Stewardship / Annual Pledging

 
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Stewardship / Annual Pledging

From your Stewardship Committee

 

 

Tiki Harlow & Kathleen Mead, Stewardship Co-chairs
Tiki Harlow & Kathleen Mead, Stewardship Co-chairs

Abundant Community

Our theme, “Abundant Community,” truly expresses the generous spirit of our mission here at UUSS. Our abundant community brings us so many gifts. We are here together, taking care of ourselves, each other, and our wider community. Take a moment and think about what UUSS provides for you. The love, time, energy, and financial support we put in comes back to us multifold. What can we do to keep our abundant community thriving? Pledging your financial support is key – every contribution you make, large or small, is essential to the healthy and abundant whole. We are honored to be your lay leaders in this year’s Stewardship campaign. Let’s keep this “Abundant Community” vibrant and healthy with all of our support.

Making Your Annual Pledge

In deciding on your Annual Pledge, you make a personal decision – one that expresses your commitment grounded in your ideals, your spirit of generosity, and your gratitude for UUSS.

In making your pledge, consider what UUSS means to you and to our community, and how you can make an impact with your generous support.

Below is a chart with current monthly giving displayed in 6 giving tiers. Each tier lists how many pledging units give at that particular level. We hope you can contribute to our abundant community by increasing your giving to the next higher tier. Can you increase your giving tier?

If you are new to UUSS, please refer to the UUA Giving Guide to help you plan your pledge. UUA guidelines recommend a pledge of 3% to 10% of your yearly adjusted gross income.

We value ALL members of this abundant community, and your pledge amount does not reflect your value to us. Our congregation honors you and your pledge, and welcomes both with gratitude.

Summary of UUSS Pledges Chart

Click any image below to enlarge it

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How Your Annual Pledge is Vital to UUSS

Your Annual Pledge provides funding stability for UUSS. Pledging enables our staff and lay leaders to plan our operating budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Each year, the Board of Trustees proposes a new budget that takes into account our annual pledges and other sources of income, and our yearly operating costs. At our May Congregational Meeting, the Board presents the new budget to the Congregation. Members then consider, discuss, and vote to approve the final budget.

Stewardship Updates

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How the Budget Reflects
Our Mission and Values

Nearly 75% of our operating budget comes from Annual Pledges. Additionally, we support both our national Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) and it’s Pacific Western Region affiliate (PWR-UUA) in their services to UU Congregations and “to promote a public voice for spiritual diversity, religious freedom, fairness, and social justice.”

Getting and Filling In the Annual Pledge Form

Each spring, we are asked to make a pledge commitment and complete a Pledge Form during the annual Stewardship Campaign. The Pledge Form is now available in several ways:

Forms of Annual Pledge Payments

Many of us make a pledge commitment and pay it every month with a check or by automatic payments from our bank account. Making a monthly payment in this way saves UUSS both staff time and the cost of bank or credit card fees. Each Spring, we are asked to complete the annual pledge form during the annual Stewardship period. If your financial circumstances change during the year, pledges can be modified by contacting our bookkeeper to raise, lower, or stop pledge payments.

Payments are Tracked and Kept Confidential

Staff and lay leaders who manage UUSS finances keep all pledges confidential, regardless of pledging or payment method. Members and friends who make annual pledges and other donations receive quarterly updates. An annual summary of tax-deductible contributions is sent to each member making pledges or other donations.