Meeting Agendas and Notes 

Scheduled Meeting Dates, Times and Contact Info 

Unitarian Universalists of Lakewood Ranch
Congregational - Organizing Group Meeting
Sunday, January 26, 2020
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Members Present:  The Organizational Group expanded to include the congregation’s members present in an after-service meeting at the Hyatt Place.

1. Status of Sunday Service Location / Future Options:  John reported that Grand Living has elected not to pursue a relationship with UU/LWR.   In addition, the Hyatt has cancelled our meeting there on 3 additional dates this season.   Pre-empted Sundays in the remainder of this church season are:  2/9, 2/23, 4/5, 4/26, & 5/10.         

With many other local venues explored and ruled out, the option and benefit of moving to a Manatee school location were presented as:  room to grow, better location (moving north in LWR), predictable meeting space (no pre-emption).  Points in favor of remaining at the Hyatt included:  Comfortable ambiance/welcoming staff, in-house coffee/food service, audio-visual capabilities, affordable rent.  Mae noted that higher rent (school location) could be offset by combining budgeted rent and food expenses.
Jeff suggested the possibility of using Hyatt pre-empted Sundays for member get-togethers like the Babcock Ranch trip.
Alan Cate offered to lead a contingent of members in exploring the preferred school location to confirm rental terms, food/drink options, audio/visual capabilities, parking/bathroom access, seating accommodations, etc.  Any final decision regarding a possible move will be presented to the Organizing Group and full congregation for consideration and vote.

1. Program Review and Suggestions:  

• Weekly Update:  The question of communicating UU/LWR weekly services via email was discussed.  Google is now placing restrictions on emails that use extensive BCC’s and include embedded attachments and email addresses.  Charlie Pucci agreed to meet with Big Church staff to learn more about their use of specialized software to transmit the weekly Contact.  It was requested that Worship Leaders not be in charge of providing updates to the UUCS Contact.  John Yoder will attempt to email members with a simple email announcing Sunday speaker, sermon subject and the speaker’s bio.  After the meeting another member suggested using Face Book postings (on UU/LWR site) as another route of communication.  The job of ‘Weekly Communicator’ is one of several that John requested volunteers to staff.  Members were reminded to share all activities with Mae for inclusion on the UU/LWR website.
• Worship Leader Flexibility:  Ray suggested allowing Worship Leaders’ creative privilege in creating the Weekly Order of Service.  

1. Committee Highlights:

• Membership:  Mae announced the next committee meeting to be 2/7 at her home
• Volunteers:  Jane circulated a sign-up list for Greeters.  She requested that Greeters also collect and count the offering.  John circulated a sign-up sheet for the regular Organizing Group Meeting, noting that in the future they would take place after Sunday service.
• Activities:  Pat reviewed the many upcoming group activities, including the Get-Together Dinner this coming Friday.  Hosts will contact guests mid-week.
• Caring:  Bev thanked the group for supporting this combined member effort and invited interested persons to join her in the work.
• Social Justice:  Neil reported he’d be meeting with the UUCS Social Justice group to learn about their activities.  He announced a meeting after service next Sunday (Hyatt) to discuss how our UU/LWR Social Justice program could function.  

1. UUCS Update:

• Finance Committee:  Mae reviewed the UU/LWR Budget submission for FY20-21.  It was approved by the Finance Committee and forwarded to the UUCS Board.  
• Board:  Ron reported on major items of the Board’s consideration Including:  Use of an endowed gift for the church’s playground, the ongoing church focus and study of institutional racism and the question of church security, especially noting Sunday Service at the Big Church.  Ron provided a brief overview of the interim and settled minister search, expected to take up to 2 years following Roger’s retirement in March.

1. Organizing Group Membership/ Leadership:  John invited additional member participation in the Organizing Group, which in the future will meet after Sunday service as a smaller group, reverting to whole congregational meetings periodically for information and to vote on big issues. 

 John advised the group that he would be stepping down from the position of Org. Group Chair after this church season (May) and invited member interest in the position (see Shared Responsibilities for the Org. Group Chair; attached).  Proposed changes in the position include a one-year term. Chair-Elect, Chair and Immediate Past Chair positions are being considered.  A 3 position Exec. Team consisting of a Worship and Membership Coordinators working with the Chair was discussed as a potential new model to streamline workflow and decision making.

1. Next Meeting Date/ Place:  The Organizational Group will meet next after the service on Sunday, March 22, 2020.  

Respectfully submitted,
John Yoder

See attached: Proposed Scenario for Sharing Org. Chair Responsibilities

Proposed Scenario for Sharing Org. Chair Responsibilities:

Current Role:
Develop/Distribute Org. Group Agenda

• Chair Org. Group Meeting & Congregational Meetings
• Develop/Distribute Org Group/ Congregation Minutes
• Key Liaison with UUCS
• Coordinate (w/committee) Speaker/Worship Leader Schedule 
• Write/Distribute ‘Weekly Update’
• Submit UU/LWR Annual Report
• Take Sunday Offering to UUCS

Proposed New Roles (Separate Individuals):

• Lead UU/LWR Coordinating & Organizing Groups:

• Chair Worship and Membership Coordinators Group Meeting
• Chair Larger Org. Group & Congregational Meetings
• Liaison with UUCS
• Organizing Group Secretary:
• Advance notice of Monthly Meeting place/time
• Write and Distribute Minutes
• Submit Annual Report to UUCS (1 page)
• Lead UU/LWR Weekly Communications:
• Develop/Distribute Sunday Service Announcement 
• Coordinate w/ UU/LWR Website as primary source
• ‘Contact’ and Big Church website as secondary sources
• Possible use of ‘UU/LWR Contact’ as another source
• Deliver Weekly Offering to UUCS (when Assoc. Ministers not in pulpit)

Membership Com. meeting:  Feb 7 at 2:00 pm
​Contact Mae Steg: mae.steg.uu@gmail.com

"Volunteers are people who have the ability to work willingly together for the betterment of their community and themselves. Not only are they a valuable resource, they are the most important resource community organizations have!  Get Involved." A young organization like UU Lakewood Ranch obviously needs your ideas and your commitment.

Member Volunteer Opportunities 

Please consider volunteering for:

Social Justice Committee - 

There's a lot of interest in various social justice issues - environment - use of plastic; climate change, immigration, etc.
We need a leader to organize this group of members.
Contact John Yoder if interested:  iamjohnyoder@gmail 

Web Site Development & Maintenance

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Membership Com.

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Social Activities Committee 

You may have found your way to UU LWR through the web-site.
​We need some help in updating and maintaining info current.   If you also are a photographer - that would be helpful in getting more photos on the site.  Interested?  Contact Mae Steg:  mae.steg.uu@gmail.com.
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Like to socialize. . . to meet and greet other members.  You would enjoy staffing the Welcome Table on Sunday mornings.  Join the Membership Committee and help develop new ways of supporting our members.  ​Contact Mae Steg:  mae.steg.uu@gmail.com.

UU LWR has a full calendar of social activities.  We do enjoy seeing each other.  If you would like to participate in the planning and organizing of these activities, contact: Pat Reilly Rosenof: prosenof54@gmail.com

Sunday Services

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Worship leaders and Power Point producers play an important role in our Sunday service.  If you are interested in helping as 

• Worship Leader:     Contact Jane Keil Yoder at janekeilyoder@gmail.com
• ​​Sunday Power Point Producer:  Contact Richard Herring at rherring2@gmail.com​​
• Song Leader:   Like to sing? We would welcome your talent in leading our congregation in singing our hymns at our Sunday service.  Contact: Kathleen Konicek-Moran at kathleen.konmor@gmail.com