Setting up a Friends Group

This Evening’s Workshop• Why a Friends’ Scheme?• What is special about our churches?• Who are our Friends?• How do we go about setting a Scheme up?• What does a Friends Scheme look like?

Why a Friends’ scheme?

• They can widen the pool of people who will help support the fabric of the church.

• To help with the maintenance, repairs and preservation of the fabric of the building – or major items.

• To make friends and support friendship with those who might share an interest in our church and community.

Why a Friends’ scheme?

• To grow a support base of friends, in addition to our regular worshippers.

• To provide activities and communications that develop and sustain that meaning for them and their sense of community.

• To encourage life in community.

Why a Friends’ scheme?

Friends Schemes offer us a great opportunity to reach out as Christians to members of our wider communities and share with them what makes our churches very special places.

Why are churches important for people in the community?

• Historic• Architecture• Cultural landscape• Sacred space• Community

Who are our Friends?• Local residents and businesses• Individuals of local standing• Former members of the church/parish• Those with family/ancestral ties to the parish • Members of local societies• Pilgrims/visitors• Organisations with links to any person or

interest connected with the church

Starting out

• Working party to assess benefits of a Scheme• PCC resolution• Types of schemes– Sub-committee of the PCC– Separate charity

• Terms of reference (objects)• Membership

Option 1: Sub-committee of PCCSet up under the authority of PCC as a sub-committee.• simplest to set up• organises events, communications

and membership• reports to PCCRecommended option for many parishes

Types of Scheme

Option 1: Sub-committee of PCCAdvantages•Charity status as part of the PCC.•Tax efficient donations and subscriptions through Gift Aid.•No separate constitution required.•Some functions can be delegated by the PCC as it is a sub-committee.• Its events and personnel may be covered by the PCC’s insurance.

Option 1: Sub-committee of PCCDisadvantages•May not attract a wider membership, particularly leadership, if perceived as a sub-committee.•Organised by existing church members.•Officers must be on the electoral roll.•Has no executive powers.

Option 2: independent registered charitySet up as a separate organisationAdvantages•May attract wider community support.•Seen as distinct from the religious activity of the church.•Organisation does not fall on the church members.•Tax efficient donations through Gift Aid.

Types of Scheme

Option 2: independent charityDisadvantages• Length of time to establish.• Requires its own constitution,

AGM, bank accounts and officers.

• If income is £5,000+ you must register with the Charity Commission.

• Is divorced from the core purpose of the church building.

Starting out

• Working party to assess benefits of a Scheme• PCC resolution• Types of schemes– Sub-committee of the PCC– Separate charity

• Terms of reference (objects)• Membership

Starting Out - Membership• Local residents?–Attend events–Active fundraisers

• People with connections living further afield?–Regular information

• Visitors/pilgrims?–Background/Regular information

Marketing

• What’s so special about your church?• Why would anyone want to support it?• Who are these people, and what do they

want?• How can you reach them?• Targeting

Starting Out - Launch

• Recruiting initial members?• Open meeting or launch event?• Honorary ‘Patron’ of the Scheme?

• First year:– Social event– Fun fundraising event– Review progress

Starting Out - Activities

• Subscription• Fundraising/social events• Informative talks• Special Friends service?• Magazine or newsletter• Website

Finance•What money do we need to get

going?•Are we covering costs?• Subscriptions?•Gift Aid

Watchpoint• Friends are not there to provide funds for the

general running costs of the church – that task is for the regular worshipping congregation.

• Friends groups are for friends – not members of the church family.

• Most events should be organised by the Friends for the Friends – they shouldn’t become one more thing for the church family to do.

Examples• Friends of All Saints Witley• Friends of Leatherhead Parish Church• Friends of St James Weybridge

Any questions?