This is going to be a ‘subject oriented’ article, about the UU Association (UUA). The UUA is making a number of changes that will be voted on at the upcoming June General Assembly (GA). We have three delegates attending: John Lindegren, Karen Lauer and me. Cecile Lindegren will be the Alternate. At our Annual Business Meeting, we voted that the Board would select the Delegates and the Delegates would vote their conscience – no specific direction from the membership or the Board. But our Delegates need to hear
your opinions.
The UUA is modifying how the UUA will be governed and should the UUA boycott Arizona over the new Illegal Imigration Law by moving the 2012 Phoenix, Arizona GA. The Summer 2010 UUWorld and the UUA website (uua.org) have a comprehensive discussion on the proposed governing changes. So think through these and pass on what you’d like your Delegates to consider, understanding they have been given the responsibility of deciding.
As to the governing proposals, here are the main ones:
– The UUA President will serve a single 6-yr term. An elected Nomination Committee will select two candidates for GA consideration. This selection approach is similar to our Fellowship process, and allows other candidates to run.
- GA would move to every 2 years. Delegates will no longer be assigned just prior to a GA, but identified early in the GA cycle and would engage in ‘meaningful discussions and business’ prior to GA. The UUA is discussing financially supporting Delegates so Delegates are not limited to those who can afford GA on their own.
As to the proposed Boycott over AZ Illegal Immigration Law, we already had a number of members share their views. Here are the pros and cons (condensed):
– Pro, i.e. supporting a Boycott: Makes clear the UU opposition; would punish AZ businesses and attempt to force a change. Attendees could have their ‘papers’ checked.
– Con, i.e. against a Boycott: Minimal impact on the State; isolates the State and turns it into ‘them against us;’ sets a precedence of boycotting when laws are not in line with UU Principles – all States have such Laws and identifying when to boycott turns this into a political ‘football;’ if we are present, we’d voice our opposition as done at other GAs – if the law is still in effect at that time.
Our Board voted unanimously to recommend that our Delegates vote against the Boycott, in favor of holding GA 2112 in Phoenix.
In Fellowship, Denny