Social Action Council Vision and Mission
SAC’s vision is a Church Community: Where everyone is committed to service, within and beyond the Emerson Congregation, based upon our seven UU principles; and Where we are leaders in the Houston Community and share, individually and collectively, financial and time resources with organizations systematically and democratically chosen and sponsored by the Emerson congregation. SAC’s mission is to
SAC views Social Action, Worship and Religious Education as interdependent and inseparable functions of a strong Unitarian Universalist church. It views these various Emerson functions as weaving together as an interdependent web that has the potential to advance Emerson to a Breakthrough Unitarian Universalist congregation.
2011 Social Action Survey
A total of 112 Emersonians returned surveys which were made available in the Gathering Place and online for about four weeks in April and May 2011. We appreciate your feedback and discussed your views during the June 12, 2011 Adult Education hour and June 2011 Emerson Board meeting.
Emerson’s diverse population completed the survey. 36% began attending Emerson since 2005 whereas 20% began attending before 1980. 47% came to Emerson from another denomination and 34% from another UU church whereas 19% had no prior church affiliation.
Of that diverse population, only 2% think that we are doing too much social action but 32% want more social action. 94% with an opinion want us more recognized in Houston and told us how: 72% with an opinion said focus on fewer, large impact activities. The highest interest was in education and food projects with lowest interest in social advocacy. 27% replied that they already work on the SAC Committee or its projects with another 19% indicating an interest in participating in these activities.
Although only 14% are against using any money from the operating budget for social action, 43% want to increase it from $4,000 to $10,000 per year or more. Similarly although 16% are against using the endowment for social action, 46% favor continuing the 10% Solution and 26% want to increase it with a higher % of the gain or a fixed % of the endowment balance. For more details refer to the Emerson SAC Survey.
- Encourage Members and Friends of Emerson Church to make service beyond the Church and based on the Seven Principles priority in their lives.
- Bring Social Action to an equal footing with religious education and worship.
- Support Social Action activities which are initiated by others at Emerson.
- Solicit, evaluate and select organizations, projects or causes for support by the congregation through volunteer time, Special Collections, SAC’s operating budget and available Endowment Funds.
- Provide information about selected organizations, projects and campaigns for use in Emerson media or by individuals.
- Provide oversight and stewardship for financial aspects of SAC activities.
- Serve as Emerson’s representative for UUA denominational societal involvement or Social Action initiatives, projects and programs.
SAC views Social Action, Worship and Religious Education as interdependent and inseparable functions of a strong Unitarian Universalist church. It views these various Emerson functions as weaving together as an interdependent web that has the potential to advance Emerson to a Breakthrough Unitarian Universalist congregation.
2011 Social Action Survey
A total of 112 Emersonians returned surveys which were made available in the Gathering Place and online for about four weeks in April and May 2011. We appreciate your feedback and discussed your views during the June 12, 2011 Adult Education hour and June 2011 Emerson Board meeting.
Emerson’s diverse population completed the survey. 36% began attending Emerson since 2005 whereas 20% began attending before 1980. 47% came to Emerson from another denomination and 34% from another UU church whereas 19% had no prior church affiliation.
Of that diverse population, only 2% think that we are doing too much social action but 32% want more social action. 94% with an opinion want us more recognized in Houston and told us how: 72% with an opinion said focus on fewer, large impact activities. The highest interest was in education and food projects with lowest interest in social advocacy. 27% replied that they already work on the SAC Committee or its projects with another 19% indicating an interest in participating in these activities.
Although only 14% are against using any money from the operating budget for social action, 43% want to increase it from $4,000 to $10,000 per year or more. Similarly although 16% are against using the endowment for social action, 46% favor continuing the 10% Solution and 26% want to increase it with a higher % of the gain or a fixed % of the endowment balance. For more details refer to the Emerson SAC Survey.
