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Membership Information The text below explains some basic information for new members or for people considering joining our Fellowship. The text is taken from a larger document (MMUUF Handbook) which includes more information on our Fellowship specifically and Unitarian Universalism in general.
Friends Visitors, newcomers, donors, neighbors, extended family, regulars.....all of these are “Friends” who are involved with MMUUF. “Friend” refers to any individual who participates with MMUUF in some way and who is not a "Member." You do not have to be a Member to take part in what our Fellowship has to offer. Nor do you have to be a Member to contribute. Friends are welcome to attend Sunday services as often as they like. Friends are always welcome to participate in any and all MMUUF activities they choose such as Religious Education programs for adults and children, community service projects, choir, Meeting House renovations and improvements, Fellowship events such as dinners, annual auction, Barn Sale, committees, receiving emails through the MMUUF List serve, etc. nbspFriends contribute to, and shape, our community. They are encouraged to participate fully, including signing up for committees or bringing snack for Sunday services or helping with clean-up. All Friends are encouraged to contribute financially to help MMUUF to operate and do its work in the community. For example, many Friends generously donated to the purchase of the Meeting House barn building and lot. MMUUF Friends often participate in our annual adoption of a local needy family by making donations of toys, clothing, gift cards, and money. The MMUUF annual Auction fund-raiser with live music and dancing always draws a crowd! Most MMUUF Members spend some time as Friends before they sign the Book of Members. Members Individuals are encouraged to become Members as a tangible way of integrating the MMUUF community into their own spiritual practice and journey. Membership is an expression of 1) your interest in the ongoing vitality of the MMUUF spiritual community and 2) your commitment to the operational well-being of the MMUUF organization. Some individuals become MMUUF Members after a Service or two; others participate with MMUUF for several months or even for a couple of years before deciding to become a Member. While some Members were raised as UUs, the majority of our Members come from diverse religious backgrounds, histories, and traditions. When you become a MMUUF Member you also automatically become a Unitarian Universalist Association Member (UUA, the Association of UU congregations in North America). Membership Value There are many benefits and rewards of being a Member of MMUUF. Individuals become Members for different reasons, at various life stages, and with different motivations. These are some experiences and outcomes that may encourage MMUUF Membership:
Membership Requirements and Responsibilities
Friends are encouraged to make contributions of time and service, and to make an annual pledge. Friends may attend and participate in the Annual Meeting, but only Members may vote. Annual Contribution - Service Members are expected to contribute each year to Fellowship activities and operations to the extent they can, for time and skill. Members may do a little or a lot, but it’s important for everyone to do something. There is always something that needs doing, someone that needs help to get something accomplished on behalf of the Fellowship. If you are not sure how to get involved, see someone from the Membership Committee who can help you get connected and involved based on how much time you can spare and your interests. Service contributions take many forms including serving on a committee, singing in the choir, volunteering to bring snacks or perform clean-up for one or more Sunday Services, volunteering for some of the fund-raising activities, assisting with a Religious Education class, posting flyers, organizing an activity or event, or helping with upkeep and improvement of the Meeting House. Annual Contribution - Financial Each Member is expected to contribute annually to meet the financial obligations of the Fellowship. Pledge payments are tax-deductible. Fellowship operations depend almost exclusively on Members’ financial support. Making an Annual Pledge The Annual Pledge tells MMUUF how much financial support each Member and Friend intends to provide the Fellowship for that year and when that money will be paid. You may choose to make a single annual payment of your Pledged amount or to make installment payments in amounts and at times that fit their personal situations. Pledge forms for the upcoming fiscal year are distributed by the Treasurer to all active Members and Friends each Spring. Each individual determines the amount of their Pledge for the upcoming year and submits that information to the Treasurer as soon as possible. See the Giving Guide at www.uua.org for more information on Pledge amounts. In aggregate, submitted Pledge Forms are used to develop and refine the annual budget. The budget is approved at the Full Membership Annual Meeting in June each year. All active Members are encouraged to participate in the Full Membership Meeting and to vote on the budget. Individuals who join MMUUF and become Members throughout the year typically make their Pledge for the current year at the time they join. Pledge Amounts Each Member and Friend must decide for themselves, based on their own circumstances, what amount of money is appropriate and possible to contribute to MMUUF. Members should consider the annual MMUUF budget and the longer term MMUUF plan to enhance the Meeting House. The UUA offers a Giving Guide you can reference when determining your Pledge amount. The Giving Guide is available at http://www.uua.org/documents/congservices/stewardship/fairshareguide.pdf Making and fulfilling a pledge is supporting the life of the Fellowship. It is different from making a "gift to charity." It represents each member’s commitment to sustaining his or her faith community. Please review the Pledge Form Attachment. Process to become a Member It’s simple: Sign the Book of Members. You do not have to formally relinquish membership in or allegiance to any other religious denomination when you become a member of MMUUF. There is no "conversion" process or ceremony. Signing the Book of Members You may sign the Book of Members at any time. The Transitions Service held in June has traditionally welcomed new Members for that year into the Fellowship. During a special segment of the Transitions Service, new Members may sign the Book of Members and (optionally) share aloud with the Fellowship some of their thoughts on joining MMUUF. Alternatively, the Book of Members is available to be signed at any Sunday Service. A Steering Committee or Membership Committee member will gladly assist you upon request to sign the Book of Members. Members are individuals rather than families. It is possible for one spouse to be a Member and the other spouse to be a Friend. No Conversion There is no conversion process required to become a Unitarian Universalist or to join a specific UU Fellowship. If you are new to Unitarian Universalism there are many resources available to help you become more familiar with the UU faith and practices. Visit http://www.uua.org for more information about Unitarian Universalism. Also, MMUUF periodically offers adult religious education classes, spiritual journey discussions, and individual spiritual direction. (Please see a Membership Committee or Steering Committee member for details). A Member may choose to be removed from Membership at any time upon request. A Member may be placed into an Inactive Status if they discontinue to meet their responsibilities for at least three years. Former Members and Inactive Members will be removed from the National UUA registry via MMUUF. Inactive and Former Members may continue to receive email and announcements from MMUUF or the may opt out by notifying the MMUUF webmaster. Membership Committee The MMUUF Membership Committee is available to answer questions about Membership and the process to become a Member. The Membership Committee is happy to connect individuals to others in the Fellowship to help learn further information about UU traditions, our Fellowship history, upcoming events, how to join a committee, how to contribute to the life of the Fellowship, or just to help with introductions. For more information you can either contact the chair of the Membership Committee by visiting our Committees page or email the Fellowship's Administrative Assistant. |
