UUFM's Social Action Committee

Our mission: To offer service, educational, and advocacy opportunities based on congregational values in areas of social concern and to support groups organized to deal with social justice issues.

 

                                    Join our Social Action Group

Interested in helping make the world around you better?  Become a part of Social Action!  We are involved in many different activities and are always open to new ideas.  Bring yours and join us.  We meet monthly the second Sunday of Sept. - May at 9 a.m. in the Social Hall at UUFM. 

Committee Co-Chairs:
Contact Diane Dobitz  Phone: 507-388-7657
Contact Becky Rossow  Phone: 507-388-1660

Diane Dobitz and Becky Rosow, Co-Chairs at Kiva map
Diane Dobitz and Becky Rosow, Co-Chairs
Kiva Discussions
 Diane and Becky, Social Action Co-Chairs

                                    Here are some of our ongoing activities.                  

               Volunteering at the Lincoln Community Center

UU members and friends are volunteering at LCC helping adult immigrants learn English and participating in other volunteer activities with them and others.

This is a great opportunity to see the world through new eyes as you and your family help, as well as learn from, immigrants who come from all corners of the world.

If you are interested in helping with this initiative, contact Keri Glaeser at 612-387-2835.   Keri has been volunteering at the center and can give you more details about what happens there.

                    2nd COLLECTION and 2nd CONNECTION

2nd Collection Logo

Promoting a Culture of Generosity


Second Connection Logo

Since April of 2006 we have taken a 2nd Collection on some Sundays in an effort to support social actions that help others directly or create change through the use of our monetary gifts.  In 2011 we broadened our offerings to encourage more participation of sharing time and talent with acts of service in the greater community with the same intention of creating change.  We will continue to keep the emphasis on local needs and organizations through both the 2nd Collection and the 2nd Connection.

 

                             UUFM - Micro Financing Project

UUFM Micro LogoThe UUFM-Micro Project supports Kiva.org loans.  These are loans given to people in impoverished countries to help them improve their lives and thus their communities. Contributions are accepted at any time and are tax-deductible.  More information is available in the lime green brochures on the wall in the entry.  Since the project kicked off in January 2008, we have raised over $6,000 and made over 1,500 loans worth $38,000 in 58 different countries.  

Our loan portfolio can be viewed here.: http://www.kiva.org/lender/uufmmicro4415.

 If you have any questions, email uufm.micro@gmail.com.

                                          ECHO Food Shelf

The UU Fellowship sponsors a collection for the ECHO Food Shelf the last Sunday of every month in the back of the sanctuary.  Emphasis is on personal care and baby items since ECHO cannot buy these items at a discount, but food and monetary donations are accepted as well.

                                        Fair Trade Products

This congregation purchases bulk Fair Trade coffee for our social events as well as for members of the congregation.  Fair Trade products are available for purchase in the Fellowship Hall and include coffee, chocolate, hot cocoa and tea.  

As of Nov. 18, 2009 we have been recognized as a Fair Trade Church by Mankato Area Fair Trade Town Initiative (www.maftti.org) which is promoting wider fair trade awareness and the availability of fair trade items at more locations throughout the Mankato area. MAFTTI’s work helped Mankato become the first Fair Trade town in Minnesota on October, 24, 2011.  Work continues to have North Mankato also become a Fair Trade town.

                            Serving Meals at the Salvation Army

Members of UUFM have supported and organized serving meals at the Salvation Army since 1989. We serve four meals a year in rotation with 10 other churches.

For more information on any of these activities please contact our Committee Co-Chairs:
Contact Diane Dobitz Phone: 507-388-7657
Contact Becky Rossow Phone: 507-388-1660

Promoting a Culture of Generosity

 

At the March 2006 board meeting the Social Action Committee's request for a second offering was approved. In preparing a proposed policy for the board the Social Action Committee is requesting input from the congregation. The following survey will help us identify groups you would encourage us to support with funds from our fellowship.

 

This is a separate collection that will be made on the third Sunday of each month for a specific cause. Examples of second offerings that we did in 2005 included relief for victims of the Tsunami and hurricane Katrina. The second offering may be highlighted with a special speaker much as we did with Bhante Sathi for the Tsunami relief.

 

Promoting a Culture of Generosity

 

At the March 2006 board meeting the Social Action Committee's request for a second offering was approved. In preparing a proposed policy for the board the Social Action Committee is requesting input from the congregation. The following survey will help us identify groups you would encourage us to support with funds from our fellowship.

 

This is a separate collection that will be made on the third Sunday of each month for a specific cause. Examples of second offerings that we did in 2005 included relief for victims of the Tsunami and hurricane Katrina. The second offering may be highlighted with a special speaker much as we did with Bhante Sathi for the Tsunami relief.

 

Promoting a Culture of Generosity

 

At the March 2006 board meeting the Social Action Committee's request for a second offering was approved. In preparing a proposed policy for the board the Social Action Committee is requesting input from the congregation. The following survey will help us identify groups you would encourage us to support with funds from our fellowship.

 

This is a separate collection that will be made on the third Sunday of each month for a specific cause. Examples of second offerings that we did in 2005 included relief for victims of the Tsunami and hurricane Katrina. The second offering may be highlighted with a special speaker much as we did with Bhante Sathi for the Tsunami relief.

 

Promoting a Culture of Generosity

 

At the March 2006 board meeting the Social Action Committee's request for a second offering was approved. In preparing a proposed policy for the board the Social Action Committee is requesting input from the congregation. The following survey will help us identify groups you would encourage us to support with funds from our fellowship.

 

This is a separate collection that will be made on the third Sunday of each month for a specific cause. Examples of second offerings that we did in 2005 included relief for victims of the Tsunami and hurricane Katrina. The second offering may be highlighted with a special speaker much as we did with Bhante Sathi for the Tsunami relief.