Giving 7% of Our Operating Expenses Seems Like a Big Increase

by Bill Clontz, Stewardship Consultant

In 2012, the UUA and the Southern Region embarked on a new course to improve how we share our resources. GIFT, Generously Investing For Tomorrow, is intended to be a simpler and more equitable program for providing the resources that enable our UUA and Southern Region team to serve our congregations and to represent our values and priorities at levels we could not do as individual congregations. 

To provide information and to encourage reflection on GIFT, the Southern Region has provided a number of GIFT information tools on this web site, including most recently a set of GIFT FAQs. This blog will, from time to time, focus on one of those FAQs in an expanded discussion. 

Q: An amount based on 7% of our Certified Operating Expenditures seems like a big increase to what we were contributing to the UUA previously. Why is that?

A: Remember that GIFT replaces not one, but two, calculations and contribution systems. GIFT includes both contributions to the UUA and to the region. What had been two formulas and two contributions is now one formula and one contribution. When most congregations compare their previous two-system amounts to what is asked of them by GIFT, they find the new system is simpler and in most cases asks no more from them. 

Q: I understand the calculation basis is 7% or our Certified Operating Expenses. However, I have heard that some congregations are contributing as little as 5% and still have been certified as Honor Congregations in supporting the UUA. What is the story about that variance?

A: The covenantal nature of our faith is mutual. The UUA recognized that the move to a 7% ask under GIFT might represent a challenge for a few congregations, so the UUA wanted to offer support to congregations with a plan to get to the full ask amount. Therefore during the first year of the GIFT program, congregations were accorded full Honor Congregation status when contributing at 5% or higher. This year, contributions of 6% or above will be considered Honor, but this too is a temporary “stopping place” on the way to the full 7%. Next year, 7% contributions will be Honor level. Remember, no increases were built into the GIFT program. The GIFT program is a more equitable funding program, but only if those who are asked to give do so. When we contribute less, less is available to support our wider goals and support structure.

Questions? Contact your Southern Region Primary Contact (if you do not know who serves as your Primary Contact, identify them at http://uuasouthernregion.org/staff/primarycontact.html

You may also contact the UUA Congregational Giving Director, Rev. Vail Weller, at vweller@uua.org or utilize the dedicated GIFT inquiry email address at southerngenerosity@uua.org 

Why the change from membership to Certified Operating Expenses for calculating contributions?

by Bill Clontz

In 2012, the UUA and the Southern Region embarked on a new course to improve how we share our resources. GIFT, Generously Investing For Tomorrow, is intended to be a simpler and more equitable program for providing the resources that enable our UUA and Southern Region team to serve our congregations and to represent our values and priorities at levels we could not do as individual congregations. 

To provide information and to encourage reflection on GIFT, the Southern Region has provided a number of GIFT information tools on this web site, including most recently a set of GIFT FAQs. This blog will, from time to time, focus on one of those FAQs in an expanded discussion. Today we are examining the question: Why the change from membership to Certified Operating Expenses for calculating contributions?

A: For a LOT of us, the old membership based system was badly flawed, and we were glad to leave it behind. It felt like a poll tax and had a number of inherent problems. Basing our calculations on the basis of membership had two important flaws.

One, there is no standard definition of what constitutes membership across the UUA. Some people are surprised to hear this, but in our tradition of congregational polity, each congregation makes their own determination. In some, one need only sign the book. In some a pledge is required, in others, a contribution of record is required. Some make a minimum amount of volunteer service as criteria for full membership. Some have other categories, such as emeritus members.  In short, the previous system was based on a key element in which there was no common standard, and so as an unintended consequence, congregations contributed disproportionately more or less than another congregation that may have looked identical, but had different definitions of membership.

Two, the previous system often led to discussions as to whether someone was “really a member,” not out of a sense of community and inclusiveness, but because declaring someone a member incurred a cost to the congregation. This is not the basis upon which we should want to think about the commitment to membership, or to our faith.  

Questions? Contact your Southern Region Primary Contact (if you do not know who is your Primary Contact, identify them at http://uuasouthernregion.org/staff/primarycontact.html
You may also contact the UUA Congregational Giving Director, Rev. Vail Weller, at vweller@uua.org  or utilize the dedicated GIFT inquiry email address at southernregiongenerosity@uua.org