Emergency Preparedness

Hurricane Season has officially started and, as was seen in early June, New England is not immune to tornados.  A "how to" Emergency Preparedness Manual, developed by District Executive, Bill Zelazny, is available on the BCD website, www.bcduua.org to help congregations develop plans to address various natural and human-made emergencies.  On the website, go to "Resources and Links" then look under "E" to find the links to the manual other materials.  Summer, when other congregation activities are at a minimum, is a good time to start to work on developing an emergency response plan.  Contact the District Executive, zelaz@aol.com, for additional information or assistance.

BCDers Welcome to the Ingathering Reception at General Assembly

An In-gathering Reception will be held on Wednesday, June 22at 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. in the Convention Center Room 217D.  As has been done for the past three years, the event will be regional with UUs from the four New England districts attending.  This is an opportunity to connect with other BCD attendees, as well as, meet UUs from the neighboring districts while getting information about General Assembly, hearing what is happening in the other districts and singing a few songs to get everyone in the spirit for the Opening Ceremony that starts at 7:00 pm.

·         Thursday, August  25                 Membership Job-a-Like             7:00-9:00 p

BCD Growth Consultant, Peter Bowden, will host this evening for membership committees, greeters and others working to welcome newcomers and integrate them into our congrega-tions.  Event will include brief presentation, resource review, networking and Q & A. 

·         Wednesday, August 31               Youth Advisor Conclave           6:00 - 8:30 p  

A gathering to share best practices, brainstorm powerful discussion topics, talk about challenges advisors face and more. Hosted by Peter Bowden, BCD growth consultant, former youth advisor and UUA Youth Advisor trainer and Diane Elliott, BCD RE Professional Development Coach and former DRE.

·         Wednesday, September  7     New Congregation Leaders Seminar 7:00 - 9:00 p 

A seminar led by District Executive Bill Zelazny for new and newer lay congregation leaders to look at the issues of leadership and management, roles and duties, planning and running a meetings, establishing goals and objectives, financial issues and more with a Q & A time. 

·         Saturday, September 24             BCD Presidents Council       9:00 am - 12:00 n

The annual conclave of congregation presidents and the BCD board to discuss issues of common interest.

·         Saturday, October 1                    Worship Seminar                              TBA  

A workshop lead by the Rev. Judy Campbell to give participants ideas for new and creative approaches to providing worship experiences in their congregation.

·         Saturday, October 22                  Facebook for Congregations     9:00 a - 2:00 p

With the Facebook users becoming widespread and in large numbers using Facebook is rapidly becoming a requirement for congregations if they wish to communicate widely with potential and current member.  Presenter Peter Bowden will share strategies for integrating Facebook pages and groups into the congregation's ministry, communications, and outreach strategies. 

·         Saturday, November 12              Healthy Congregations - Part 1  9:00 a - 4:00 p

The first of two major seminars to help congregation leaders look at the functioning of their congregation based on the view that a community is a living system that incorporates thinking, feeling, and responsibilityfor the purpose of developing strategies to make it healthier. Seminar topic to be announced.  Bill Zelazny and Peter Bowden are the presenters.

·         Saturday, November 19              Healthy Congregations - Part 1  RAINDATE 

·         Saturday, January 21                 Healthy Congregations - Part 2  9:00 a - 4:00 p

The second of two major seminars to help congregation leaders look at the functioning of their congregation based on the view that a community is a living system that incorporates thinking, feeling, and responsibility for the purpose of developing strategies to make it healthier. Seminar topic to be announced.  Bill Zelazny and Peter Bowden are the presenters.

·         Saturday, January 28                 Healthy Congregations - Part 2  SNOWDATE

·         Saturday,  February 25              Leadership Discussion Forum  9:30 a - 12:00 n

A facilitated conversation following a short presentation to look at how lay and ordained congregation leaders may need to adapt to be an active and relevant church in the age of Google.

·         Saturday, March 3                      New England Music Conference     TBA

The annual conference for music directors, choirs, and people interested in church music.

·         Saturday, March 10                    Canvasser Training                          TBA

Bill Zelazny will present this workshop for canvass/stewardship committees and canvassers about techniques to do a face to face canvass.

·         Saturday, May 5                          Spring Conference & Annual Meeting

 

NOTE:  there will be no Fall Conference this year because of the large number of major seminars and workshops being presented.

Webinar, web-based seminar, is a presentation, lecture, or workshop that is transmitted over the Internet Web.  The webinars will be presented by BCD Growth Consultant, Peter Bowden.  Up to 20 individuals may register.  Material is presented on line, (high speed computer access is necessary) with participants communicating with the presenter and each other via a conference call.  There is a registration fee and the registrant pays for the cost of the long distance call.

     ·                         Webinar:  From Visitor to Member     

Tuesday, August 16, 2011            7-8:30pm EST
In this online training Peter Bowden will present strategies for successfully greeting visitors,  welcoming them into the heart of your community, and orienting them for membership.  Presentation will be followed by Q &A and resource review.

 ·         Webinar:  Multi-Generational Small Group Ministry
Wednesday, September 21, 2011  7 -8:30pm EST
In this online training Peter Bowden will present models for integrating youth, young adult and campus ministries into existing Small Group Ministry programs.  Presentation will be followed by Q &A and resource review.   

·                           Webinar:  Mobilizing Volunteers
Tuesday, October 4, 2011 7:00 -8:30pm EST
The ministry of our congregations relies heavily on the work of volunteers.  In this workshop Peter Bowden will share successful approaches to inspiring and recruiting new volunteers, developing a culture of ongoing leadership and volunteer development, and avoiding volunteer burn out. Presentation will be followed by Q &A and resource review.

Channing Memorial Church certified as a UUA Green Sanctuary.

In May 2011, Channing Memorial Church received word that their application for certification as a UUA Green Sanctuary was approved. They are the first congregation in Rhode Island to receive the certification and will be recognized with other new Green Sanctuaries at a reception on June 25 during General Assembly.

There are currently 166 accredited Green Sanctuaries, 111 congregations in candidacy, and 5 congregations working towards Re-Accreditation.  Total of 280 UU congregations involved in the program.

Fire at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Brunswick, Maine

The Northern New England District Executive, Mary Higgins, reported that on June 6 the Unitarian Universalist Church in Brunswick, ME, experienced a devastating fire in the sanctuary.   Their minister, Rev. Sylvia Stocker, and members of the church and community watched as fire fighters worked for many hours to put out the flames that enveloped their sanctuary.  Though their spirits are undaunted, the members of the Brunswick church need help to rebuild and return to their church home.  A donation to the Brunswick UU Fire Fund can be made by mail to the NNED, 10 Ferry St., Ste #318, Concord, NH 03301 with Brunswick Fire Fund in the memo line.   To make a donation online go tohttps://prod.mkat.com/mktixrun/shared/mknporun?dir=mvarts.MKT-443.UUDO-E20994&Event=UUDO-E20994&page=mkeventregisterfrm.jsp 

Last Chance to Double Your Gift to the UUA!

Just a few days left to double your gift to Friends of the UUA.

A special group of dedicated donors including members of the President's Council, an advisory group to the UUA President, have offering to contribute up to $125,000 to the Friends of the UUA as a matching gift challenge.  The matching gift challenge ends on June 30. Your contribution will ensure that we reach our $125,000 goal to raise a total of $250,000 to support our most vital programs and initiatives. If you would like to help meet this challenge to raise funds to support UUA programs you can make your secure, tax-deductible gift online now at http://www.uua.org/giving/friendsuua/index.shtml?tr=y&auid=7837115&tr=y&auid=8454684

Junior Choir Director, First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, Duxbury, MA

Experience working with children and music ages 6 - 12 required. 36 rehearsals Sundays 9:30 a.m.-10:20 a.m. plus 5 - 6 extra rehearsals for performances.  Consults with R.E Director and Music Director.  Approx. 80 hours total Sept. - May. Salary $2800 - $3200 DOQ. Send resume to Search Committee, First Parish Church, P.O Box 1764, Duxbury, MA 02331 or sunsue@verizon.net  Call Sunsue Fleming, Director of Religious Education  781-934-6532 ext. 4 for additional information.

Star Island Conference for LGBTQ families

The 2011 Star Island LGBTQ Family Conference is a week of recreating, learning, spirituality, and community with other LGTBQ families and their friends on a scenic UU/UCC-run island off the New Hampshire Coast. The conference is Saturday, August 27 to Friday, September 2. Rev. Nate Walker is minister of the week and Dr. Michele Angello is the theme speaker. She works with gender variant youth and adults. The theme this year is "Transitions and Transformations."For info: www.starisland.org/lgbtq. Financial aid is available.

Jun 22-26        General Assembly

Aug. 5-6          BCD Board Retreat & New Director Orientation

Aug  25           Membership Job-a-Like

Aug 31            Youth Advisor Conclave 

Sep 7               New Congregation Leadership Seminar

Sept. 24           Board-President Gathering & BCD Board Meeting (afternoon)

Oct 1               Worship Seminar        

Oct 22             Facebook for Congregations

Oct. 24            BCD Board Meeting

Nov 12            Healthy Congregations -- Part 1

Nov 19            Healthy Congregations - Part 1          RAINDATE

Nov 23-25       BCD Office Closed - Thanksgiving

Dec 23- Jan2   BCD Office Closed - Christmas Season Holiday

Jan 7                BCD Board mid-year-Retreat

Jan 21              Healthy Congregations -- Part 2        

Jan 28              Healthy Congregations - Part 2          SNOWDATE

Feb 25             Leadership Discussion Forum 

Feb 27             BCD Board Meeting

Mar 3               New England/BCD Music Conference

Mar 10             Canvasser Training

Mar 26             BCD Board Meeting

May 5              Spring Conference and Annual Meeting

May 5              Spring Conference and Annual Meeting

May 21            BCD Board Meeting