Visioning 2010

Long Range Plan: Part 1

2010-06-26T15:05:00.004-05:00

Let this long range planning statement begin with a strong and appreciative thank you to the many members of the congregation who have offered ideas, preferences, encouragements, and constructive criticisms about how our wonderful Fellowship should improve and grow in the time frame of the next five years. We thank you for your participation in the planning process!

This plan consolidates your ideas for our Fellowship's development. The essential foundation for the plan consists of the combined programs and work that you as members of the Fellowship already have under way. With appreciation for all that you have invested in your Fellowship in the past, this plan can guide us into the future.

We will be releasing sections of the plan for your review and comment during the months of July and August prior to submitting the final long range plan for a congregational vote on October 3rd. You can speak with any member of the visioning team or submit your comments here. Members of the visioning team include Phil Roudebush, Duane Johnson, Melanie Kitchner, David Schaffer, Sue Rothschild, Laura Burton and Grace MacMillan. We have tried to incorporate SMART objectives into the long range plan – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time Based. The first two sections of the plan are below.

– Don Chronister- President

Valuing and Encouraging Participation

We believe each member has a special gift to bring to the building of our community. We will all work to understand who our members are and how to get them connected with each other and their Fellowship. We share the responsibility to help each member connect his or her talents, interests and passions to the right work.

Develop a volunteer database to help integrate new members into the life of the Fellowship and address the needs of UUFT's committees by October 2010.
Meet with all new members within the first 3 months of signing the membership book to obtain their commitment to sustain and enrich life of the fellowship with their time, talent and treasure by March 2011 (Quarterly Stewardship meetings)
Valuing and Encouraging Participation, continued.
Develop a comprehensive lay leadership development plan to incorporate members into leadership positions on the Board of Trustees and committees by October 2011.
Have a paid volunteer coordinator on staff by January 2012 to coordinate the above items.

Improving the Care of our Physical Space

We understand that planning for future expansion of our physical space will help support efforts to improve our working values and goals. However, for the next five year planning cycle, we are committed to meet programming needs through enhancing the care and use of our current physical space and grounds.

In each budget cycle, adequately plan and fund for the care and maintenance of our grounds.
In each budget cycle, adequately plan and fund for the care and maintenance of our buildings.
Install an improved sound system for the hearing and hearing challenged in our worship / fellowship space by January 2011.
Develop an ad hoc library committee to implement a plan by January 2011 to make full use of the Emerson Room as a functional library, including a lending system and donation policy.

Welcoming Everyone

Everyone who enters UUFT must be made to feel equally welcome, whether they are adult guests, children or long time members. We must use the size of the congregation to enable everyone to fi nd and build relationships, both within groups and with other individuals, where they can connect and grow. We must also foster an environment that recognizes that the building and evolution of relationships is a continuous, intentional effort. We will only be kept vibrant and vital by attracting new members. We are committed to attracting the full diversity of the next generation by acknowledging their contributions to the community, developing creative programs of interest to them and allowing them to broaden our vision and mission.

By May 1, 2011, the Membership Committee, with advice and assistance from the Committee on Ministry, will distribute to the congregation a five year plan of action for:

Increasing the size or our membership to at least 200 members
Increasing the cultural and racial diversity of our membership by working with the Office of Racial and Ethnic Concerns, which provides leadership in the development of strategies and resources to make Unitarian Universalism welcoming, affirming, and inclusive of people of color and multiracial families
Events and communications specifically to attract new members

Visioning for the Future

2010-01-04T16:54:00.004-06:00

What follows are the results of focus groups that have been held at UUFT to assess our dreams for the future. The Visioning Team has used a process called appreciative inquiry. This affirms what the fellowship does well and builds for the best future opportunities possible.

The categories go from very broad (Values) to very specific (Dreams), with ideas generated from the questions below. If you are unable to attend a focus group, please provide your comments to each category.

We will gather all ideas and build a three-year plan based on input provided. Please make your voice heard!

Members of the Visioning Team include Laura Burton, Sue Rothschild, Melanie Kitchner, Grace MacMillan, David Schaeffer, Phil Roudebush, Duane Johnson, Lisa Schwartz and Don Chronister.

Values

2010-01-03T19:32:00.013-06:00

When we feel connected with UUFT, what (up to three)
words best express our feelings of that connectedness:

1/10 12:30pm
Community and connection
Welcoming and Tolerant
Non-judgmental and belonging and accepting
Compassion
Free expression
1/10 Congrgational Dialogue 11am
UUFT is friendly
comfortable
feel at home
1/17 12:30pm
Challenging caring family
friendly
"service (SJ)oriented"
humor
connectivity
welcoming
empowering
Holy
multi-generational
past & future
diversity
1/24 10am
acceptance
community
diversity
social justice
all-inclusive theology
education (children & adults)
1/28 7pm
Sharing
Community
Accepting
Peaceful
RE
Safe
Authentic
Diversity of age (inter-generational)
Extended family
Intelligence
Welcoming
Support
1/31 10am
Community (3)
Integrated
Supportive
Familia
Comfortable
Fair
Compassion (2)
Social Justice
Tranquility
RE
Out reach to the Community
Accepting
1/31 12:30pm
Supportive                             
Community                            
Loved
Honesty                                 
Intellectual                            
Emotion
Spiritual                                 
Comfort                               
Power
Music                                    
Welcoming                            
Interfaith
Ideas
2/7 10am
nourish
fortify
forward
social activities
deep connections
permission to believe
commitment to social justice
interconnected
compassion
kinship
openness
the ripple effect of our community:  how what we do affects each other, the community and the world
support
hugs
connection
variety
2/7 12:30pm
community
diversity
acceptance
supportive
security
respect
singing - our all-inclusive lyrics
all-inclusiveness
Sunday services - Lisa's sermons
relationships/sense of community
inclusiveness
Our Whole Lives
community
connection
acceptance
service to others
creativity
joy
caring
challenging
2/11 7pm
Extended Family/Community
Support/Tolerance/Understanding/Genuine Concern/Authenticity/Personal Growth
Warmth/Welcoming/Humor
Shared Mission/Resonance/Shared Values
2/14 10am
acceptance
respect
openness
warmth
tolerance
liberal theology
social action
embraced
social dimension
social causes
quality children's RE
welcoming
comparative religions
no "absolute"
healthy skepticism
woman minister
quality minister

Mission

2010-01-02T19:36:00.010-06:00

Who are we when we are at our best?  What is our unique role in Topeka?

1/10 12:30pm
Be inclusive
Quality religious education for children and youth
Diverse programs
Social justice outreach
1/10 Congregational Dialogue 11am
Be a liberal island in a sea of conservatism
1/17 12:30pm
open
Amnesty International
Global Village Bazaar
being "out there" in community
helping others
pastoral care
spiritual needs met
family/community
ministering: to each other, to Topeka, to NE KS, to world
Taking care of each other
Role in Topeka
social justice
liberal
Welcoming (GSLT) Congregation
Provide a faith home for seekers
to safely leave their childhood
church, Way Station
Way Seekers
1/24 10am
Thinking Person’s Church
All-Inclusive Theology
Social Justice-based
Values Intellectual Curiosity
Welcoming Church — LGBT, races
Free to be Yourself When Here/Open
To be a Beacon of Liberal Thought
1/28 7pm
Being Here
Diversity of religious beliefs
Lack of dogma
Acceptance of sexual orientation
Social Justice
Green Committee
Seeing a better world and striving for it
Global Village
Re-gifting
Democratic governance
Transparency of differences
1/31 10am
Responsive
Supportive
Sharing gifts
Public voice for tolerance
Common Goals
Enlightenment
Haven for non-conformist (particularly youth group)
Youth/Adults a place to question
1/31 12:30pm
Stewardship                         
Loving                                  
Principled
Understanding                      
Diverse                                 
Sharing
Genuine                                
Honest                                 
Inter-generational
Working together (actual physical project)                             
Friendly
Cooperation                         
Inclusive                               
Listening
Willing                      
Creative                               
Self-aware
Role in Topeka:
Openness/ Inclusiveness        
Freedom                              
Welcoming (with capital W)
Explore spirituality                
OWL program                     
Free-thinking encouraged
Developing your own theology                                  
Congregational democracy
Encourage leadership (especially among younger & newer congregants)
Love atheists/agnostics
Drink coffee & do not hear abusive language
Comfort the afflicted & afflict the comfortable
2/7 10am
to be a dissenting voice against the status quo
the NPR you go to
to be a liberal/safe beacon, a lighthouse to guide you through the waters of your spiritual journey
a beacon of liberal values and/or radical inclusiveness
a multi-faceted approach to spiritual growth
commitment to social justice
our community doing the big stuff, like Global Village Bazaar
inspiration for individual/personal expression
when we're living our dream, integrity of head and heart
2/7 12:30pm
acceptance/diversity of viewpoints, yet limited by our principles
our Seven Principles
alternative lifestyle/religion, such as our 'green' ideals
living our principles
respect for diversity
seeking to understand, not change
these are ideals we have yet to accomplish
the process that comes before the action, even though it can drive you crazy, it's who we are and important!
being a safe haven, sanctuary
manifesting our seven principles
full service liberal agenda
our new building's focus on youth religious education
religious education without indoctrination
interest in dialogue
interfaith work, like with Trinity Presbyterian
bridging the gap with diversity of views
taking care of each other in our community
pastoral care - community response
sense of family without the baggage
2/11 7pm
Mourning/Grieving Support
Sense of Family
Visible Community Presence
Be a Voice of Dissent/Questioning Rules
Home for people who “don’t fit”
Support of children/Effective education of kids
Developmentally appropriate education/teen-ager support
Celebrate Diversity
Concern & Action for Social Justice
Support for Individual Members
Honoring/Recognizing Personal Contribution
Valuing Your Presence
Celebrating transitions
2/14 10am
integrated
family
acceptance (GBLT)
re-roofed RE building
best, as giving
creedless
liberal theology
professional leadership
seeking spiritual paths/journeys
tolerant/inclusive
spiritual growth
nonjudgmental

Dreams

2010-01-01T19:36:00.008-06:00

What does our ideal organization include?

1/10 12:30pm
A new sanctuary
Diverse adult programing
A well developed UUFT library
A visible social justice presence
Small group ministries
1/10 Congrgational Dialogue 11am
a new sanctuary
encourage a more racially diverse congregation
expanded adult/young adult RE program
form a pagan group
develop leaders, rotate leadership responsibilities
renew our commitment as a GBLT welcoming congregation
have classes/services at times other than Sunday morning
preschool program during the week
small group ministry
metaphysical groups
have pastoral care printed sheet
mentor future leaders
1/17 12:30pm
More activities where individuals can meet other like people, get to
know each other better, have them all through the week.
Other programs/groups: Wicca, metaphysical, earth based, others
day care/pre-school/K-12 (!!)
diversity of race
a sanctuary with great sound/organ
more music/children's choir, professional music director, band
Theatre group
Women's improve comedy group
more men: Male leaders, single men
Want to grow, have more members with time to help reach ends
Community garden
More presence at colleges/WU
Single groups: to go to theatre, orchestra, KC; dating; day trips.
Transportation: to Sunday services, to events.
Speakers Bureau
Community Entertainment like Last Minute Folk
"Services" (what we do professionally) directory - "If I need a
plumber, I want to call a friend"
A.V. system
1/24 10am
Need College Outreach
Define Ourselves Without Excluding Others
Stronger Community Presence
Grow to 350 members to sponsor “Outreach Events” – Expand Sanctuary
Hold Events to Attract Others to UUFT
Get into Coffee-Shop Crowd – Attract to Us
Getting more Families involved
Starting After-school program for Children
Add a Third Service – Saturday afternoon, Wednesday night
More Exploration of Theological Texts/Comparative Religion on Certain Topic
Expand Inter-Faith Connections
1/28 7pm
Exploration of other religions
Better description of who we are for new members
Social outreach locally with philosophy of empowering people
Civic outreach locally
1/31 10am
More youth involvement in the Service
Hosting community events (social justice focus)
Service projects for youth
OWL for levels for youth
OWL for the community
2 more classrooms for youth (RE annex will not last forever)
Gym and place for concerts
Shower facilities
Activity Center
Bigger Sanctuary
Full time RE director
Choir/Youth Choir
2 representative to El Salvador – minimum
Coordinate with local UU Communities- Lawrence, Manhattan, Emporia, Salina
Coordination with local churches – Trinity and Community
Habitat
Community Garden
Interfaith Forums
Better job of sharing our story with the Topeka community
1/31 12:30pm
Improved sound system
New, larger sanctuary
New, larger kitchen
More, improved programming to meet broader UU needs & interests
OWL for all ages
OWL for the Topeka community
Active college group or college outreach (Washburn University)
More people participating (committees, etc)
All committees fully “staffed”
Full time DLRE
Full time Music Director / joyful music as part of every service
Women’s social group(s)
New refrigerator in kitchen
More lay-led programming
Summer children’s RE program similar to rest of the year
Preschool through middle-school program(s) in our building
More inclusion of youth in our programs
Ad-hoc youth representative on the Board
Leadership training
Inspirational organization in Topeka
Lay-led Fellowship
Cultural diversity
5x more members
2/7 10am
have a full social calendar
open mic nights
music
evening discussion groups
pre-school
mother's day out
parenting outreach to community
baby college/university - parenting education
mural of values on exterior north wall
a new sanctuary - with no coffee inside!
sacred space
new/bigger social space
Saturday services with different themes/format than Sundays
become part of First Friday Art Walk
youth art on display
new annex
more parking for cars and bikes
move talent show for more participation
more intergenerational activities
youth improv nights
more youth involvement on Sundays
make special friends more like Big Brothers/Big Sisters
volunteer coordinator
more/better music on Sundays
music director
children's choir
storytelling cadre
twice as many volunteers for Sunday programming
2/7 12:30pm
venue for concerts
bring back Last Minute Folk
new piano
pay more musical accompaniments
sanctuary
solar panels
comfortable chairs
become more green - start a compost pile
community garden
look for homes to purchase in neighborhood - new annex for youth
summer vacation Thoreau school for kids/youth
before/after school programs
carpooling/bus
expanded giving to outside community, international
supporting the Jayhawk Theatre
participate in First Friday Art Walk
more adult education
build skill inventory/interest list for adults
Adult RE Minister
minister of music
volunteer coordinator
volunteer/to-do list/sign-up sheet
matching bookcases for library
book store
2/11 7pm
Live Music at Every Service
Continued Ministerial Support
Stronger Adult Education Program
Bringing in Speakers
Wednesday-evening service/Adult Education
Regular & Well-publicized discussion groups – Calendar
Community Action Calendar
Community Action Calendar
Identify Barriers to Adult RE Participation (childcare, food, times,
publicity?)
Continued Lifespan Fellowship Population/Intergenerational
More Focused use of Members’ Interests, Strengths (Volunteer Database?)
Committee Information: Needs, Outline of duties & titles, What they do,
When they meet; Allow newcomers to go online or to certain place to “check
it out”
Continue DLRE position/support
Lay-Leadership Development
Volunteer Coordinator
Kids More Integrated with Church (separate RE time from service time)
Continued Support of Administrative Assistant
2/14 10am
sanctuary with great sound AV
larger nursery
larger green playground
more parking
debt-free
keep professional leadership
more tables in Gathering Space
tile floor in Scanland Hall
singles group
no RE building - new space instead
emissaries
interfaith
RE at 9am service
nursery/pre-school M-F
small-group ministry
interaction by members with new members & visitors