Appendix 10

Stewardship Calendar

                                                             The Community Congregation

 ANNUAL STEWARDSHIP DRIVE

GENERAL PLAN

 A.  Multi-Year Calendar.  There are different formats for stewardship drives which have different strengths.  The TCC Board wishes to rotate through three types on a regular cycle in the following order:

Year 1 – Celebration Sunday or a similar Big Event with the entire congregation present in one body.  We see an advantage in having our congregation celebrate as a single group occasionally. 

Year 2 – Personal Face-to-Face meetings with canvassers meeting members in their homes, over coffee, etc.  The advantage and objective of this format is engaging in personal conversations about the congregation’s strengths and weaknesses and giving each person an opportunity to give voice to what is important for their own growth within our spiritual community. 

Year 3 – Small Group Gatherings involving dinner meetings in member homes or similar venue with at least one recognized leader present at each gathering (e.g., the Minister, Director of Religious Education, or a Trustee).  The objective in these years is to get people talking with those they know reasonably well about what they hope for in the future of the congregation, and to have such conversations heard by leaders.

B.  Annual Calendar.  We request adherence to the year around calendar for planning purposes.  Of course the dates will always be modified for the current year.

August Board Meeting:  Board receives a Stewardship Drive Wrap-Up Report.

 September Board Meeting:  The Board discusses the report with the prior Leadership Team as well as the designated Stewardship Chair for the following year.

 By October 1:  Leadership selected for the next Stewardship Drive. 

 Early October:  The Leadership Team (4 – 5 people) should outline major tasks and the time frame for completion of each.  The tasks will vary depending on the format, but not in the timing.

 Early November:  Begin recruiting canvassers, dinner hosts, or other major task leaders.  If canvassers are needed, plan on 25% of the current number of pledge units in the role of canvassers (including Leadership Team).  This assumes you will have a list of prospects somewhat longer than simply current pledgers.

First Week in January:  Stewardship Drive Chair, Membership Chair, and Treasurer develop the list of those who will be solicited during the drive. 

Late January:  Gather information and print two cards for each pledge unit.  Cards should contain the following information:

             Card 1:            Name, Address, Phone

                                    Indication of membership status

                                    Names of children, whether in the religious education program

                                    Status of current stewardship commitment              

             Card 2:            Only the pre-printed name varies

                                    Information regarding the current canvass

                                    Space for making monthly commitment

                                    Indicate choice of payment schedule

                                    AFT authorization space

                                    Signature line

                                    Area for notes

Note:  This information is sensitive and the cards should be shared only between the Stewardship Drive Chair, Team Leader, and Canvasser.

Early March:  Canvasser training should be scheduled on at least three alternate dates.  Every canvasser, even if experienced, must attend a current year training session.  At the training review the congregational vision, goals, and the priorities in the next budget.  Practice.

Last week in March:   The Leadership Team hosts a Kickoff Party/Gathering.  The Board, Leadership Team and the top ten givers attend.  (Total group, including spouses will probably be 25.)  Schedule Stewardship Commitment meetings for the entire group during the following week. 

Second week in April:  Stewardship Drive Kickoff is announced at the Sunday morning services.  Tell the congregation where we are with the stewardship commitments from the advance group.  Lunch after the second service is attended by the Leadership Team and all canvassers.  At the lunch each canvasser receives the following:

                                     Canvassers Guidebook

                                    Stewardship Vision Budget

                                    List of questions and answers on pledging

                                    List of conversation starters

                                    Suggested Giving Chart

                                    2 cards for each pledge unit

Last two weeks of April:  General Stewardship Drive

First Thursday Evening: Team Leaders check-in with canvassers by phone.

End of Week 1 - Saturday morning:  Mid-Point check-in at church.  Coffee, donuts, and encouragement provided by Leadership Team.  Completed cards returned.

Second Week - Wednesday or Thursday evening: Team Leaders check-in with canvassers by phone.

Last Saturday -  Late Afternoon:  Final Call.  Return all Commitment Cards!  Leadership Team members are all present to thank canvassers.  Each Team Leader is responsible for making sure all cards will be returned.  If a canvasser will not make it in, the Team Leader must arrange to pick up cards at their home beforehand.

First Week of May:  Leadership Team and Board members complete mop-up calls.

Saturday Evening - Mop Up Week:  Stewardship Drive Leadership Team receives final reports and all outstanding cards.

Sunday Morning:  Celebration of results with the congregation.  Canvass over!

June:  Stewardship Drive Chair prepares report to the Board.  Leadership Team members recruit the next year’s Chair  (perhaps from among their own).