Review of the Share-the-Plate Process: Input Requested

Annually we review the process we use to provide funds from the Sunday offering to support initiatives and non-profit organizations within and outside the church.  This year we have appointed a short term Task Force to review the process, since the Social Action Council was disbanded in this summer.  The Task Force members Ann Marie Hay, Rhonda Buckner, Mark deFrancis and Gene Mulligan have begun a review of our Share-the-Plate procedures and outcomes to present recommendations to Rev. Carlton then to the Professional Team in early April.  Following is a notice from the Task Force:

Meetings of the Task Force with interested members and friends are set for Sunday, March 6 after the second service in Room 9, Monday, March 7 at 7:30 in the Volunteer Room, and Sunday, March 13 after the first service in the Volunteer Room - as part of the Second Sunday Social Justice Conversation Drop-In. The Task Force will brief attendees on current practices and seek comments from attendees including responses to the following:

--What do you think has worked well with the Share-the-Plate process?  What do you see as less successful, as a time waster, or otherwise less effective?  

--How do you think UUCA should prioritize beneficiaries as to type of service, e.g., advocacy/direct service; local/national/international?  

--Are there particular topic areas that you recommend should be "locked in" for inclusion, e.g., immigration, emergency food and shelter, human rights, civil rights?  

--Do you think Share-the-Plate requests should be preceded by a briefing by a beneficiary representative?  

--How many Share-the-Plate requests would you welcome during the church year?  

The Task Force would especially appreciate input from congregants who have experience with previous Share-the-Plate services and ideas about how it might operate in the future.   Written comments are also encouraged and may be sent to rhondabuckner@comcast.net for use by the Task Force.