Guide to Long Term Planning

PROGRAM PLANNING MEETING: Hold meeting approximately every six months.

• Brainstorm possible programs. Try to reach a consensus of ideas and activities which will satisfy the majority of your membership. For the yearly schedule, consider a combination of social, educational, cultural and religious events. You may wish to include discussions of Jewish issues, inviting a guest speaker from the Temple or community, view an interesting video tape as a prelude to discussion, attend a specific Temple function or service, etc...REMIND each member in advance to bring his/her personal calendar to this planning meeting to clear all dates.
• Divide up responsibilities for the program planning meeting; secretarial work, telephoning, refreshments, etc.
• Decide on a specific time for monthly meetings (ie: every third Sunday of the month). Plan a monthly schedule of meetings with dates, locations and program ideas in advance for at least the next six months, but preferably for one year.
• Decide who wants responsibility for each program function. This can be done by 1) alphabetical rotation; 2) interest in a specific program; 3) planning committee; 4) any other method agreed upon.
• Send out a copy of the finalized schedule of programs to each member. Include a roster of membership with directions to each home. You may also wish to include a list of members' birthdays and wedding anniversaries, etc.

HANDLING FINANCES: Some Havurahs collect monthly or yearly dues; the amount determined by the Havurah. This could be used for speakers' honoraria, special presents, donations to honor a member, charitable functions, or perhaps to save towards a Havurah Weekend.

HAVURAH COORDINATORS MEETINGS: The coordinator or a designee should attend Havurah Coordinators Meetings twice a year. This contact is more effective if the same person(s) can serve in this capacity for a full year rather than on a rotating basis. Coordinator Meetings serve as a clearing house for an exchange of ideas and a place to seek help with Havurah problems. There are times when your Havurah may wish to share an activity with another Havurah and this can more easily be arranged at one of these meetings.

***Successful Havurot are made up of members who make it a priority to attend all of its meetings.