For many congregations, tis the season of the annual budget drive. As a stewardship consultant, I talk with many congregations, especially at this time of year, as well as with the Regions and the UUA. I observe an unintentional trend among us that we all should be interested in eliminating. If you are a congregational […]
Oh, Yeah! I Forgot About That Pledge Thing. Read More »
As someone who constantly thinks, writes, and talks about stewardship, I gather information broadly, from diverse sources. Over the last number of years, I have been inspired by a Catholic priest who is now 102-years-old: Arturo Paoli. Paoli is almost unknown in the English speaking world, yet his life reads like an adventure movie script:
Spiritual Economist Arturo Paoli Read More »
Introducing the Stewardship for Us team and the Next Generation of Unitarian Universalist Stewardship. Preserving our heritage and building our future. More than a few readers will recognize the title of this article as coming from one of the best-known hymns in the Unitarian Universalist musical tradition. It perfectly describes the process Unitarian Universalist
Roots Hold Me Close, Wings Set Me Free Read More »
Bill Clontz, UUA Stewardship Consultant Well, by the time you read this you will have had ample opportunity to assess how you are doing on your New Year’s resolutions. What’s that you say? It turns out that going to the gym every day is proving problematic? Taking 30 minutes every day to write is elusive?
New Year’s Resolutions for a Great Stewardship Program Read More »
by Bill Clontz As we move ever deeper into the holiday season, we lack for few incentives and reminders about the importance of giving and sharing. Let’s take the opportunity of this seasonal focus to observe a quite remarkable and growing trend among UU congregations – that of sharing the offering plate, not once a
Tis the Season for Giving: Examining the Miracle of the Shared Plate Read More »
Bill Clontz, UUA Stewardship ConsultantWe’re not fond of thinking about it, of course, but right after the holiday season, comes tax season. But take heart! There is good news here. We all have the opportunity to do some good while preparing for tax season. I’m not a financial advisor (You will likely want to consult
The Tax Man Cometh: Thinking About End of Year Giving Read More »
Observation 1: In all my years of working with UUs in stewardship, I have found nothing so powerful, so stirring, so effective in reminding us why we give, as a well-presented, heart-felt testimonial. Observation 2: In all my years of working with UUs in stewardship, I have found nothing so effective a buzz kill, so
The Power of Testimonials…and the Risk Read More »
It’s that time of year. UUs all over the country are “coming home,” catching up with each other from Summer adventures, and starting to think about the coming holiday season. If you are part of your congregation’s stewardship team, now is the time you should be thinking still further ahead. If your primary budget drive
It’s Ingathering Time! Thinking About Spring Yet? Read More »
Thoughts on Growing Our Own Stewardship and Financial LeadersBill Clontz, UUA Stewardship Consultant You don’t have to have been a participating member of a congregation for very long before you realize a couple of very important truths: While all our volunteer efforts are genuinely important, some constitute the lifeblood of our congregation; if they go
Do You Have a Stewardship and Resources Farm Team? Read More »
Reflections from UUA General Assembly 2014by Bill Clontz, UUA Stewardship Consultant This year’s General Assembly is now in the history books, and a fine one it was. A record number of workshops (including one co-hosted by yours truly), a healthy turnout, and an air of transition, as many long time leaders at various levels of
One Thousand Points of Light or a Mighty Grid of Connections? Read More »
