If you’ve felt like there have been more surveys than usual this spring, you’re right. And it’s not by accident.

This is a season of listening. Across UMCRM, we are paying close attention to what leaders are experiencing, where ministry is thriving, and where there are real challenges. We are gathering insight that will shape how we support you, how we advocate for camp and retreat ministry, and how we move forward together in the years ahead. But none of that happens without your voice.

Every survey you complete is more than a data point. It’s a way of strengthening your leadership and contributing to something that reaches far beyond your own site. The information we gather becomes the benchmarks you can use in conversations with boards and conference leaders. It becomes the foundation for new tools, training, and resources that are grounded in real experience. It becomes the story we tell about the impact of camp and retreat ministry when we are seeking support, building partnerships, and advocating for this work across the denomination.

This spring, each survey has been focused on a different part of that shared story. The Character at Camp work is helping us better understand how formation is actually taking shape in our settings and how we can be more intentional in nurturing it. The Salary & Compensation Survey is giving us a clearer picture of sustainability, equity, and what it takes to support healthy leadership over time. As we move into the summer, the Effective Camp Project will invite campers at 36 sites to share their experiences, offering us one of the most meaningful ways to articulate the impact of what happens at camp.

Taken together, this is not random. It’s a coordinated effort to see more clearly, speak more confidently, and lead more effectively. This particular moment matters. We are in the middle of new research initiatives, strengthened partnerships, and a strategic planning process that will guide UMCRM’s direction for the next several years. The insights gathered right now will directly influence what is prioritized, what is developed, and where resources are invested. Your perspective helps ensure that what comes next is grounded in reality, not assumption.

That’s why we want to give you a heads up about what’s coming next.

On Monday, you will receive the UMCRM Strategic Planning Survey. This is one of the most important opportunities to shape the future of our work together. The direction we take over the next three to four years will be informed by what you and other leaders across the network share in this moment.

We know your time is limited. We also know that requests like this can feel like just one more thing in an already full season. But even a few minutes of thoughtful input makes a meaningful difference. In many cases, these surveys can be completed quickly, and some may be appropriate to share with others on your team. All responses are used in ways that help us see the bigger picture so that what we build reflects the collective experience of the whole community. Just as importantly, we are committed to sharing what we learn and how it shapes what we do.

Thank you for the ways you continue to show up not only in your own ministry, but in your willingness to contribute to something larger. This is one of the ways we lead together, and your voice truly matters.