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PSD Programs

Prairie Star District sponsors a variety of programs for enriching the lives of Unitarian Universalists and their congregations. Follow the links below (or explore the menus at left) for more detailed information.

 
A printable flier called District Resources and Services is available to download.

A printable flier called When to Call Your District Office is available to download.
These fliers are a short summary of what PSD can do for your congregation. Print them to share with your congregation. (See About PDF Files.)

Annual Conference and Annual Meeting
The PSD Annual Conference is a weekend of workshops, worship, and fellowship in April of each year. Its location varies. At the annual business meeting which takes place during the Annual Conference officers and directors are elected, the budget is approved, resolutions considered, and reports presented.
Awards
The District annually presents several awards to individuals and congregations. Nominating forms are available online or from the office. Awards are presented at the District Annual Conference.
Camp StarTrail
Camp StarTrail is a multigenerational summer camp experience for one week in the summer to explore and celebrate Unitarian Universalism in the beautiful rolling hills of the Platte River Valley. Located 30 minutes west of Omaha, just off I-80.
Camp UniStar

Camp UniStar is a beautiful rustic island retreat in northern Minnesota for open minded outdoor-oriented individuals and families. Established in 1961 as a nonprofit, volunteer-managed camp of Prairie Star District, it seeks to promote personal growth, an appreciation of nature, and to initiate and expand friendships while offering a variety of physical, reflective, and restful activities for intergenerational groups and individuals of all ages at fees that are affordable to most. It offers week-long programs throughout the summer.

Consultants
Trained, skilled, volunteer leaders are available to do consulting work with congregations. Currently, consultants are available in: social justice, conflict management, congregational staff compensation, financial management, congregational canvass, board retreats, mission statements, and planning processes. The congregation is charged a fee for these services and is expected to provide meals and housing for the consultant. The District pays the expenses of training the consultants, provides an honorarium to the consultants, and pays the travel expenses. Please contact the District Office for referral to these consultants.
Grants to Congregations
The District has several programs that provide grants to congregations. See Growth: Grants for details on what is available and how to apply. For other programs to promote congregational growth, see the Grow Your Congregegation.
Growing Racial and Cultural Equity
The GRACE Team works to develop a plan to intentionally create an anti-racist/anti-oppression/multicultural identity for Prairie Star District.
History and Heritage
The District’s History and Heritage Committee promotes awareness of our inspiring UU history. The committee has published Bring O Past Your Honor, an on-line collection of essays and histories from around the District. The committee also provides material and workshops to promote capturing our developing history, and is beginning to post historical videos on-line.
Leadership Development
The District recognizes the importance of strong and competent leadership in keeping congregations healthy and vibrant. Several programs are aimed at supporting leaders and making them more effective, including the MidWest Leadership School, which we have sponsored for many years with neighboring districts.
Lifespan Program Area
The Lifespan Program Area addresses programming needs of congregations and individuals of all ages: children, youth, young adults (18–35), and older adults, including Religious Education (RE) programming for all ages.
Officiants
The District office maintains a list of ministers and seminary students willing to officiate at weddings, unions, and memorial services. Contact the District Office at info [at] psduua [dot] org or 612-870-4823 to request a copy. Ministers have different schedules, philosophies, and fee schedules. Several may need to be contacted to find an appropriate choice.
Resource Liaisons
PSD Resource Liaisons are trained, experienced, volunteer paraprofessionals who provide ongoing, regular consultation for congregations of under 200 members. The Resource Liaison program was discontinued as of April 2011.
Resource Library
The PSD Resource Library was disbanded in June 2009.
Social Justice Network
The District’s Social Justice Program Area provides many opportunities for UUs and their congregations to get involved in promoting social justice.
Sponsored Events
The District encourages congregations and UU groups to develop and run conferences and workshops which help to promote UU values, provide opportunities for personal growth, and help to improve the quality of life in the congregations. The District can provide limited financial help, liability insurance, and help with publicity for approved events. Information on procedures for requesting sponsorship is available.

For current listings of events, see:
Stonetree Congregational Resources
Stonetree Congregational Resources is an online directory of UU recommended speakers, visual and theater artists, musicians, writer, and dancers who are available to visit UU congregations. The Stonetree Web site is a free resource available to PSD congregations.
Workshops
Monthly online workshops are offered on a wide variety of topics such as membership, planning, adult religious education. These workshops are sponsored by Midwest UU Leadership: a resource for UU congregations in Central Midwest, Heartland, and Prairie Star Districts.
Youth Programs
The District coordinates many Youth Programs for junior and senior high school youth, ranging from the Youth track at the Annual Conference to various social justice cons.
Young Adult Programs
The District considers it critically important to promote Young Adult Programs for adults aged 18 to 35, especially for those leaving the UU Youth programs and looking for continuing connections to UUs.