|
| Creating a long-term vision:
Developing a vision requires a conscious and explicit effort and a minyan needs to dedicate adequate time and resources in order to articulate one effectively
Some tips:
*Create an administrative structure (perhaps a committee) to occasionally assess how well operational decisions and medium-term plans (i.e., up to 3 years) are consistent with the minyan's long-term vision. Ideally such a group would be familiar with the day-to-day operations of the minyan, yet have no decision-making authority. Rather it could issue to the Board a (biennial) report describing how well the minyan has progressed towards its vision and recommending next steps. Currently no minyanim among those in the group had such a structure.
*In trying to create a vision, a minyan needs to consider whether it aims to meet the shifting needs of its members (a cohort who has begun having kids; moving to the 'burbs), or whether it aims to serve a specific neighborhood and/or demographic group (i.e., whose members may age out).
*Once a minyan creates a vision, it must be communicated to, and shared by new leadership. Even among people who are very familiar with a minyan, those who assume a leadership position should receive an orientation in which they are carefully grounded in the vision of the minyan. Tikkun Leil Shabbat (DC) has had success in providing such an orientation to new board members.
*Some minyanim may purposefully choose to not develop a vision, especially those that are less interested in participating in a broader "independent minyan" movement or creating a sustainable institution.
Examples:
Picoegal (Los Angeles):
Meeting in a larger space with better acoustics. Having more resources (financial and talent) and providing more education to the greater community; maintaining the warm, welcoming atmosphere; maintaining the strong sense of community. Stronger partnerships with other communities. More organized structure to encourage increased participation (e.g. committees).
Minyan Urim (New Haven, CT)
The same but bigger! We’d like to meet every week, and maybe for daily services. |
Answer