Getting started
"If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost: that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them."
Henry David Thoreau
There is much written about the process of getting started. There is no right place to begin. You are where you are. That is where you start.
Planning is a journey. There is a destination, but there is much in the journey to learn, savor and enjoy. Like any journey, you cannot make it go faster. Planning is a process that requires time and reflection. Because this can be a long journey, set milestones and celebrate when these milestones have been achieved. Do not be afraid to share the frustrations. This is hard work. There will be unexpected roadblocks. Do not dwell on the frustrations, but recognize them and think through the alternatives. This is also a spiritual journey. Make time for song, reading and prayer.
Throughout this web site we offer you questions to consider, issues that you might consider, steps for developing a strategic plan and, finally elements to be included in the final plan. This is not easy work. But we will share with you some of our experiences and some things we have learned. You will likely bring new ones to share with us.
Questions to consider as you start the planning process
How does your group fit into the landscape of other UU and interfaith education, organizing and advocacy groups?
- What are UU churches in the state doing already?
- Which churches have active advocacy programs?
- What interfaith or community based advocacy groups do churches already belong to?
What will success look like?
- Stronger UU social justice ministries at the congregational level
- Visible presence of UUs at the state legislature
- Timely information to clergy and lay leaders on issues important to UUs
- UUs making a difference on specific issues
- UUs valued among partner organizations for contributions to key issues
How will this network grow us spiritually? Does our definition of success include:
- Strengthening our connections within our congregational communities
- Building our leadership
- Making room for spiritual development. How?
Who should be on the planning committee?
- Recruit respected leaders. Some will turn you down. However, if they do, ask them if they would be willing to endorse this work. More to come on endorsements.
- Does the committee include ministers and lay leaders?
- How many churches are represented?
- How large is the committee? If you are too small you may not adequately represent the interests of the state, too large and the process can get bogged down.
- How long has the committee members committed to this project? Planning is not a short-term process. Try to get a one-year commitment.
- Be sensitive to existing advocacy efforts. Monitor support, opposition and concerns from UU organizations and members.
Getting started
"Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it."
Goethe
Meetings
- Set a schedule of face to face and conference calls. Start with at least 3 meeting dates. Establish a starting and ending time for each meeting. At each session, set aside 5 minutes to establish the agenda for the next meeting and list the action items.
- Eat. Food is sustenance (even when you buy it at the supermarket in route)
- Make this a spiritual practice. Light a chalice, sing, read and/share. Model the connections you hope the network you are developing will create.
Develop a vision and mission statement
It is crucial to decide why you want to create a religious advocacy network and determine what relationship it is to the UU congregations and other groups in your state. It is important to understand why you exist and why your group would be needed in addition to other religious, interfaith, and secular advocacy groups.
The process of creating a mission and vision should take place as a face to face discussion with as a many members of your planning committee as possible even if it means you need to delay the meeting a few weeks. The discussion may be painful. Words begin to sound like clichés. However, the process is as critical as the final product as it will ground the planning committee in who you are and where you are going. Bring the final statements to all future meetings as they will guide you some of the tough decisions.
Plan of Action
Issue or structure?
How do we get people excited if we do not have an issue? In some cases the planning committee came together because you were already working on an issue. In other cases you came together around the concept. Stories as to how some of the networks started can be found here... (this will be a link to our stories page)
1. Announce that you in preliminary discussions
a. Contact the district office (s)- the district may have information about what churches are doing and also contact information for ministers, social action chairs, church administrators, denominational affairs chairs, presidents and newsletter editors.
b. Call, email, send letters and let people know what you are doing.
c. Get endorsements from respected leaders and use those in your communications
2. Develop a time table
3. Set short-term goals.
4. CELEBRATE your progress!!
5. Assess your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis. Attached is sample from Maryland Network.
6. Define the structure (this will be a link to a discussion of structure alternatives)
7. Create a budget (this will be a link to a discussion of structure alternatives)
8. Develop a communications plan (this will be a link to a discussion of structure alternatives)
9. Identify possible revenue sources (this will be a link to a discussion of revenues)
10. Explore options for obtaining staff resources
11. Identify volunteers who will plan, lead, organize, and implement the work of the Network
12. Identify UU, interfaith and secular organizations which can support your work.
13. Keep track of all the people you contact. This is the beginning of your database. Start simple with an Excel file which includes Name, Address, Telephone, email, congregation, role in congregation
14. Think about how you will select issues
Outcome
At the end of the planning process your should have:
- Mission/vision statement
- One to three year plan with clear goals
- Work plan for the Board, committees and staff
- The first Board of Directors (or other leadership group) meeting scheduled