From June 21 through June 25, I attended online the UUA General Assembly, which was held in Pittsburgh. This was my first GA and it was an enlightening experience. While I was not on-site in the assembly hall and seminar rooms, or at meetups and other gatherings, the sense of passion and pride amongst the attendees was palpable. It was evident in chat room conversations with other delegates, and in the speeches and talks from the podium. And yes, as is the hallmark of UUs, there were many opinions on the various topics and items of business! Most discussions addressed these differences in a respectful manner; alas, some (in the chat rooms) did not. But the UU foundation of democracy can be messy and emotional.
Here is a summary of the business matters for which I served as SUUS delegate:
Elections
UUA President
Rev. Dr. Susan Frederick-Gray is completing her term as UUA President. Rev. Dr. Sofia Betancourt ran unopposed to succeed her and was elected with 95.5% of the vote. In some online chats, concern was raised about an unopposed ballot for this position. The UUA Board addressed this in comments to the delegates and emphasized that the nominating process was conducted fully in accordance with UUA rules and guidelines, and that no one else submitted a candidacy.
Rev. Dr Betancourt strikes me as a deeply thoughtful and compassionate person, fully aware of the difficult times UU congregations have been having. In a Q&A session, she emphasized shared ministry and that congregations need to take time for rest and recovery as we continue to emerge from the pandemic. She also noted the struggles our nation and world are facing, and how Unitarian Universalism must do the work of helping and healing.
Other Elections
There were elections for positions on the UUA Board and various UUA committees. All were uncontested races except for one – the Nomination Committee, in which 5 candidates ran for 4 seats. The 4 candidates I voted for were elected.
Other Business
Proposed Revision of Article II UUA Bylaws and Rules
- A special Article II Study Commission put forth a proposed revision of Article II of the UUA Bylaws – Principles and Purposes. In addition to the Commission’s proposal, 13 amendments to the proposal were presented and voted on by the delegates. Five proposed amendments were accepted by the delegates. I voted “yes” on those 5 and no others.
- The delegates were then asked to vote on preliminary approval of the Article II proposal, including the accepted amendments. A “yes” vote meant the Commission would continue to work on the proposal for final presentation and vote next year. A “no” vote meant no further work would continue, the proposal would not be put to a final vote for acceptance, and the matter of revising Article II could not be brought forth again for at least 2 years. I voted “yes” (in favor of the proposal). The total vote was 86.3% “yes” and 13.7% “no”.
Business Resolution: Complete Divestment from the Fossil Fuel Industry and Subsequent Reparations
- This resolution would require the UUA and UUCEF to divest all financial investments in business associated with fossil fuels, including drilling, pipeline, distribution, and banks/financial institutions that fund the fossil fuel industry. It would also require that reparations be made to marginalized groups impacted by the fossil fuel industry.
- With feedback I received from several SUUS members, and following the recommendations of the Vision Fund custodians, UUA Board, and the UUCEF, I voted “no” (against the Business Resolution). The final vote was 68.3% “no” and 31.7% “yes”.
- Based on the discussions at GA, I believe divestment and reparations will continue to be topics of focus for the UUA. There is support for doing work in both areas; nearly 1/3 of the delegates were in favor of the Resolution. The primary opposition that was expressed is that this particular resolution was not the right course of action.
Actions of Immediate Witness
Per the UUA:
“While called by various names, the social witness process is the method by which the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) comes to understand and act on the social issues of our times, finally bearing witness through statements adopted as Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) policy by the delegates of a General Assembly (GA)… Actions of Immediate Witness (AIWs) express the conscience and carries the authority of the delegates at the GA at which it is passed. AIWs are initiated by individual delegates and move through their entire creation and adoption process during a single GA.”
Delegates were presented with 3 AIWs:
- Rise Up to Stop Cop City. I voted “Affirm”. Total vote: 83.8% “Affirm”, 16.2% “Do Not Affirm”.
- Organizing for Health Equity. I voted “Affirm”. Total vote: 85.8% “Affirm”, 14.2% “Do Not Affirm”.
- Protect the Dreamers, the Recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) with a Pathway to Permanent Residence. I voted “Affirm”. Total vote: 98.1% “Affirm”, 1.9% “Do Not Affirm”.
General Assembly 2024 and 2025
In 2024, GA will be completely virtual. In 2025, GA will be held in Baltimore.
For future GAs, the Board will work to get the congregation’s input on agenda matters earlier in the process than this year.
Please reach out to me if you have any comments or questions. Thank you.