August 2010 ADR Report
General Assembly was very enjoyable from the opening celebration to the closing. The banner parade was its usual stirring spectacle, despite the OCUUC banner being absent. Several hundred of us attended the Minneapolis Gay Pride Celebration on a hot, humid Saturday afternoon, standing on the side of love. On Sunday, Rev. Meg Riley introduced Senator Al Franken who greeted the delegates. Also introduced were Rep. Keith Ellison and Minn. Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, a UU.
Among the more interesting developments at GA was the overwhelming decision of the delegates to turn 2012 GA in Phoenix into a “justice GA” in which business will be limited to the minimum required by UUA bylaws. The balance of GA will be devoted to witnessing on immigration, racial and economic justice. The original business resolution had been to boycott the 2012 GA in Arizona, but was superceded by a substitute motion to go and witness. An unfortunate part of the process was an hour’s sales pitch by the UUA administration to sell the substitute motion before debate on it had even begun.
The Study Action Issue on Peacemaking was adopted as a Statement of Conscience after being rewritten from last year’s text that had failed of passage. A new four-year Study Action Issue on Immigration as a Moral Issue was adopted. GA 2012 in Phoenix should give the UUA lots of hands-on experience in this area.
Several by-law amendments were adopted, among which was one changing the terms of President and Moderator to one six-year term and creating a Nominating Committee to nominate candidates. The hope is to improve the election process. Another change transferred the responsibility for the GA agenda from the GA Planning Committee to the UUA Board of Trustees, conforming to current practice.
Three Actions of Immediate witness were passed: one on opposing Anti-Immigrant Measures such as Arizona SB 1070 and the like, one on requesting action on the Gulf Coast oil spill, and one on improving the Clean Energy Bill. An Action of Immediate Witness on ending the blockade of Gaza and ending the war in Afghanistan failed, primarily due to disagreements on wording. The delegates passed a responsive resolution recommending support of Youth and Young Adult Ministries. OCUUC appears to be ahead of the curve on this one.
President Peter Morales recognized our former members, Karen and Ramon Urbano, for their volunteer work on behalf of UUism. At the Service of the Living Tradition we saw our former intern minister, Ann Schranz, achieve final fellowship. Our own Beth Syverson expertly conducted the program’s music. In the Ware Lecture, Winona LaDuke (Ojibwe) gave us some ideas on how Indians know better ways of living in this world than white people. We attended workshops on GBLT issues, ethical eating and indigenous peoples, and a vegan dinner sponsored by the Ministry for Earth. We also greeted former members Lynn and Richard Scoby. In all, an enjoyable GA.
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