Volunteer
Your skills and talents are welcomed at UULMF at any time. Opportunities to volunteer abound. The value of your time and expenses devoted to volunteering with UULMF are deductible as charitable contributions on your federal income tax returns. Have a look at our various volunteer opportunities below, and then, please click this button to...
Volunteer opportunities with UULMF include but are not limited to the following:
Volunteer opportunities with UULMF include but are not limited to the following:
- Internships. Internships are created as the needs of UULMF may from time to time require. They are defined programs of interdisciplinary work managed by the UULMF Coordinator and periodically reviewed by the Steering Committee. Internships are typically created in conjunction with a full time student intern's academic schedule. Internships may or may not be formally integrated with coursework at the student's secondary or higher education institution.
- Committee Work. UULMF accomplishes its grassroots work through volunteer committees, either standing or project-specific. Each committee has a chair who reports to an assigned Steering Committee liaison; together, they are accountable for the work of the committee. At present, UULMF is in the process of establishing several standing committees which are expected to include the following:
- Sustainability Committee. The UULMF Steering Committee will not be able to do all the work necessary to identify, apply for, and secure all the necessary funding for special projects and ongoing operations. A team of skilled volunteers serving on this committee will provide consistent, high-level counsel as well as direct, hands-on support to assure UULMF has sufficient funds on hand at all times to carry out its Mission.
- Governance Committee. A committee combining the best thoughts and talents of UULMF Steering Committee members and volunteers, this group is charged with defining Steering Committee positions, monitoring the work of the Steering Committee to insure that it stays "on track," and reviewing and supervising the work of the UULMF Coordinator.
- Congregational Relations Committee. An effective, lasting, and relevant UULMF requires that the relationship between itself, the Florida District office of the Unitarian Universalist Association, and all Florida UU congregations be clear, open, and productive. This committee, populated by volunteer and Steering Committee members, periodically reviews the work of UULMF and provides a report to the UULMF Chair and the Florida District Executive.
- Communication Committee. Getting the word out about who UULMF is, educating congregations and individuals as to their important part in this work, monitoring the status of issues identified by UULMF, as well as other matters of importance that the Steering Committee decides need attention, is the work of this committee. The Communication Committee supports project committees and activist partners. The work of this committee aggressively complements the work of the Congregational Relations Committee.
- Advocacy Committee(s). Typically, UULMF will be in active support of multiple issues at any given time. For 2009, the Steering Committee is pursuing Homelessness and Global Warming. Advocacy Committees will be established for each issue UULMF undertakes and will:
1. Identify partner organizations and UU activists/advocates.
2. Define the parameters of their specific issue and identify resources to achieve UULMF goals pertaining to the issue.
3. Work with the Communication Committee to establish and "information channels" to, from, and among Florida congregations, lawmakers, the Florida UUA District, and UUSC and UUA headquarters.
4. Solicit and motivate volunteers, activists, and/or other facilitating organizations as required.
5. Provide quarterly progress reports to the Steering Committee regarding UULMF's activities and achievements related to their assigned issue.
2. Define the parameters of their specific issue and identify resources to achieve UULMF goals pertaining to the issue.
3. Work with the Communication Committee to establish and "information channels" to, from, and among Florida congregations, lawmakers, the Florida UUA District, and UUSC and UUA headquarters.
4. Solicit and motivate volunteers, activists, and/or other facilitating organizations as required.
5. Provide quarterly progress reports to the Steering Committee regarding UULMF's activities and achievements related to their assigned issue.
- Special Projects. From time to time, the Steering Committee will pursue special initiatives outside the scope of our two major issues, Homelessness and Climate Change. For example, UULMF supported organized opposition to the "Marriage Protection Amendment" to the Florida State Constitution that appeared on statewide ballots in the November 2008 general election. We aligned with Florida Red and Blue and other organizations to help fight that amendment. Volunteers at the UU congregation level are especially important in efforts like this which may arise whenever there is a need.
