Benefits of Collaborative Membership with Project URGE

Project URGE, Inc. is about getting people involved in ministry efforts and promoting a collaborative effort in Christian community development. The only requirement for organizations is that a representative attends at least 3 general meetings per year in order to participate in the dialogue among affiliates and contribute to our common work. 

In 2005, a measure was adopted that required any organization wishing to become a member to be approved by our Board of Directors. Participating organizations must have goals which align with our mission. 

Project URGE has been instrumental in working to increase the awareness within the community of organizations that assist and empower the under-resourced. We inform others and seek to turn that awareness into opportunities for volunteering time or providing financial support.

Once an organization becomes a collaborative member, there are benefits because Project URGE:

1. Develops and circulates ministry booklets, brochures and volunteer information with ministry and organizational contact info, to help facilitate involvement and inform potential volunteers
2. Creates an atmosphere of collaboration through meetings, social events, workshops, as well as, encouraging denominations and urban/suburban churches to work together
3. Creates and distributes videos, illustrating how people might become involved
4. Distributes semi-annual newsletter mailings (featuring ministries, organizations and pertinent information)
5. Hosts and sends individuals to seminars, training programs & workshops
6. Has a prayer team in place (praying for your ministry and organization)
7. Has a publicity team (organizing and producing materials to strengthen your ability to make people  aware of ministry needs and to recruit people to support your ministry or organization
8. Has a grant & research team, researching grant possibilities as well as collaborating with other community groups, such as FACT (Faith and Communities Together), CUPP (Community, University Partnership Project) and others
9. Helps steer people to volunteer with your organizations by coordinating church groups (adult & teens), high school and college service project opportunities
10. Has The Jacob's Ladder Team which has helped renovate and maintain over a dozen ministry facilities, shelters and churches in and around Rochester
11. Provides a forum for networking with other ministries, organizations and churches
12. Organizes the URGEncy Presentation & Tour each fall, informing and inviting people to be participants and volunteers in our affiliated organizations and various teams within Project URGE
13. Connects Christians in helping one another to create relationships and work toward racial reconciliation
14. Organizes the Concert of Praise as a collaborative worship event, where churches and organizations come together to celebrate and worship our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ
15. Has the Bread Run serving shelters and soup kitchens each Saturday morning (sometimes Sunday)
16. Provides a forum for sharing applicable, invaluable information from the Christian Community Development Association (CCDA), a national group of which we are a member
17. Has the Saturday Sonshine Program which provides educational, entertaining, and edifying activities to young people twice a month on Saturday mornings

The big question then is how much does it cost to be affilitated with Project URGE?

There currently is NO membership fee. In return, all we ask is that you stay connected and contribute to the ideas and dialogue of how to better our community through this Christian connection. For these ideas to have wings they require prayer, preparation and participation.