Stewardship Circle

Stewardship does indeed deal with money, but it must be far bigger, far more holistic than that. For money is the symbol, the powerful symbol, of our ongoing need for control. But as we begin to think of life in terms of what we have instead of what we lack, then we can dare to let go of the things that hold us back and strategize together as faithful stewards instead of fearful owners.   ~Rev. C. K. Robertson, Transforming Stewardship

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of San Luis Obispo County is a 501(c)3 nonprofit. Donations are tax deductible as allowed by Federal and State tax codes.

The Stewardship Circle watches over the resources and assets of the congregation. To achieve our mission, we must care for the financial health of the congregation as well as caring for our property, resources, and assets. Several teams help manage and grow the congregation’s resources:

Financial Advisory Team (FAT)

The Financial Advisory team supports the Minister in managing the financial health of the congregation. Members are selected by the Minister and the size and personnel  will vary depending on each minister’s skills and needs, as well as the particular tasks at hand.  The FAT and the Board Treasurer work closely, as many of the tasks of the committee are necessary to both Ministry and Governance.

Responsibilities:

  1. Keep abreast of relevant regulation, law, and “best practices” for congregational financial management.
  2. Establish and evaluate a Whole Church Financial Management Plan that clarifies procedures and practices for cash and asset management for the congregation.
  3. Work with the  Minister to propose an operating budget for the congregation’s programs and ministries for approval at the annual meeting of the congregation each year.
  4. Assist in educating the congregation about good fiscal management and the overall health of the congregation’s finances.

Pledge Coordinators

The Pledge Coordinators will work with the Minister, Pledge Captains, and staff to facilitate a healthy culture of generosity in the congregation.

Responsibilities:

  1. Create opportunities for education and communication about generosity in the congregation.
  2. Express gratitude to givers and celebrate the congregation’s generosity. Thank pledge captains for their work.
  3. Help coordinate pledge captains and filling in when necessary.
  4. Follow up with givers who did not respond to appeals in a timely manner.
  5. Assistwith special appeals.

Pledge Captains

Pledge Captains help the Minister and staff to educate members about the pledge process, solicit pledges, make reminder calls, and say “thank you.” Each Captain is responsible for a pledging group: either a group assigned to a particular month or new members as they join.  Pledge Captains are volunteers, approved by the Minister.

Responsibilities:

  1. Ensure that each member assigned to their group is asked to make a pledge and thanked when they do.
  2. Understand how the Pledge process works and be able to communicate this to givers. Understand the basics of the congregation’s budget in order to explain how each gift makes a difference for the congregation and beyond.
  3. Model openness about the need for and importance of financial support to the Fellowship as part of membership.
  4. Make the pledge process as friendly and personal as possible, inviting people to share their thoughts about the congregation and its value in their lives.
  5. Communicate any important information learned to the appropriate leaders. (e.g. pastoral needs, programs that were especially successful, or areas of dissatisfaction)

Financial Management Focus

Our Treasurer, treasury teams and connection events help us uphold the covenant to produce, protect and manage our financial assets.

Administrative Activities

Our office team and administrator provide for the day-to-day business operations of the Fellowship.