Committee Work

[nvcarnie]

My roommate (who attends the same UU congregation as I do) gently teased me last night, after I returned a voicemail from the chair of the Finance at our Congregation. I've been recruited to serve as a member on the Finance Committee. We have a loose (used to be hard & fast, but getting less so with time) rule that we shouldn't do for the chUUrch

Comments

[477150n]

What is the purpose of such a rule? It seems like it would be good for people to contribute the things they're most skilled at.

[nvcarnie]

It's meant to prevent burn-out. Ideally, it allows us to explore interests we can't explore in our professional lives. (For example, I'm in a very entry-level position. The leadership development at the church and chairing of a committee are well outside the scope of the things I'm able to do professionally. It's a great development ground for me.) Of course, when someone really WANTS to do something, nobody ever really says "NO" - which is why the rule isn't particularly hard and fast.

In my three years...

[dee_cee]

-Chaired the Welcoming Committee

-Chaired the Chalice Crafters (okay, I created this group, so not sure if it counts in what you're looking for)

-Chair of the Ministry Committee

Yes, I have trouble saying no. I'm finding the same people are asked all the time to do stuff...which worries me about burnout, not only for myself but everyone else who's on 2 or 3 committees!

Re: In my three years...

[nvcarnie]

I'm finding the same people are asked all the time to do stuff...which worries me about burnout, not only for myself but everyone else who's on 2 or 3 committees!

This happens to us, too. We do collect volunteer interest forms and pass the information along to committee chairs. This does generate new volunteers. The forms are available year-round bur collected annually during the Stewardship Campaign.

[adina_atl]

My mother and I seem to be our fellowship's resident caterers. This is not what we do for a living, so that's not an issue, though an amazing number of people do think we are professional. But we cook for three or four major events each year, most recently the annual pledge dinner. It's interesting because we've learned to plan menus for a diverse group, ensuring that there are vegetarian, diabetic-friendly, and allergy-friendly (at least one item for each of the major allergy groups) options. I'm occasionally surprised at how little people know about creating menus for groups.

I have a real aversion to committee meetings, so this allows us to contribute without attending (many) meetings.

[nvcarnie]

That's a great service to provide to your congregation!

[ruisseau]

Our congregation is small and lay-led. Many of us wear several "hats," as we tend to put it. :)

I am the ritual teams coordinator, which is a position of herding the folks who make sure we have programming every week. It's often a ritual (we're a pagan UU group), but we also have classes and fora.

I am also on the Communications committee. I create the weekly announcements, invite folks to our events via Facebook (very effective!), and help keep our website updated.

And finally, I'm on the Membership committee. I teach the new member class and am gearing up for the administrative fun of trying to update our member directory.

I am tangentially involved with Stewardship and Social Justice, as well, and in the past I've been on Nominating (Om, Nom, Nom Comm) and served as the librarian of our virtual lending library.

There's a lot of meetings in my life! :)

[nvcarnie]

Hahaha. I completely understand wearing many "hats" - I've totally been in this boat! :-D

[shelikeswomyn]

My first volunteer role was in chairing the RE (Religious Education Committee) and representing RE on the board. When I led the first search to fill the paid role of Director, Religious Education, I felt deeply conflicted that this was the work for me and I was not in a position to leave my (well paid professional) position at a fortune 500 company to pursue the opportunity

[nvcarnie]

Congratulations on your position in your congregation! It sounds very rewarding and amazing. I completely understand just how quickly you may be approached to volunteer! I started as the ESOL liaison after only 3 weeks at my church - they turned over building keys and everything! :-D