Monthly Archives: November 2010

ACTING LIFESPAN PROGRAM CONSULTANT

Whew, that’s a big title! What does it actually mean?

Over the next several electronic communications you receive, I am going to unpack this description of my new role with the District. Come, let’s see what we find inside the carton with the big letters ALPC on the outside.

“Acting” – does this mean I will be doing dramatic work for the District? No. It means that my position is one without either tenure or conclusion. Confusing?

Let me put it another way: how long I will serve in this capacity is open.

Your Florida District along with the whole Unitarian Universalist Association is engaged in a process of assessment and discernment about how best to serve the needs of you, the member congregations. Until that process reaches a conclusion about what staff might best suit our needs, my position will mirror the pre-existing model and I will serve in that position.

Does “acting” imply a tentative nature to my work? Definitely not! While our governance structures determine the best way to proceed into the future, we (you and I) can be very definite in the work we do together. Long-term plans can be created and on-going support programs can be created and maintained.

So, in thinking about my work with and for you, drop that “acting” out of the title. I need to remember and honor that it is there, but for all practical purposes let’s focus on the rest of my title (and I will unpack more of that in our next installment).

Rev Randy

QUESTIONS for the LIFESPAN PROGRAM CONSULTANT:

Q: How do I know which person to call – you or Kenn?
A: My focus is on program and education, but that is a broad area. If you think your concern is more likely to be about governance and management, contact Kenn. If you think your concern is more likely to be about development of programs of all kinds, contact me. But, if you are in doubt, call either of us – we can easily help you sort out which of us may have the appropriate skills to be of service to you.

Q: You are way down in Key West. How do you connect with us?
A: Yes, I live in Key West, but on average I will be out and about in the whole District at least once a month, trying to assemble as full a calendar of personal interactions as I can during those times. For example, in early December I will be attending several meetings in Orlando, spending Sunday speaking and leading a workshop at one of our congregations on newcomer retention, and then holding a late-afternoon organizing meeting at another congregation on leadership development.
Also, modern communications means that I have been video participating in committee discussions via Skype with one of our northern-most congregations. The programs of support which I will develop held in and aimed at formal and informal clusters of congregations all around the District will be available live through the internet to all the other congregations in the District.
I will be working hard to re-define geography so that distance is more measured in willingness to participate and desire to connect than in miles.

(Got a question for Rev Randy? Send it along to him at rbecker@uua.org )