March 16, 2008

11:30 a.m.

Attending: Peggy Alfonso, Mary Ann Bernald, Becky Brindle, Kim Christo, Nancy LaVigne, Jan Lilja, Lorrie Meier, Janet Moyer, Pat Nelson, Nancy Van Meter

Approval of February Minutes: Unanimous

BUSINESS

1. Membership Initiative

• Lorrie emphasized that the initiative is church-wide and will be a focus across all committees of the church. She reported that Diana Butler Bass will be visiting Westmoreland the first weekend of November, and that a committee is being developed to plan the weekend. Mary Ann volunteered to be BMF’s representative on the committee.

• A meeting is planned for the first Sunday after Easter for all in the church who are interested in launching the membership initiative.

• Peggy Alfonso shared the results of the initial marketing communication, “A Guide to Our Church.” These pamphlets have been placed in pew pockets. Peggy emphasized the spiritual elements of this initiative, and asked BMF to consider sponsoring a Sunday focused on membership, similar to Earth Sunday. Discussion followed, including a suggestion that we consider this for “Welcome Back” Sunday in September. Peggy also stressed the importance of connectedness to groups within the church as a way to enhance and grow church membership.

2. Church Communications and Outreach

• Lorrie and Janet will be reviewing the various forms of communication that Westmoreland provides internally and externally. Lorrie reported she has reviewed the communication resources available at the National UCC website and that the quality was quite good.

• Janet reported that someone from the church will be greeting people who attend concerts at Westmoreland. She indicated that many of those who attend are not members of Westmoreland.

3. Sunday Morning Greeters

• Jan Lilja volunteered to coordinate this BMF responsibility. Lorrie reported that the greeters and coffee hour hosts may now access signup information and instructions at the church website.

4. Technology Committee

• Nancy Van Meter, the BMF representative on this committee, reported on their efforts to more fully utilize the church’s website. In addition to volunteer signups for greeters and coffee hour hosts, use by other committees, such as BCE for the children’s activities, was discussed. As part of an effort to familiarize more of the church membership with the website, Nancy reported that laptops and keyboards will be available after church services for several Sundays in the social hall. Volunteers will provide instruction to those who are interested in learning how to access the signup sheets and generally navigate the website.

• Nancy indicated the Tech Committee is considering a number of ways to enhance the membership experience for those who are unable to attend services, including the recording of Sunday services.

Lorrie concluded the meeting by emphasizing the BMF goals for this year of Information and Invitation; the second of these includes the sustaining and nourishing of existing members. The events that BMF sponsors throughout the year fall within this goal.  

Respectfully submitted by Becky Brindle.