Tally Sheet FAQ

• uusc.org/givetoguest: Support Guest at Your Table
  
• How UUSC puts your donation to work

“Boxes are a great visual — we like to carry them in our closing, processing up the aisle jingling coins and piling then on a table at the front of the sanctuary.”

—Lisa Rustemeyer,
North Shore UU Society,
Lacombe, La.

Guest at Your Table 2011-2012

This year, we are trying to make tally sheets simpler. We have redesigned the Guest envelopes to minimize the amount of transcription you may need to do! 

Please continue to use tally sheets for any checks not enclosed in a Guest envelope; it provides key information to help UUSC acknowledge the individual donations and credit your congregation.

Q: How do I fill out the tally sheet?

A: Use the tally sheet for contributions that are not enclosed in a Guest envelope. Fill out the top congregational section, then make as many photocopies as you will need. For each donation, transcribe the donor information into one section on the tally sheet and note whether each family member has earned UUSC membership.

Q: What are the various UUSC annual membership types?

A:

Individual ($40 per person)
Dual ($75; 2 adults)
Senior ($20 per person, age 65 or over)
Youth/student ($10 per person)

• Gifts of $100 or more are eligible to be matched by the UU Congregation of Shelter Rock in Manhasset, N.Y.

• Encourage participants to consider automatic monthly pledges in order to reach the matching level — they can do this online at uusc.org/givetoguest or by using the Guest envelope.

Q: Is there a way to fill out these tally sheets electronically?

A: Visit www.uusc.org/guest/wrapup to access the online tally sheet or the Excel version. Be sure to mail your checks to UUSC with a printed copy of the tally sheets, even if you use an electronic tally sheet.

Q: How do I handle personal checks?

A: Make sure the donor's name and address are on the check — and that the check is payable to "UUSC." Record the gift on your tally sheet if it is not enclosed in a Guest envelope. Do not hold onto donations for extended periods.

Q: Some donations came in sealed Guest envelopes, can I just send them as they are?

A: Yes, the new envelopes were redesigned to capture all the information needed, so it is not necessary to open them to transcribe the donor information onto a tally sheet. We hope this will reduce the amount of work for you! Just include them with your other checks or allow the congregation members to mail them on their own.

Q: Do I have to wait until every box and envelope is returned?

A: You can send donations and tally sheets to UUSC in batches. It is very important that UUSC receive donations quickly, especially for donations made prior to December 31, in order to provide timely acknowledgement for tax purposes. (Donations that the donor wishes to count toward the year ending on December 31 for tax purposes must be postmarked by December 31 at the latest.) If you are waiting for a few stragglers, send what you have and send another batch of the remaining donations when they come in. Do not repeat prior data on tally sheets in subsequent mailings; just include a fresh tally sheet listing only the gifts included in the new batch. It is best to adhere to your announced end date, so you can report progress to your congregation — and it may help remind anyone that forgot to return their gift.

Q: What do I do with any checks made out to my church?

A: Combine these checks into one congregational check payable to "UUSC." Record each individual gift on your tally sheet and include it with your check — it will be our only way to acknowledge the individual donors.

Q: What if I get boxes with cash in them?

A: Count the cash and make sure the amount reported on the box is correct. Record each individual gift on your tally sheet. Combine all cash gifts into one congregational check payable to "UUSC" — do not mail cash. Include the tally sheet with your check — it will be our only way to acknowledge the individual donors. 

A: Double-check that every gift is listed on your tally sheet. Photocopy your tally sheets for your records, then send the originals with your checks to the following address:

UUSC - Guest at Your Table
PO Box 808
Newark, NJ  07101-0808

Q: Is there a cutoff date for sending Guest donations?

A: Please send donations as soon as possible. All donations must arrive by June 30, 2012, to count toward annual UUSC Honor Congregation Awards for this year.

Q: I don't see my question here. What do I do?