Pilgrim House
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Facilitator
A facilitator is required for each Sunday adult program.
Facilitator Duties
Facilitators Preparation
1. Contact the speaker a. Contact the Contact Person for the speaker by logging into (www.pilgrimhouseuua.org) and than to program schedule to get contact information. While there take down the programs for the next two or three weeks. This will also tell you who the Music Lead is for that program b. E-mail seems to be best but telephone can work i. Make sure the speaker is on schedule for the date ii. Make sure the speaker knows the time: the program begins at 10:15am and if they need set up time they need to get there earlier than that. We would like them there a few minutes before 10:15 at the latest. Speaker gets on about 10:40 and must be done by 11:25 and we would normally like them to leave some time for Q and A. So no longer than 40 -45 minutes with 5 minutes for a few questions. iii. Provide travel directions (again from www.pilgrimhouseuua.org) iv. Ask if the speaker has any special 1. music ( let them know we will do our best but we may or may not be able to accommodate their requests) 2. meditation 3. Audio visual needs 4. Introduction that the speaker would like you to use
2. Contact the music lead (find at same place as contact information a. Tell them of any requests by the speaker (normally they have none) b. Get titles and song numbers for the music the Music Lead is going to play
3. Check on the Treats and Greeters sign up sheet and Soup Sunday soup providers if applicable so that you have the people doing those tasks for your date and for the next week. This information goes into the bulletin
4. If they didn’t already e-mail it to you, ask the facilitator from the last week to send you their bulletin. You will want to see what announcements they used and obtain further announcements from (www.pilgrimhouseuua.org calendar).
5. Produce the bulletin. (If you get last weeks you can just make updates – we will send you a model both of the inside and the outside) Produce about 50 to 60 copies for most weeks; we would rather have a few over than be short.
6. Come early; a. Turn on sound system – test microphones b. Be sure that there is enough fuel in the chalice (extra fuel containers are in the podium and additional candles are on the sound system table.) c. Set up any audio visual equipment the speaker needs ( you can always get help from Mel Aanerud, Allen Carstens, Fred Green or Al Potter) d. Greet speaker and again inform the speaker of timing – how the microphones work – set up any books they will sell – any props they may have; etc. and get them a copy of the bulletin and song book
7. Actual program a. Script yourself so that you know the timing of your portion of the program b. Announce songs (for new people let them know where they are in the song book c. Welcome and Chalice lighting is normally your words. Be sure to either light the chalice or have someone in the congregation do it. But include some words like near the opening “We are a liberal fellowship who welcomes all regardless of race, gender, sexual or spiritual orientation. We have no creed that we follow, except for openness to ideas where we can explore, develop and apply our own individual beliefs with the acceptance and encouragement of our fellow pilgrims” or "Welcome to Pilgrim House, where we journey together as seekers on a path of social consciousness. We are a lay-led fellowship, welcoming all regardless of race, gender, sexual or spiritual orientation. We have no creed; rather, we encourage openness to ideas. Here we explore, develop, and apply our own individual beliefs with the acceptance and encouragement of our fellow pilgrims." d. Allow time for “If we have any guests today who are willing to introduce themselves to the group; this is your opportunity.” “For the rest of us, let us take time know to greet those friends around us who are sharing this pilgrimage with us.”) “We will give a short time for short announcements.” “Does anyone have any joys or concerns to share?”) e. Send the children and instructors to their classrooms f. Meditation can be i. your own ii. a quotation you like (you can find many in the back of the UU hymnal) iii. something that the speaker requested g. Introduce the speaker (even if it is a PH member) h. Watch the time and signal the speaker when time is nearly up i. Run the question and answer period as well as you can. You, or arrange for someone, pass the microphone to the questioners. j. Thank the speaker (even if it is a PH member) k. Either have some closing words ready or react/respond to the speaker to what the speaker has said. l. Lead the group in the extinguishing of the chalice m. Thank the speaker again and anyone else who provided help in the program like special music, and thank the Music Lead n. Announce that there are treats or soup and fellowship in the fellowship hall o. Encourage continued discussion of the morning program but first allow the speaker to get to the fellowship hall.
8. After the program a. Be sure that the microphones and sound system are turned off b. Send an electronic copy of your bulletin to the next facilitator and to Dick Shelton c. Either you or the Contact Person should follow-up with a thank you note to the speaker. (it can be either e-mail, letter or we do have PH note cards)