Congregational Life Coordinator

The North Shore Unitarians (NSU) wish to expand their programming and membership. An individual with exceptional people and organizational skills is required to help achieve these aims.

North Shore Unitarians (NSU) is an intentionally diverse spiritual community, embracing individuals from many faith traditions and spiritual paths. Our congregation includes people of all ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender identities, levels of education, and economic status. We share a common desire to live with greater depth, meaning and purpose, and to create more justice and love in our own lives and in the world.

To achieve these aims and build greater commitment to this vibrant community, there is a need for additional coordination of four aspects of NSU life:

1. Welcoming and engaging newcomers
2. Supporting community-building programs
3. Coordinating volunteers
4. Organizing special events

A Congregational Life Coordinator position has been defined, to help achieve these tasks. This is a pilot position, from the hiring date (ideally November 2026) to June 30, 2027. The time requirement is an average of 25 hours/week, with the understanding that some weeks may require more than 25 hours, and some weeks less. The successful candidate is expected to manage their time accordingly to fulfil the required tasks. Hours of work are flexible, but must include Sundays. Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal records check. The continuity of the position will be assessed at the completion of the pilot term.

The Congregational Life Coordinator will report to the Board of Trustees, via the Growth and Development Team. Training, supervision, and support will be provided by members of the Board of Trustees.

The successful applicant will have the following skills and experience:

• Excellent people skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Self-starter. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to build trust and rapport with a diverse group of individuals.
• Ability to navigate different perspectives, interpersonal dynamics, and diverse communication styles with sensitivity, tact, and discretion while ensuring inclusive, respectful engagement and relationship-building.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate volunteer relationships and activities, including recruiting volunteers, matching volunteer skills and interests with required tasks, communications, scheduling, training, and follow-through.
• Demonstrated ability to lead end-to-end planning and execution of events (10-80+ attendees) and activities, coordinating logistics, budgets, timelines, external and internal contributors efficiently.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to build, maintain and improve systems and processes that track participation and engagement.
• Familiarity with the North Shore and public relations experience will be considered assets.

The overarching aim of the Congregational Life Coordinator will be to strengthen the North Shore Unitarian community by creating and strengthening connections among congregants, increasing volunteer capacity, and organizing events and activities that contribute to a joyful, vibrant environment. The Congregational Life Coordinator will develop evaluation tools to measure the impact of newcomer support, volunteer engagement, programs, and events.

Specific responsibilities include:

1. Welcoming and Supporting Newcomers

Individuals who are new to NSU are looking for resonance, alignment of values, and a sense of belonging. Newcomers may have engaged online with NSU (via the NSU website and/or social media channels) prior to their first in-person visit – human connection is what they are seeking at their first and subsequent in-person visits. Newcomers must feel seen and heard, and start to develop the sense that NSU is a place they belong.

The Congregational Life Coordinator will:

• Create a team of ‘welcomers’ of various ages, and match newcomers with welcomers. Ensure follow-up calls and/or emails are sent out, and a “buddy system” is in place.
• Develop and deliver policies, practices, and training for welcomers to ensure that newcomers are welcomed in the most comfortable and effective ways possible.
• Implement methods and practices to identify newcomers in non-intrusive ways, on Sunday mornings
• Attend NSU services every Sunday morning, as well as the Starting Point workshop, to better understand the UU ethos, meet members of the organization, support welcomers, and ensure connections are happening between newcomers and welcomers.
• Familiarize newcomers with programs, events, and volunteer opportunities at NSU. Encourage participation and involvement in accordance with the newcomer’s interests and availability.
• Create opportunities for newcomers to learn more about NS Unitarians, helping them to become more involved, while recognizing the importance that people follow the membership path at their own pace.

2. Supporting Community-Building Programs

To create stronger bonds with newcomers and among existing NSU members, the Congregational Life Coordinator will assist in the organization of programs focused on various activities and interests. These are NSU programs which happen beyond (in scope and timing) the regular Sunday morning services.

• Support existing programs and the development of new programs to be offered outside of regular Sunday services.
• Research and identify programs and special events that have been successful in other congregations and elsewhere, for potential use by NSU.
• Ensure the congregation and newcomers are aware of existing and new programs, and know how to connect and participate.
• Connect and support individuals who are interested in developing new programs to match their interests.
• Facilitate early sessions of new programs by arranging details such as presenters, format, costs, promotion, set up/clean up, logistics, refreshments, volunteers, and evaluation -- with the goal of developing the capacity of the group to be self-sustaining.
• Maintain awareness of how programs are faring, providing support as needed.
• Determine means (social media platforms, website, advertising, etc.) of increasing awareness of NSU programs in the surrounding community.

3. Coordinating Volunteers

At NSU, volunteers play a crucial role. Volunteering is a great way to involve new people, help them to get to know others, and help them to feel a sense of contributing and belonging.

The Congregational Life Coordinator will:

• Identify NSU volunteer opportunities and needs.
• Find individuals to take on volunteer activities, ideally with everyone at NSU having some sort of role.
• Check in periodically with volunteers to see if they are happy with what they are doing, or if they would like to try a different type of volunteer role.

4. Organizing Special Events

Special events such as movie nights, games nights, concerts, and speakers bring the community together and create bonds.

In consultation and communication with the Board and congregation, the Congregational Life Coordinator will organize, promote, and present 3-5 special events in 2027, focused on community building. These events will be designed to appeal to people both within and outside the UU community. Events may be paid or free (as appropriate) and organized with the aim of minimizing volunteer workload.

The Congregational Life Coordinator will:

• Identify and book speakers, bands, presenters, etc.
• Negotiate presenter fees.
• Schedule events.
• Establish registration/ticketing process and attendee fees.
• Promote the events.
• Organize event set up and tear down.
• Obtain event licenses as necessary.
• Procure and serve refreshments as appropriate.
• Organize at-door admissions and fee collection.
• Engage and coordinate volunteers as required to carry out the above duties.

We thank all candidates for their interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.