April 13, 2005
Strategy
One of the ways I keep up with the news and with my faith is via weblogs. These are typically personal
websites where people post their thoughts.
A visit to http://www.philocrites.com which is a blog maintained by one of the editors of UU World
had an intriguing post. The post linked to a piece which said UU's are "following Apple's pre-iPod strategy: an elite [niche] market. What we need is a UU iPod strategy." Then this questions was asked, "What would your "iPod strategy" for UUism look like?"
I first thought about PC's, of which Apple makes the Macintosh and it's offshoots. What can't you do on a PC? Taxes, music, games, video and more. It's builders want it to everything to everyone.
The IPOD is a much more limited device. It plays music. You have the ability to play the music in order
or randomly but essentially you have a palm sized music player than can hold 100's of songs. It doesn't
offer a spreadsheet, a camera or other computer like features.
It occurred to me that Unitarian Universalism and HUUC are a lot like the computer. We want to be everything
to everyone. We don't want to say no. We want to say yes first and then think of the financial and personnel needs later.
This leads to my IPOD strategy for UUism and HUUC. We need to become an IPOD not a personal computer.
Since we are small in numbers, we can't achieve all of the worthy goals we set. Rather we need to find our version of just playing music and bring our money and talents to this.
I think when Andy Fink talks of finding a niche in the community be it domestic violence, gay and lesbian issues, etc. he is onto something.
We spread ourselves so wide we lack focus or discipline. Nor do we have a consistent message.
My IPOD strategy is this: We need to focus on a defined number of items, & have a consistent message in regards to them.
At HUUC I think our new vision and mission statements give us a good start on both an IPOD strategy and a message.
The vision and mission statements should be used as a primary source of guidance for all aspects of the congregation. Whether it's deciding to take on a project, in how we raise funds, who we hire or on the
level of personal involvement decisions should be made in accordance with our mission and vision.
Once decisions have been made we can then craft a message to help focus attention on our IPOD version of UUISM.
A well known messaging strategy is the three point message. In this you 1st describe the problem or issue, then describe the solution or what you want to change and then talk about an action that can be take or who can take an action.
For instance: HUUC recognizes that there are a number of people in Muskegon who go hungry. We want to change this by serving them hot sit down meals at Supper House. We ask that you come walk with us, & provide friendship and a hot meal to the needy by serving on the 3rd Friday of each month at Supper House.
Or, we all know how important the education of children is, both in school and in other areas. Knowing this part of HUUC's mission is to provide religious education that address spiritual, and intellectual issues.
Why not come walk with us and see the opportunities at HUUC's re open house?
This format of gaining guidance from the Vision and Mission and then putting forth a consistent message can help us decide who we are and let others know who we are.
In closing: HUUC is prone to stretching itself too thin which lessens our effectiveness . HUUC can avoid this by using our Vision and Mission statement as a guide and then by communicating our decisions clearly. HUUC members should learn our Vision and Mission statements and practice communicating a consistent message about HUUC and UUism.
Posted by harboruu at 12:31 PM | Comments (0)
March 23, 2005
HUUC Just Might Need You...
Currently we need to fill several positions in the congregation's leadership.
For instance we have 2 officers and 2 board members whose terms are coming up.
We need a permanent Worship Committee chair & are looking for someone to serve as a Volunteer Coordinator.
Also we want to appoint a new Finance Chair.
As ever there will be more openings after these are filled.
Our current Board of Trustees has a variety of members. Some have been with HUUC since 1987. Others just joined in November of 2003. 5 of the members have joined since I did in late 2001. So, no matter if you are a long time HUUC er or still feel new to the place, there is a role for you.
As I write we are in the midst of our annual pledge drive. Early indications are positive. Many have been able to be generous and increase their pledges. If you haven't returned yours yet please do so. This will make things more efficient for all.
It's not just your money we need. That's right we also need your time! I'm greedy I admit it. Those positions listed above aren't filled by magic or hypothetical people or someone else. They need to be filled by you.
In making this ask I want to be gentle, but not too much so. I know people lead busy lives, have families, and other obligations besides HUUC.
Nana often says that the UUA is us, in that we are the congregations that make it up and fund it.
Well, I say, we are HUUC. If we don't write the pledge checks, or fill leadership positions then it is not going to happen.
Recently the current hard working board approved a new Vision and Mission Statement for HUUC. The vision portion says, HUUC is a "dynamic liberal, religious community." Are we not liberal enough? Do you seek more dynamism? Then perhaps the worship committee is for you!
It then reads,HUUC "nourishes spiritual freedom, integrity..." It's hard to do that without funds. Perhaps there's a new finance chair out there?
The mission statement begins by saying "We welcome all..." That we do and we also welcome all to the Board of Trustees including the officer positions. This ask is a chance for you to help us welcome all by serving on the board.
"Our services and Programs" are mentioned. You can influence these by serving on the Worship Committee.
Let me add my personal philosophy. HUUC is a lot like the environment. What does this mean? Well, the environment is not out there. It is not a place we visit. It is in fact part of us all.
HUUC is the same. You are a part of our quest to become a "dynamic, liberal religious community". When HUUC needs something be it time, money, your skills, your strong back, your keen mind etc. part of you
should feel compelled to answer HUUC's needs. Because we are HUUC and we need to work together, not sit on the sidelines together.
As our mission statement reads: We invite you to come walk with us.
Ike Stephenson, Presdient of the Board of Trustees.
If you are interested in these positions contact myself, Anne English Rappaport of the Nominating Committee or Nana.
Posted by harboruu at 11:02 AM | Comments (0)
March 02, 2005
May the Wind Be At Your Back Warren
Late last week I was present when Warren Mcfearen passed away. This was a 1st for me. Warren's family was with him and the love and good memories were evident.
I spoke at the well attended Memorial Service on behalf of HUUC. I mentioned that without folks like Warren and Betty who have been strong presences through our 1st 50 years I would have nothing to be president of. We must continue their work.
I also mentioned that Betty was the one who recruited me to serve on the board. 4 minutes on the phone with Betty and that's all she wrote. So if you're looking for someone to blame....it's Betty.
Betty spoke movingly and humorously of her life together with Warren. And that's how I will always think of Warren together with Betty. I can't separate them and I don't think they ever wanted it any other way.
As I said of Warren, an avid sailor, at the memorial service- may the wind be at your back whereever your journey takes you.
This Sunday is the kick off to our annual canvass. While this is nobody's idea of their favorite it event it should be everybody's idea of what's necessary for the business of the church.
VP & Finance Chair Andy Fink gave an interesting sermon. Andy pointed out that funding allows us to do things like Supper Hourse, Loftus School & more. And when anyone of us is out in the community the rest of us are along with them. Our Congregation always needs time and funds. If you can provide for the church with a
generous pledge you will allow us to do the maximum possible with members time.
Canvass time may also time to consider what Nana mentioned in a recent sermon that you should save 10% of your money, use 80% for living expenses and give away 10%. If you can manage to be charitable with 10% of your income, that is wonderful. If you can direct some of those funds to HUUC all the better.
When considering your pledge remember there are multiple aspects to HUUC. There are the weekly Sunday worship services at which you can carry on your spiritual seeking. There are adult enrichment classes where you can participate as a life long learner. There are service projects such as Loftus school & Supper House where you can impact your community. When considering your pledge take all these aspects into consideration.
From 8 to 10 April the Heartland District will have it's annual meeting in Cincinnati. Nana assures me that the hotel and site is 1st class. HUUC needs to send 2 delegates to this event. If you are interested in going please contact me. We need to have our delegates selected by 15 March. For more on this see
http://www.heartlanduu.org/newsite/programs/registrations/2005AnnualMeetingBrochure.pdf
Help Wanted: We are looking for a new chair for the Worship Committee and for someone to fill a volunteer coordinator
position.
The Worship Chair works to ensure we have consistently excellent worship services. Duties include: Ensuring volunteers such as worship coordinators and sound technicians are filled, recruiting guest speakers, making changes and updates to our services and more. Anyone who is turned on by our weekly worship services should see me to interview for this position.
If you look at our new membership directory (thanks Marv) you'll see a listing of committees and task forces. All of these are filled by volunteers. It's important that all positions are filled and it's important that new members and friends are involved to ensure a smooth running congregation. If you are a people person
who would like to have a wide affect on the good of the congregation see me to discuss this vital position.
At our new member Sunday in February we gained 4 new members. Congratulations to Rebecca, Kurt, Paul & Barbara. That brings us to 79 members. Don't be shy in sharing the good news of HUUC. Each new member increases our abilities financially, spiritually and operationally!
Recently I sailed from Jamaica to Florida. During this time my world was little and blue- both sky and water. You feel as though you can see forever. Yet mathematically the height of your eye means you can't see forever. Larger waves mean you can see more, wave troughs reduce your vision.
That's a lot like life on shore, a blending of ups and downs. While I was away I missed the Sunday services, the coffee hour, and the opportunities to help others. So although I thought I could see forever I couldn't. Although we'd like HUUC to always be on top of the swell we can't always be. In both case one can grunt
up, get on with things and have a lot of fun trying to see forever.
'What the Bleep Do We Know' had a short run at the Harbor Theatre.
It was a profound and interesting film going far beyond normal movie concepts. Questions like Do all realities exist simultaneously were asked.
Another portion of the film talked about the word God as a placeholder for all spiritual aspects and possibilities. Often we UU's go through a litany/disclaimer such as: God, Spirit of Live and Love, the Unknown, Prime Mover, and so on. Maybe we could save some time if we all just said God knowing it could mean that whole list.
The film also said that quantum physics is the science of possibility. I'd like to think that UUism with it's openness and flexibility is the faith of possibility. I like to think of UUism as a spiritual search party, open to all routes and possibilities.
We invite you to come walk with us.....What's this all about? It's all about our moving forward and having a clear idea of what we want to do and how to get there.
Facio Populus
Ike Stephenson
Posted by harboruu at 03:10 PM | Comments (0)
January 25, 2005
Serving
This past Sunday I had an enjoyable time speaking to the Congregation and talked about 'Going Forward'. A part of my message was about our 7th principle, "Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part."
In particular I mused on how as a leader of the Congregation I have to balance the needs of HUUC with those of the Muskegon community, the Heartland District, the UUA and in fact the world.
Obviously a big recent event was the tsunami. No question it is one of the worst tragedies ever. Recently during HUUC services we've heard appeals to donate money to the UUSA and UUSC for their relief efforts.
I wondered how HUUC fits into this part of the interdependent world. When we know from serving at Supper House that there are neighbors without food, when we know there are people without heat close to home how much emphasis should we give to aiding Tsunami victims? Is it the best use of our time and money?
Nana talks about growing generous hearts or overcoming pinched hearts. Maybe my thoughts on the tsunami show my heart still has growing to do.
After the service a HUUC member told me he agreed with my thoughts on the Tsunami. One of the points he made was that you could help the Tsunami victims in multiple ways. There doesn't seem to be a website, TV station, newspaper etc. that doesn't have a channel for Tsunami help.
I know I donated through amazon.com soon after the event. Even today I noticed I could still donate money while I was shopping for music at Apple's Itunes store.
I think this is a valid point. We have limited resources both in terms of time and funds. While helping tsunami victims is no question good thing, it might not be the best thing considering there are other avenues through which good can be accomplished.
And then this morning I was driving down Laketon Ave. Outside the rescue mission their notice board said something like serving others is a way to thank god.
Maybe in this case getting down to a granular level and looking at what is a better way to serve...writing a check for tsunami victims or serving food at supper house is not the point. Rather the point is that service is a way of saying thanks, being humble and getting on with what needs to be done. Good luck in all your service!
Ike
Posted by harboruu at 01:21 PM | Comments (0)
January 14, 2005
A Change & Going Forward
It's under a week since I made a requested phone call to Cathy Kaufman. During that short call I found out she and her family were
moving to California and therefore Cathy was resigning as HUUC's president. I've gone from a feeling of surprise, and not being ready
to a week where I've immersed myself in the details of serving as HUUC president, which included presiding over my first board meeting.
I follow Cathy who in her short time as President has a significant and positive impact on HUUC. Anything I am able to achieve will
be aided by the fact that Cathy turns over to me a going concern. There's no need to get up to speed as Cathy kept things humming along. I enjoyed my time assisting her as Vice President and will strive to keep up to the high standards she set as President.
It's sad to see good people like Cathy, Dave and Alex move from our congregation and community. Here's hoping that California is
everything they hope it will be. Paraphrasing some advice I once got about moving-you can always come back. We all hope they are
happy and healthy, but as with all, the Kaufman's will always be welcome at HUUC!
To help us go forward I'd like to share the following with you.
"The arrogance of power must be countered with reason, force with dialogue, pointed weapons with outstretched hands, evil with good."
- Pope John Paul II
Now there's the type of quotation you'd expect to see in a faith community newsletter.
"I am free of all prejudice. I hate everyone equally."
W. C. Fields
Prejudice? Hate? Perhaps now what you'd expect?
I share these quotations for two reasons. One is to remind us that we make some tremendous claims to tolerance and diversity. I think
we need to always to be trying to find the edge of these boundaries. We seek the edge to honor our diversity even if it is
uncomfortable.
Second, these words show that there is always more than one way to accomplish an objective, that there is never just one way to do things. As we move forward I ask you to push yourself to come up with creative solutions to our collective mission, Let's not worry
about what's proper or correct, but let usworry instead about fulfilling our mission as a liberal faith community
And, oh yah, let's also keep this in mind: "The one serious conviction that a man should have is that nothing is to be taken too seriously." This by Nicholas Butler. If I get over serious let me know!
Next, don't ever hesitate to ask me anything. Whatever comments, questions or suggestions you have please address them to me at anytime whether in person, via phone or via email. I like to proceed on the basis that everything I do is fully discolosed. I'll share as much as I can with the congregation and urge you to help me keep you informed by asking me anything, at anytime, anywhere for any reason. In the near future I hope to host an ask anything session, so members and friends have an opportunity to allow me to share
the good news of HUUC.
I'll covenant with you to answer questions within 24 hours of receiving them. Be aware that the questions and answers will be grist
for all aspects of my role at HUUC and may appear on the website, in the newsletter etc, as a proposal etc.
We all have ideas, quotations, pithy parental advice etc. that guides as we live our lives. Two of the guides I have are a personal
mission statement I have developed and a metaphorical image that I carry in my head.
The mission statement is: "To take my talents and apply them to the needs of the community to ensure that others have sufficient
opportunity to succeed." Serving as Vice President, as Worship Committee Chair, and now as President of HUUC will allow me to
further carry out this mission. I look forward to applying them to all the needs of HUUC from Sunday services to supper house to
buildings and ground and on and on.
The metaphor dates from a conversation I had in the kitchen at Big Sable Lighthouse. I was sitting with a friend who was serving as
President of the Big Sable Light Keepers association. I remember him saying, "when you fly over a city at nite you see the yellow lites of the cars on the roads. They look orderly, appearing as a steady steam of progress. It;s much different if zoom your view in. You see the broke down car, the person working overtime, the potholes in the road, the part of the city that is congested with traffic etc." My friend said, "well I've never been comfortable with that overhead view, I've always felt best when I'm on the ground even if I am in the middle of a full on sh*tfight!"
The kind of person and leader I strive to be is a person who is firmly on the ground engaged in making things better, solving problems,
and making things happen. I'll leave the whisper jet view to others.
Another little phrase I'm always saying is 'Just have to get on with it'. I think that is an apt summation for the on the ground
metaphor that guides me. Things are what they are, problems often look too big, etc. but the reality is if you grunt up and get
on with it things can happen for the better!
I hope my initial column has helped you understand a bit about who I am and how I want to serve HUUC. It will appear
in the newsletter and on the website.
In the futre I'll address topics such as why suggestions are good but solutions are better, what's the one question I'll always ask about potential HUUC activities and more. I also hope that you'll frequently be asking me anything, and that I can answer some of the questions in this column.
Be it Sunday Service, Supper House or Sledding Pot Luck I look forward to seeing you all!
------------
Schedule Notes: 1. I'd love to meet your committee, group etc. so I can learn as much as possible about all aspects of HUUC. However, I'm usually at work until at 1500 each weekday, so evening meetings are what work for me. 2. January 20th at 7 PM in the social hall we will have our quarterly Community Meeting. Board members and Committee chairs are expected to attend 3. January 30th at Noon the board and all interested parties will meet to begin crafting a new vision and mission for HUUC. 4. I will be out of town
on business from 7 to 21 February.
Posted by harboruu at 01:22 PM | Comments (0)
October 12, 2004
A Grand Celebration
Sunday October 10th was a sunny beautiful Fall day, a perfect day for a celebration. Usually, when you work for weeks to plan an event, you know that something will eventually not work out as you had planned. It may rain on the parade day, the wedding cake will be dry, or only a handful of guests arrive for your party. You learn to make the best out of it even with these unexpected surprises.
So I was pleasantly surprised when everything turned out better than expected for our 50th Anniversary Kick-off celebration. Not only was it a beautiful day, but the attendance far exceeded our expectations! It was wonderful to see the sanctuary filled to capacity, with enough people sharing in singing that we filled the space with sounds to equal the Mormon Tabernacle Choir!
It was so very nice to see the response to our call for members and friends to share in this event whether it was the sign dedication, the art display, the free food, appreciation for Nana, or the 50th that brought everyone to HUUC that day, it was a wonderful experience.
The congratulations to the committee keep coming and it feels really good to be appreciated and to share those thanks with all the people who made it happen. I would like to thank them here individually, but I also applaud all of you who made it a successful day by participating. It would not have been the same without each of you.
The 50th Anniversary Committee would like to thank the following people for helping on the 50th Kick-off event:
Nana’ Kratchovil, Nancy Witt Johnson, Jessica Sheldon, Jackie McDonald, Judy Root, Jean Scarbrough, Linda Riehl, Marcia Hovey Wright, Cathy Kaufman, Leo Szost, Suzanne Meier-Szost, Andy Fink, Ike Stephenson, Jessica Sheldon, Loretta Vandenende, Pieter Vandenende, Bill Wright, Jim Stier, Shawn Willson, Ann English Rappoport, Beth Spencer, James Messick, Adde Lou Garter, Tonya Rund, Barb Exton, Marv Johnson, Marian McIntyre, and Ruth Berlow.
We look forward the the continuation of the celebration in the next six months cumulating on April 23 and 24 with another special event with speaker Gini Courter.
Congratulations HUUC!
Cathy Kaufman
Posted by cathy at 01:10 PM | Comments (0)