CARES & CONCERNS COMMITTEE ANNUAL REPORT
2007-2008
by Jackie Brown
MEMBERSHIP LIST AS OF END OF APRIL 2008
Aka: UUCare Bears
COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP: The committee has undergone a few changes
over the past year; however our numbers remain fairly stable. Some are more active than others, some
appear inactive. Our members have “care bear” stickers
attached to their nametags for easy identification by the congregation. However, Florence, Terry, and Clara are
dealing with their own health or caregiver issues, seriously limiting their
participation.
ACTIVITIES: We have had an active year. We’ve dealt with murders, deaths or births, trauma hospitalizations, people in rehab, people with serious & deteriorating health, exhausted caregivers, scheduled surgeries, broken homes, broken bones, “well checks” on people that concerned us, maintained contact with those who can no longer attend UUC,and hosted memorials.
We have a “tracker” list that is compiled by the ministers and myself every six months so that certain members are on our radar at all times due to various concerns. We provided meals and/or transportation, helped in moves, and even cleaned houses at times when people are in need. We even had someone’s abode pressure cleaned & painted to prevent a handicapped woman from being evicted from her mobile home. We are interactive with visitors and new members in the social hall. We are also expected to participate in Volunteer Fairs.
The Chair has been mindful of the absence of Rev. Abhi while he is on sabbatical, and tried to assist our associate minister more in her pastoral duties, if possible.
COMMITTEE COMMUNICATION: The Chair sends out either by mail or email a weekly report to everyone on the committee that keeps them current of things they need to know. The committee is charged with responding as they choose (or not) to information they receive and to keep the Chair advised. They do not have to report phone calls or cards/notes. At times, the Chair will “assign” a committee member with a particular role that best suits the needs of the individual in need of our help. They also receive updated copies of the Tracker List and the Committee Phone List.
JOYS & SORROWS SEGMENT: We keep notes of what is said and by whom so that the Chair can respond either with a note, card or phone call if required. Any situation that needs special attention will be included in the weekly report.
APPRECIATION: We gave a special “UCCare Bear of the Year” award to Gail Rose for his outstanding and above-and-beyond contribution to the committee. This is not an annual event but a unique honor agreed upon by the Chair & the Ministers. We get together upon occasion for fun. One time we gathered at a local Winery in Tarpon Springs that has a lovely arbor and garden outside to sit and eat complimentary food. Then we were invited to someone’s nearby home to have desserts and coffee. The Chair is hosting a picnic at her home May 3rd for members and their significant others or family.
WHAT DIDN’T WORK: We tried having a get-together in the library after the 2nd service on the 1st Sunday of the month in order to maintain contact and share thoughts about Joys & Sorrows. Between the many interruptions the Chair experienced on her way to the meeting, and others preferring to socialize or forgetting the meeting, it wasn’t a successful idea.
CONFIDENTIALITY: A requirement of our committee! The ministers know what I know, but not everything is shared with the committee at the request of the person/people involved. Some information is carefully censored for the same reason. It is important to have permission when the information is personal, sensitive; and to discern if the individual does/does not want information broadcast.
VARIOUS ANNOUNCEMENTS: The Chair puts “ads” in our Octagram at times to inform people who we are and what we do. Announcements are also made in UUC’s weekly email about a situation (if it is deemed necessary). Useful information is put on the “White Board when people are in a hospital or rehab so that the members know how to contact them. At times, we request special announcements from the pulpit.
MEETINGS: The Chair attends Program Council meetings, Pathways to Membership meetings, and the annual meeting of the Board & Committee Chairs. The Chair calls a general meeting for the committee and ministers only twice a year. Email and phone makes this possible. With gasoline prices being so outrageous, it is in the best interest of everyone’s pocketbook to keep meetings to a bare minimum. The Chair meets with Rev. Millie Rochester once a month off-site.
SPECIAL MINISTRY: We arranged for the Blood Mobile to be at UUC last October, and we had a wonderfully generous response. It is this Chair’s intention to repeat this as a yearly event in October.
CHANGES TO BE CONSIDERED:
1. I have discussed with Reverend Millie about deleting hosting of Memorials from the duties of the Cares & Concerns Committee. I have found that no one on my committee wants this job, and I do not. Perhaps others will come forward to fill this need. Millie is not opposed to the suggestion. The Chair would appreciate a follow up on this request.
2. The tenure of the current chair is assured until the fulltime return of Rev. Abhi, and perhaps beyond. Currently, the Chair has looking for a suitable person to become the next Chair (or co-chair?)
3. I suggest the Chair needs someone to be his/her backup. There may be reasons of sickness or vacations where coverage is necessary and the Chair isn’t going to be available. To my knowledge, there never has been a designated person. It may be difficult to find anyone to agree to be a backup, but my belief is that if one of the ministers or the Board President solicits an individual for this, it may be responded to more positively.