Our Brochure Display is a Resource for all who want to dig deeper into Unitarian Universalism, reach out into the community and/or to find groups at UU national level that can support their interests and spiritual concerns. Have a look for yourself and to learn what is available that might interest others. Contribute community partner organizational materials. Suggestions welcome here.
1U and University UU and Friends had a lovely weekend of Storytelling skill-building and entertainment when David Novak visited our two Orlando UU congregations. University Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Hosted A Storyteller’s Compass. 1st Unitarian Church of Orlando then hosted a live performance designed for all ages. Sunday David participated in our Time For All Ages and lead a workshop for Religious Educators from both congregations and others who use storytelling in their work!
The four members of the Leadership Development Committee (Kathy H., Cat R., Mary Ann H. and John H.) conducted a three hour workshop in Gore Hall with Rev. Margalie, Judith S-F and 21 other church leaders on Saturday August 12. Leaders met in small groups during the workshop to evaluate their own groups and our leadership program using the SOAR model (Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations and Results) which has also been adopted by the Strategic Planning Team. There was lots of energetic and thoughtful discussion during the meetings and as many of the ideas were shared on newsprint during the session.
Leaders will be meeting again on Zoom on August 26 for the second orientation workshop, including the “nuts and bolts” training to support a successful leadership experience.
The Ready, Set, Solar program on Sunday explained the 30 percent federal tax credit available for nonprofits to help reduce the overall costs of installing solar energy for their buildings. The program was hosted by Solar United Neighbors of Florida (SUN) and the interfaith Environmental Alliance of Central Florida and took place in our 1U Sanctuary and on line.
Heaven Campbell of SUN also explained that Solar United will assist each nonprofit through the energy audit process and the paperwork. Mary Dipboye and Michael Cohen of the 1U Green Team, founders of the Florida Solar cooperative initiatives, and greeted attendees and helped during the question and answer period.
Very interesting were the questions at the end of the program which displayed high interest in reducing utility bills and going solar. Everybody thanks 1U’s tech team for great sound and support.
As we approach the spring congregational meeting, it seems a good time for 1U to thank the Building and Grounds Team, Safety Planning Team, Welcome Team, and other members who together are working to make our 1U campus a safer place for all. These efforts could not have happened without many volunteer hours, many meetings and several trainings, supported by thoughtful staff and member input.
Two members provided significant support to our safety planning effort. George H. researched safety protocols and prepared our Campus Safety Plan. The safety plan and our building handbooks are now on our website, and evacuation maps are posted in all our buildings. Ann P. developed a disaster planning schedule and reviewed our Hurricane Plan. When the work was near completion for the year, Ann and Bob P. generously donated a new, large capacity transit chair to 1U.
Please note safety additions on campus: radios for staff and volunteers; a voice-activated intercom system in most of our rooms, three AEDs ([automated electronic defibrillators], and three transit chairs for rapid evacuations and other uses.
Look for these additions in our buildings and be prepared to help as needed. As possible, sign up for trainings. The more we all know, the safer we are.
On Sunday, Feb 19, “Empowering Food Security” was the theme of the event sponsored by the Interfaith Environmental Allianceof Central Florida in the historic Black neighborhood of Paramore.
Over 20 persons attended including 1U members Michael and Cindy C, Beth T., Laura S., Wende P. and Mary D.
The first part of the event consisted of a tour of Infinite Zion Farms led by co-founder, Raymond Warthen, a fifth generation Black farmer, working to address food insecurity.
The second part of the event was a discussion led by Aminah Hamidullah at the school she founded called Knowledge for Living on Paramore Avenue. Aminah has offered courses for 20 years to the neighborhood residents that are designed to impart life skills. Also, she has secured scholarship funds for youth going to college and other post high school training programs.
Church leaders attended a Situational Awareness presentation by the Orlando Police Department with neighbor Commissioner Patty Sheenan as our esteemed guest on Wednesday evening. The program helped attendees think about ways our Operations Team/Safety Team can improve the church safety plan and understand how our local police can support our efforts. A major take-away was the need for protocols, training, and reassessment as we grow.
Sandy C, Judith SF, DRE director, Kathyrn H, Commissioner Patty Sheehan, Rev. Margalie, Officer Eddie R. and partner
Seven congregation members and our new DLRE, Judith Stein-Farrall, attended the first of two CPR trainings this fall in Gore Hall on Saturday, October 29. Our instructor covered the latest protocols for performing CPR, use of the AED [Automated External Defibrillator] for both adults and children, how to assist someone who is choking, how to properly stop severe bleeding (including use of a tourniquet), and some other first aid techniques.
The most intense part of the training was the chest compression CPR, which was performed [once] for two minutes on manikins on a table. (Mouth-to-mouth CPR is no longer practiced.) An important part of the training was about when CPR is needed, and that it is critical to have several others nearby who can take over CPR whenever the person performing it gets tired. The instructor had vital information about use of the AED beyond the instructions given by the machine.
We learned that once 911 is called, we can expect to have EMS at the scene within five or six minutes, and every minute that CPR is not performed can reduce chances of survival by around 10%. It really can make a difference.
We also learned we need to have as many trained people in the congregation as possible, so several people would be available to assist in the event of a medical emergency, including supporting performance of CPR, managing bystanders during the use of the AED, and making sure that EMS is accompanied to the scene from our parking lot. It may result in saving a life.
Our next training is at 10:15 am on Thursday, November 17 in Gore Hall. We encourage you to register here.
The Operations Team thanks our instructor, Nino Sevilla, from the Orlando Fire Department, for both his excellent instruction and answers to our questions, and his sense of humor. We appreciate the OFD for offering this training free of charge. Thanks also to Ann P for being our liaison with the OFD, Kathy H for coordinating the training, Ann P and John H for being the hosts during the training, and the church members who attended.
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