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Connections Council Charter

Mission or Purpose:
The Connections Council’s mission is to initiate and implement an integrated system of member support and development. Our goal is to foster development of programs and activities that will nurture spiritual and social bonds among First Unitarian Society members and encourage meaningful connections among members, staff and the wider community. We seek:

1. To create opportunities to provide assimilation of all members into the ongoing life and ministry of FUS,
2. To support growth and development of members of the Society through options of shared participation, involvement and service, and
3. To design, develop and support alternative ministries to address emerging needs and challenges with the congregation and the wider Unitarian Universalist community.

Overview of Council’s Arena of Activity or Responsibility:
The Council is concerned with all the activities related to new members of the Society.  In particular, it is responsible for orienting new members so that they will know

1. What Unitarian Universalism is,
2. Why it is beneficial to be a member,
3. What the responsibilities of a member are, and
4. How to join the Society.

Once one becomes a member, the Council brings together individuals, committees and task forces within the Society. The Council is structured to initiate programs and activities that enable members to serve and be nurtured by the FUS community. A special focus of the Council is on increasing the sense of community among all the generations within the Society.

Specific Activities or Task Assignments:

1. Increase member, affiliate and visitor support through growth and development activities.
2. Increase events that promote member and staff recognition and appreciation.
3. Support Chalice Groups and other affinity groups that operate in domains of priority concern to the society, the Madison community, the UUA, and beyond
4. Increase adult social activities
5. Support opportunities for intergenerational interactions in social actions and activities.
6. Support religious services that demonstrate appreciation and gratitude for service of FUS members.
7. Propose additional opportunities that would allow for socializing and meeting in large and small groups.
8. Increase interaction between the Connections Council and other Councils on shared concerns.
9. Work to assure that all FUS activities and programs foster and celebrate diversity in our congregation.
10. Demonstrate and develop right and respectful relationships within the Council and its domain.
11. Develop, document, implement and manage progress of Connections Council’s annual plan and budget.

Schedule of Activity:
The Council will meet monthly.
The Chair and others will have communications throughout each month, from September through June.

Reporting Relationships:
Connections Council members will create a plan and budget for their activities that will be submitted to the Board of Trustees for approval. Council members will share their progress – and help and support one another as needed. Council will initiate, plan, develop and implement new activities and create appropriate structures to support and maintain them.  The FUS Board of Trustees will assign a liaison to the Council.

Reports/Record Keeping:
Minutes of the Connections Council shall be recorded and distributed to all members, ministerial and staff liaisons, and forwarded to Church Office.

Composition:
The Council may include representatives from and/or liaisons to, the following committees and work groups:

1. Membership Committee (focusing on new members)
2. Member Recognition
3. Denominational Affairs Committee
4. Social and service activity groups: such as StoneHaulers2 and supporting Parish Meetings
5. Chalice Groups: Covenant Group Ministry
6. Small Groups, including Circle Suppers, Wisdom Circles, Men’s Groups, etc.
7. Madison Unitarian Universalist Young Adult and Campus Ministry - MUUYACM
8. Lay Ministers
9. Alliance
10. Membership groups, such as Singles and 20-30 Young Adults
11. Hospitality Network, including greeters and snack/coffee coordination
12. UU Spiritual Enrichment: A Two Year Quest and it's follow-up
13. Others as they emerge and/or assigned by the Board

Sources of Financial Support:
FUS Budget

Board Liaison:
Connections Board Trustee will proactively facilitate communication between the Council and the Board.
The Trustee serving in that capacity for this year is Sandy Eskrich.

Clergy Liaison:
Karen Gustafson, Minister

Staff Liaison:
Alice Delaquess, Coordinator of Member Programs

Revisions: Fall 2006, Spring and Summer 2007
Proposed and accepted: 9/12/07