What is the UUA? https://www.uua.org/about The Unitarian Universalist
Association (UUA) is the big umbrella organization for UUs in the U.S.
Its membership includes 1,000+ congregations committed to our UU
principles; however, each congregation is autonomous—its individual
congregational leaders set their own priorities and choose their own
ministers and staff. Congregations select delegates who then vote for
the leaders of the UUA. The UUA supports congregations by training
ministers, publishing books and the UU World magazine, providing
religious education curricula, offering shared services, coordinating
social justice activities, and more.
What is GA? https://www.uua.org/ga. GA is the annual gathering of
Unitarian Universalists, where we do the business of the UUA, explore
our faith, and lean into our values and principles. Anyone may
attend; however, congregations who wish to vote on various business
items like bylaws and board elections must certify annually to be
allotted voting delegates based on congregational size.
GA 2021 Theme: “Circle ‘Round for Justice-Healing-Courage.” This
year’s GA had more than 4,000 registered attendees participate from
remote locations around the world. We had conversations and
socializing on the Whova virtual conference app and did the business
of GA through a UUA portal webpage.
Public Events of GA: Here are the public events of GA that you can
view without having registered for GA:
https://www.uua.org/ga/off-site/2021. They include some excellent
worship services and all of the business meetings.
Election Results: independent and verified
All uncontested candidates for the board and other
commissions/committees were elected; names and positions are at
https://www.uua.org/uuagovernance/elections. Note all these entities
are elected by GA delegates. The board also has some of its own
committees, which are not elected by GA delegates.
One contested position: Board Position #8: Rev. Sam Trumbore received
1,911 votes (87.4%) to Jay Kiskel’s 278 votes (12.6%)
Statement of Conscience re: Undoing Systemic White Supremacy was
approved as amended:
https://www.uua.org/action/statements/undoing-systemic-white-supremacy. It
states we UUs will fight all the forms of white supremacy. Vote 92%
yes, 6% no, 1% abstain.
Action of Immediate Witness: Defend and Advocate with Transgender,
Nonbinary, and Intersex Communities: Vote 99% yes, 0% no, 1% abstain.
Action of Immediate Witness: Stop Voter Suppression and Partner for
Voting Rights and a Multiracial Democracy: 99% yes, 1% no, 0% abstain.
Action of Immediate Witness: The COVID-19 Pandemic: Justice. Healing.
Courage: 73% yes, 26% no, 2% abstain.
UUA Board Meetings Open to All: All UUs are invited to monthly board
meetings (not recorded) for two-way communication. on the 2nd Monday.
Please register (no fee) in advance.. More information at
https://www.facebook.com/uua.board.of.trustees.
Business of GA: Also included several committee and commission
reports, budget, and passing of bylaw amendments. More details are in
our longer notes version with additional 20+ pages, email
leilani@wsuu.org for link.
Youth and Bridgers Project: https://www.uua.org/youth/young-uu-project.
Commission on Institutional Change Blog:
https://www.uua.org/uuagovernance/committees/cic/blog.
Updates from Care Teams (Systemic Justice, Conflict & Covenant,
Accessibility & Inclusion & Chaplain teams): including implementing
recommendations like adaptive & plain language
Board Report: Moving to become more agile and accountable; financial
report; etc.; launch of Article II Study Commission, exciting work of
our living faith tradition =
https://www.uua.org/uuagovernance/committees/article-ii-study-commission/blog
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For more information, detailed notes, or to have the delegates
virtually attend your WSUU group and talk about GA, please email
Leilani Davenberry at leilani@wsuu.org or Kerrie Schurr at
kerrie.schurr@gmail.com.