Administrative leadership and fundraising are the nuts and bolts that make possible the program side of congregational life, but they are also a big part of how we practice our faith. We practice living out our congregational values when we lead meetings, supervise staff, raise money, allocate resources, communicate across membership, and otherwise run the church. These aspects of congregational life, when practiced well, amplify our Unitarian Universalist values of equity, compassion, justice, and democracy in our work together which changes how we work with others out in the world.
Preceding my ministry, I gained experience in nonprofit administration working for a $3.8 million nonprofit homeless service agency where I worked with the Board of Directors, various committees, program staff, and fundraising. I helped to organize a $10.75 million capital fundraising campaign and to facilitate the building and opening of two new housing sites.
I also got intense on-the-ground experience in church administration and fundraising in the eight years of my first congregational ministry where we achieved the following shifts:
I led the congregation through a time of challenge (emotional and administrative) when, in December 2015, our building suffered a fire (due to arson). We were displaced from the building for nine months and I worked with lay and staff leadership to communicate location changes, negotiate with the insurance company, manage rebuilding projects and contractors, interact with law enforcement and fire department officials, and navigate media requests and donations.