Development Associates

Back Bay Mission’s Development Associates play a vital role in the wider United Church of Christ community. Development Associates are strategically placed in conferences across the country to connect the Mission with members of the UCC. These volunteers serve as advocates, liaisons and educators as they work with individuals, local churches and their pastors to promote Back Bay Mission.

Requirements

• Time, willingness and the expertise to help expand the development efforts of Back Bay Mission in your geographic area. Time estimate: five hours per month.
• Ability to meet once annually for Associate team building, updates on Mission activities and training in development. Travel and lodging costs are covered by the Mission upon receipt of your reimbursement request.
• Commitment to serve for a two-year term as an Associate.
• Ability to make contact with churches and people in your area to promote the Mission.

Tasks

• Conference Annual Meeting – a great opportunity to spread the word about Back Bay Mission through the use of speak-out times, displays (available from the Mission or if you’re creative, build your own), submitting a report, etc. Help the Mission’s relationship with each Conference by your presence and ability to communicate with others about Back Bay Mission activities.
• Planned Giving – distribute Back Bay Mission’s planned giving brochure and talk to people about remembering the Mission through bequests. Seeds planted today reap rewards in the future.
• Strengthen church relationships. Choose 10-15 churches a year to make direct contact with in order to build relationships with pastors, Mission Committees, Outreach Committees and congregations. Encourage volunteers to come to the Mission as work campers in the Housing Recovery program. Tell of your own experience as a volunteer. Storytelling is a wonderful way to keep others informed. Keep yourself informed through newsletters, emails and by requesting information from Back Bay Mission.
• Develop relationships (five-10 a year, if possible) through personal visits, shared meals and personal notes to promote Back Bay Mission.
• Communicate regularly with the Director of Development at Back Bay Mission (Maria Watson) as you make the visits so that we are aware of your progress and the relationships you are cultivating.
• Complete and file the quarterly forms you will be given so that the Development Director can monitor progress.