Outreach

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Outreach is an essential component to the growth of Unitarian Universalism's influence and impact on the greater world. Now, more than ever, the world needs our liberal religious message grounded in interfaith collaboration, ongoing revelation and the search for truth.

The UUA has a responsibility to provide for the faith movement what individual congregations cannot provide for themselves. Part of this is providing a unified, public message that not only informs the general populace as to who we are and what we stand for, but also assisting churches in embracing the changes they will need to enact to become ever more welcoming to newcomers.

Too often we rely on outdated systems of communication and outreach and as a result, our churches are currently growing at a rate significantly less than the population. If elected to the UUA Board I would make it a priority that we invest in publicity measures that utilize targeted internet marketing and other new techniques to reach those people most likely to be receptive to our message.

At my own congregation in Stockton, IL, we have seen an immediate benefit from a Facebook targeted ad campaign that has cost us less than $100 dollars but has brought hundreds of visitors to our website and several regular visitors to Sunday services. All this in two short months despite our location in a conservative area with a low population density. Imagine how many people the UUA might reach and how many local congregations might benefit from a similar campaign on a much larger scale.