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How Prairie Works

Prairie Society is unique among Madison UU congregations because it has no paid clergy. Our only paid staff are our Religious Education director and our office administrator, both part time. Prairie is a true voluntary organization—it functions because volunteers plan and present programs and services, help with child care, teach children, wash dishes, shovel sidewalks, and more! There's no better way to get to know us than to work with us. It's easy to get involved in any of these activities.

2004-2005 officers:

• President—Mike Briggs

• Vice-President—K. K. Anderson

• Secretary—Dean Schroeder

• Treasurer—Dirk Herr-Hoyman

2004-2005 committees and their responsibilities:

• Denominational Affairs Committee (Chair, Mary Somers)

  • Congregation's main link to Unitarian Universalist national and regional offices

  • Orders books and pamphlets from the UUA Bookstore

  • Makes available catalogs of the Beacon Press

  • Conducts periodic orientation meetings for new members in conjunction with Membership committee

  • Conducts annual parish poll to determine Society positions on UU General Assembly resolutions

• Finance Committee (Chair, Kathy Converse)

  • Prepares annual budget proposal

  • Canvasses members and friends for pledges to meet the adopted budget

  • Conduct other fund raising activities such as service auctions

• Housing & Property Committee (Chair, Larry Nahlik)

  • Responsible for building and grounds maintenance.

  • Does most minor repairs and improvements to meeting house using volunteer labor

  • Contracts for major repairs and improvements when necessary
    * Workers of all skill levels are welcome

• Long Range Planning Committee (Chair, Ken Skog)

  • Makes recommendations related to Society's long-range objectives

  • Gathers information to enable the congregation to make decisions on proposals for fundamental change, such as a proposal to move to a new Meeting House or to hire a permanent minister

  • Periodically surveys members/friends to determine how the Society could better provide services

• Membership Committee (Chair, Rick Ruecking)

  • Greets visitors

  • Maintains Society membership list

  • Prepares biennial parish directory

  • Provides coffee at services and arrange for cleanup

  • Organizes Circle Dinners and other social events

  • Hosts orientation programs in conjunction with Denominational Affairs Committee

• Program Committee (Co-Chairs,  Doleta Chapru & Warren Hagstrom)

  • Plans Sunday morning adult services with lay ministers and other presenters

  • Plans various evening meetings and special events

• Religious Education Committee (Chair, Rachel Long and Paula Pachciarz)

  • Works with RE director to design a curriculum for our children's programs

  • Acquires equipment

  • Recruits teachers

  • Members and friends may volunteer to teach a class or assist with special arts and crafts projects or field trips

• Social Action Committee (Chair, Bob Park)

  • Takes public stands on issues without having to get consent of the Society and maintains an independent Social Action presence on the Internet 

  • Informs Prairie members about key social action issues and events

  • Provides opportunities for Prairie members to contribute services, money, and goods to worthy causes

  • Fills an Allied Partners Board position on behalf of Prairie

  • Participates in local projects, including providing breakfast at a local drop-in shelter one morning per month, collecting food for a neighborhood food pantry, and facilitating Prairie's part in Madison's Interfaith Hospitality Network

  • For more information, see the independent Social Action Committee Web site   

Last updated 6/28/04

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