How Do I ...?
Frequently Asked Questions about
HOW TO GET THINGS DONE AT MVUC
COMMITTEES AND GROUPS
How do I arrange to attend a meeting of a committee or group?
Most meetings at MVUC are open to all interested church members and friends, although in meetings of groups elected by the congregation (Board of Trustees, Program Council, Search Committees) there may be guidelines for how others can participate. Contact the leader or chair of the committee or activity to ask about it. In nearly all cases you will be warmly welcomed.
How do I arrange to hold an event?
If you are interested in having an event of some kind at MVUC, contact Georgia Pourchot, 703-721-0595, gpourchot@yahoo.com . Most events are sponsored by an existing committee, but whether you represent such a group or not, if you have an idea, go for it!
How do I start a new activity or group?
If you want to start a group of some kind, you can certainly do it without permission from anybody. But if you expect to use church facilities or list events in church publications, you should probably "go through channels." The Adult Activities Committee will be glad to offer any help you might need. Contact Kim Cullen Cobb.
How do I recruit members for a committee or other group?
You will probably have to ask. Look around and spot people who you think might be interested and would make a positive contribution. Personally invite them to get involved.
MEETINGS
How do I schedule a room for a meeting?
Anne Bredeck, Office Manager, maintains the church calendar. Go to "Contact Us" on the church website mvuc.org, choose "Request a Meeting Room," and follow the instructions. If you do not have access to a computer, or have an unusual request, you can call Anne at 703-765-5950 x 106.
How do I arrange for a table in the Commons on a Sunday morning?
Call a volunteer receptionist 9:30 a.m. - noon Monday - Friday 703-765-5950 x 0.
How do I request that furniture be set up for an event in a special way?
For routine meetings, most people do their own setup. For special events, fill out a "Custodian Work Order Request" form and put it in Anne Bredeck’s mailbox. Blank forms are available in the rack on the side of the mailboxes in the hall outside the church office.
How can I be sure my group can get into a locked building?
At least one door to the Meeting House is usually unlocked from 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Many church members in leadership roles have keys to the Meeting House and Hollin Hall. If your meeting is in Hollin Hall or in the Meeting House in the evening and you do not have a key, ask members of your group if one of them has a key and is willing to arrive a few minutes early to let others in. If you will need a key frequently in the future, ask Anne Bredeck to check one out to you. Naturally, keys must be handled with care.
How do I keep doors unlocked for other group members?
Meeting House - To fasten doors in the unlocked position, use the unlocking tool that hangs on a chain beside the door. Insert in the hole in the center of the wide bar on the back of the door.
Hollin Hall - The kitchen door, which most people use, has a regular door lock and a deadbolt, both of which use the same key. The deadbolt should be locked only for overnight but should otherwise be left unlocked. After unlocking the regular lock, make sure it is set so that it will open freely for others. (It's a little tricky; follow the printed instructions.)
PUBLICITY
How do I publicize a forthcoming event?
Our primary means of communication are the monthly church newsletter (The Windmill), the Weekly Bulletin inserted in the Order of Service on Sunday mornings, the Email Newsletter sent on Fridays, the website, mvuc.org, bulletin board posters, and leaflets. To have an announcement about your event in church publications, see below.
How do I get an announcement in The Windmill (the monthly newsletter)?
Send the announcement, preferably by email, to newsletters@mvuc.org (notice the s on newsletters). The deadline for the next month's issue is about the 15th of the month. To make special arrangements contact Deidre St. Louis, editor.
How do I get an announcement in the Weekly Bulletin and the Friday Email Newsletter? Send it by email to announcements@mvuc.org. It must be sent no later than noon on Wednesday to be in the Weekly Bulletin on the following Sunday. Major events (not routine committee meetings, etc.) listed in the Weekly Bulletin that will be occurring in the next 7-day period will normally also be included in the Friday email newsletter.
Suggested format
Name of event
Day of the week, date, time. Location.
Brief description of the event.
Contact person, contact information. (Optional. Don't need to say "For more information, please contact...")
For example:
Big Topic/Small Lunch
Sunday, March 11, 12:45 – 2:00 p.m. Hollin Hall Breakfast Porch
Join us for a discussion of "Evil, Love, and Forgiveness." This should be interesting figuring out how it all works together. Walk-ins welcome.
Bill Clontz, billclontz@me.com.
What about the printed program for a Sunday Service? Material to appear in the Sunday order of service (details of the religious service or related items) can be sent to orderofservice@mvuc.org.
How do I get an item posted on the website, mvuc.org?
Event announcements sent to announcements@mvuc.org will ordinarily appear on the website as well as in the weekly publications. If you have something else to be posted, send it to Ron Brandt brandtron@verizon.net . Bill Alsmeyer-Johnson, web administrator, handles technical matters. Georgeta Pourchot coordinates postings dealing with Social Justice and Meagan Henry coordinates postings for Religious Education.
FINANCE
How do I get reimbursed if I have bought something for the church?
Fill out an "Request for Payment" form, if necessary have it signed by the appropriate committee chair or other responsible church official, and put it in the Church Administrator's mailbox. Blank forms are available in the rack on the side of the mailboxes in the hall outside the church office.
INTERNAL COMMUNICATION
How do I leave notes, etc. for others and pick up items left for me?
All church leaders and committees have mailboxes located in the hall outside the church office.
EMERGENCIES
What should I do if there is a fire or if a fire alarm goes off?
In an emergency, call 911. Fire extinguishers are located throughout all the buildings. In the Meeting House, use one of the fire alarm switches located beside each exit door. The fire alarms are not connected to the fire department. You must also call 911 to report a fire.
In the Meeting House, if a false alarm has been triggered by smoke (such as from cooking in the kitchen) and there appears to be no immediate danger, shut off the alarm by going to the small closet in the back hallway across from the minister's office. Locate the large red box on the wall and follow instructions posted there. If the alarm continues (as it may do if there is a poweroutage), look for the small toggle switch and switch it down to SIL for silent.
If you believe there may be threat of fire but it is not an emergency, you can call Fairfax Center dispatchers at 703-691-2131 and report our address: 1909 Windmill Lane, off Mason Hill Drive.
HOW TO GET THINGS DONE AT MVUC
COMMITTEES AND GROUPS
How do I arrange to attend a meeting of a committee or group?
Most meetings at MVUC are open to all interested church members and friends, although in meetings of groups elected by the congregation (Board of Trustees, Program Council, Search Committees) there may be guidelines for how others can participate. Contact the leader or chair of the committee or activity to ask about it. In nearly all cases you will be warmly welcomed.
How do I arrange to hold an event?
If you are interested in having an event of some kind at MVUC, contact Georgia Pourchot, 703-721-0595, gpourchot@yahoo.com . Most events are sponsored by an existing committee, but whether you represent such a group or not, if you have an idea, go for it!
How do I start a new activity or group?
If you want to start a group of some kind, you can certainly do it without permission from anybody. But if you expect to use church facilities or list events in church publications, you should probably "go through channels." The Adult Activities Committee will be glad to offer any help you might need. Contact Kim Cullen Cobb.
How do I recruit members for a committee or other group?
You will probably have to ask. Look around and spot people who you think might be interested and would make a positive contribution. Personally invite them to get involved.
MEETINGS
How do I schedule a room for a meeting?
Anne Bredeck, Office Manager, maintains the church calendar. Go to "Contact Us" on the church website mvuc.org, choose "Request a Meeting Room," and follow the instructions. If you do not have access to a computer, or have an unusual request, you can call Anne at 703-765-5950 x 106.
How do I arrange for a table in the Commons on a Sunday morning?
Call a volunteer receptionist 9:30 a.m. - noon Monday - Friday 703-765-5950 x 0.
How do I request that furniture be set up for an event in a special way?
For routine meetings, most people do their own setup. For special events, fill out a "Custodian Work Order Request" form and put it in Anne Bredeck’s mailbox. Blank forms are available in the rack on the side of the mailboxes in the hall outside the church office.
How can I be sure my group can get into a locked building?
At least one door to the Meeting House is usually unlocked from 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Many church members in leadership roles have keys to the Meeting House and Hollin Hall. If your meeting is in Hollin Hall or in the Meeting House in the evening and you do not have a key, ask members of your group if one of them has a key and is willing to arrive a few minutes early to let others in. If you will need a key frequently in the future, ask Anne Bredeck to check one out to you. Naturally, keys must be handled with care.
How do I keep doors unlocked for other group members?
Meeting House - To fasten doors in the unlocked position, use the unlocking tool that hangs on a chain beside the door. Insert in the hole in the center of the wide bar on the back of the door.
Hollin Hall - The kitchen door, which most people use, has a regular door lock and a deadbolt, both of which use the same key. The deadbolt should be locked only for overnight but should otherwise be left unlocked. After unlocking the regular lock, make sure it is set so that it will open freely for others. (It's a little tricky; follow the printed instructions.)
PUBLICITY
How do I publicize a forthcoming event?
Our primary means of communication are the monthly church newsletter (The Windmill), the Weekly Bulletin inserted in the Order of Service on Sunday mornings, the Email Newsletter sent on Fridays, the website, mvuc.org, bulletin board posters, and leaflets. To have an announcement about your event in church publications, see below.
How do I get an announcement in The Windmill (the monthly newsletter)?
Send the announcement, preferably by email, to newsletters@mvuc.org (notice the s on newsletters). The deadline for the next month's issue is about the 15th of the month. To make special arrangements contact Deidre St. Louis, editor.
How do I get an announcement in the Weekly Bulletin and the Friday Email Newsletter? Send it by email to announcements@mvuc.org. It must be sent no later than noon on Wednesday to be in the Weekly Bulletin on the following Sunday. Major events (not routine committee meetings, etc.) listed in the Weekly Bulletin that will be occurring in the next 7-day period will normally also be included in the Friday email newsletter.
Suggested format
Name of event
Day of the week, date, time. Location.
Brief description of the event.
Contact person, contact information. (Optional. Don't need to say "For more information, please contact...")
For example:
Big Topic/Small Lunch
Sunday, March 11, 12:45 – 2:00 p.m. Hollin Hall Breakfast Porch
Join us for a discussion of "Evil, Love, and Forgiveness." This should be interesting figuring out how it all works together. Walk-ins welcome.
Bill Clontz, billclontz@me.com.
What about the printed program for a Sunday Service? Material to appear in the Sunday order of service (details of the religious service or related items) can be sent to orderofservice@mvuc.org.
How do I get an item posted on the website, mvuc.org?
Event announcements sent to announcements@mvuc.org will ordinarily appear on the website as well as in the weekly publications. If you have something else to be posted, send it to Ron Brandt brandtron@verizon.net . Bill Alsmeyer-Johnson, web administrator, handles technical matters. Georgeta Pourchot coordinates postings dealing with Social Justice and Meagan Henry coordinates postings for Religious Education.
FINANCE
How do I get reimbursed if I have bought something for the church?
Fill out an "Request for Payment" form, if necessary have it signed by the appropriate committee chair or other responsible church official, and put it in the Church Administrator's mailbox. Blank forms are available in the rack on the side of the mailboxes in the hall outside the church office.
INTERNAL COMMUNICATION
How do I leave notes, etc. for others and pick up items left for me?
All church leaders and committees have mailboxes located in the hall outside the church office.
EMERGENCIES
What should I do if there is a fire or if a fire alarm goes off?
In an emergency, call 911. Fire extinguishers are located throughout all the buildings. In the Meeting House, use one of the fire alarm switches located beside each exit door. The fire alarms are not connected to the fire department. You must also call 911 to report a fire.
In the Meeting House, if a false alarm has been triggered by smoke (such as from cooking in the kitchen) and there appears to be no immediate danger, shut off the alarm by going to the small closet in the back hallway across from the minister's office. Locate the large red box on the wall and follow instructions posted there. If the alarm continues (as it may do if there is a poweroutage), look for the small toggle switch and switch it down to SIL for silent.
If you believe there may be threat of fire but it is not an emergency, you can call Fairfax Center dispatchers at 703-691-2131 and report our address: 1909 Windmill Lane, off Mason Hill Drive.
