Membership Nurture and Outreach Report

 

We lost 17 locals and 7 churches in 2022. Total Membership: We have to collect this data.

 

2022 Unit Survey will be out at the end of March and open through August. Click here to find free resources for downloading as well as for purchasing. The 2022 Survey will be added to this menu when posted. This is also the link for some other resources mentioned in this article.

 

2021 Unit Survey Analysis for Minnesota

A big “Thank You” to all 72 locals (28% of 256 units) that filled out the 2021 Unit Survey. Some of us did it twice so our number does not match with National’s 76.

 

National says, “We at the National office appreciate your hard work in supporting the collection of relevant information from our local and district leaders. This data should assist in your planning efforts with district leaders and will continue to assist the national office staff and leaders in planning for our members.”

 

Five Districts and 76 (72) Units reported 1965 members. We had 151 members die and 85 new members were added.

 

Seventeen percent of locals are not looking for new members at this time. Forty-two percent are looking outside the UMC and 41% within the UMC. Find the Excite, Invite recruitment guide under Membership options in the Downloads link above.

 

Of the 76 responding locals, the average age of the membership is

59%: ages 56-69

28%: ages 70+

11%: ages 35-55.

 

We had one unit ages 1-17, and 1 unit ages 18-24. United Women in Faith has created inviting ideas for adding excitement to our gatherings.

 

New members infuse new ideas and creativity into a group. Women of disaffiliating churches can continue to be members. Women from other denominations can also join. Women in Faith has created different ways all women can be a member. Minnesota is working on creating a District level group for those left hanging.

 

Other National membership options, including All Access Membership, are also new. Thirty-two percent have heard about them but 68% have not. Join by clicking here.

 

The new name, United Women in Faith, will take some getting used to for some people. Only 32% are excited about it, 43% are undecided, and 21% are not so sure. It will grow on us the more we use it.

 

We are doing better at using the new name. We have 51% using the name and 41% expected to transition to using it by 2022, bringing the total to 92%; the rest will transition in a few months. I hope we are all using it by now in 2023.

 

We do use the program book provided. Thirty-nine percet use the print version; 5% use both print and digital; 1% use just the digital. Twenty-five percent were not aware of the digital option and 22% do not use this resource.

 

Climate and Racial Justice are the two campaigns for the year 2022 and 2023. Out of 76 units 18% are working on both campaigns, 3% on Climate Justice, 11% Racial Justice, 68% are working on other things. 

 

Most of us, 95%, do not know about “Let’s talk about change” Or “Time to grow” workshops versus 5% that did. Find more about these workshops on the UWFaith.org website search feature.

Many also do not know about “Mighty Networks.“ Thirty-eight percent never heard about it, 53% have not used it, and only 9% have worked with it. Click here and you will be connected to a world of members’ responses to your questions.

 

Soul Care Retreats are also new to many of us. Of the 76 units, 32% need more information about them, 5% are planning one, and 63% are not planning to  host one. The Soul Care guide will be posted this year. Soul Care is one area women are searching for.

 

A few units are thinking about becoming inactive due to size, being homebound, or in senior care facilities. Please let your District President, Treasurer, and Membership Nurture and Outreach leaders know if your unit needs assistance to remain active or are planning to become inactive.