Our May 31, 2024 Friday Forum, attended by about 20 stewardship leaders, was all about wrapping up your campaign or major phase, formally marking the end, celebrating, listening to feedback, and thanking all of the participants. The wrap-up phase, which is sometimes overlooked or minimized, is essential for laying the groundwork for future campaigns. The […]
Wrapping up your Stewardship Campaign Read More »
For our February 16, 2024 Friday Forum, attended by 30 people, Barry and Mark discussed the need to increase engagement in stewardship within Unitarian Universalist congregations. They emphasized a shift from an “I culture” to a “we culture” and the importance of involving more people in stewardship at various stages. The Forum also addressed the
Broadening Engagement in Stewardship Read More »
Is it easy and painless to balance your operating budget each year? Are you facing a budget deficit? Are you able to set aside sufficient reserves? Do most of your members (and pledging friends) understand the financial realities of your congregation? Is everyone comfortable talking about money and its relationship to mission? Is it easy
Create a 5-Year Strategic Financial Plan Read More »
Stewardship for Us is pleased to introduce a new idea for the new year – Wednesday Wisdom-sharing sessions on Zoom to which YOU are all invited. Each session will focus on a specific topic and will include a brief presentation followed by open sharing of your ideas, questions and answers, and we hope lively discussion.
Wednesday Wisdom-sharing: Giving Guidance Read More »
This post is a follow-up to my December 18 post on available Federal funding. Additional information on the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) useful to UU congregations can be found at recent Internet articles posted by Paychex and Church Law & Tax. Both provide context and background on the ERC, guidance about the eligibility criteria, information
More Info on COVID Relief Funds Read More »
There is still time to take advantage of two Federal programs that offer financial relief under the CARES Act: Emergency Economic Injury Loans (EIDL) and Employee Retention Credit (ERC). But you have to act fast! Both are still in effect with action required by Dec 31, 2021 and offer the prospect of free or cheap
Federal COVID Relief Financing Still Available – If You Act Now Read More »
We may not have expected the pandemic to last as long as it has, nor that we’d be facing a resurgence of it now, but despite its manifold challenges and heartbreaks, the pandemic did not stifle the resilience and generosity of many congregations during this year’s Annual Stewardship drives. By the time congregations were launching
Second Annual Survey on the Impact of Covid-19 on Stewardship Campaigns — Survey Results Read More »
In Spring 2020, Stewardship for Us conducted a survey on the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic on last year’s stewardship campaigns and pledge fulfillment. With 89 respondents, the survey revealed better than anticipated financial and participation results. However, responses indicated that many congregations had started their annual pledge drives before the full-on ‘lockdown’ went
Second Annual Survey on the Impact of the Pandemic on Pledge Drives Read More »
Unitarian Universalist congregations did a terrific job reacting to the novel coronavirus pandemic. With support from the UUA and each other, we transformed operations to the virtual universe. We began conducting everything from Sunday services to religious education classes to meetings and small groups using Zoom. And stewardship followed suit as our congregations conducted successful
Virtual Stewardship for a New Church Year Read More »
How can I as a stewardship leader, engage other church leaders in stewardship? Part I in this series identified four key leadership traits especially useful for stewardship: Trust Transparency Compassion Hope UUs recognize that effective financial stewardship is essential for carrying out our basic programs and fulfilling our mission. Many of us also recognize that
Stewardship and Leadership: Part II: We are ALL Called to be Stewardship Leaders Read More »
