Stewardship Committee

Chairperson(s):

Joanne Gillespie and Jordan Sheff

Ways to Contact the Chairperson(s):

JoGillespie@aol.com / Elizjordanscheff@comcast.net

Mission of this Committee :

The mission of the Stewardship Committee at UUS:E is to provide sustained congregational awareness of the importance of generous giving as part of one's spiritual life. Through ongoing communication, the committee strives to provide links between UUS:E's programs and devices, and the financial requirements to support them and their improve their quality over time.

Programs, Opportunities, Activities and Work of the Committee:

Our most important activity is handling our Annual Appeal. In 2007 the Annual Appeal will be combined with the Capital Campaign. Our Kick-off event for both will be held on March 17th, 2007.

The Stewardship Committee meets once a month in a combined meeting with the Capital Campaign Committee on the 4th Thursday of every month. We liaison with the Finance Committee and are members of the Program Council.

Needs of the Committee:

The Stewardship Committee is small by design— usually 5-6 members. Our primary effort is conducting the annual appeal. During that time we involve many members to be asking stewards, entertainers, coordinators, etc.

Stock and Mutual Fund Donation Procedure
(Revised as of April 22, 2007)

Purpose: This procedure outlines the steps you should take to donate Stocks or Mutual Fund shares to UUS:E directly for the Endowment Fund, the Capital Campaign, or an annual pledge.

Why donate Stock or Mutual Fund Shares? If you sell stock or mutual fund shares you own and then donate the proceeds to UUS:E, any capital gain must be reported and taxes paid on the amount of the gain. However, current tax law allows you to donate appreciated stocks or mutual funds owned for one year or more directly to UUS:E at full market value without having to pay tax on the capital gain. UUS:E has established an account with Fidelity Investments (DTC #0226, contact Bob) Hewey for the account # so that you may donate shares directly.

First, determine which of the following items best describes your situation. Then follow the prescribed steps. Also, please send a notice of the action being taken to the Office Administrator at UUS:E, so that your gift can be properly attributed and credited.

If the stock shares are held by the issuing company (e.g. IBM):

Request that the issuing company send to you the number of shares you wish to donate in certificate form.
Follow the procedure below for stock certificates you hold.

If you hold the shares in the form of stock certificates:

Complete a Certificate Release Request Form, including the signature guarantee (do not sign the shares themselves). Forms are available from the Finance Committee Chair.
Send Certificates with the completed form to the Fidelity address on the form.

If your shares are in your account with Fidelity Investments:

Complete a signed letter of Instruction (see Exhibit II for sample), including

Donor information: (Name(s) of owner(s), Fidelity account number, address on the account, daytime phone number and, if the donation amount is greater than $10,000, a signature guarantee (available at most banks)
UUS:E Account Information: contact Bob Hewey for full details
Full description of securities, including number of shares and CUSIP #

Either present the above information to Fidelity Walk-in Center (e.g. 29 South Main Street, West Hartford, CT) or mail to Fidelity Investments, Attn: Acct Re-registration Services, PO Box 770001, Cincinnati, OH 45277-0039

If your shares are held by another brokerage firm or by the Mutual Fund company issuing the shares (e.g. Vanguard)

Contact the brokerage firm or Mutual Fund company where the shares are held and request their procedure for gifting shares. They will usually have a form to be completed and request a letter of instruction (See Exhibit II for a sample letter). Complete these items and send them to the holding company. They will contact Fidelity to complete the transaction.

Exhibit I

Exhibit II
Sample Letter of Instruction

Your Mutual Fund Holding Company
Address
City, State Zip

Date:

Dear Gentleperson:

This letter is a request to transfer as a gift [EITHER the number of shares in digits and written out] shares of (name of) Fund (Fund Number, if applicable) held in (my/our) account (your account no.) [OR in the amount of $(amount in digits) (amount spelled out)] to the account of Unitarian Universalist Society: East with Fidelity Investments, DTC #0226, Account (contact Bob Hewey for the account number). We have completed appropriate parts of your gifting form, including the Signature Guarantee section (if required), of your Gift or Transfer of Shares Form and it is enclosed. We have also had the Signature Guarantee medallion added to this letter (if required).

Should there be any questions or concerns, we may be reached at (your phone and/or email address).

Sincerely yours,

(Signature Guarantee stamp from financial institution goes here, if needed)

(Your name(s) and address)

Date: 04/24/07