1. What does UCV provide to me?
Spiritual growth, inspiring sermons and worship, ethical actions to further social justice and environmental sustainability, hope, education for children and adults, wonderful music and art, all achieved within a compassionate and visionary community, and magnificent buildings and grounds. Beyond the energy and spiritual boost that we receive each week, UCV is an extended family of support throughout our lives.

2. Where do our revenues come from, and where do they go?

%		2010 Projected Revenues	2010 Projected Expenses		%
69%	Pledges	$365,200	$161,000	Administration	29%
15%	Rentals	$78,000	$118,000	Parish Ministry	21%
4%	Fundraising	$22,500	$107,000	Buildings & Grounds	19%
7%	Donations	$29,800	$57,000	Religious Education	10%
4%	Lay Chaplains Net	$28,500	$39,500	CUC Dues ($90/person)	7%
4%	Investment Income	$7,000	$19,000	Committees/Programs	3%
			$38,500	Music	7%
			$16,000	Amortization	3%
			$2,500	Contingency	0%
100%	TOTAL REVENUE	$531,000*	$558,500	TOTAL EXPENSE	100%
	Over 2/3 of our revenues are
	OPERATING BUDGET DEFICIT	$28,000

*Over 2/3 of our revenues come from pledges
 

3. How do we make up the deficit?
In the past we’ve had the benefit of large bequests, but these funds are now exhausted. We need to increase our pledges, find other revenues and/or reduce expenses. From 2006 to 2007 our total pledges increased 25% (from $280,000 to $350,000), which cut our deficit in half (from $140,000 to $78,000). This fantastic increase and commitment occurred right across all pledging levels. In 2009 we kept our goal at $350,000. We actually obtained $376,000 in pledges, exceeding our goal, reducing our deficit to about $28,000.

4. How much should I pledge?
We all have different financial situations. Some people have little money, but do volunteer work (e.g. buildings and grounds, kitchen). But money is needed to keep our SHIP afloat (your Spiritual Health Insurance Plan). If we could each contribute 3% of our gross income (income before taxes) then UCV would eliminate our operating deficit. Here’s a table with some guidance for your pledge:
 

Gross Income	$20,000	$30,000	$40,000	$50,000	$70,000	$100,000	$150,000	$200,000
3%	$600	$900	$1,200	$1,500	$2,100	$3,000	$4,500	$6,000

The CUC dues ($90) and Bulletin ($30) cost $120 / member. A pledge of less than this costs UCV more money than it gets. Here’s a summary of 2009 pledges:

	#	Average	Median
Members	253	$1,386	$1,000
Adherents	48	$555	$500

The average member pledge is greater than the median. Half of our total pledges come from one fifth of the congregation. We’re vulnerable should any of our generous donors leave or pass away.

UCV is 101 years old this year. Sustaining UCV and the dreams we cherish will require a deep commitment, and the passing of the torch from older to younger members.

5. How important is UCV compared to other worthy causes to which I donate?
UCV is a community, and an extended family, providing you with life long spiritual renewal and support, and many other gifts (see # 1).  As you are part of this community, UCV deserves the highest priority in your decisions about giving. Besides, as Harold Brown (our wonderful head of music for many years) was fond of saying: “What I love about pledging at UCV is that it’s sort of a one-stop shopping for so many things that I care about.”

6. How and when do I pledge?

• In person. Walk into the office, turn right, fill out a pledge card on the table, and put it in the green box. Or pledge after our pledge drive services in the second half of March.
  

• By mail or phone. Send your pledge card to Ms. Ravina Sangara, Unitarian Church of Vancouver, 949 West 49th Ave., Vancouver BC V5Z 2T1. Or phone Ravina at 604.261.7204.

• On our website. Go to the UCV website (vancouverunitarians.ca), look under GIVING – Giving to the Congregation - Pledging), and pledge online. 

How do I pay for my pledge?
You can pay by cheque, by pre-authorized payment (PAP) from your bank account, or by credit card. If you are doing a PAP, you need to provide UCV with a cheque marked void.

When do I pledge?
Our annual pledge drive is in March and April. Please pledge early, since the board sets our budget for the next fiscal year in May. All of the money that you donate to UCV is tax deductible.

7. How does my pledge relate to weekly donations in the offertory?
If you put a donation into an offering envelope (available in the pews), you can specify whether it’s to go towards your pledge, the open collection (which includes contributions to the New Opportunities Seed Fund), or other purposes. You can use a mix of methods to meet your pledge commitment (e.g. PAP + weekly donations). Regardless of how you meet your pledge commitment, please pledge during the March/April Pledge Drive so that the board can forecast our revenues. If you’re uncertain, pledge an amount that you believe you can reliably contribute; if you’re later able to contribute more money to UCV, that’s great!

8. How can I get more information or help out?
From our website or the literature table, read:

• Now More Than Ever, Steven’s wonderful sermon on pledging

• The Thread That Connects Us, a play which looks at how resilient women and men have sustained UCV over the last 100 years, through many a financial challenge: 

• If We Were A Rich Church, our canvass song

To help the Canvass Committee (the most fun of all UCV Committees!), please email or phone David Marmorek, 604.874.1153, or Anne Niklewicz, 604.221.6631.