Hi, I'm starting to get involved in my congregation's participation team which is basically a committee organizing starting point sessions, help recruit people for other committees and teams, and try to increase overall participation in activities beyond just Sunday service.
My overall goal is to help increase ways for youngerish members (basically zoomers, millennials) to get involved and to try to help the congregation do a better job of increasing awareness that we exist and always welcome to new people. (Not talking about evangelizing but I think having our congregation grow is vital for long term sustainability once the greatest generation demograph is extinct.).
Anyone else in a similar position with their congregation have any tips or ideas that I could explore with my group? I'm new to all this so any helpful ideas are much appreciated! :)
I am not in a similar position, but my congregation has been trying ideas for similar goals:
* we have developed a Young Adults group
* we've asked members and friends to invite their family and friends to different events and Sunday morning services (people are much more likely to attend when personally invited)
* we've had workshops to help members craft their "elevator speech" for what UU is in order to better talk about it with others
* we've updated our website and social media
* we've given out [bookmarks and wallet cards](https://uuabookstore.org/collections/bookmarks-and-wallet-cards) that members can share with family and friends
* we've fleshed out the descriptions of events on our website calendar so that potential members could see more of what activities we offer
* we have a welcome circle to help visitors connect with our various ministries, activities, and committees
* we have tabled at local events
* we've put lawn signs out front to help passersby better understand what we're about
Fully agree with what the other commenter has already said. Additionally to that, I would say that a really important factor to us has been an intentionality and warmness towards First-Time visitors. Generally it's hard to influence whether people will walk through your doors or not, but you have a great deal of influence to make them feel welcomed and taken care of when they do. So we have a big team of greeters before service, a special welcome for newcomers in the announcements, and a newcomer table at Coffee Hour seeded with friendly folks.
Ask people personally. People like to be asked, and people often don't take positions because no one asked them to.
Like polling our membership?
I mean one-on-one as an inividual: ("Would you like to ..." Some people don't even think about doing something or think they are capable until they are personally asked.
covenant groups, volunteer opportunities such as soup kitchens or homeless shelters,.
Very good ideas, we are sorely lacking in both.