Creating the MidAmerica Region A New Era in Unitarian Universalism
May 22, 2015
Creating the MidAmerica Region
A New Era
in Unitarian Universalism
The religious community is essential, for alone our vision is too narrow to see all that must be seen, and our strength too limited to do all that must be done. Together, our vision widens and our strength is renewed. -- Rev. Mark Morrison-Reed
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What You’ll Read About Here
How we are currently organized: Congregations, districts, UUA
Services to congregations
Proposal for Regionalization
Your congregation’s role in creating MidAmerica Region
Advantages of Regionalization
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Unitarian Universalist Association of CongregationsVoluntary association of autonomous, self-
governing local congregations
Each congregation chooses to pursue common goals and be part of UUA
Congregations elect UUA President, Moderator, and Board of Trustees
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Each Congregation
Sets own mission and goals
Uses democratic processes in decision making
Raises operating funds
Hires minister and staff, if any
Elects local, district, national governing boards
Receives assistance from UUA Field Staff
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Field Staff Services to CongregationsExpertise inMembership and Growth Leadership and Organizational Development Faith Development Ministries Multigenerational InvolvementFinances, including stewardship and administration Conflict Transformation Transitions in Professional LeadershipGovernanceMulticultural CompetencyCongregational Justice Making Spiritual GrowthStaffing and Human ResourcesYouth Programming Young Adult and Campus Ministry Programming
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Districts/Regions
UUA assigns field staff by regions, not districtsRegion: geographic area larger than districtOur field staff have been regional team since 2010
Boards govern by districts, not regions
Congregations still grouped into districts
Change to re-group into regions must be approved by congregations
8Our 6 UUA-paid former districts Staff are working as regional staff already as “deep generalists.”
Nancy Combs-Morgan
Phil Lund
Ian EvisonNancy Heege Lisa Presley
Dori Davenport Thexton
Deep generalist definition: expertise in one service to congregations, knowledgeable about all services
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19 Current Districts include
Prairie Star
Central Midwest
Heartland
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Regionalizationdissolves our 3 districts and forms 1 region.
Our 3 districts becomeMidAmerica Region.
Same field staff and services.
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Regionalization and UUA
District boundaries are losing significanceUUA Field Staff already a regional teamUUA Board of Trustees elected at large
Other districts are discussing regionalization options
MidAmerica is pioneer for Regionalization
UUA Administration awarded $20K grant to our districts to help form the MidAmerica region
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How Regionalization Happens
1. Congregations identify
delegates
2. Congregations certify delegates
3. Delegates attend District
Meeting/Assembly
4. Delegates vote
Follow 5th principle of democratic process• Within congregations to make decision• Congregations vote their decision
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1. Congregations identify
delegates
2. Congregations certify delegates
3. Delegates attend District
Meeting/Assembly
4. Delegatesvote
• Congregations make decision• Congregations send delegates to carry out their
decision
Steps to Forming MidAmerica Region
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1. Congregations elect delegates
2. Congregations certify delegates
3. Delegates attend District
Meeting/Assembly
4. Delegates vote
• Delegate certification procedures are clarified by each district office
• Fill out delegate certification forms and return to District office by deadline
Steps to Forming MidAmerica Region
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1. Congregations identify
delegates
2. Congregations certify delegates
3. Delegates attend District
Meeting/Assembly
4. Delegatesvote
• Prairie Star meeting April 5-7 in Cedar Rapids, IA• Heartland assembly: April 12-13 in Muncie, IN• Central Midwest assembly: April 26-28 in Waukesha,
WI• Delegates check in and receive voting
documentation
Steps to Forming MidAmerica Region
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1. Congregations identify
delegates
2. Congregations certify delegates
3. Delegates attend District
Meeting/Assembly
4. Delegates vote
• Authorize formation of MidAmerica Region and dissolution of own District
• Slate of MidAmerica officers and Board of Trustees• If all motions pass in all Districts, MidAmerica Region effective July 1,
2013• Contingency slate of officers and Board if your District not
dissolved• Amend UUA bylaws in 2013 and 2014
Steps to Forming MidAmerica Region
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Camp UniStarUU family camp donated to
Prairie Star in 1961
On island near Cass Lake, MN
PSD delegates will vote on transfer to the new Camp UniStar Foundation Non-profit based on UU valuesResponsible for camp operation
and liability
MidAmerica Region represented on Foundation Board of Trustees
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Each Congregation’s Role
Be informedReview all documents and details of voting Review guidelines for eligible congregations and
number of delegates
Involve all members in discussion
Reach decision on support of Regionalization
Elect delegates to District Meeting/Assembly who will carry out congregation’s direction
Certify delegates through District
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Advantages of Regionalization
Administrative cost efficienciesReduced office and administrative expensesShared software/technology/staffStreamlined governanceFinancial stability for ongoing services and
programming Midwest Leadership School Webinars Conferences and workshops
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Advantages of Regionalization
Promotion of UU presence Field staff expertise Increased visibility of our UU faith and valuesOutreach to those who are spiritual but not religious
through “Congregations and Beyond”Strength in numbers for social justice witness and
advocacyLegislative ministriesSupport of congregational clusters
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Advantages of Regionalization
Strengthen collaborative partnerships/relationshipsCovenants with other UU congregationsSocial justice work with like-minded organizations
Foster growthReduced numbers of boards frees staff to work more
with direct services to congregationsWithin congregationsNumber of congregations
To live in this world you must be able to do 3 things:To love what is mortal;to hold it against your bones knowing your own life depends on it;And, when the time comes to let it go, to let it go.– Mary Oliver
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Support RegionalizationA New Era in UUism
More information:www.midamericauua.orgDistrict websitesfacebook/MidAmericaUUA