| Goals for To Be of Use
As a kick off event for the third year of the Fulfilling the Promise process, we hope this conversation among stakeholders in service delivery to congregations will have a positive impact on service delivery leading to: Fair provision of service to all our congregations (New) covenants for service delivery between and among providers Continuing intra- and inter-district dialogue on these and related matters More informed "customer" (those whom we serve) |
This workshop, organized by UUA Congregational, District & Extension Services, was attended by about 130 leaders of our denomination in the Marriott Hotel, where Ballrooms A, B and C were joined together to accommodate 13 round tables.
Attendees included the UUA Field Staff, UUA Board members, District Presidents, UUMA President and Chapter Presidents, the Chair people of the Commission on Appraisal, Fulfilling the Promise, Journey Toward Wholeness and GA Planning Committees, Donna DiSciullo of Young Adult Ministry, Joey Lyons of C*UUYAN, representatives from the YRUU steering committee, LREDA Board Members, members of APF Continental Committee, UUA President John Buehrens, Moderator Denny Davidoff, and Executive Vice President Kay Montgomery.
The Ingathering Worship led by Chris Greene (President of Prairie Star District and Past President of DPA) and Cindy Spring (RE Consultant of the VT district) began after breakfast with the sound of a bell, Chalice Lighting and hymn-singing.
The worship included a reading of the goals for "To Be of Use" (right) and an affirmation of "To Be of Use."
Following the Ingathering, Chris Green gave an introduction of the workshop and talked about the role of the DPA (District Presidents Association) in bringing the group together. He delivered a short history on how, beginning as a small group hosted by Denny Davidoff around one table after the 1996 GA in Indianapolis to discuss how the UUA and districts can best serve their member congregations, the "To Be of Use" Workshop has become an annual post-GA event. It has grown to the current gathering of 130 participants, which, for the first time, includes youth and young adult representatives.
June Gillespie, former UUA District Trustee for Metropolitan New York, talked about the role of the UUA Board in bringing this group of people together. She emphasized that changes come from the grass-root level, not as directives from above.
Bill Sinkford, Director, Congregational, District, & Extension Services, told those gathered that as recently as last year, people were not highly invested in the discussions now taking place. However, dialogues have begun independently in separate districts and committees, and the Salt Lake City gathering brings them all together to centralize the hopes and dreams expressed. Sinkford mentioned some of the unique and specific needs each district has, and the imperative to make services more equitable for all, given individual differences. Sinkford also noted the participation this year of representatives from the YRUU and Young Adult communities. Work done today, Sinkford said, is an important part of fulfilling the promise of tomorrow, and is, ultimately, a part of our meta- recovenanting.
