District Consolidation Announcement
John Sanders, Chair of the Joint Task Force on District Consolidation

The New Hampshire Vermont District of Unitarian Universalist Societies and the Northeast District of the Unitarian Universalist Association have both voted overwhelmingly to consolidate into one new district, whose name will be chosen by Oct 1st, 2007.  On April 14th, 2007, the NH-VT District voted unanimously to consolidate. And the Northeast District vote on April 28th was also a landslide, 58-to-6, in favor of consolidation.  This commits both districts to consolidate effective July 1st, 2008 and authorizes the districts’ officers to take whatever steps are necessary to make that happen.

During the intervening year, a Transition Team, composed of leaders from both districts, will coordinate the activities needed to set up the new district.  These include the creation of by-laws, the preparation of a budget, the recruitment of a slate of nominees for elected positions, selection of a district name, logo and banner, a newsletter name, and anything else needed for the first meeting of the consolidated district in April 2008.  The plan to accomplish this includes the following.

• A Joint Finance Committee (Nancy Chaddock, Dick Danziger, Mark Smith) will prepare the ’08-’09 budget for the new district’s first Annual Meeting in April 2008.
• Roger Comstock will recruit and lead a committee to prepare by-laws for adoption at the new district’s first Annual Meeting in April 2008.
• Rev. Bruce Johnson will coordinate a Joint Nominating Committee to prepare slates of candidates for election at the new district’s Annual Meeting in April 2008.
• Rev. Sue Kingman will recruit and lead a Symbolism Committee, who will choose names for the new district and its newsletter, and who will design the new district’s logo and banner.  See the accompanying announcement for details of a contest they are running to choose the new district’s name.
• Kathy Kellison will recruit and lead an Awards Committee to gather nominees and choose the winners for awards to be presented at the new district’s first Annual Meeting in April 2008.
• John Sanders will work with both districts’ Communications Committees and with Joy Blanchette to ensure that progress and news updates are broadly disseminated during the transition year.
• Rev. Mary Higgins will work with both districts’ chapters of the UU Ministers Association and the joint Program Committees to create an appropriate ritual to celebrate the transition from our two districts into one new consolidated district at its first Annual Meeting in April 2008.

These votes culminate several years of careful work towards consolidation of the two districts. In 2004 the NH/VT and Northeast District Boards formed a Joint Task Force, composed of experienced leaders from both districts, to guide both districts through a four year process leading to consolidation.  This process prograssively led to the two districts sharing a District Executive, a Small Church Specialist, a Program Consultant for Lifespan Faith Development, an Office Administrator, and a new district office.  These votes allow this process to complete as the two districts join together to form one new district on July 1st, 2008.

2007 District Spring Conference Summary

The 2007 Spring Conference and Annual Meeting of the New Hampshire/Vermont District held April 13 & 14, 2007 proved to be the historic event anticipated. In the course of the weekend we found new answers and pioneering questions in response to the words of the well known song and conference theme; ‘Where Have We Come From, Where Are We Going?"

88 people representing 26 societies attended the conference.  Mary Higgins’ keynote address was enthusiastically received giving attendees inspiration for the future of Unitarian Universalism to bring home to their congregations.  Rev. Gene Navias and Dr. Jim Buckley, with the help of an enthusiastic ad hoc choir, led us on a musical and historical journey in rousing hymns as we sang our way through over 100 years of religious dedication to social justice.  At the business meeting we honored outgoing board and staff members and celebrated the ongoing work of those serving the district. John Sanders gave an overview of the joint task force work towards consolidation and later, by unanimous vote, we decided to join with the Northeast District. In conclusion we sang in a new era as a consolidated district with original hymns written by Rev. Mary Edes and sung for the first time at this ground breaking conference.

People who attended the workshop on Social Action reported that Tess George’s handout ‘7 Steps to Success’ provided helpful insights to structuring and maintaining vibrant social justice groups.In the lunch hour, with Karen Brammer’s help and signs printed especially for the event by Joy Blanchette, we took the conference outside and staged a mini “Step it Up’ demonstration in front of the church.  The welcome, hospitality and meals generously provided by members of the  Concord Unitarian Universalist Church made every aspect of the conference run smoothly and created an atmosphere well suited to this event.
Thank you to every one who attended and helped make history happen!

Submitted by Ann Kebbell, Chair
Conference Department

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A dozen or so of us gathered with District Executive, Rev. Mary Higgins, to continue the discussion of what it is to “dance on the edge of things” as an Association, an expanding District, and in our individual congregations.  It was generally agreed that we are at an exciting juncture in our history, and even as we face the known and unknown challenges associated with possible consolidation, the readiness to do so seemed palpable.

The topic that occupied much of our time together concerned the paradox we now

encounter in our shared desire to grow ournamed Association in an increasingly post denominational culture.  The trend among those seeking a religious home is away from the “brand name” shopping of earlier generations - those looking for a particular kind of church: Methodist, Baptist, Congregational, Roman Catholic, for instance - and toward seeking a community that meets them where they are, engages in topics of concern to their lives, offers some moral framework for negotiating their days,  and something spiritually and intellectually substantive for their children and youth.  These are goals we share - and increasingly, they are the precious gift we offer to those who find us. Thus the push for name recognition continues as we seek to introduce ourselves to a waiting world. 

Submitted by Mary Edes, 
Minister at the UUFES, Tamworth NH