July 15, 2007 Update

• Facilities: The Facilities Master-Plan Team is currently in waiting mode on the long-term building project. We’re waiting for the City of University Park to approve our zoning request, and waiting for the Capital Campaign to wrap up so that we can reconcile the scope our plans with our budget. Meanwhile, the team is addressing several of the short-term issues on its agenda, including choir-loft lighting and Raible Chapel’s acoustics. Comments on the master plan are welcome. Please submit them to Tom Kirwin for distribution to the Facilities Team.

• Capital Campaign: Summers can be a slow time at the church, but we still need pledges from all of our members and friends to fully realize our Chart and Compass dreams. We have far to go to reach our $9-million goal, and critical decisions are imminent. Every gift will be important to getting it all done. If you haven’t yet made your pledge, please do it now. Send it in, bring it to the office, or drop it in the collection plate. We are very grateful to the more than 315 members and friends who have already pledged more than $5.7 million toward this effort.

• New Videos on dallasuu.org: As a reminder about what we have undertaken together and why, view Dr. Laurel Hallman reading her beautiful letter launching Chart and Compass 2010, and her “We Are All Temporary” talk from the Capital Campaign inaugural event. We ask your patience, as download times may vary with connection speed. It’s worth the wait!

• Social Action: The Social-Action Team continues its Peacemaking Initiative as part of the UUA’s three-year Peacemaking Study/Action Issue process. Ian Hunter (972-471-1529, ihunter@mannatech.com) is the Peacemaking Initiative contact. Work also continues on the budget allocation for Social Action start-up.

• Publicity and Branding: The team is preparing to introduce its campaign to the congregation on Ingathering Sunday, September 9. Meanwhile, workshops with the Program Management Team and church staff are being prepared to introduce the new brand, positioning, and first-round creative executions. The strategic timing of our subsequent public-awareness campaign will take into account our evolving physical plant and staff constraints, and be announced at a later time.

~ Ellen Magnis and Mike Birrer Leadership Team Co-Chairs
~ Fritz Kuehn Leadership Team Communications