Regionalization

There is a movement to regionalization happening in the UUA.

Mid-America Region

Mid-America Region is composed of three Districts:

• Prairie Star District
• Central Midwest District
• Heartland District

What regionalization means for Prairie Star District

Regionalization is proceeding on two fronts: Governance and Services to Congregations

Governance

Presidents of the three districts have begun collaborating on the future of district boards in our region. Other UUA regions are engaged in the same activity.

• View slides from a workshop given by the PSD Board at the 2011 PSD Annual Conference to find out what's happening.

• The Boards of the three Districts have each approved a statement of collaboration or cooperation. Read the three statements.
• In November 2011, PSD Board unanimously voted to work collaboratively with the Boards of the Central Midwest District and Heartland District to create a regional governance entity to replace the three individual districts. Read a letter from PSD President Kathy Burek about this decision.

For questions or comments on governance issues contact Kathy Burek, Pairie Star District President, kpburek@comcast.net.

Services to Congregations

Regionalization for PSD will mean sharing the services of district field staff. We will be moving over the next 12 to 18 months to having all six co-employed staff from the three districts serve the whole region. The process has already begun with the online workshops offered twice monthly—workshops planned and hosted by all six staff members and made available to congregants in all three districts.

Starting September 1, 2011, Nancy Combs-Morgan, currently with Heartland District, will work with youth and young adults in all three districts.

When transition happens

• Your first call for help will be the District staff you already know
• Each staff member will be able to assist you with his or her knowledge and experience
• When you need to go deeper, they may refer you to one of their colleagues
• We will build on existing relationships, but not be restricted by them
• You’ll see a growing use of technology to serve congregations over districts.

For questions or comments on regionalization of services to congregations, contact Nancy Heege, Prairie Star District Executive, nheege@psduua.org.

Regional Field Staff