Remember those break-out sessions at the conference where members with similar interests and needs meet to ask questions and solicit advice? Our new website offers us the potential to do that same thing year-round. Using the “Circles” feature on our site, members can create and/or join various affinity groups and communicate about specific issues. 

So how does a member know whether to create a Circle or to instead post a question to the general UUMN discussion group? The answer lies in how broad the question is.

• Discussion boards (such as our current UUMN-L e-list and our future discussion forums) are useful for subjects that apply to most UU musicians, such as copyright, repertoire, philosophy, compensation, etc. If lots of UU musicians might benefit from hearing a particular discussion, then the question is well-suited to the general discussion board.
• Circles are a place where specific questions can be asked about situations that apply to a much smaller segment of the membership. Here are just a few examples of questions that might be posed:

In the “San Diego Conference 2014” Circle: Is there someone who could give me a ride to Laguna Beach at the end of the conference?
In the “Handbells/Handchimes” Circle: Can you suggest ways to use three octaves of hand chimes to accompany a choir?
In the “How Can I Help?” Circle: Are you willing to do some proofreading of UUMN materials?

If you’ve ever hesitated to post a question to the UUMN list because it seemed too specific OR if you have wished there was a way to communicate with a smaller segment of UUMN, then a Circle might be the perfect place for you. Below is a list of Circles which have already been established. You can join as many as you like. Simply log in using the "Member Login" button above and click on the "My Community" tab. A list of current Circles appears on the right-hand side of that page. 

Would you like to see a Circle for Children’s Choir or Troubadours or Composers or [Fill in the Blank]? On the Circles page, you can create your own group. Once it's approved by the Administrator, you'll be able to add photos, post resources, ask questions and invite others to be part of the Circle.

Current Circles as of January 7, 2015

Handbells/Handchimes
A discussion group for those who use handbells/handchimes in their programming and for those who would LIKE to!

Regional Congregations
Do members in your music program live as far as an hour from each other? Do some of your choir members live far enough from the congregation that they can't attend a mid-week rehearsal? Come share your practices for creating a vibrant music program when you work at a regional congregation.

St. Lawrence District
To connect UUMN members of the St. Lawrence District

How Can I Help?
Often, members will say that they'd like to be able to help UUMN in small ways, but aren't sure how. This Circle is for those people. Please join if you are willing to hear about small jobs which UUMNers can do from home or for the conference. Joining does not obligate you to DO every job! It just gives you the chance to learn about them.

Boston Conference 2015
Are you planning to attend the Boston Conference, July 22 - 26? Join this Circle to ask questions, receive updates and start getting to know other attendees.

San Diego Conference 2014
See photos of the summer gathering held in San Diego, July 16 - 20, 2014