This is the time of year most of our congregations shift their leadership focus to the next program year. New officers are installed. Planning retreats are held.

It is also a good time to do a thorough review of your ministries. How goes it? What's happened with worship and educational attendance this year? How does this year's membership data (demographics as well as numbers) compare with the previous 5 years? Where are we on our 3-5 year plan (oh, you say, "what plan?" - time to get one going!). What are we doing really well and how we can we do more of that? What's the buzz? How is our morale?

And, perhaps the most important question: Are we more mature in our understanding of religious conviction and more successful living our values in daily life? And: how do you measure that?

Assessing ministry is a subtle and difficult task, so it is often avoided. However, you cannot plan for where you are going without first knowing where you are. And if you are unclear of your purpose (remember all the admonitions to craft a short statement of purpose or mission?), how will you know what matters most as you move ahead? Review and update your Mission statement!

The District can provide leadership with assessment and planning tools. Do ask if you'd like some assistance. Meanwhile, here's a quick checklist for your leadership retreat:

• What are we doing well and can improve further?
• Are there pinch-points in our work that can be quickly fixed and put off the agenda?
• On a "doing well" vs. "needs work" basis, how would you rate your:
• Community worship.
• Adult education, faith development.
• Children's faith instruction/development.
• Member to Member caring & support.
• Congregational involvement in the larger community.
• Leadership development.
• Transparency and integrity regarding stewardship & finances.

Good luck, plan well, be well. I hope you have made your plans for Justice GA next month. I'll see some of you in Phoenix.

General Assembly Updates

Scholarship Assistance is Available!

There are multiple opportunities for scholarship assistance this year. See assistance offers from both Florida District and UU Legislative Ministry of Florida elsewhere in this e-newsletter. Click here to learn more about UUA scholarship assistance.

UUA Board and the Doctrine of Discovery: Accountability in Action

When our Association's Arizona Immigration Ministry met with our social justice partners there, we received one clear request for an agenda item at GA 2012. Our partners said that the single most important piece of business we could do at GA 2012 was to study and repudiate the Doctrine of Discovery and support the full implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People. Further, they asked us to have our congregations study this issue and how it is related to the ongoing oppression of indigenous peoples whose lands straddle the US-Mexico border. Click here to read entire article.

Start Preparing for GA Now

• Check out immigration resources on UUA.org for resources and stories of engaged congregations
• Follow the weekly posts at the UUA immigration justice blog, Cooking Together
• Read The Death of Josseline by Margaret Regan and use the discussion guide for reflection
• Join community partners and interfaith groups committed to immigration justice
• Organize a congregational conversation about the Doctrine of Discovery using the discussion guide
• Make sure your congregation's delegation includes people from traditionally marginalized groups; raise money to help with delegate expenses.

Bringing a Youth?

• Read and share Top Ten Ways to Help Youth Prepare for Justice GA
• Read Acts of Faith by Eboo Patel and use the discussion guide for reflection
• Visit the GA 2012 Page for Youth and Young Adults

Your Source for additional GA Updates & Announcements:

http://www.uua.org/ga/updates/index.shtml  

And One More Item from HUUmanists

Going to the Justice GA in Phoenix? Want to engage in a little creative social action? A simple, perfectly legal, act of gentle defiance? Smuggle in a banned book! Got room in your suitcase for a book? Just one book, but a very special, very powerful book. One of nearly 100 unique books. Click here to learn how to participate.

Tapestry of Faith Field Test Opportunity

Virtue Ethics offers a UU-based exploration of moral frameworks, ethical choices, and how our behavior shapes our character. In 12 90-minute workshops, the Virtue Ethics curriculum guides high school age youth to discover how integrity, humility, generosity, and other classic "virtues" do and could operate in their real lives. The program offers stories, activities, role play scenarios, reflection, and faith in action opportunities. Click here to learn how to apply for this field test.

UU History and Heritage Prizes

UU Heritage prizes will be awarded for the best sermon, story, essay, or poem collection dealing with some aspect of our Unitarian Universalist heritage.

The deadline for all prizes is JUNE 1 OF THE YEAR IN WHICH THE PRIZE WILL BE AWARDED. Thus, in 2012 we welcome submissions for the Youth Heritage Prize, Seminarian History Prize, and Heritage Project Prize. Please direct submissions and questions to Dan McKanan at dmckanan@hds.harvard.edu. As appropriate, winning submissions may be considered for publication in the Journal of Unitarian Universalist History. In addition to the $500 award, all winners will receive a free one-year membership in the Unitarian Universalist Historical Society.

Click here to learn more.

Leadership Opportunities

UUA Board of Trustees Appointments Committee

In an effort to broaden and deepen volunteer leadership opportunities in our Association, The UUA Board of Trustees has created an "Appointments Committee" of persons not currently serving on the board. This committee will have seven members plus a trustee liaison, and will recruit and recommend candidates for board-appointed committees.

In accordance with UUA Board policy, the Appointments Committee is expected to recommend individuals so that the membership of committees and task forces reflects the full diversity of the Association, especially in regard to historically marginalized communities, but also balancing amongst size of congregation, lay and ordained, geography, age (including youth and young adults), and gender, among others.

The time commitment is significant, with an anticipated six meetings a year, at least two in person.

The deadline for applications is May 18, 2012. Read the complete announcement at this link:

http://www.uua.org/uuagovernance/board/index.shtml

UUA Nominating Committee Seeking Candidates

Your help is needed! The UUA Nominating Committee is seeking candidates for elected volunteer positions in the UUA. Are there people in your congregation, or in other congregations, ready to serve as a UUA trustee, Financial Advisor, or as a member of the Presidential Search Committee, Commission on Appraisal, GA Planning Committee, Nominating Committee, Commission on Social Witness, or Board of Review?