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Since we've debuted some new communications recently, we've had a few questions.  For example:

  • How do I get my news out to the congregation?
  • What kinds of things belong in UUSGS communications, and which don't?
  • Can I have a member's contact information?

And so it seemed like a good opportunity to remind ourselves how and why we communicate.  To be clear, we're updating processes every week... to accommodate communications improvements and growing participation.  We believe that there is an answer for most needs -- usually answers -- but that many times, it isn't the answer that was.  Something new is needed, for good reason... a few of them actually:

  • Privacy:  We take privacy seriously.  Especially these days.  Progressive leaders have been doxxed and harrassed.  Scams are targeting religious organizations, including ours.  We do not give out member information.  Member information that is available on Breeze is accessible to staff and to other members.  No one else.  And that information can be accessed and edited by you at any time here.  As always, we are here to help.
  • UUSGS communications are only to be used for "personal, non-commercial purposes." (UUSGS Board policy.) This is easy to interpret for staff: we do not make membership information available to other organizations, and we restrict communications from outside organizations with a commercial interest (commercial: related to making money).  This even includes our non-profit partners with whom we share values and may even support through our Offering.  These organizations maintain mailing lists of their own; many of them are excellent and worth exploring.
    • But this one carries over to members, too.  Solicitations are not appropriate.  Please take care when emailing members.  If you maintain a private list, check in once in a while to ask if anyone would like to be removed and/or if the topic is helpful.  And make sure public events are on the website.  Private email lists can feel exclusive to newcomers.
  • Less is more.  Most people already get more emails than they read.  Some communicators believe that to solve that problem, they need to send EVEN MORE emails, texts, smoke signals, whatever.  "They didn't read it the first time?  They need to see it ten more times!"  This is not how we are called to be in community with one another.  We aspire to offer an alternative to a culture of noise and overwhelm.  And so we communicate mostly through our website, with regular emails that highlight events and news there.

A general note with regard to content: UUSGS communications are mostly for UUSGS news and events.  Sometimes we add partner events to our UUSGS calendar; often we do not.  We do not forward outside emails to our general list.  We practice these restrictions not because we are being mean or because we don't like or support outside events.  We do this to protect those who want to hear from us about UUSGS news and events; we do this to protect the clarity of our communications.  Again, there are many other wonderful emails lists out there.  Let's trust that if/when people are interested, they can sign up there for themselves.  Here are a few to get you started:

We are happy to add to this list.  We are happy to receive constructive feedback.  And we are working on more ways to communicate, both internally and externally.  Our new website and newsletter are great for external communication; we know we can do more to faciltate internal communication.  Please know that this is a priority for our communications team.  Thank you for your patience and goodwill and collaboration.