A COMMUNITY-BUILDING CANVASS PLEDGE DAY A COMMUNITY-BUILDING CANVASS

Acknowledgements First Universalist Church of Minneapolis MidAmerica Region (Mosaic Makers) Rev. Mary Ann Macklin

The Theory Similarities: Differences: Somewhat premised on the idea of “Commitment Sunday”, as explained in Beyond Fundraising (p27-28) by Wayne Clark Similarities: Prep work Excitement of the day Follow-up Differences: More flexibility in programming Weekday (First Universalist) or Weekend (UU- Bloomington) “Opt-In” – people choose to attend a canvass event

The Timeline September/October – January/February – Buy-in from Board, Staff, Lay Leaders Education about the concept Confirm speaker/guest (due to preaching schedules, if looking for parish minister) January/February – Initial brainstorming of ideas Beginning Communication to Congregation

Sunday Morning Worship – Where All Lifted Hearts Can Be Free – Rev Sunday Morning Worship – Where All Lifted Hearts Can Be Free – Rev. Chris Long

The Timeline March – Marketing Blitz (Postcard, Newsletter, Video) Confirmation of Programs Volunteer Recruitment April – Final plans in place Reminders of date, time, schedule, etc. April 22 – Pledge Day

Marketing Materials Postcard Side A Postcard Side B

Marketing Materials

Screen Capture of SignUp Genius Website for Volunteers

The Timeline May – June – First two weeks, get remaining pledges and finalize budget Last two weeks, send details pertaining to the Congregational Meeting June – Congregational Meeting/Vote on Budget on June 10th

Pledge Day 2017 Schedule of Events Highlights: Drop-In Morning Volunteer/Leadership Appreciation Breakfast ZUMBA Jeopardy with Middle Schoolers Worship Drop-In Come for a bit, Go home and run errands, Come Back Stay for as long as you can

Current Pledge Total

Morning Leadership Appreciation Breakfast

Families making crowns in the Fellowship Hall

Dancing around the Maypole – UUCB Tradition

A successful maypole

Tree Planting Outside

Jeopardy with the middle schoolers

Writing Welcome Notes for our Habitat for Humanity House

Lessons Learned: Successes Short Timespan Having it on one day Great to try to get it all done in one day Community-Building Providing the community with a festival to celebrate its very existence (x2) Have fun together, be silly

Lessons Learned: Successes Activities Sing-along (x3) Great variety of options (x2 – intentional diversity showcasing ministries) Food & Fellowship – lots of family options Enjoy music/worship May-pole dance Carrie Newcomer concert Sunday service the next day (guest speaker, very energetic)

Lessons Learned: Challenges Communication and Outreach Communication about expectations before event, follow-up after event More social media coverage throughout the day Leverage our highly visible location with signs for those curious to drop in/Open House Activities: Meals too much work Too much work Have a bouncy house/Don’t have a bouncy house Don’t offer too many workshop options

Lessons Learned: Challenges Defining success re: pledges Wasn’t as effective as hoped (no silver -----) Needed to be more centered on pledging/more concrete in discussing pledges (x2) – including “I pledged” sticker “Pledge Central” needs to be central (sanctuary/meeting room-ish) Getting long-term members to come out to new project Rain Date/Location/Backup Plan(s)

Resources Bloomington Promo Video Bloomington Schedule of Events Minneapolis Pledge Day Webpage

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PLEDGE DAY Questions and Answers