New UU Stewardship Lab on Facebook

Lab Update:  A new UU Stewardship Lab has just been launched on Facebook.  You may read more about the  “UU lab” proliferation below.

Join the new lab here: UU Stewardship Lab

There’s a Lab for That

Facebook LogoIn February I launched an experiment on Facebook, The UU Growth Lab, to see if people interested in talking growth might talk more freely using a Facebook group.  I had previously had clergy express that they didn’t feel comfortable brainstorming and exploring counter-cultural ideas publicly on blogs. We’re talking the culture of our association and member congregations —  the culture, models and practices we need to revise, remove and/or replace in order to move forward as an association of congregations.

Six months after its launch the UU Growth Lab, a “free space and think tank for Unitarian Universalist change agents” has over 700 members and they (not me) have taken the initiative to launch additional topic focused labs.

For Unitarian Universalist leaders wanting to talk about issues ranging from Growth and Social Media to Worship and Evangelism,  there’s a lab for that.

Here’s the directory of active labs in order they were launched.

These are like virtual lounges where people are engaging in active conversation constantly.

What I particularly like is that there are photos attached to those participating (profile images) creating a richer sense of community and connection than a text only email list.  People can also “like” posts and comments affirming ideas without needing to write a response.  And most importantly,  when someone comments on a post, regardless of when it was first written, it moves back to the top of the group’s Facebook stream.  This means ideas/conversations people are excited about stay active, while posts of lesser appeal quickly fade away.

The drawbacks?  There is no way to catalog all the amazing ideas that are coming up in the lab.  Its like a book of 1,001 amazing Unitarian Universalist growth and congregational change ideas unfolding before your eyes and you can’t… keep… up….

But maybe that’s a strength too.  I launched the UU Growth Lab for those who wanted a slightly more  protected space (not searched by Google) to discuss issues related to moving Unitarian Universalism forward.

You may read more about this UU lab phenomenon in the August 1st UUA Interconnections article by Don Skinner, “Growth and Social Media Labs Engage Leaders.“

UU Congregational Emergency Preparedness Manual


With attention in my area (Southern New England) turning to hurricane Irene,  as well as anniversary of 9/11 around the corner, I thought I’d highlight the Congregational Emergency Preparedness Manual (doc)  developed for UU congregations. It is a manual, in Word Document form, ready to be customized by local congregations.  Think of it as a template and workbook to help you guide your congregation’s emergency preparedness planning.    Below are excerpts from the manual preface and introduction. I share these excerpts in the hope that they will help motivate you to DOWNLOAD and share the manual. You may share this post using the buttons at the end of the post.  ~ Peter

Congregational Emergency Preparedness

About the Manual

The emergency preparedness planning/disaster response/crisis management is a large and complex field.  There are a multitude of types of disasters.  There are also a multitude of resources available to organizations for disaster preparedness planning. 

This Emergency Preparedness Manual is designed to give basic, general planning guidelines that can be expanded upon as there is time and resources available.

The material in this manual has been redacted, assembled and merged from several sources:

  • Florida Conference United Church of Christ, “Disaster Readiness Response Plan”
  • Southern Baptists, North American Mission Board, “Involving Southern Baptists in Disaster Relief: Serving Christ in Crisis”
  • UUA Crisis Response Team, “UUA Crisis Response Guiding Principles
  • Church World Services, “Prepare to Care: Guide to Disaster Ministry in Your Congregation”
  • UUA Trauma Response Team
  • University of Missouri
  • Mid-South District, “UU PLANNING CHART FOR DISASTERS”
  • Ohio-Meadville District, “Elements for OMD Planning”

The manual was prepared by William Zelazny, District Executive, Ballou Channing District, with editorial review and content suggestions from Mary Higgins, District Executive, Northern New England  District,  Eunice Benton, District Executive, Mid-South District, and Julianna Dunn, Program Associate, Ballou Channing District.

Introduction

A hurricane, tornado, severe ice storm, flood, fire, windstorm, utility failure, hazardous materials spill, act of terrorism or an attack by an individual can seriously affect the life and operations of a congregation.

Therefore, while it does take time and resources to do emergency preparedness/disaster response planning, congregations need to educate its staff and members about emergency preparedness and develop a plan because natural and human-made disaster cause major disruption in the life of a congregation and the lives of congregation members, sometimes taking years to recover fully.

While specific elements of disaster management depends on local economic, demographic, environmental, geographic and social conditions, there is a general approach to emergency preparedness for natural and human-made disasters.  This document presents information about the  foundational steps congregations, should take to be ahead of the game if a disaster should strike.   As time permits, further plans and specific incidents can be developed and added to the basic plan.

The main focus of this document is preparation for a significant area-wide natural disaster.  However, there are a number of items, that are marked with a “#”, that will also be of use for a congregations to deal with smaller, local disasters such as a building fire.

As a congregation develops its disaster preparedness plan, it is important that our work be grounded and guided by our Unitarian Universalist Principles.  The Unitarian Universalist Association Crisis Response Team has developed a set of Crisis Response Guiding Principles that can inform congregation leaders as they work on their plans

Safety – Meet immediate safety needs first.

Simplicity – Response procedures should be as simple and clear as possible.

Flexibility – Each situation is unique and evolving: policies and norms need to be adaptive.

Responsiveness – Response needs to be both timely and thoughtful.

Pastoral support – Pastoral support may be offered to those both directly and indirectly affected.

Prophetic role – Address justice issues.

Transparency – Response process includes accountability and openness.

Communication – Effective internal and external communication is crucial, and includes listening as well as speaking.

Coordination – Coordinate internal resources.

Collaboration – Seek collaboration among UU staff groups and with UU and non-UU entities.

Authority – Establish clear decision-making authority.

Openness – Be open to outside resources and expertise.

Stewardship – Practice good stewardship of the resources

Congregation leaders and encouraged to use this document and the other resources that are available for the district office and our Unitarian Universalist Association and develop in a timely manner a basic response plan.   The district and Association staff are available for information and assistance.

Download the template UU Congregational Emergency Preparedness Manual (doc)

Related Resources

Handling Trauma in the Aftermath of Disaster  (UUA)
Planning for Disasters for the Congregation and Building (UUA)
Unitarian Universalist Trauma Response Ministry (UUTRM)

There’s a Lab for That….

Facebook LogoIn February I launched an experiment on Facebook, The UU Growth Lab, to see if people interested in talking growth might talk more freely using a Facebook group.  I had previously had clergy express that they didn’t feel comfortable brainstorming and exploring counter-cultural ideas publicly on blogs. We’re talking the culture of our association and member congregations —  the culture, models and practices we need to revise, remove and/or replace in order to move forward as an association of congregations.

Six months after its launch the UU Growth Lab, a “free space and think tank for Unitarian Universalist change agents” has over 700 members and they (not me) have taken the initiative to launch additional topic focused labs.

For Unitarian Universalist leaders wanting to talk about issues ranging from Growth and Social Media to Worship and Evangelism,  there’s a lab for that.

Here’s the directory of active labs in order they were launched.

These are like virtual lounges where people are engaging in active conversation constantly.

What I particularly like is that there are photos attached to those participating (profile images) creating a richer sense of community and connection than a text only email list.  People can also “like” posts and comments affirming ideas without needing to write a response.  And most importantly,  when someone comments on a post, regardless of when it was first written, it moves back to the top of the group’s Facebook stream.  This means ideas/conversations people are excited about stay active, while posts of lesser appeal quickly fade away.

The drawbacks?  There is no way to catalog all the amazing ideas that are coming up in the lab.  Its like a book of 1,001 amazing Unitarian Universalist growth and congregational change ideas unfolding before your eyes and you can’t… keep… up….

But maybe that’s a strength too.  I launched the UU Growth Lab for those who wanted a slightly more  protected space (not searched by Google) to discuss issues related to moving Unitarian Universalism forward.

You may read more about this UU lab phenomenon in the August 1st UUA Interconnections article by Don Skinner, “Growth and Social Media Labs Engage Leaders.“

UU Tweetchat tonight 8:30EST on Stewardship and Religious Ed

A tweetchat is being held  TONIGHT at 8:30pm ET(US) on the topic of Stewardship & Religious Ed!  Hosted by: @psdlund @givingspeaks @jim4arts

You can participate by using this link:
http://tweetchat.com/room/UU2020

A tweetchat allows all tweets (Twitter messages) marked with the same hashtag  (# followed by keyword such as #UU2020) to be pulled together forming a giant conversation.  You may use the Tweetchat room link above or other Twitter utility to pull up all tweets with the tag for this discussion, #uu2020. I use Tweetdeck, a free application you may download for desktop, iphone and other mobile devices.

Not on Twitter?  Here are a couple of tutorials:

And a cautionary tale…

UU Libary tops “Spirituality and Belief” destination guide in Second Life

Library of World Religionshttp://secondlife.com/destination/library-of-world-religions

Friends, an exciting accomplishment for the developers of the Unitarian Universalist region in Second Life known as UUTopia.  This last week the Library of World Religions in UUTopia was added to the top of the Second Life Spirituality & Belief destination guide!   In addition to the library, the UUTopia region also features a sanctuary where the First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Second Life holds regular services.  See www.fuucsl.org.

I’ve attended a number of services this month as I prepared to lead a workshop on social media, technology and the future of UU faith formation.  I was excited to discover that these services are attended by people from across the world, including those using language translation tools.  There are also regular participants who attend services in Second Life due to accessibility issues.  In terms of Unitarian Universalist outreach and digital ministry, Unitarian Universalism isn’t just on the map, we’re at the top of the destination guide.  Well done to my new UU friends and colleagues in Second Life!

Second Life is free to join and explore.  Money is only needed to buy land and purchase virtual goods. Learn more at secondlife.com.  Search for more Unitarian Universalist destinations in Second Life.

Library of World Religions in UUTOPIA

Social Media on Star Island next week

Next week I’ll be on Star Island, an island off the coast of NH, leading a week-long workshop on Social Media, Technology and Culture Change as it relates to congregations.

Interested in scheduling an event for your organization? Let’s talk… Write to me and we can schedule a call.  Email  Facebook  Twitter

Star RE Week Promo