Becoming a Member Unitarian Society of Hartford

We were all new here once!

As our former District Consultant, Nancy Bowen said in a recent workshop on congregational growth ... “the stairs down to Fellowship Hall in our Unitarian Meeting House are very long and forbidding for a new person who doesn't know anyone ...”

I think we all know what she was talking about, yet visitors come to our Meeting House at a rate of about ten a week, and put on their orange nametags which are intended to identify them as visitors. Visitors come to worship with us ... to see what we're like ... to meet us.

We were all new here once!

The Membership Committee's mission is the greeting and meeting and orientation and assimilation of those who are new among us. They staff and run the Hello Table upstairs, and the Visitor's Corner downstairs. They initiated and coordinated the Picture Directory so we could all get a better idea of which names go with which faces.

We were all new here once!

They organize the New Member Orientation Sessions, New Member Receptions, “Bring A Friend” Sundays, and “Volunteer Appreciation” efforts. They keep the membership list up-to-date, and have recently been developing a list of “Membership Categories” (see opposing page) which will be open to the Congregation for discussion after the Service for two Sundays ... January 6 and January 13,2002, and voted on as a Resolution to the Constitution at the Annual Meeting on February 10th.

Getting Oriented

One of the requirements of full membership is to formally join the Society. This is a simple process; no creedal tests or confirmation classes, but it is important, if you are new to Unitarian Universalism, to attend a New Member Orientation Session. Even if you've been around awhile and just want to learn more about our Unitarian Universalist tradition, at an Orientation you're sure to meet interesting people and learn something you didn't know.

Traditionally, Orientation Sessions have been held on Saturday mornings, beginning with a Continental Breakfast in the Meeting House library. Then, a chance to get acquainted by sharing backgrounds, interests, and questions... telling what led you to the Unitarian Meeting House, and learning what brought the Minister, Religious Education Director, Society President, and the others in attendance to our Society, and to Unitarian Universalism.

The Minister then discusses the origins and beliefs of our UU tradition, the history of our particular Society, and some of our present theology, goals, and concerns, principles and purposes. After a short break for coffee, the President offers information about our Society's Governance and Stewardship. Shared Ministry is discussed ... ways to become meaningfully involved in our Society ... and how to become a member.

After attending a New Member Orientation, all that remains is to sign a Membership Card. Several times a year, new members are welcomed into our Society during a special Sunday service. New members attending the next Welcoming Service will be the first to sign the new Membership Book ... a revival of an old Society tradition.

• This winter, the Membership Committee has set up three shorter Orientation Sessions at different times: Saturday morning, January 12, 2002 (9:45 AM–12 Noon) ... Wednesday evening, January 16, 2002 (6:45 PM–9 PM) ... or after the service on Sunday, February 3, 2002 (11:45 AM–2 PM). Child Care will be available Saturday and Sunday. Please sign up at the Hello Table or Visitor's Corner. Future sessions are under consideration.

• After attending an Orientation and filling out a card indicating your intention of joining the Society, you will be considered a new member and will be welcomed during the next Welcoming Service.

• Officers and Committee Chairpersons for the coming 18 months will be installed during the February 17th Sunday Service, and saluted at a special reception.

Membership Categories Defined

We are a diverse and dynamic congregation... filling the spectrum from members to friends, occasional visitors, young and old, people with many different types of interests and abilities or wishes to participate. Unfortunately, our unstructured approach towards defining ourselves has oftentimes resulted in confusion and misunderstanding on the part of our congregants. In response to this issue, the Membership Committee has undertaken the task of establishing categories of membership so as to clearly identify specific levels of involvement and the benefits that are attached to those levels. The following is a list of the definitions we propose for your consideration. Please take time to review the following proposal and offer your comments to either Kathy Herzog or Ginny Hedrick, co-chairs of the Membership Committee. There will be two sessions after the service in which to respond. The first is scheduled for January 6, 2002, and the second for

January 13, 2002. Thereafter, there will be two votes of the Congregation to pass this resolution. Your ideas are important to us, as the results of this resolution will impact everyone. Please let us hear from you.

Names reported to the UUA Offices in Boston as our Society's official count:

FULL MEMBER: A person who has met the requirements for full membership:

• has formally joined the Society

• fulfills pledge per membership guidelines. Minimum contribution and pledge goal as determined by the Finance Committee in advance of the Annual Canvass. (Situations of financial hardship may be discussed with the minister and waived)

Full members may vote at Congregational Meetings, may serve as officers of the Society, Trustees, Council Members, and Committee Chairs, and may represent the Society at General Assembly and District Meetings. Full members receive the newsletter, copies of the Membership Directory, and other Society, District, and UUA mailings such as UU World. Membership benefits include participation in Religious Education classes for children, Adult Programs, Minister's and Caring Network services, and use of Meeting House facilities and Memorial Garden.

Names not reported to the UUA but listed in directory:

ASSOCIATE MEMBER: A person who no longer lives in the area or is unable to attend regularly, but wishes to remain affiliated with no voting privileges. The only financial obligation is a contribution sufficient to cover the cost of the newsletter if desired. Additional financial support is left to the discretion of the member, Associate members may be charged separate fees for participation in programs or use of services.

LIFE MEMBER: A person recommended by the Membership Committee with approval by the Council, in recognition of long or outstanding service to the Society. A life member would receive all privileges of membership with no financial obligation.

YOUNG ADULT MEMBER: Must be between the ages of eighteen and twenty two, must have been a youth member, or have participated in membership orientation (unless transferring from another UU congregation) and must have signed the membership application card. A young adult member is permitted to vote on congregational matters and is expected to make a minimum annual contribution as determined by the finance committee.

YOUTH MEMBER: Must have reached thirteen years of age, but be less than eighteen years of age; must have completed the church school affirmation class or have participated in membership orientation, and must have signed the membership application card. A Youth Member is permitted to vote on congregational matters and is expected to volunteer within the Society.

FRIEND OF THE SOCIETY: A person who has not formally joined the Society as a member, but who wishes to be affiliated and to participate in Society activities. Unless waived by the minister, a minimum financial contribution, as determined by the Finance Committee, will be required sufficient to cover benefits such as participation in the RE Program, receipt of the newsletter, Minister's and Caring Network services, use of the Meeting House facilities and Memorial Garden.

Names not listed in the directory:

INACTIVE MEMBER: Inactive members are to be identified annually by the Membership Committee working in conjunction with the Finance and Canvass Committees and with the Minister. Names of inactive members will be kept and so indicated in the database, but will not be solicited in future canvasses.

About the Minimum Contribution ...

The Finance Committee has determined that the Minimum Annual Contribution for 2002 is $200 per individual adult member. Any person who is unable to pay at the minimum level should speak to Rev. Terasa Cooley. She has the authority to waive the minimum contribution at her sole discretion. The “Fair Shair” contribution requested by the Annual Canvass is 2% of gross family income... a family-based giving unit.

Let us know of any comments, errors and corrections - thanks (revised 2/21/05)