1. A COMMUNITY-BUILDING CANVASS
PLEDGE DAY
A COMMUNITY-BUILDING CANVASS

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

3. 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

4. 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

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

6. 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

7. Marketing Materials
Postcard Side A
Postcard Side B

8. Marketing Materials

9. Screen Capture of SignUp Genius Website for Volunteers

10. 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

11. 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

12. Current Pledge Total

13. Morning Leadership Appreciation Breakfast

14. Families making crowns in the Fellowship Hall

15. Dancing around the Maypole – UUCB Tradition

16. A successful maypole

17. Tree Planting Outside

19. Jeopardy with the middle schoolers

20. Writing Welcome Notes for our Habitat for Humanity House

21. 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

22. 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)

23. 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

24. 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)

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

26. #UUCBDay

27. #UUCBDay

28. #UUCBDay

29. #UUCBDay

30. #UUCBDay

31. PLEDGE DAY
Questions and Answers