Ohio-Meadville District Assembly 2016 Better Together

Ohio-Meadville
District Assembly 2016
Better Together
Keynote Speaker: Rev. Susan Ritchie
Guest Appearance: Jim Key
April 2, 2016
UU Church of Akron
Akron, OH
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Rev. Susan Ritchie
Small Batch Unitarian Universalism:
Midwestern Recipes for the Future of our Movement
While our organizational forms change over time, our Midwestern genius for
local and seasonal gathering might well shape the Unitarian Universalist polity
of a successful future.
The Rev. Susan Ritchie is in her 19th year of ministry at the North UU Congregation of Lewis Center, Ohio. She is the last person elected by the Ohio Meadville District to serve as a member of the UUA Board of Trustees. Author of
Children of the Same God: The Historical Relationship Between Unitarianism,
Judaism, and Islam, she is currently working on a new book: Unitarian Pirates
of the Caribbean: Historical Adventures in UU Polity.
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DISTRICT ASSEMBLY
SCHEDULE
Saturday
8:00
Registration Opens
9:30-10:15 Opening Worship
10:15-11:45 Keynote Speaker:
Rev. Susan Ritchie
11:45 Lunch
1:15-2:30Workshops
2:30-2:45 Break
2:45-4:15 OMD Business Meeting
4:15-4:30Break
4:30-5:00 Closing Worship & Bridging
5:00-5:30 Closing Reception
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Special Guest: Jim Key,
UUA Moderator
Jim Key, the UUA moderator will bring greetings to the
assembly during our morning
session.
District Assembly is a chance for congregational leaders and ministers to meet, network, ask questions,
provide input on the direction of the district, and gather resources and information on a variety of topics and
programs through workshops, the keynote address,and the Marketplace. It is an opportunity for education,
leadership development and networking in a stimulating UU setting. Don’t miss this chance for your congregation to have your voice heard, gain knowledge, and collect new resources. Consider sending a multigenerational congregational team to collect information from many workshops as well as to represent your
congregation as delegates.
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Additional Activities
The Marketplace! - Be sure to check out the items for sale from our congregations and the resources available in this year’s Marketplace. Groups may choose to exhibit and sell their items at their own table. If you are
interested, please check the OMD website for application forms. Deadline is March 1.
Opening Celebration - The Saturday morning worship will be led by the Rev. Wayne Arnason and Rev.
Kathleen Rolenz, ministers of the West Shore UU Church, Rocky River, OH.
Business Meeting - This year will be a historic one for our delegates, who will be voting on regionaliza-
tion. The exact agenda of the meeting will be sent out with the Annual Report in February. Delegates should be
familiar with the report and the agenda prior to attending District Assembly.
Workshops - This year’s District Assembly has several workshops on topics we’ve heard are imprtant to our
members. In addition, a networking space has been set aside for those who want to talk about something different during the workshop slot. Workshop space is limited and workshops will be filled first-come, first-serve.
Closing Worship - We will close our District Assembly with a moving service led by Rev. Lane Campbell from
First UU Church of Columbus, that includes bridging the youth of the OMD into young adulthood. Please join
us for this important transitional ritual.
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WORKSHOP OPTIONS
Update on Regionalization - A1
In this workshop slot we will answer questions and present updated information about regionalization and the
vote to be taken in the business meeting. It is recommended that you attend this workshop if you are not familiar with the issues around Regionalization. Presented by members of the OMD Board.
Revitalizing Your Congregation: Authenticity & Accomplishment- A2
Is your congregation being impacted by changes in the religious landscape? Do you have fewer members, or
members who are less willing to “step up” in the way others have been? Are people more reluctant to support
the community financially? Do you suspect that your congregation might not be “keeping up with the times”,
but you aren’t sure how, and you aren’t sure you want to know? This is a great time for congregational revitalization! Come and hear about new trends in religious life, ideas for how to manage them, and concrete next
steps your congregation can take this year. Presented by Rev. Megan Foley, UUA Congregational Life Staff
with the Central East Region.
Growing by Giving: Stewardship as a Spiritual Practice - A3
This workshop will address current best practices for year round stewardship, innovative ideas for nurturing
generosity in all areas of congregational life and new twists on the annual pledge campaign. Presented by Patricia Infante, UUA Congregational Life Staff with the Central East Region.
Networking Sessions - A4
For those who would rather gather and talk with others about a specific topic, we are offering networking space.
We ask that you tell us your preferred topic area and we’ll take the top 6 and reserve tables. The areas we have
suggested are Communications, Membership, Music, Religious Education, Social Justice, Worship, Young
Adults, and Youth. Or you can suggest your own!
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Annual Business
Meeting
A part of the District Assembly is the Annual Business Meeting. Each congregation is encouraged to be
represented by your authorized number of delegates,
including a youth delegate when possible. Ministers in
fellowship with the UUA and DREs with active membership in LREDA have a vote in addition to congregation delegates.
Delegates will be asked to vote on: the motion on
regionalization, OMD officers, trustees, nominating
committee members, district budget for Fiscal Year
2016-17, and by-law changes. Delegates will also
review reports from district staff and officers.
Reports, the budget, by-law changes, the language for
the regionalization vote and the nomination slate will
be sent out electronically as part of the Annual Report
in late February. Credential forms for each congregation’s delegates will be mailed in February. Please be
sure to watch for this letter. Congregations need to
submit their list of delegates in advance for credentialing. Questions? Contact the Board Secretary, Laura
Conkle at lconkle@ohiomeadville.org.
Ohio-Meadville
District Delegate Formula
Membership
No. of Delegates
1-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 3
51-100 .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
101-150. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
151-200. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
201-300. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
301-400. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
401-450. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
451-500. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
over 500. . . . . .one additional delegate
for each 50 members or
fraction thereof.
Ministers in fellowship with the UUA and serving
OMD Congregations and Religious Educators serving OMD congregations and having active status
with LREDA have a vote in addition to congregation delegates.
Removing Barriers
Financial - We want to make sure that everyone
who wants to attend District Assembly can by
removing as many barriers as possible. To assist
individuals with this, we are offering scholarships for those who cannot afford the registraton
fee. Childcare options are available for anyone to
use. However, most of these services do require
advance planning and we need to know what you
need by March 1st in order to make this happen.
If you need one of these services, please be certain
to apply by March 1st . If it is after this date, contact the district office and we’ll do what we can,
but we will be limited in what we can offer.
Accessibility - The UU Church of Akron is accessible for those with mobility issues.
Chemical Sensitivities - Please bear in mind that
many have chemical sensitivities and please limit
your use of scented products while attending District Assembly. We appreciate your efforts.
Childcare
Child care will be available all day Saturday. Children
will join their parents for lunch and the closing reception. To provide for the safety of all, children and
infants must be preregistered by March 1. There is no
onsite childcare registration. Cost for children is $10
each. This rate includes lunch on Saturday and the
reception Saturday evening.
Youth and Young Adults
Why should youth and young adults attend District
Assembly? Youth and young adults are leaders
in our faith and have a unique perspective of our
present and our future. It is important that their
voices be a part of our gathering and planning. For
this reason, we especially encourage youth and
young adults to participate in all aspects of District
Assembly.
Youth and young adults are welcome to serve as
delegates for their congregations, if chosen. They
are welcome in all of our programming. We encourage all our presenters to be aware that our
event is multigenerational and to plan their presentations accordingly.
FEES
The OMD Board has chosen to use funds from previous district assemblies to cover the costs of most the
staff and presenters at District Assembly. We are asking that each attendee pay $15 to cover your lunch. if
you are unable to pay this fee, scholarships are available.
Onsite registration will be $20.
Deadlines
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Online registration will be open January 1 - March 20.
March 1st is the deadline for children to register for
children’s activities.
Scholarships are available to cover the cost of the
registration fee. Applications are due by March 1st.
Your registration fee will be refunded if you are not
awarded a scholarship and are unable to attend.
Childcare Fees
Advance registration will close on March 20th. After
that date you may only register on-site.
The childcare fee for Saturday is $10 per child, which
includes lunch. Children must be registered by March
1 to allow us time to make arrangements for the appropriate number of childcare providers.
Youth Caucus registration is due by March 20th.
Youth who register onsite may NOT stay overnight at
the church. Advance registration is required.
Scholarships
A limited number of scholarships are available for
those in need to cover the cost of registration. Travel
and hotel fees are not covered. See the Scholarship
Application on page 6 for details.
Payment
Information
You may pay with a credit card on-site, online, or by
calling the OMD district office.
Make Check Payable to:
Ohio-Meadville District
Mail to: Ohio-Meadville District
PO Box 157
Saint Clairsville, OH 43950
H I u
Register online and pay by credit card at the
Ohio-Meadville Website and check back for
updates as we get closer to District Assembly.
Youth Caucus
High school aged youth (14-18) are invited to sleep
at UU Church of Akron on Saturday evening. To be
eligible, the registration form, payment, AND the
Youth registration and sponsor form must be received
by March 20th.
What is a sponsor?
All youth attending DA must have an adult sponsor
responsible for their support and supervision. Youth
attending DA without a parent or guardian may be
sponsored by an adult over the age of 25 who is registered for and attending DA. One adult may sponsor
up to five youth. Sponsors are expected to abide by the
same district event rules as the youth they are sponsoring. Sponsors should also obtain a signed medical
release form from the youth’s parent or legal guardian.
CERG youth event rules are listed on the youth registration form.
Supervision is the responsibility of each sponsor-youth
pair. A youth and sponsor should always know each
other’s whereabouts and how to contact one another.
Sponsors and youth should check in with each other
several times a day.
Adults wishing to be part of the Saturday night overnight must be approved as Con Advisors by their
congregation. Questions about these policies can be
directed to Evin Carvill-Ziemer at eziemer@uua.org
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2016 Ohio-Meadville District Assembly
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FORM
• The applicant must be a religious professional, member, or active youth of an OMD or SLD congregation,
emerging congregation, or recognized group.
• Priority is given to applicants who will represent their congregation at District Assembly as delegates, with
preference given to those who are leaders in the congregation.
• Special consideration is given to delegates from new congregations or congregations that have not (or not
recently) sent representation to District Assembly.
• The $15 registration fee will be provided by scholarship. If possible we recommend that the congregation
provide a portion of the fee. Travel and housing costs are not covered by scholarships.
• Applicants should have financial need. Priority will be given to applicants who have not received scholarships
in the past, and, except in unusual cases, will not be awarded to the same individual in consecutive years.
• Recipients are expected to attend and participate in the entire Saturday program.
• Applications will be viewed with an anti-racist, anti-oppressive lens.
• Deadline for all applications is March 1, 2016. See below for submission address.
• Scholarship applicants must submit a registration form with their scholarship application or register online
before submitting the registration form. Fees may be paid on-site or after the scholarship decision is given.
Name: ____________________________________________________________________________________
Address: __________________________________________________________________________________
City: __________________________________________________ State: ________ Zip: ________________
Phone:____________________________ Email: _________________________________________________
Congregation: ______________________________________________________________________________
Congregation Position: _______________________________________________________________________
Are you a cong. delegate? _____ A youth? _____ Young adult?____
Why are you applying for this scholarship? Please limit your response to one page attached to this form.
Congregational Verification
To be completed by the minister, president/moderator, or secretary/clerk of the congregation/group
DRE may complete this form for youth who are requesting a scholarship.
I support this request for a District scholarship and confirm that (name) ________________________________
is a member in good standing or an active youth from ______________________________________________.
I verify that this person (circle one) will/will not be a delegate for our congregation for the 2016 OMD District
Assembly.
Name___________________________________________ Position__________________________________
Signature____________________________________________________ Date__________________________
Mail, fax or scan and email form to:
Ohio-Meadville District, PO Box 157, St. Clairsville, OH 43950; 866-445-8219; office@ohiomeadville.org
2016 OMD & SLD District Assembly
REGISTRATION FORM
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Complete one form for each individual youth or adult. Include children on one adult’s registration form.
Use one fee page (back side) for an entire family.
Name: ____________________________________________________________________________________
Address:___________________________________________________________________________________
Phone: _____________________________ E-mail address: ________________________________________
Congregation: ______________________________________________________________________________
Congregational Position:______________________________________________________________________
Youth Birthdate (if under 18): _________________________________________________________________
Accessibility Needs: Please list any accessibility needs you may have such as large-print programs, etc.:
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Children’s Activities Registration - CHILDREN MUST BE REGISTERED by March 1
Please list child(ren)’s name, birthdate and any special needs.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Parents will be asked to complete a brief information form for their child/ren onsite.
Youth Sponsorship: Please note that all youth who are in high school must complete the youth sponsorship
forms and submit them to the district office. Youth forms can be found on pages 9-11. All youth must have a
sponsor during District Assembly. Contact Evin Carvill-Ziemer at eziemer@uua.org with questions.
Meals -The registration fee includes the Saturday lunch and evening reception and breaks.
Please advise us of any dietary needs. :
❑ Vegetarian
❑ Vegan ❑ Gluten-free ❑ Other ___________________________
Workshop Selection
Workshop Registration: To aid us in room assignments please select your workshops below. Please place a 1
by your first choice and a 2 by your second choice. Descriptions are given on page 3.
Workshops
___ A1 - Update on Regionalization
___ A2 - Revitalizing Your Congregation
___ A3 - Growing by Giving
___ A4 - Networking Session (indicate your topic)
Networking Topics - indicate topic if participating
Select only one, or write in one.
___ Communications
___ Membership
___ Music
___ Religious Education
___ Social Justice
___ Worship
___ Young Adults
___ Youth
___ Other: Please write in:
_________________________________
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Additional Youth Information
High School Youth who are not registering online must complete this additional information:
Parent/guardian name(s)_____________________________________________Parent phone______________
Who to call if parent(s) can’t be reached_______________________________ Their phone________________
Name of Physician: ______________________________Physician’s phone number: _____________________
Health Insurance Co. _________________________________Policy No.______________________________
Fees Due:
Note: If you are applying for a scholarship, please submit your form without payment.
_____Youth, YA or Adult @ $15 = $ _________
_____ Children x $10 $ _________
Donation to the Scholarship Fund:
$ _________
Grand Total $ _________
Make Check Payable to: Ohio-Meadville District
Mail to: Ohio-Meadville District, UUA , PO Box 157, St. Clairsville, OH 43950
Youth Sponsor Form for District Assembly April 2016
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Youth Name:___________________________________________________ Birth date____________________
I am a senior in high school (or equivalent) and plan to participate in the Bridging Ceremony: Yes ___ No ____
Health Information
Known medical conditions/problems & special dietary needs________________________________________
Known allergies to medications/anesthetics_______________________________________________________
Current Medications ________________________________________________________________________
Saturday Night Youth Overnight
For high school youth (ages 14-18) you may opt to stay overnight at the UU Church of Akron following District
Assembly.
Will you be staying at the host church? Yes ____ No _____
Youth Agreement
District Assembly is a business meeting of congregational delegates and workshop opportunities for congregational leaders. Youth who attend District Assembly agree to participate fully in workshops and
trainings offered. District Assembly is NOT a youth conference. Please note that the District Assembly
staff and volunteers will only provide supervision of youth overnight at the church. During events at the
church, supervision is the responsibility of the sponsor.
DRE or Church Official: Please review the attached rules and the above expectations with the youth and make
sure they fully understand them and agree to follow every rule presented without question.
______________________________________________
____________________________
DRE/DRE Designee or Church Official if no DRE Signature
Date
Youth: I have read the above, and reviewed all rules with my DRE or church official. I understand them fully,
and understand what could happen if I break a rule.
______________________________________________
Youth Signature
________________________
Date
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Name _________________________________________
Event: _________________________________________
CERG Rules for Youth Events
Youth and Adult Participants are expected to read and agree to these rules, by signing, before attending CERG
events.
Keeping Events Safe for All
Violence, abuse, possession of weapons, or harassment of any type (physical, verbal, sexual, etc.) have no
place in a CERG youth event.
Because people are often far from home, activities that have a significant risk of physical harm (e.g. Wink
and Kissy Face) won’t be part of CERG youth events.
We seek to create a culture of consent: Only “yes” means yes. Phoofing, or “con-virgin” initiations violate a
culture of consent and so will not be part of CERG youth events.
Sexual behavior: We affirm the fact that we are sexual individuals. While this is an affectionate and loving community, it is not a sexual community. Sexualized behavior is exclusive behavior and is not conducive
to coming together in this safe and intentional space. Inappropriate behavior not only includes intercourse and
sexual harassment but also any sexualized contact, such as making out. This is not intended to discourage hugging and friendly affection.
No illegal drugs, or alcohol consumption, no smoking or tobacco use is allowed at CERG youth events. This
prohibition includes both adults and youth. Individuals addicted to nicotine are encouraged to talk to a district or
regional staff person.
Respect people and property, including respecting site rules. This includes cleaning up your own stuff.
No leaving the site, adults included, without permission from the deans (co-chairs) or adult staff. Adult
sponsors should inform their youth when they won’t be on site and youth must inform their sponsors if they are
going off site.
No walk-ins are allowed.
Sleeping Arrangements
Youth may not share a cover while sleeping.
Electronic Expectations:
Attendees are encouraged not to use electronics in an exclusive way.
Adult Sponsors and Adult to Youth ratio
It’s always important that youth know their adult sponsors and vice versa. Because CERG events can happen further from home, it’s even more important that youth and adults know each other. We expect youth to be
sponsored by adults they know through their local congregations or an adult who really knows the youth well.
Consequences for Community Violations
There will be a team of youth and adults responsible for responding to violations of rules or community.
The range of consequences can range from a verbal warning or discussion to being sent home or a police report.
In the event of a significant community violation, the nature of the violation and consequences will be shared
with the appropriate district YAC, district youth staff, congregation’s DRE or other appropriate leader, and parents/guardians of a youth. A local Safe House/Space may be an option.
THE ENFORCEMENT OF THESE RULES IS EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY.
I have read the above rules and agree to abide by them.
Signature Date
PARENTS’ LIABILITY RELEASE AND EMERGENCY CARE AUTHORIZATION
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I hereby grant permission for my child(ren)__________________________________________________ to
participate in the Ohio-Meadville District Assembly. I understand that neither the Ohio-Meadville District and
the UU Church of Akron where we are attending District Assembly, nor their staffs or volunteers, assume any
legal liability for the welfare of my son/daughter, and I hereby release them of such liability.
I grant permission for my child to be transported to and from as well as during this event by the person named
as their sponsor, or by reasonable and safe means by staff or volunteers under the supervision of district staff.
In the event that an emergency should arise while my daughter/son is participating in this event, I hereby grant
my permission to any responsible adult to do whatever is deemed necessary to insure the safety and well-being
of my son/daughter. I hereby authorize whatever medical care said person(s) may deem necessary, which authorization I hereby grant in advance. I agree to assume all responsibility for any such medical expenses. If my
child breaks one of the conference rules, I agree to be responsible for his/her transportation home. If my child
participates in any illegal activity, I realize the proper authorities will be contacted. This consent may be photocopied, with photocopies authorized to be as binding as the original.
Video and photos may be taken during this event and used in district publications including the website. Unless you initial below, your child’s likeness may appear in district publications including the website and
Facebook. Your child will not be identified by name.
____ I DO NOT give blanket permission for my child’s likeness to appear in district publications.
____________________
Date signed
____________________________________________________________
Signature of parent or legal guardian
SPONSOR AGREEMENT
I will be attending District Assembly with the youth mentioned on this form, in the capacity of his/her sponsor.
I am over 25 years of age. I will be responsible for their behavior during District Assembly and I have reviewed
the rules with them. I understand the consequences if they break a rule during District Assembly.
__________________________________________
Print Sponsor’s Name
________________________________________
Signature of Sponsor
Email Address: __________________________________Congregation_____________________________
Contact Information:
Contact number during District Assembly:________________________________________________________
If your youth is staying over Saturday night here will you be staying overnight on Saturday? _______________
Are you providing transportation for the youth or is someone else? _________________________________
This form can be mailed with the youth’s registration form or it may be mailed by March 20h to the district
office after online registration is completed. Forms must be mailed by March 20th to be received in time. The
sponsor and the youth will be emailed to acknowledge receipt of this form. Otherwise, sponsors, please make
sure the form is completed and with the youth when you come to District Assembly.
Mail form to: Ohio-Meadville District, PO Box 157, St. Clairsville, OH 43950 or fax: 866-445-8219
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Thank you to our 2014-15 Fair Share
Congregations to The UUA Annual Program Fund
and District Dues
New York
UU Congregation of Jamestown
Ohio
UU Church of Akron
UU Fellowship of Athens
UU Congregation of the Ohio Valley, Bellaire
UU Congregation of Greater Canton
UU Society of Cleveland, Cleveland Heights
Delaware UU Fellowship
Blanchard Valley UU Congregation, Findlay
UU Church of Kent
North UU Congregation, Lewis Center
First UU Society of Marietta
Southwest UU Church, North Royalton
Oberlin UU Fellowship
West Shore UU Church, Rocky River
UU Fellowship of the Firelands, Sandusky
UU Fellowship of Wayne County, Wooster
Pennsylvania
First Universalist Church of Girard
First UU Church of Indiana
UU Fellowship of Ligonier Valley, Ligonier
East Suburban UU Church, Murrysville
Allegheny UU Church, Pittsburgh
First Unitarian Church, Pittsburgh
UU Church of the North Hills, Pittsburgh
UU Church of the South Hills, Pittsburgh
Ginger Hill UU Congregation, Slippery Rock
UU Congregation of Smithton
West Virginia
UU Congregation, Charleston
UU Fellowship of Morgantown
We Also Thank our Congregations Who Are Fair
Share to the OMD or are Merit Congregations
OMD Fair Share
Olmsted UU Congregations, N Olmsted, OH
First Unitarian Church of Cleveland, Shaker
Heights, OH
UU Congregation, Erie, PA
UUA Merit (20% increase)
First Unitarian Church of Cleveland, Shaker
Heights, OH
First Unitarian Church of Toledo, OH
First Universalist Church of Westfield Center, OH
UU Congregation, Erie, PA
hlLY
OMD Merit (20% increase)
Olmsted UU Congregations, N Olmsted, OH
First Unitarian Church of Cleveland, Shaker
Heights, OH
First Unitarian Church of Toledo, OH
First Universalist Church of Westfield Center, OH
Congregational
Proud Moments
What is your congregation particularly proud of
from the past year? Each congregation is invited
to write up your Proud Moments and submit them
in advance to your district office by March 20. All
submissions will be posted in the Marketplace and
shared on the district website. Send your proud
moments to office@ohiomeadville.org.
Ohio-Meadville
District Assembly 2016
Ohio-Meadville District
PO Box 157
St. Clairsville, OH 43950-0157
office@ohiomeadville.org
phone: 740-297-6966
fax: 866-445-8219
www.ohiomeadville.org