Creating the MidAmerica Region

Creating the MidAmerica Region

A New Era

in Unitarian Universalism

The religious community is essential, for alone our vision is too narrow to see all that must be seen, and our strength too limited to do all that must be done. Together, our vision widens and our strength is renewed. -- Rev. Mark Morrison-Reed

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What You’ll Read About Here

How we are currently organized: Congregations, districts, UUA

Services to congregations

Proposal for Regionalization

Your congregation’s role in creating MidAmerica Region

Advantages of Regionalization

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Unitarian Universalist Association of CongregationsVoluntary association of autonomous, self-

governing local congregations

Each congregation chooses to pursue common goals and be part of UUA

Congregations elect UUA President, Moderator, and Board of Trustees

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Each Congregation

Sets own mission and goals

Uses democratic processes in decision making

Raises operating funds

Hires minister and staff, if any

Elects local, district, national governing boards

Receives assistance from UUA Field Staff

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Field Staff Services to CongregationsExpertise inMembership and Growth Leadership and Organizational Development Faith Development Ministries Multigenerational InvolvementFinances, including stewardship and administration Conflict Transformation Transitions in Professional LeadershipGovernanceMulticultural CompetencyCongregational Justice Making Spiritual GrowthStaffing and Human ResourcesYouth Programming Young Adult and Campus Ministry Programming

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Districts/Regions

UUA assigns field staff by regions, not districtsRegion: geographic area larger than districtOur field staff have been regional team since 2010

Boards govern by districts, not regions

Congregations still grouped into districts

Change to re-group into regions must be approved by congregations

8Our 6 UUA-paid former districts Staff are working as regional staff already as “deep generalists.”

Nancy Combs-Morgan

Phil Lund

Ian EvisonNancy Heege Lisa Presley

Dori Davenport Thexton

Deep generalist definition: expertise in one service to congregations, knowledgeable about all services

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19 Current Districts include

Prairie Star

Central Midwest

Heartland

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Regionalizationdissolves our 3 districts and forms 1 region.

Our 3 districts becomeMidAmerica Region.

Same field staff and services.

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Regionalization and UUA

District boundaries are losing significanceUUA Field Staff already a regional teamUUA Board of Trustees elected at large

Other districts are discussing regionalization options

MidAmerica is pioneer for Regionalization

UUA Administration awarded $20K grant to our districts to help form the MidAmerica region

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How Regionalization Happens

1. Congregations identify

delegates

2. Congregations certify delegates

3. Delegates attend District

Meeting/Assembly

4. Delegates vote

Follow 5th principle of democratic process• Within congregations to make decision• Congregations vote their decision

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delegates



Meeting/Assembly

4. Delegatesvote

• Congregations make decision• Congregations send delegates to carry out their

decision

Steps to Forming MidAmerica Region

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1. Congregations elect delegates



Meeting/Assembly

4. Delegates vote

• Delegate certification procedures are clarified by each district office

• Fill out delegate certification forms and return to District office by deadline


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delegates



Meeting/Assembly

4. Delegatesvote

• Prairie Star meeting April 5-7 in Cedar Rapids, IA• Heartland assembly: April 12-13 in Muncie, IN• Central Midwest assembly: April 26-28 in Waukesha,

WI• Delegates check in and receive voting

documentation


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delegates



Meeting/Assembly

4. Delegates vote

• Authorize formation of MidAmerica Region and dissolution of own District

• Slate of MidAmerica officers and Board of Trustees• If all motions pass in all Districts, MidAmerica Region effective July 1,

2013• Contingency slate of officers and Board if your District not

dissolved• Amend UUA bylaws in 2013 and 2014


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Camp UniStarUU family camp donated to

Prairie Star in 1961

On island near Cass Lake, MN

PSD delegates will vote on transfer to the new Camp UniStar Foundation Non-profit based on UU valuesResponsible for camp operation

and liability

MidAmerica Region represented on Foundation Board of Trustees

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Each Congregation’s Role

Be informedReview all documents and details of voting Review guidelines for eligible congregations and

number of delegates

Involve all members in discussion

Reach decision on support of Regionalization

Elect delegates to District Meeting/Assembly who will carry out congregation’s direction

Certify delegates through District

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Administrative cost efficienciesReduced office and administrative expensesShared software/technology/staffStreamlined governanceFinancial stability for ongoing services and

programming Midwest Leadership School Webinars Conferences and workshops

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Promotion of UU presence Field staff expertise Increased visibility of our UU faith and valuesOutreach to those who are spiritual but not religious

through “Congregations and Beyond”Strength in numbers for social justice witness and

advocacyLegislative ministriesSupport of congregational clusters

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Strengthen collaborative partnerships/relationshipsCovenants with other UU congregationsSocial justice work with like-minded organizations

Foster growthReduced numbers of boards frees staff to work more

with direct services to congregationsWithin congregationsNumber of congregations

To live in this world you must be able to do 3 things:To love what is mortal;to hold it against your bones knowing your own life depends on it;And, when the time comes to let it go, to let it go.– Mary Oliver

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Support RegionalizationA New Era in UUism

More information:www.midamericauua.orgDistrict websitesfacebook/MidAmericaUUA

http://www.midamericauua.org/