OUUC 2006 Canvass

The 2006 Canvass - We Can See Clearly Now

Message from the Minister

I can see clearly now, the rain is gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It's gonna be a bright, bright Sun-Shiny day

-Johnny Nash

Who will be asked to pledge?
Our bylaws specify that each member of OUUC is expected to make some identifiable financial commitment to the Congregation. Although some members may choose to pledge independently, members of the same household usually pledge together. In addition to our members, we will also canvass friends of our congregation who consider OUUC their spiritual home. We know that people are in varying life circumstances. We do not ask that you place undue hardship upon yourself. Neither should your pledge be easy. Rather it should reflect a serious commitment to the community you’ve chosen as your spiritual home, the place where your children will be educated in religious matters, and where you will continue your own search for religious meaning.

How much should I pledge?
We ask that you make a significant financial commitment to OUUC We recognize that everyone has a unique financial needs and abilities. We simply ask that you carefully consider what OUUC means to you and the community at large, and that you make a commitment that fully reflects these values. Please refer to the suggested "fair share" giving guide, and consider making a gift at the Helping, Supporting, or Sustaining level.

How Do I Make My Pledge?
This year we will be conducting a face-to-face canvass. This is an opportunity for community-building and a way to be in conversation about our hope and dreams for ourselves and OUUC. Your household will be contacted by a canvasser, who will make an appointment to meet in your home, or a place that feels mutually comfortable. At that time, you will make your pledge, in writing, for the 2006 calendar year.

How do I fulfill my pledge?
You can make payments on your pledge by:

• Placing a check in the Sunday offering plate
• Mailing checks to the church office
• Making a gift of appreciated stock
• Electronic Funds Transfer

Payment of your pledge can be in a weekly, monthly or lump sum installment, or on some other convenient schedule. The payment period for pledges starts on January 1, 2006 and continues through the following December 31st. For questions regarding gifts of stock or Electronic Funds Transfer, please see our church administrator in the church office.

No one can accuse our canvass team of not having a delightful sense of irony, choosing "I Can See Clearly Now” for the stewardship theme as we prepare to enter the rainy season.

Irony aside, however, the song provides a helpful insight for reflecting upon our stewardship of OUUC. It is not the obstacles that will keep us from fulfilling our aspiration to evolve as a significant liberal religious presence in Olympia, but “dark clouds” of doubt, and indecision.

If we can see clearly through those clouds to the vision of hope this congregation embodies, then such apparent obstacles as the need for increased funding can be put into proper perspective. You and I are not simply donors to this institution. We are stewards of this community and participants in its mission to the world.

Therefore, the questions we are called to answer are these: What does it mean to be faithful stewards? And, as such, how can we ensure our congregation plays its crucial role in helping create “bright sun shiny days” for more people?

It is our goal to meet with everyone in our congregation during this canvass. If we haven’t contacted you by October 31st, or if you have other questions about the canvass, please contact Melanie Ransom.

What is the Annual Canvass? The Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation (OUUC) is financially autonomous. This means that we raise our own funds to support our congregation. Because it’s important for planning and budgeting purposes to get a sense of the financial commitment that our members and friends are able to make for the upcoming year, we hold a pledge drive (canvass) every fall. Funds raised through pledges will make up about 90% of our operating budget for 2006. If you would like a paper copy of the budget, please contact our church administrator in the church office.

What is the Goal for 2006?
We need $300,000 in pledge income to fund our operating costs in 2006. This level of income will bring our minister’s salary to the fair compensation guideline suggested by the Unitarian Universalist Association. In addition, it will fund increased hours for our Religious Education Director, Choir Director and support staff. As we continue to grow in numbers, it is increasingly important to fund more and larger programs for our youth and adults. We must individually pledge our fair share to fund our collective needs.

	Message from the Minister I can see clearly now, the rain is gone I can see all obstacles in my way Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind It's gonna be a bright, bright Sun-Shiny day -Johnny Nash	Who will be asked to pledge? Our bylaws specify that each member of OUUC is expected to make some identifiable financial commitment to the Congregation. Although some members may choose to pledge independently, members of the same household usually pledge together. In addition to our members, we will also canvass friends of our congregation who consider OUUC their spiritual home. We know that people are in varying life circumstances. We do not ask that you place undue hardship upon yourself. Neither should your pledge be easy. Rather it should reflect a serious commitment to the community you’ve chosen as your spiritual home, the place where your children will be educated in religious matters, and where you will continue your own search for religious meaning. How much should I pledge? We ask that you make a significant financial commitment to OUUC We recognize that everyone has a unique financial needs and abilities. We simply ask that you carefully consider what OUUC means to you and the community at large, and that you make a commitment that fully reflects these values. Please refer to the suggested "fair share" giving guide, and consider making a gift at the Helping, Supporting, or Sustaining level. How Do I Make My Pledge? This year we will be conducting a face-to-face canvass. This is an opportunity for community-building and a way to be in conversation about our hope and dreams for ourselves and OUUC. Your household will be contacted by a canvasser, who will make an appointment to meet in your home, or a place that feels mutually comfortable. At that time, you will make your pledge, in writing, for the 2006 calendar year. How do I fulfill my pledge? You can make payments on your pledge by: • Placing a check in the Sunday offering plate • Mailing checks to the church office • Making a gift of appreciated stock • Electronic Funds Transfer Payment of your pledge can be in a weekly, monthly or lump sum installment, or on some other convenient schedule. The payment period for pledges starts on January 1, 2006 and continues through the following December 31st. For questions regarding gifts of stock or Electronic Funds Transfer, please see our church administrator in the church office.
No one can accuse our canvass team of not having a delightful sense of irony, choosing "I Can See Clearly Now” for the stewardship theme as we prepare to enter the rainy season. Irony aside, however, the song provides a helpful insight for reflecting upon our stewardship of OUUC. It is not the obstacles that will keep us from fulfilling our aspiration to evolve as a significant liberal religious presence in Olympia, but “dark clouds” of doubt, and indecision. If we can see clearly through those clouds to the vision of hope this congregation embodies, then such apparent obstacles as the need for increased funding can be put into proper perspective. You and I are not simply donors to this institution. We are stewards of this community and participants in its mission to the world. Therefore, the questions we are called to answer are these: What does it mean to be faithful stewards? And, as such, how can we ensure our congregation plays its crucial role in helping create “bright sun shiny days” for more people?
It is our goal to meet with everyone in our congregation during this canvass. If we haven’t contacted you by October 31st, or if you have other questions about the canvass, please contact Melanie Ransom. What is the Annual Canvass? The Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation (OUUC) is financially autonomous. This means that we raise our own funds to support our congregation. Because it’s important for planning and budgeting purposes to get a sense of the financial commitment that our members and friends are able to make for the upcoming year, we hold a pledge drive (canvass) every fall. Funds raised through pledges will make up about 90% of our operating budget for 2006. If you would like a paper copy of the budget, please contact our church administrator in the church office. What is the Goal for 2006? We need $300,000 in pledge income to fund our operating costs in 2006. This level of income will bring our minister’s salary to the fair compensation guideline suggested by the Unitarian Universalist Association. In addition, it will fund increased hours for our Religious Education Director, Choir Director and support staff. As we continue to grow in numbers, it is increasingly important to fund more and larger programs for our youth and adults. We must individually pledge our fair share to fund our collective needs.