I think I can safely say that students in UCO today have more responsibility for the outreach than I did when I was in the Dorm District (and I had a lot!) We have organized the outreach into four primary teams, most of which are student-led (though a staff member participates.) Those teams are: (1) the Life in the Spirit team (they organize and run the LSS); (2) the outreach team (they take primary responsibility to follow up on all contacts we have); (3) the worship team (they plan and run our prayer meetings and special events); (4) the agape team (they organize works of mercy and service both on and off campus.)
How is UCO funded?
UCO continues to be largely funded through the community (in this case the Word of Life community.) Our budget in the past few years has been in the neighborhood of $50,000 and approximately 70-75% of this comes from Community support. We also have a modest Alumni Association (mostly drawn from grads between 1980 and 1990), and their support provides about 15%, while other donations from friends and family make up the rest.
In fact, there is a large pool of sacrificial and volunteer time that makes what we do successful. We are able to support two staff workers (one male, one female) approximately full-time, and one part-time staff supervisor. All other staff and support (about 5-6) are either voluntary or receive a modest stipend. Because of the generosity of many, we do a lot with a little. If we were able to add 50% to our budget, we could take on one or two more staff and this would greatly increase our ability to reach students and help them grow in the Lord. We are always looking for new supporters of the work, especially from the alumni of old . . .
Who can work for UCO? Is there room for volunteers?
UCO is actively supported by the Servants of the Word household on Catherine St., but most of those working with UCO are not members of the brotherhood. we try to ensure that our main, front-line staff workers are younger(!), normally in their twenties - they do much of the up-front leading and running of the outreach. we have older staff support (mostly volunteer or stipendiary) that provides leadership of small groups, teaching resources, and oversight for the younger staff (e.g. Dan Keating, Rosemary Thornton, and Molly Pauze.)
Other volunteers? For those who live nearby, there are several ways they can contribute. We often have "alumni" come in and speak at a prayer meeting, at a course, or with a small men's or women's group. The topics range from personal prayer, to courtship and marriage and financial management. We also have hospitality needs - right now we have many families in the area who have the students over for meals, for common Lord's Day celebrations, and so on. We also have a semi-regular need for food to be provided! For instance, we have an event for Christian and non-Christian men called "Steak" - where large quantities of nice steak are funded by local business men who also happen to be Dorm District alumni! As you can imagine, it is well attended and is our most effective event for getting into contact with non-Christian men. (The girls had a parallel event called "Fondue" - chocolate and cheese!)
We may also be looking for volunteers who would like to help with the business and financial side of UCO. We have a modest newsletter, but it could be improved. We have a modest Alumni Association, but it only gets the attention that busy staff can give it. These (and others) may be areas of development where alumni could serve for a season and help the cause.
A Personal Note
One of the deepest joys I've had over the past several years is getting to meet the sons and daughters of Dorm District alumni who walk into our UCO events. There is a special delight and satisfaction I find in seeing a new generation take their place on campus and choose to serve the Lord with all their hearts. It is simply a great privilege to be a part of this. Right now, perhaps just over half of UCO members have no connection to the Dorm District or those who were in it. But still a lot of our students do haev such a connection. The mix of the two is very healthy, I think.
I am glad to say to all Dorm District alumni that we would be honored and delighted to welcome your sons and daughters in UCO (assuming they themselves wish to come!), and help them find their place as disciples of the Lord. And we would also be glad to see you, if you want to pay a visit to a UCO meeting or someday show up at Catherine St.