeth/ Reannon -Young Adult

II. What is Youth and Young Adult Ministry Sunday?

• Youth and Young Adult Ministry Sunday is a part of the UUA's Capital Campaign, the Campaign for Unitarian Universalism.
  
• The goal is to raise 2 million dollars to support Youth, Campus and Young Adult Ministries in the United States and Canada. Congregations are asked to aim for an average donation of $50 per member.
  
• A Sunday Worship Service in the Fall of 2002 focusing on these vital and vibrant ministries, that includes a special collection. (The date is flexible.)
  
• An opportunity to Celebrate, Educate and Donate!

Where is the money going?
Back to the local level to support people working on Youth, Campus and YA Ministry

• Support our congregational, district and continental efforts to
  
• Reach out to Youth and YA Unitarian Universalists - new and already connected
  
• Develop Resources, Trainings, Curriculum and Grants for People working to provide Youth, Campus and Young Adult Ministry

III. Burning Questions

IV. Getting Youth & Young Adult Ministry Sunday on the Calendar

1. Talk with the people who are in charge of Sunday Worship. This differs from congregation to congregation (minister, RE professional or Worship Committee)
   
2. Board of Trustees Approval. This is a fundraising effort, so discuss this initiative and why it is important with the Board. The more enthusiastic supporters enlisted, the better.
   
3. Select Sunday in the fall of 2002. (The date is flexible, and can be anytime through Spring 2003.) Make sure that it is written down in official location.

   Look for a Sunday with:

   • enough time to publicize in advance
     
   • good attendance & no other fundraising conflicts

V. Publicity & Activities in Advance of the Sunday

1) Select a "Mind the Gap" Coordinator. (Professional or Lay leader)

2) Call Alison Miller, Youth & Young Adult Ministry Sunday Coordinator & let her know:

• Date Selected
  
• Point Person & Contact Info
  
• Any special support that the congregation would like.

3) Coordinator & Minister(s) create Mind the Gap Team
(We suggest an intergenerational team where possible.)

• Publicize Event
  
• Cultivate Donors
  
• Design the Youth and YA Ministry Sunday

4) Work to identify & cultivate donors in advance of the Sunday.
Publicity suggestions:

• In the August congregational mailing we will send out a packet for the coordinator & a packet for the youth group (also online)
  
• Use the Newsletter - minister's column or feature article, Sunday Programs, Bulletin Board, and E-mail to let people know about the Sunday & to spotlight Youth, Campus & Young Adult Programming in your church. Be clear that there will be a special collection.
  
• Adult Education before the Sunday
  
• Work with the minister and any development volunteers or staff to figure out which members are passionate about this issue & might consider larger gifts. (ie. Parents of children in college, life-long UUs, Young Adults & youth too!)
  
• Host a Special Fundraising Dinner or Reception
  
• Provide an opportunity for the adult members of the congregation to have an event where they can get to know the youth & Young Adults in the congregation better

VI. Create Your Youth and Young Adult Ministry Sunday

1. Worship Folks (Committee, MTG Group, Minister & DRE - will not be the same group in every congregation)

• Worship Packet mailed out in the September mailing (also online)
  
  • Include readings, testimonials, sample sermons, hymns, choral music to pick and choose from
    
  • Encourage Intergenerational Participation
  • One thing we hope to gain from you throughout this week is the answer to the following question:
    
    • What resources would you like to see from the UUA to support you to create an inspirational worship & successful fundraising event?
      
• Brainstorm:
  • We would love to know any great ideas you have to help make this a success. Is there a particular item/idea we should include in the worship packet? Is there a great pre-Sunday idea to add to our publicity packet? The Youth and Young Adult Organizing Team would love to know what your thoughts are to make the resources we send out as helpful as possible.
    
• Example from my phone calls:
  
  • One minister - hosting a dinner for life-long UUs in order to generate excitement and gain stories for his sermon. To find out what they would have wanted, etc.

VII. Hold your Youth and Young Adult Ministry Sunday Service
Celebrate, Educate & Donate!

mail contributions, made out to:
Youth & Young Adult Ministry Sunday
Unitarian Universalist Association
25 Beacon Street
Boston, MA 02108

Please include the name of your congregation on your check

VIII. Fundraising Strategies

IX. Make sure that while you are at GA:

1. FILL OUT THE CONG INFO SHEETS IN THIS ROOM OR AT OUR TABLE & LET US KNOW THE DATE YOU ARE HAVING YOUR SUNDAY & RELEVANT CONTACT INFO

Good luck! Please feel free to speak with me or any other member of the Campaign for Unitarian Universalism Staff or Youth and Young Adult Organizing Team with any questions or requests that you have. (All our names are listed on the FAQ that I am handing out now.)

back to Funding Our Vision

Web Designer Julie Albanese

General Assembly 2002 · Program Grid 2002 · General Assembly Home