In
fiscal years 2011-12 and 2012-13, the church took on a congregation-wide social
action initiative to address the issue Hunger in our Community. A huge
percentage of the congregation became involved in various facets of the project.
Energizing the congregation to work together on a particular social action
theme turned out to be extremely powerful and gratifying, and a great deal of
good work was done.
When
it ended, many in the congregation expressed a desire to take on another initiative.
Since the Hunger Initiative was our first attempt, we did not yet have a
procedure in place to make this an ongoing mission. The Social Action Committee
has proposed a procedure, to be repeated every two years, so we can move
smoothly from one initiative to the next. The Board of Trustees has approved
the procedure.
The
Social Action Committee (SAC) is now soliciting proposals for the next two-year
initiative using a simple one-page form. A link to the form can be found on the
homepage of the church web site under Quick Links or by clicking here.
Two versions are available for use: A Word doc, which you can edit on the
computer then submit electronically, and a PDF, which you can print to write in
responses then drop off in person.
The
SAC will vet the proposals for feasibility, relevance, and accordance with UU
principles and church goals. The proposals that pass the vetting process will
be communicated to the congregation through The Uniter, E-News,
Social Action table handouts, and other means, to ensure everyone has a chance
to read them. Finally, a congregational vote will be taken at the annual
meeting to select one topic for our initiative.
After
the initiative has been chosen, SAC will work with the DRE, RE Committee,
Minister, and Membership Coordinator to appoint a task force, separate from the
SAC, to implement the two-year initiative. Work on the initiative will begin in
September 2014 and end in May 2016.
In the interim, SAC is
supporting a project of the Anti-Racism Chalice Circle on the issue
of Mass Incarceration and Racial Justice. This project will be supported for
the first half of 2014. The Anti-Racism group has submitted a well thought-out
proposal which could be extended into a two-year initiative as well.