Outreach to Young Adults Canadian Unitarian Council ACM May 2005

Goals for Participants View young adults as a potential target for growth efforts Learn methods of doing young adult- targeted outreach Gain tools and program ideas Learn about resources available from the UUA to help you

Why Outreach? We have something unique and powerful to offer the world We want to be an influential public voice on issues that matter to us New people keep our living tradition vital

Why Young Adults? Ideas, energy, creativity, passion Leadership for the present and the future Young adults are often under- represented in our congregations

Who is YA outreach meant for?

We are seeking…. Young people who grew up UU and who are no longer connected to a congregation Young people seeking a faith that lets them be who they are; a faith with more than one possible “right” answer People trying to match what they do with their values Young people seeking a faith grounding for justice work People in their first jobs and careers Young couples in new relationships New parents

Young Adults are Seeking Us The young adult period is a time of great transitions Many young adults are seeking a liberal religious home that is non-judgmental and makes sense

Some Hard Data from the US 80% of first-year university students are interested in spirituality 76% searching for meaning and purpose 48% describe their spiritual outlook as “seeking,” “conflicted,” or “doubting”

Outreach Focuses on Needs Effective outreach first takes into account the needs of the groups you’re hoping to attract What are some needs that all young adults will share? What are the different needs of different groups of young adults?

Young Adult Needs Respect for the experience that they have Need to be treated as adults Understanding that they are in a transitional period of life Intergenerational community

New U*Us Develop a strategy for welcoming all newcomers to your congregation Don’t assume someone is a new UU just because they are young Need to be welcomed into your congregation Need to learn about U*Uism Need us to watch “insider” language that is exclusionary

Young Adult Families Child care or children’s programming at events YA parent and family- oriented events Child-friendly events Invitation to an excellent RE program Time to be with other adults Programs focused on parenting and spirituality

U*Us from Elsewhere Need to be respected as people not new to our faith Invitations to leadership in your congregation An understanding of what they found meaningful in their previous congregation

Outreach Requires Shifting Attention Outreach requires us also to look outside of our walls at the communities around us Attracting people different from the ones we already have challenges us to live our theology

Your Community & Young Adults Where do young adults gather in your community? What shops, cafes, restaurants, bars, etc. do young adults frequent? What are popular venues for live music? What neighbourhoods tend to attract young adults? What are media in your community that young adults use for information?

Demographics Demographic studies let you find out about your congregation’s community in new ways Possible variables include age, demographic segment, faith involvement

Gathering Events What are the hot issues in your community? What do we as UUs have to say about them? Hold an event that will attract community attention

Outreach Needs a Plan Forms of Outreach to put in your plan include: Advertising Print materials Press outreach Electronic outreach Networking (person-to- person outreach)

Advertising Place advertisements in local media Can include newspaper ads (both display and classified ads work), radio spots and even TV Independent media likely to attract young adults often have affordable rates

Print Materials Produce colorful, high- quality publicity material Pamphlets and flyers can be distributed to various places in the community Be aware of who your audience is and why they might be attracted to your congregation

Using the Media Effectively What local media will attract young adult attention? How can you get publicity for things you are doing? Press releases Op-Ed Pieces Letters to the Editor Engagement with making change (and thus making news)

Using Electronic Media Attractive, updated web sites are an effective way to reach out to young adults Use , but be aware of “death by ” phenomenon Electronic media exclude those without access

Networking One-on-one communication is the most effective outreach Most people find our congregations because they are invited by friends Partnerships with justice organizations can be very effective as outreach tool

Making An Outreach Plan An outreach plan should have: An understanding of your target audiences and how best to reach them An understanding of how you are going to use several different outreach media Timelines associated with various parts of the campaign Point people for each part Evaluation methods

Outreach Requires Programming Successful outreach requires programming in the congregation A balanced model has 3 elements: Worship and spiritual growth as the center of your program Opportunities for social interaction (fellowship) and community building Opportunities for social justice and service to the wider community

Small Group Ministry Covenant groups offer a chance to build relationships Groups include spiritual, social and service components “Touch Groups” familiar to many youth Small Group Ministry model is adaptable

Making Connections Invite young adults to fuller participation in your congregation Connect young adults to intergenerational programs Have an intentional path to membership for young adults

Getting Help with YA Outreach Consulting Training Grants Print and Video Resources On-line resources and resources for electronic outreach

Consulting Resources Staff and trained consultants available In-person consultations and workshops custom- designed for your needs Consultants work with your congregation over the course of several months

Training Resources Regional Campus Ministry Trainings Anti-Racism and Anti- Oppression Trainings YA Leadership Development Weekends

Grants Program grants up to US$500 Billings Fund grants up to US$2000 for events All require honor proper financial support of the CUC on behalf of the congregation

Print and Video Resources Available from UUA Bookstore Curricula Guides Pamphlet Videos—including new video out in June Posters and brochures available from YA&CM office

On-line Resources Covenant Group Resources Free curricula and manual available for download Code of Ethics for Peer Leaders Includes educational materials on how to implement and use it Code available with standard Canadian spelling

Database and Lists ConnectUU: Online database Register your group and events here On-line event registration Free list hosting newlist.uuyan.org

Contacting the YA&CM Staff My contact information: (cell) Boston-based Staff: Website: