Article II Study Commission Final Report and Proposal
The Article II Study Commission has completed its two year study. They submitted their report (PDF 26 pages) to the UUA Board of Trustees at their meeting held on January 20, 2023. The report includes the Study Commission’s recommended revisions to Article II.
Background
Article II of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Bylaws, Principles and Purposes, is the foundation for all of the work of our UUA and its member congregations and covenanted communities. It is the covenant to which all of our congregations and covenanted communities pledge themselves when they become members of our UUA.
Our current Principles and Purposes were last revised in 1987. At General Assembly (GA) 2017, there was discussion of amending the Principles to add an 8th Principle, addressing racism, and an amended 1st Principle, addressing non-human life. The 5th Principle was the subject of a report in 2009, which dealt with the ways in which GA and other Unitarian Universalist (UU) gatherings do and don’t embody an inclusive democratic process. The 7th Principle has also been the subject of discussions about possible amendments.
There have been many projects, resolutions, task forces and other strategies that have come from the Board, Commission on Appraisal and grassroots groups which encourage us to take a look at our principles, purposes, bylaws and rules. It is time for us to do a review and make changes so that we are living into the Unitarian Universalism of the future, a Unitarian Universalism that holds us in times of great need and ethical, moral and spiritual crises. We are in one of those times now.
In response to those discussions, the UUA Board committed to establishing this Article II Study Commission to consider possible amendments to this Article.
Resources
Frequently Asked Questions: Article II Study and Revisions
The UUA is maintaining a page of background information, process and timeline information and resources including the current drafts and available feedback sessions at this link: https://www.uua.org/uuagovernance/committees/article-ii-study-commission.
Proposed Article II Amendment Process for GA 2023 and A video by the UUA about the amendment process
Article II Amendment Process Presentation by Rebecca Wheeler. Rebecca Wheeler has been an atheist since childhood and a UU for forty years. Bek currently serves as President of the UU Fellowship of the Peninsula and lives happily in Newport News with her best companion, Delta, Labrador extraordinaire.”
Blue Boat Passengers: Info & Constructive Discussion re Article II, A public place for Unitarian Universalists to share information and exchange views about Article II and GA 2023 and 2024, including the amendments processes, delegates, and the presidential election. Constructive, on-topic commenting only, please. Frankness encouraged, but courtesy required.
A sermon by Rev. Dr. Cynthia L. Landrum “Principles and Values” from January 29, 2023 Rev. Dr. Cynthia Landrum is the minister of the First Parish Church of Stow and Acton. She was raised UU and has been in the ministry for 21 years, serving congregations in Texas, Michigan, and Massachusetts. She’s had articles in the UU World on agnosticism, Zentangle and finding meaning in dystopias like The Hunger Games.
A set of proposed amendments to the final draft of Article II from Dick Burkhart, board member of UUMUUAC (Unitarian Universalist multiracial Unity Action Council) and member of Saltwater UU. This document also contains
A Commentary on the proposed changes to the UUA Bylaws – Article II Prepared by Save The UU Principles
Notes from WSUU member, Leilani Davenberry from attending Article II listening sessions
A reflection from Tim Bartik opposing the final Article II draft along with an earlier feedback draft of his own. Timothy Bartik is a lifelong Unitarian and former UU congregation president from Kalamazoo, MI, and a Ph.D. economics researcher.