FIVE YEAR PLAN

Unitarian Universalist Church of Fargo Moorhead

Increase the size of the congregation by reaching out to the community and by nurturing membership to foster retention.
Pursue professional religious leadership for the Fargo-Moorhead Unitarian Universalist Church, and propose the recruitment of a part time minister by the fall of 2006.
Make organizational adjustments to accommodate changes in our leadership, strengthen our infrastructure and accommodate membership growth.
Establish a religious education Youth Program in addition to strengthening our existing child and adult programs.
As part of the UUA Global Warming Study/Action Issue, work toward achieving accreditation of our church under the Green Sanctuary Program.

Year 1 (2005-2006)

Establish a multi-year Preventive Maintenance Plan and Schedule.
Develop a plan for annual fund raising events to generate contributions for ongoing building capital improvement needs.
With appropriate consultation, design a plan for all of our exterior property to include the pros and cons of such options as designated handicapped parking, driveway use as needed for visiting ministers/guests, a memorial garden, and other landscaping as needed.

Year 2 (2006-2007) through Year 5 (2009-2010)

Conduct one fund raising event each year to generate contributions to the ongoing building support fund.

Year 1 (2005-2006)

Reinvigorate the Publicity Committee.
Review UUA membership growth materials and adopt those relevant to our congregation. Develop specific programs for member retention.
Reactivate Adult Religious Education Program with a Coordinator.
Propose Covenant/Fellowship Group plans. Introduce the congregation to covenant groups and survey interests in May 2005. Begin one or two groups in Fall 2005 depending on expressed interests.
Publicize the church through ND Public Radio and/or MPR, jointly with other regional (ND and MN) congregations.
Publicize the church through flyers and campus newsletters on area college campuses.
Implement a system for monitoring and projecting membership growth.

Year 2 (2006-2007) through Year 5 (2009-2010)

Review and consider use of Tier 1 and 2 Resources from the UUA Uncommon Denomination program.
Celebrate 100th member.
Plan for a second earlier Sunday service.

Year 1 (2005-2006)

Cultivate the health of all continuing and new committees (standing and ad hoc) in terms of composition and function.
Evaluate and implement organization adjustments as needed (positions, committees) to support new professional religious leadership.
Make appropriate revisions to the Bylaws.
Continue initiatives of 2004–2005 such as: (a) calendar for the budget cycle, with a formal request-and-review process; (b) training funds to defray costs for staff to attend conferences and workshops; (c) development of the Policy Manual.

Year 2 (2006-2007) through Year 5 (2009-2010)

Institute an annual organizational review of (a) staff assignments and position descriptions, (b) standing committees and charges.
Enter past year achievements on the FMUU Church Timeline.

Year 1 (2005-2006)

Introduce a non-binding resolution to the congregation at the May 2005 Annual Meeting to pursue part-time ministry for the fall of 2006.
Convene a Ministerial Appointment Committee to work with the Prairie Star District, discuss ministerial sharing with others, establish salary and benefit needs, learn about the covenanting process, and help engage our congregation in the recruitment program.

Year 2 (2006-2007) through Year 5 (2009-2010)

Based on established procedures, initiate recruitment of religious leadership.
Review and revise paid staff time commensurate with needs of the changing organization.

Year 1 (2005-2006)

With the newly appointed Coordinator of Religious Education, review all aspects of the existing program: (a) organizational structure for RE administration; (b) curriculum mapping to reflect multi-year cycles; (c) adequate space separation for classes; and (d) possible reconfiguration of age groups/classes to accommodate growth.
Offer an informational meeting and survey parental support for Our Whole Lives sexuality curriculum for youth.
Work with the Program Coordinator to offer activities, which parallel adult services.
Organize a group of interested adults and teens to develop a Youth Program for our teens. Consider designing a weekend workshop, with Prairie Star District support, for youth advisor training and involve other congregations in the region.
Invite interested teens from the Coming of Age RE group to join church committees of their choice.

Year 2 (2006-2007) through Year 5 (2009-2010)

Institute OWL program if supported by parents.
Initiate intergenerational activities such as adult-child mentoring.
Explore the UUA Renaissance Program to provide continuing education for RE staff.

Year 1 (2005-2006)

Develop a policy that clarifies when stands taken by the Social Action Committee can be taken on behalf of the congregation.
Assure that projects have clear support and encouragement from the leadership and the congregation.
Assure that activities directed to social change, reflecting core UU principles, are appropriately publicized.
Continue our active involvement in Global Warming programs, not only as part of the UUA two year Study/Action issue, but through local projects of immediate consequence, including (a) participation in the Green Library project of the South Aggasiz Resource Council; and (b) initiation of the accreditation process for the FMUU Church to be accepted as a participant in the Green Sanctuary Program.

Year 2 (2006-2007) through Year 5 (2009-2010)

Increase our visibility in the community by participating in public events (e.g. Pride Festival). Work with the Publicity Committee to make such events known in the congregation.