ORUUC Case Statement Final-1

Let’s Do It Now!Let’s Do It Now!Let’s Do It Now!Let’s Do It Now!

A Case Statement for a Non-Building Campaign



I. Mission

3

II. Letters from ORUUC’s Minister, Board President, and

Capital Campaign Chair

5

III. What is a Capital Campaign?

9

IV. Key Steps

10

V. Proposal

11

VI. Architect’s Conceptual Views

14

VII. Cost Summary

17

VIII. Gift Opportunities

18

3



Church expansion and renovation are major efforts made only in response to compelling needs. This project

will:

� Preserve our legacy of liberal thought and action.

� Present a public image of strength, growth, and activity.

� Enhance our aging building through renovation and expansion.

� Improve our capability to serve members, friends, and the larger community.

The Capital Campaign is designed to fund church expansion and renovation. This notebook presents, for your

consideration,


Our Capital Campaign Mission:

We unite in financial and spiritual commitment to the future of our church.

The funds we raise will expand, improve, and renovate our church home.

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Let’s Do It NowLet’s Do It NowLet’s Do It NowLet’s Do It Now

Dear ORUUC-ians,

In my first few years at ORUUC, I had the privilege of getting to know Alvin Weinberg a little over the course of a few

lunches at the Soup Kitchen. Alvin, of course, was known to the world as "Dr. Weinberg," the Director of the National

Lab for eighteen years and, after that, the first Director of ORAU. But, closer to home, he was "Alvin Weinberg."

From what I understand, he made sure early on to promote an egalitarian culture in Oak Ridge, by discouraging the

use of "Doctor" in talking to one of the many PhD's around town. He enjoyed being neighbors and friends with

practical people who could actually do things, he said. And, when I would ask him about his impressive career, mostly

he seemed to want to talk about his mentor, the physicist Eugene Wigner. In many ways, the humble man I got to

know only glancingly toward the end of his life taught me a lot about what it means to be an Oak Ridger. I learned

that a rich interior life--a life of questions, curiosity, imagination, and wonder--does not need to be clothed with the

impressive garments of material wealth.

And so it is that Oak Ridge is full of modest houses and sensible cars, and that Kroger on Wednesdays is packed full of

people of comfortable means who have come for the Wednesday senior discount. Oak Ridge is a frugal community.

But it is not a stingy community. When it was time to shore up the old high school for a new century, this city voted

to raise its own taxes, because Oak Ridge is a city that values education. The ability to choose to invest in what's

important comes from the day-to-day practice of discerning decisions--all those Wednesdays at Kroger, all those

savings, add up.

Our congregation is part of that Oak Ridge culture. If we were dead-set on spending money, we would have doubled

the footprint of the ORUUC church building five years ago. But, instead, for years now, we have been following the

guidance of the book, "When Not to Build," and finding ways to maximize space use, to do the most with what we've

already got. To be frugal. But in the last couple of years, the list of major projects needing doing began to add up. I'll

admit--I wondered whether ORUUC was going to be facing another major building campaign, out of necessity. As it

turns out, we're not.

Because we value not only beautiful music, but also the accessibility concerns that remind us that not everyone can

strain to hear what comes out of an inadequate sound system, we will invest in greatly improved sound in the

Sanctuary. Because we continue to seek out new ways for ORUUC-ians to gather for small-group conversation and

relationship-building, we will invest in ways to make the Social Hall more welcoming for small group experiences.

Because we want to present the beauty inside to the wider community, we'll touch up the front. But, most of all,

because we--as a community--are based in sustainable, earth-loving values, we will not build a new major wing, but

have found ways to do the most with the least. For the needs of the church, this campaign is truly a reasonable,

sensible, frugal approach. With better sound, better small-group space, and "greener" improvements to the building,

we will be able to get back to building up an Oak Ridge in which everyone has a fair shot at enjoying a life of

questions, curiosity, imagination, and wonder. And these things, I know, will continue to be alive among us, as we

walk together in Beloved Community.

Thank you, in advance, for being part of the generosity that makes all of this possible.

With love,

Jake

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Let’s DLet’s DLet’s DLet’s Do It Nowo It Nowo It Nowo It Now

Dear Congregation,

Sunday mornings are pretty busy at ORUUC these days, full of children at play, adults socializing and faith

formation taking place everywhere you look; sometimes in a classroom or at a table in the social hall or a circle

in the hearth room or in the pews of the Sanctuary or simply a conversation taking place in the hallway. This

“ministry” is at the heart of who we are as a congregation and as a family. It has also been at the forefront of

much conversation and consideration over the last year.

As most of you know, a dedicated group of ORUUCians and church leaders have worked diligently the last

several months to negotiate and devise a “plan of engagement” with respect to the space challenges and

needed improvements of our cherished structure at 1500 Oak Ridge Turnpike and stop light 11. I had the

pleasure of participating in some get-togethers with these “dreamers” and the meetings were thoughtful,

respectful, educational, inspiring, challenging, and full of vision. While admittedly we did conjure up some pretty

imaginative ideas of what we could do, we agreed that adding to the building was not the most appropriate step

for us to take at this time with our pocketbooks being lighter and our desire to be a “green” sanctuary

outweighed our need to be bigger. Despite the fact that our growth has been increasing, we are not bursting at

the seams, yet! So the proposal to work with the existing structure and create an environment that is

welcoming, attractive and functional and fulfills goal #7 of our strategic plan was brought to the congregation

for a vote and here we are at the beginning of the “No Build – Building Campaign”.

As we move into the campaign, recognize that change always conjures up mixed emotions; excitement for new

things to come or perhaps anxious of the unknown wondering what this will all look like when it’s done. Be

patient and kind with one another. No doubt we will all experience (or have experienced) some emotion within

this range. I, for one, am very excited about finally having the right sound system for the Sanctuary. We have

such wonderful talent in our midst, both musically and with the spoken word that it will be such a joy for

everyone to experience the rich sounds of the Sanctuary! I am also pleased to be building up an emergency

fund (all you Dave Ramsey fans know what I’m talking about) to take care of those unforeseen maintenance

problems when they crop up without having to worry about where the money will come from. Peace of mind.

This is an exciting time for ORUUC and I am so proud to be a part of this adventure! I hope that each of you is

equally as proud of this community and I ask that you are generous not only with your monetary contributions

to this “No Build – Building Campaign” but also to be generous in giving of your spirit and open yourself up to

the possibilities as you find ways to participate in creating the dream of a new face for ORUUC!!

Dream Big, Give Generously!!!!

In Gratitude,

Lori Hetes, President

ORUUC Board of Trustees

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Dear Members and Friends,

I was on the fund raising team for the 1996 Capital Campaign and on the building project that followed. In spite

of succeeding beyond our dreams (we raised 750,000 dollars in 1997 – 2002 time frame and built a $1,000,000

addition), there were many things that we did not accomplish. We now have a chance to do some more of those

things that have long been on many of our wish lists, as well as fix up other issues that have crept up over the

years. We did not have the funds to replace all of the single-pane, aluminum-frame windows in the older

sections of our building. We did not have the money to visually integrate the older sections of the building with

the newer parts. Previously we spent a lot of effort to improve the sound in the Sanctuary, but always there

were other considerations that kept us from doing that task as well as it needed to be done. Now we have a

chance to improve our building, our Sanctuary, our sound and our music.

This campaign is an outgrowth of various efforts by a number of different people over the last several years to

propose projects that need doing and need funding. At some point we realized that we could not do them

piecemeal, nor fund them piecemeal, and the current campaign was pulled together. This campaign seeks to

address multiple issues: aesthetics, environmental responsibility, comfort, being welcoming to those without

good hearing, and making our building spaces more useable for the multiple community activities we now

supports. Now we have a chance to fix many things, while making our building better. So, Let's Do It Now: a

'Not-Building' Campaign. We will not be building new space, but we will be improving the space we already

have. We will make it more comfortable and greener, more welcoming, and more versatile.

Please join me in supporting our Capital Campaign this year, with both your time and money. We need your time

to make the campaign a success, and we need your donations of money to fund the dreams we have for our

church so that it will be our home and the home of the next seven generations of East Tennessee Unitarian

Universalists.

Martin Bauer

Chair, ORUUC Capital Campaign 2012

9

WHAT IS A CAPITAL CAMPAIGN?

A Capital Campaign is a significant fund-raising effort which is designed to

provide for major organizational needs: a building, an endowment, or other

expenses. The campaign is a result of needs assessment, long-term planning,

effective campaign literature, excellent organization, proven procedures,

careful timing and good publicity -- all within a specific time frame and with a

stated goal.

The ORUUC Capital Campaign is similar to others in its structure. The

authority to conduct the campaign comes from the church Board of Trustees

and the vote of the congregation. It is headed by leadership who must be

committed to the effort and willing to spend the necessary time to lead the

many volunteers to success. There is a campaign chair, a consultant, and

committees in such areas as advance/leadership gifts, the general phase,

follow-up, alumnae, hospitality, finances, and communications.

It is critical to the success of the campaign that many volunteers become

involved to accomplish a vast number of tasks, from baking cookies to

soliciting a gift of $50,000. The volunteer goal for the ORUUC campaign is to

involve at least 125 people as volunteers.

In addition to the obvious benefit of raising needed dollars from conducting a

Capital Campaign, there are several less obvious benefits as well. A campaign

develops new leaders for the church; it highlights the purpose and programs

of the church; it unites the membership; it has a positive effect on the public

image; and it imparts a sense of satisfaction for a job well done.

“Unitarian Universalists are

very special people. Not

everyone can qualify for

membership in our group.

Not everyone is willing to be

a seeker, to live without a

creed, to be content with

limitations placed on him by

his own inner authority, to

become involved in life.

Those who do qualify

sacrifice for their choice.

They support, sustain, and

struggle for human causes

despite all censure and

opposition. They march

with the surge of history,

and the Unitarian

Universalist institution is

carried along with them like

the ark of a new covenant.

This is why the Unitarian

Universalist Church is

exciting.”

-- Rev. Arthur Graham

10

KEY STEPS – HOW WE GOT THERE

Board of Trustees names a task force to look at the lengthening list of ORUUC

projects that needed to be done and to consider whether it was, in fact, time for

a building campaign.

The task force brought back an answer to the Board. The answer was, “maybe,”

so the task force recommended an initial step of assessment and exploration.

The Board approved and sent the question, “Should ORUUC engage architect

Frank Sparkman (who worked with the church in the ‘90s expansion) for a

process of assessment and exploration.”

Congregation voted, “Yes.”

Sparkman conducted an engineering assessment to determine the overall

condition of the church’s physical structure. Sparkman also guided church

leaders through a process of wondering together, given the values and priorities

of this community, what the right thing to do could be.

Meetings were held with wider circles of leaders to gain a shared understanding

of the challenge at hand and devise a list of possible solutions.

Board of Trustees approved task force recommendations developed in concert

with Sparkman and the wider circle of church leaders to move forward with a

non-building Capital Campaign that would bolster, enhance, and improve the

existing structure and the ministry it shelters.

Congregation formally presented task force’s recommendations which had been

duly endorsed by the Board of Trustees. An overwhelming majority voted “Yes”

to proceeding with a Capital Campaign to fund identified projects.

Capital Campaign committee organized.

Capital Campaign completed.

Work begins.

Spring

2011

May

2011

June

2011

Summer

2011

Late Summer

Fall 2011

November

2011

December

2011

January

2012

Late Spring

2012 Late Summer

2012

Spring

2011

May

2011

June

2011

Summer

2011

Late Summer

Fall 2011

November

2011

December

2011

January

2012

Late Summer

2012

Late Spring

2012

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LET’S DO LET’S DO LET’S DO LET’S DO IT NOW!IT NOW!IT NOW!IT NOW!

A Case Statement for a Non-Building Capital Campaign

The ORUUC Dream Continues

Some remember “Mortar and Bricks in ’56: A Heritage of Big Dreams.” This was the rallying cry of

young adults gathered with a dream of a place that would house liberal religious values for generations

to come. In 1998, the same community celebrated the addition of a new Hearth Room and Sanctuary

to make space among us for fellowship and for beauty.

By 2005, a new dream was stirring—stimulated by growth in our ministry. Leaders were heard

whispering the question: “Did ORUUC already need to expand the size of its building again? Did we

need a building campaign?

Sometimes Dreams Aren’t Enough

That was the year—2005—when Board members read the book, “When Not to Build.”

The author, Ray Bowman, is a church architect. After thirty years of consulting with congregations

about how to build fancy new Sanctuaries or Fellowship Halls, Bowman realized that most building

campaigns avoid simple, creative solutions about how to maximize space. By rendering spaces multi-

purpose, he said, most churches could put off the expensive and energy-consuming campaigns that

indebt congregations and distract from difference-making ministry.

ORUUC leaders began to follow this advice. You may notice how the East Room is not only a meeting-

space now, but is also a faith formation room for children on Sundays, and a dignified reception area

for mourners before a memorial service. On Sundays, notice the parents group huddled over in the

corner of the Social Hall while others stand nearby, catching up over coffee. And, in the same hour,

others are circled up in Tandy’s office, using it as a space for faith formation.

This practical decision—to be creative in space use, and not to build—has enabled growing ministry in

the wider community, and an ability to focus on spiritual growth. In 2008-09, the “Burn the Mortgage”

campaign settled the debt from the 1990s, freeing up ORUUC to focus even more on ministry that

makes a difference.

But in the summer of 2010, the air-conditioning in the East Room went out. All of a sudden, at the

start of the fiscal year—a long-term dream was shattered—there went the money earmarked for

major maintenance. And then, throughout the 2010-11 church year, the list of major capital projects

kept growing. Had the time come? It had been years now, of trying to maximize space. Was it time to

build?

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Defining Our Dream

Last spring, as it became apparent that it was no longer enough to squeeze more use out of the same

space, the ORUUC Board of Trustees named a task force to look at the lengthening list of projects, and

to consider whether it was, in fact, time for a building campaign.

The Board and task force were guided by Goal #7 in the ORUUC Strategic Plan which says, “Our campus

is the outward expression of our mission,” and its underlying objectives.

“Our grounds and building are welcoming, functional, and attractive”;

“We will move toward an energy efficient building”;

“Our campus is capable of supporting the needs of a growing, diverse congregation.”

Was It Time to Build?

In May, the task force brought back an answer. The answer was, “maybe.” After all, this congregation

was focused on ministry. These were not people seeking the distraction of a building project. There

was work to be done! Lives to be changed! A community to uplift! On the other hand, as the

caretaker of an aging building with a growing list of needed repairs, and a looming inability to be that

“outward expression of our mission,” something needed to be done. So, the task force recommended

an initial step of assessment and exploration. The Board approved, and sent the question on to the

Congregation: “Should ORUUC engage architect Frank Sparkman (who worked with ORUUC in the ‘90s,

toward the new Sanctuary and Hearth Room), for a process of assessment and exploration?”

The Congregation Says, “Yes” to Assessing and Exploring the Dream

At the June Congregational Meeting, when the Congregation said, “Yes,” it meant two concrete things.

First of all, Frank Sparkman would conduct an engineering assessment. After all, the building is getting

on in years—could it be expected to endure? Or, was it about to fall down around our heads?

Secondly, Frank would guide church leaders through a process of wondering together, given the values

and priorities of this community, what the right thing to do could be.

Through the summer, Frank led an assessment of the building. All in all, here’s what he found: our

building is sturdy. It can be expected to stand a long time. Next, through meetings with the task force

and with wider circles of leaders through the late summer and fall, Frank guided a conversation

process toward a shared understanding of the challenge at hand and some possible solutions. At its

November meeting, the Board of Trustees again approved the task force’s recommendation and

decided to send it to the larger congregation for consideration.

13

On Sunday, December 4, the Congregation was formally presented the task force’s recommendations

that had been duly endorsed by the Board of Trustees. After thoughtful questions and lively

discussion, the Congregation voted “Yes” to proceeding with a non-building Capital Campaign that

would bolster, enhance, and improve the existing structure and ministry it shelters.

Action Will Help Our Dreams Come True

Imagine…

A new sound system where the smallest, sweetest voice can be heard by those seated on the

back row of the Sanctuary.

Upgrades to the Sanctuary that will enhance our experience of its beauty while allowing our

creative music productions to soar.

A more intensive use of the social hall that modern day folding, sound-proofed partitions will

enable.

The dignified, uniform appearance ORUUC will present to passers-by with installation of

insulated siding along with a general tidying-up our landscaping on the Turnpike side of our

building.

A growing public ministry that a new door in the long hallway will help facilitate while

maintaining a secure church environment.

Growing greener with concomitant energy cost savings (30 percent every year) that an

insulated exterior surface and new windows will provide.

Laughing children of all ages using an expanded, fenced playground.

This approach to achieving our dream serves our strategic plan goal of a church campus “that is the

outward expression of our mission.”

With a target goal of only $296,700, ORUUC will responsibly use what we already have and make our

dream a reality. Let’s work together to make it happen.

LET’S DO IT NOW.

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Architect’s Conceptual Views

15

Architect’s Conceptual Views

17

COST SUMMARY

Description Cost

Sound system in Sanctuary 20,000

Repair drywall in Sanctuary & Hearth room 4,200

New concrete walkway from Sanctuary to parking lot 1,000

Paint entire building interior 34,000

New windows “Old Building” 50,000

New outside doors “Old Building” 7,500

Stucco with insulation board “Old Building” 40,000

Moveable partition in Social Hall 33,000

New door in hallway outside of kitchen 2,000

Five foot metal fence around playground 5,000

Capital reserves for major maintenance 50,000

Reimburse church funds for Frank Sparkman services 15,000

Fund raising expenses 5,000

Contingency funds 30,000

Capital Campaign Total: $296,700

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GIFT OPPORTUNITIES

This section includes information on what we are asked to give, several

options that can fund a pledge, and recognition methods.

Equity and Equality – two words of importance during this Capital

Campaign when the congregation and its supporters are asked to

contribute to the best of their ability. As we pledge, we are not asked to

give equally, we are asked to give equitably. Each person is asked to

pledge what is fair. Each person’s circumstance is different: for some a

gift of $25,000 may be equitable, for others $500 may be a bigger

percentage of income. We are each called upon to measure our own

commitment and ability to contribute.

You may make contributions in cash or other items of value such as stocks

and bonds. The Capital Campaign will accept gifts of cash, cash-equivalent

assets, securities, cash-value life insurance policies, and property. Since

the purpose of the Campaign is to raise cash for a building program, the

gift must be readily convertible into cash within six months of its receipt.

Capital Campaign Representatives can assist you with your particular

situation and make sure that all of your questions are answered.

Remember -- you may spread your pledge over two to three years. Many

of us expect that our income will rise, and we may wish to make a pledge

which increases each year. You can choose to pay your pledge quarterly,

semi-annually, or annually according to what works best for you and your

unique situation.

There is no gift too large or small. A special committee will be convened to design an appropriate way

to recognize all donors to our non-building Capital Campaign.

“Equity” and “Equality”

Pledge Types and Terms

Recognition of Gifts

The materials in this

section are only

general examples.

Your Capital Campaign

Representative will be

eager to discuss all

appropriate options

with you.

19

Gift Options

First and foremost, because everyone’s financial status is different, you should always consult your

personal financial advisor about the effect of your intended gift on your taxes and assets.

� One or more payments from savings.

� Giving property or stocks that have appreciated in value is nothing short of astounding. As

the giver, you get to deduct the full market value of the gift. Plus, you pay no tax on the capital

gains. Thus you have gained not only a big tax deduction this year, but also a big break on any

tax you (or your estate) would have paid when the asset was eventually sold – a double gift.

� Another source of funds for a gift is the present cash value of your life insurance policy. As

with donations of cash, only its present value is tax deductible. In this case you would sign over

ownership of the policy and make the Church the beneficiary as well. This is only reasonable if

you no longer need the life insurance protection that the policy provided you.

� Your contributory retirement fund is also a source of funds. In some cases you can

borrow from your 401(k) and pay it back to the plan over time. In other cases you can defer

your payments into the plan while using them to fulfill your pledge commitment. The tax

implications of such a move are complex and should definitely de discussed with your tax

advisor.

� Finally, one can make payments from current earnings. Is it important if choosing this

method of contribution to not allow it to impact your current operating budget pledge.

There are some important things to remember in order to maximize the deductibility of your gift. One

of the best techniques is clustering of payments. Make one year’s payment in January and the next

year’s payment in December of the same year. Then skip a year. That way you have two payments in

one tax year. This technique also works with your County taxes and any other donations that you

make.

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We can FULLY fund the Capital Campaign with these gifts:

3 donors @ $25,000

$75,000 total

5 donors @ $15,000

$75,000 total

5 donors @ $10,000

$50,000 total

5 donors @ $5,000

$25,000 total

Others - $75,000

ORUUC Case Statement Final-1

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