Synergy Sundaes
Download 11-20-11 Monitoring Report - amazing!
What:Synergy Sundaes are interactive leadership events designed to create cooperative interaction between various Ministry Teams, Working Groups and Congregational Committees. Moreover, these events are designed to create a real-time monitoring process, whereby the Ministry Leadership Team and Board of Trustees can understand how the many church activities are aligned with the Ends.
Why: In the past, the Board of Trustees invited church leaders to send a written monitoring report, which documented how their programs were meeting the Ends. This was experienced as an administrative errand, leaving the Board feeling disconnected with the true dynamics of the church. Therefore, the current Board and MLT have decided to re-imagine this quarterly real-time monitoring process.
Who: It is requested that at least one representative attend from each Ministry Team, Working Group and Congregational Committees. All MLT members and Trustees are also encouraged to be present. Anyone else is welcome to attend and observe the magic!
When: Sundays after worship from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm in the Parish Room on Sep 18 and Nov 20, 2011 & Jan 15 and March 18, 2012.
How to Prepare for Synergy Sundae
Step 1. Collect Means. With your team, make a list of the various "Means" (i.e., programs, events, initiatives) used to achieve particular Ends.
Step 2. Collect Requests. With your team, make a list of various Requests (i.e., specifics asks to specific people to help meet your needs).
Step 3. Complete Cards. By the Tuesday before the Synergy Sunday, the team leader can complete the following online forms. See below.
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Sample Monitoring Cards |
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Green Cards |
Yellow Cards |
Red Cards |
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Green indicates which Means are being used to achieve a particular end. The description need only be 5 words long. One program may be used to achieve multiple Ends. |
Yellow indicates which Means will be launched later in the year. These could be programs that members are working on but haven’t yet advertised to the congregation. |
Indicates which Means have been suspended. Leaders are encouraged to let things go just as much as they are to create new things. |
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Sample End: Nurturing Spiritual Community & Social Responsibility Team: Interweave Contact: Scott Youmans Mean: Ugandan Gay rights Activist program (9/4/11) |
Sample End: Shared Responsibility Team: Religious Education & Music Contact: Erick DuPree & Jen Hayman Mean: “Lady & the Tramp” Valentine’s Dinner followed by “A Little Night Music” concert (2/11/12) |
Sample End: Transparency Team: Board of Trustees Contact: Ed Greenlee Mean: Monthly written monitoring reports
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Note how the mean/program is only five words long. This one program also fulfills the “social responsibility” End, which can also be checked.
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Note how two teams are collaborating to produce one event: child and youth serving a spaghetti dinner followed by a choral concert filled with love song. Both teams can therefore fill out the car. |
Because the Board is launching the Synergy Sundaes, they will no longer be sending emails to each team requesting for written monthly reports. Therefore, this “transparency” mean is being discontinued and receives a red card. |
Click here for the real-time summary of the Monitoring Cards.
How to Make a Request
Step 1. Identify the Need & Person. Determine with your team the specific need that you would like to see met. Determine the particular person who is leading the group that may help you meet your need (i.e., Scott Youmans, chair of Ministry Leadership Team; Mark DeCourval, chair of Caring; Christine Carlson, Moderator of the Congregation). Use the directory and org chart to determine the right people.
Step 2. Determine Timeline. By when would you like this need met? Please do not leave this blank or say "soon" or "asap" - please be specific.
Step 3. Make the Request. In addition to completing the following request card, the request should also be directly communicated via email to the person to whom the request is addressed. Consider this form to be the archive of the request; whereas, the actual request should be made directly to a specific person. This form is designed to archive the communication between leaders, not to serve as a substitute for direct communication. Requests can be accepted, declined, or responded with a counter offer.
P.S. Be kind. Use language that sets the tone/mood of the request. "Pleases" and "thank yous" are always appreciated.
Click here for a real-time summary of the request cards.
© 2012 Created by First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia.
