Tap Into Volunteerism at KUUF

By Ellen Newberg Volunteer Coordinator

At KUUF, volunteerism is one manifestation of our ministry to each other, our community, and our world. Currently, 108 of our 197 members volunteer in one or more capacity—55%.

In all, there are almost fifty committees and activities that operate with volunteers from the KUUF community. Hence, since volunteerism is so important to our community, a Volunteer Coordinator position has been created. It’s staffed by volunteer (naturally) Ellen Newberg who welcomes your willingness to become involved, or if you’re already involved, to become even more involved!

Currently, a volunteer database is being created, thanks to computer maven Arlis Stewart. It lists the names of everyone we know of who is currently volunteering, and in what capacities they volunteer. A wonderful tool, it provides the names of all the people who volunteer for each specific committee or activity, such as all the Special Music volunteers.

It also provides the names of committees and activities in which each person listed is involved. Once the database is as current as we can make it, it will be available to the Fellowship as a resource. In the near future, watch for a volunteer recruitment questionnaire and take the opportunity to tell us about the volunteer activities you want to continue, or about the new ones you want to try.

It’s a great way to meet other members of the KUUF community, and volunteer involvement makes participation in the Fellowship much more interesting and rewarding. 

Volunteer needs at present include:

Thursday lunch hosts and clean-up personnel. Noon to 2 p.m. Contact Birgitta Van Zanten to sign up: 360- 377-7650; dbvanzanten1@comcast.net

Detail person to inventory Religious Education supplies and materials— short-term project. Contact Director of Religious Education, Amelia Carroll: dre@kuuf.org; 360-377-4724.

Caring persons interested in staffing the Caring Committee—currently inactive. Contact Ellen Newberg: 360-692-981; elena29@comcast.net

Stalwart souls willing to work on the Stewardship Committee—canvass— in early 2012. Contact Shawn Ultican: 360- 876-4377; or shawn.ultican@gmail.com

For more information about volunteerism at KUUF, please contact committee chairs or Volunteer Coordinator Ellen Newberg: 360- 692-3981; or elena29@comcast.net. 

‘Seven at seven’ equals good food, good fellowship, new friends

Here’s how it works. Ideally, there will be four dates set for the dinners. The number of individual parties on any given date will be determined by how many people participate. Each dinner party will include seven or eight members – this allows both individuals and couples to be part of the group.

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Notes from the Board

A discussion was held on Monday, August 15, to explore options related to this challenge: What will KUUF do for leadership when Rev. Don Vaughn-Forester's contract expires a year from now? Seventeen KUUF members and friends attended, and the discussion was lively. The options available to us are: Full search for a called minister, another interim ministerial period, a contract Minister (defined period, similar to an interim), a Consulting to Call Minister, no minister—lay led, or a part time contract minister. A healthy discussion ensued following an outline of the options open to us. We discussed the fact that many people feel disengaged with KUUF. Important points from the conversation include the following.

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