19 May 2004 09:35 AM

Welcome & Membership Committee Charter

As approved by the UNMC Board of Trustees on May 3, 2004

Purpose: The overall purpose of the Welcome & Membership Committee of the Universalist National Memorial Church is to help the church be more welcoming and engage in such other activities as will help increase and strengthen the church’s membership.

Responsibilities & Activities: The Committee shall advise and assist the Registrar, the Board of Trustees, and the Minister on matters regarding church membership. The Committee is responsible for maintaining a regular roster of greeters and after-worship hospitality hosts and for following up with guests who visit the church. The Committee will also engage in other activities to strengthen the church’s welcome, for example:

  • Identifying issues that hinder the church’s ability to “welcome all”
  • Proposing solutions to such hindrances and working with other groups and individuals in the church to carry out such solutions
  • Identifying opportunities for the church to promote itself and, where feasible, undertaking activities related to those opportunities, including paid advertising
  • Inviting prospective and inactive members to participate in specific church functions
  • Oversight of Inquirers Classes, in consultation with the minister, board of trustees, and other lay leaders, including identification of people to be invited, content outline, recruitment of teachers, and follow-up with attendees

The Committee does not undertake to serve as the church’s social activities committee nor as its marketing/communications committee. However, absent such committees, this Committee may, on an as-needed basis, undertake activities that normally would fall under the purview of such committees.

Composition: The Welcome & Membership Committee shall consist of a chair (preferably a member of the Board of Trustees) and two to six additional committee members. Any church member may volunteer to be a member of this committee. Non-members are also welcome to participate in the committee’s discussions and activities, but do not have a vote. The church Registrar shall be an ex officio, voting member of the Committee.

Meetings: The Committee shall attempt to meet monthly during the main part of the church year (September to mid-June) and at least once during the summer. Meeting dates and agendas shall be announced in the Anchor and the weekly worship bulletin. The committee may also carry out its business by telephone and electronic mail.

Reports: The chair will provide a written report monthly to the Board of Trustees on the Committee’s activities, will provide information on those activities for the monthly Anchor newsletter, and will provide a written report for the annual May congregational meeting.

Budget & Spending: The Committee shall make budget recommendations and request such funds from the annual budget as may be necessary to carry out its program, including guest follow-up and prospective and inactive member invitations. Until such time as the Board transfers this responsibility to another committee or a coordinator, the Committee is responsible for development and execution of the Church’s advertising budget.

Posted by Sue Mosher at May 19, 2004 09:35 AM
Posted to Organization