Table of Contents:
Resolutions:
These proposals were discussed and adopted by Youth Council using the formal consensus
process.
- A Ratio of Empowerment
- Creating Right Relations With the Adults in Allies for Racial Equity and Encouraging Them
To Be More Accountable to Youth Within ARE
- Let Bylaws Be Bylaws
- An Up to Date Canadian Job Description Eh!
- Smorgasbord for a Just Society
- The Formation of a Youth and Young Adult Caucus for Allies for Racial Equity
- Resolution to Improve YCR Preparedness and Effectiveness
- District Youth Envoy to the Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office (DEYUU-UNO)
- YRUU Encouraging the UUMA to Participate in the Consultation on Youth Ministry
- Let's Be Inclusive, Eh?
- Uprooting Cultural Misappropriation
Recommendations:
These are recommendations of Youth Council to the Task Force on Youth Ministry. They will serve as input for the
2007 Summit on Youth Ministry, which will set the
future direction of UU youth ministry and the structures/resources that will support it.
- YRUU Curricula Development with Anti-Racism/Anti-Oppression and Identity Work
- Resolution to Facilitate Greater Communication Among Youth Council Representatives and Continentally
About District Policy and Procedure
- Making GA Planning Committee and Nominations Committee Accountable to Youth
- Get Out the Youth
- It's a Holiday, Lets Celebrate
- Bring Religion (Unitarian Universalism) and Spirituality into YRUU Lifestyle Beyond Worship
Click Here to Refer to the Youth Council 2006 Minutes,
including discussion on these Resolutions.
A Ratio of Empowerment
Sponsors: Paul Hunt and Charlie Burke
Point Person: Jova Vargas
Primary Aid:
UU Principles: A free and responsible search for truth and meaning; The right of conscience and the
use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large
YRUU Principles: Radical Inclusivity, Youth Empowerment
Problem: Proposed Youth: Adult ratio for Summit is smaller than the suggested ratio for youth-adult
committees. This can lead to adult dominance at an event that needs to be very youth empowering.
Hope to Achieve: A youth: adult ratio larger than 1:1 for the 2007 Summit. Adequate representation of
individuals in the 18-25 age range.
Short Term Goals: Empower Jova Vargas and Ian Moore (YRUU representatives to the Task Force on Ministry
To and With Youth) to work with the Task Force and the Summit planning group to increase the youth: adult ratio
with particular attention to representation of bridgers.
Long Term Goals: Have this enacted at the summit
How this furthers the purpose and vision: Creates a youth empowering environment
Fiscal Impact: Possibility of needing more people at summit to meet requirement
Creating Right Relations With the Adults in Allies for Racial Equity and Encouraging Them To Be More Accountable
to Youth Within ARE
Sponsors: Becca Brown, Charlie Burke, Elisabeth Moore, Mary Roffers, Robert Smith
Point People: Charlie Burke and Elisabeth Moore
Primary Aide: Mary Roffers
UU Principle: The inherent worth and dignity of every person.
Specific Problem being addressed: Some youth in this organization along with some who attended ARE workshops
at the 2006 General Assembly felt that the adults within this organization do not respect the youth and are
very disempowering.
Hope to Achieve: To make ARE an accountable organization to the youth within it and to the larger UU
youth community.
How will this further the principles and vision of YRUU: By hopefully making this group more accountable
to youth, the white youth within YRUU will have a place outside of YRUU where they can go and be more accountable
allies to People of Color.
How will this further the greater denomination and the world: By having ARE become an accountable group
within itself it can become an effective ally to DRUUMM and the larger POC community within our liberal faith.
Short Term Goals:
A letter from Youth Council will be written to the ARE Steering Committee urging them to have a Youth Advisor
Training at their upcoming gathering in November 2006, and if that is not at all possible than they must send
as many adults as possible (especially the adults on their Steering Committee) to an advisor training or hold
one of their own. This letter will invite the adults in ARE into relationship with YRUU and the youth community.
This letter will be written and sent to the YRUU Steering Committee by August 14.
YRUU Steering Committee will offer feedback and the letter will be sent to ARE by August 21.
Local and District Resources: The resources for this resolution will come from ARE. The leaders within
it will hopefully realize the disempowerment of youth that they have in their organization and take the charge
and organize a way for them to become accountable adult allies, hopefully by way of an advisor training from
the YRUU Chrysalis training program.
Long Term Goals: With the issues of youth empowerment that ARE will have hopefully resolved, youth
from inside and outside of YRUU will more willingly join this necessary group. The strength of an organization
of youth, young adult, and adult white allies, striving for racial equity will make the hope for a "beloved
community" more real.
Resources: The Chrysalis Training Program would be the organization recommended by YRUU to ARE for
them to use to find facilitators for their advisor training. This would all be paid for by ARE.
Bylaws: No changes to the bylaws or procedures would be necessary.
Organizations: The only organization involved in this would be ARE and the people from Chrysalis Training
Program.
Financial Impact: YRUU would have no direct financial impact and only ARE would be spending money
on a very necessary training.
Evaluation: This resolution can be evaluated at next year's Youth Council, when hopefully ARE will
have gotten to an advisor training and the youth and adult relationships are becoming more accountable.
Let Bylaws Be Bylaws
Sponsor: Paul Hunt and Sam Cory
Point Person: Sam Cory
Unitarian Universalist Principle: The fifth principle that we as Unitarian Universalists affirm and
promote is "The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and
in sociey at large." It is hard to use the democratic process when the system that is setup to use is
out of date and does not reflect the current functioning of the organization.
Specific Issue or Problem: The by-laws and the policies and procedures of Young Religious Unitarian
Universalists (YRUU) are disjointed. The by-laws have not been updated in a long time. The Polices and Procedures
of YRUU contain specific information that should be in the YRUU by-laws. Examples of this are Article IV of
the YRUU by-laws in which a annual conference is talked of that is longer taking place and Article V, Section
1 of the YRUU by-laws does not recognize that the Canadian congregations have split from the Unitarian Universalist
Association (UUA) and formed the Canadian Unitarian Council (CUC). Also the People of Color Caucus (PoCC)
at Youth Council or the People of Color Advisory Council (PoCAC) on the YRUU Steering Committee are not mention
in either the By-Laws of YRUU or the polices and procedures of YRUU.
Hope to Achieve: By creating a taskforce to review and change the by-laws and polices and procedures
of YRUU we as YRUU can have a functioning set of by-laws and policies and procedures.
Long Term Goals:
1. Rewrite By-laws of YRUU to fit current functioning of YRUU
2. Rewrite policies and procedures of YRUU to reflect how YRUU operates
Short Term Goals:
1. Formation of Taskforce (Appendix 1.)
2. Review of By-Laws by Youth Council
Local Input: Youth Council Representatives (YCRs)
Youth Office Resources: Synapse, conference calls, Youth Programming Specialist (YPS) or Youth Ministry
Associate (YMA), past resolutions, Youth Programming Director (YPD) as resource.
Change in By-Laws: Changes recommended by the Taskforce on Young Religious Unitarian Universalists
By-Laws and Policy and Procedure
Fiscal Impact: Conference calls, printing, postage, YPS or YMA's time, YPD's time, and the UUA's Board
of Trustee Liaison to YRUU's time,
Appendix 1.
By-Laws for the Taskforce on Young Religious Unitarian Universalists By-Laws and Policy and Procedure
Article I. Purpose
Section 1. The Taskforce on Young Religious Unitarian Universalists By-Laws and Policy and Procedure shall
be created for the sole purpose of changing the By-Laws and the Polices and procedures of YRUU.
Section 2. As soon as the By-Laws and Policies and Procedures of YRUU are changed, the Taskforce on Young
Religious Unitarian Universalists By-Laws and Policy and Procedure will be disbanded.
Article II. Composition
Section 1. The Taskforce on Young Religious Unitarian Universalists By-Laws and Policy and Procedure will
be made of the following people
a. Two youth members of Youth Council elected by Youth Council
b. The UUA Board of Trustee Liaison to YRUU
c. Three representatives elected by PoCC at Youth Council
d. One representative elected by the Canadian youth at CanUUdle
e. One adult member of Youth Council elected by Youth Council
f. Either a YPS or a YMA from the UUA's Youth Office
Section 2.1. The elected positions of the Taskforce on Young Religious Unitarian Universalists By-Laws and
Policy and Procedure will be elected at Youth Council 2007.
Section 2.2. The elected positions of the Taskforce on Young Religious Unitarian Universalists By-Laws and
Policy and Procedure shall be held by those elected until the changes in By-Laws and Polices and procedures
are fully adopted by both the UUA Board of Trustees and the subsequent Youth Council.
Section 2.3. The non-elected position, The UUA Board of Trustee Liaison to YRUU, is determined by the UUA
Board of Trustees and may change during the Taskforce process.
Article III. Means
Section 1. The Taskforce on Young Religious Unitarian Universalists By-Laws and Policy and Procedure shall
communicate with but are not limited to communicating with conference calls, e-mails, and mailings.
Section 2. The Taskforce on Young Religious Unitarian Universalists By-Laws and Policy and Procedure shall
send a draft copy of the revisions to all YCRs before Youth Council 2008. There will then be one month for
YCRs to comment and give feedback about the changes to the Taskforce on Young Religious Unitarian Universalists
By-Laws and Policy and Procedure.
Section 3. A final draft of the revisions to the By-Laws and Polices and Procedures of YRUU shall be mailed
to all YCRs thirty days before Youth Council 2008.
Section 4. At Youth Council 2008, the changes in the By-Laws will be voted on based on the guidelines laid
out in the current YRUU By-Laws.
Section 5. A Youth Council 2008 the changes in the Polices and Procedures and YRUU shall be voted on.
Stand-Aside Concern:
It is really important for YRUU to have updated policies and bylaws as soon as possible.
An Up to Date Canadian Job Description Eh!
Canadian at Large
(one-year position, selected by attendees at CanUUdle, the national Canadian Unitarian Council youth conference
)
What Should I Do?
At Youth Council, Canadian Representative, Duties Include...
Represent Canadian concerns and issues.
Offer a brief written and oral report to Youth Council concerning Canadian UU Youth Activities, including
ABCs of youth ministry in Canada and structure of YACs and YAG, plus capacities of interaction - advisory roles
versus elected roles. This written report will be copied to the Youth Advisory Group (YAG)
Hold a lunch meeting or working group to discuss Canadian concerns with YC attendees interested in learning
more about Canadian issues
For Steering Committee, Canadian Representative, Duties Include...
Write a report to the Steering Committee before each of their meetings on the status of Canadian YRUU issues.
This written report will be copied to the Youth Advisory Group (YAG)
Throughout The Year, Canadian Representative Duties Include...
Canadian at Large is a full participating member of the YAG, including all rights and responsibilities. Participate
on YAG e-mail, YAG calls and at YAG annual retreat
Keep Youth Council Representatives (YCRs) informed of Canadian UU events.
Keep Canadian Youth informed of all Continental YRUU events by sending information to Busking on the Causeway,
the Canadian UU youth newsletter, advertising events on regional lists and in youth newsletters, and as appropriate
in the congregational mailing or the "Canadian Unitarian"
Involve Canadian Youth in Continental YRUU by soliciting applications for Continental YRUU leadership positions.
Promote, attend and be accessible to youth at CanUUdle, the annual Canadian youth conference concurrent with
the CUC Annual Conference and Meeting
At CanUUdle plan and facilitate a workshop for Canadian concerns formed out of Youth Council.
Keep in contact with regional YAC representative from every region in Canada and through YAG keep them aware
of all areas concerning youth programming.
Work with the CUC DLL and within regional structures, to help promote and organize Leadership Development
Conference and/or Advisor Training for Canadians.
Establish connections and check in every 3 months with regional YACs cross border districts.
Be on the CUC youth list serve.
Check in quarterly with regional YCRs
Communicate with your successor and discuss different projects attempted and what has been effective.
Smorgasbord for a Just Society
Sponsors: Chris Michell, Helia Daigeau, Nick Allen, Eliza Hens-Greco
Point People: Chris Michell
Primary Aide: Laura Manning
UU Principle: The inherent worth and dignity of every person; justice, equity, and compassion in human
relations; acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations; a free and
responsible search for truth and meaning; the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within
our congregations and in society at large; the goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for
all; respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
Specific Problems being addressed:
There is a general lack of information at all levels both on social justice issues(including AR/AO) and on
what social justice work(including AR/AO) is being done in other parts of YRUU.
YRUU also tends to work in isolation on most social justice issues, even when other organizations (both secular
and faith-based) are also working on the same issues.
The YRUU Social Justice Training has not been fulfilling its primary role as a place for SACs to meet and
be trained to lead effective social justice trainings in their home districts/regions.
There is no group of trainers equipped to run social justice(including but not limited to AR/AO content) trainings
for districts/regions and congregations
Hope to Achieve:
A social justice newsletter put out at least once annually by the C*SAC in cooperation with SACs to all congregations.
More interfaith collaboration on issues, partnerships with other faith organizations, interfaith understanding,
inviting people of other faiths to events, and being welcoming to people of different beliefs, including Christians;
The creation of a social justice training collective;
A more effective YRUU Social Justice Training which provides SACs with training on running social action cons,
doing something concrete there, change name to something easier to understand(not an acronym, means something),
more time/expectation for exchange of information and ideas between SACs - report time, send resources home
with people from YSJT
How this will further the principles and visions of YRUU:
(Quoting from the goals of YRUU)
Develop personal growth and leadership skills.
Develop individual social consciousness: be group agents of change to be peaceful citizens of the world.
Develop a communications network.
Develop educational resources.
Foster tolerance, understanding, and acceptance of diversity.
Provide resources for identifying and training program advisors.
How will this further the greater denomination and the world: The increased effectiveness in social
justice work, and the connections and visibility that UU youth will receive from these changes, will aid in
the growth of our movement by the addition of new members to our congregations and youth programs. The world
at large will benefit from more young leaders doing social action work to create positive change in the world.
Short term goals and steps to achieve:
Make the following changes to the C*SAC's job description:
o Responsibility to create a Social Justice newsletter(which will include information on YRUU's Working Action
Issue, AR/AO content, and other social justice topics) in cooperation with SACs - to be sent out both by mail
and electronically
o Attendance at some Steering Committee meetings and/or conference calls, depending on available resources
o Responsibility to report to Steering Committee on the state of social justice work at all levels
o To strive to organize UU youth to participate in 2 or more large-scale social justice events a year, whether
they are led by UUs or by other faith-based or secular organizations
YSJT staff will implement the following changes to be put into place for the 2007 Youth Social Justice Training:
o Include a formal time for reports from each SAC including the Continental SAC and Canadian National SAC
o Training SACs in how to run social justice cons(which include AR/AO content) in their district/region, including
providing them with resources to take back to the community
o Provide space at YSJT 2006 to discuss changing the name of the training to something that does not require
an acronym, and is meaningful, in order to make it more accessible to newcomers
o Ensuring that YSJT include some concrete social justice work to be done during the training as part of the
programming
All levels begin to form interfaith relationships:
o Do research into what faith groups exist in the community that are interested in doing Social Justice(including
AR/AO) work
o Start making contacts in those communities
o Explore the possibility of collaborating on issues, holding joint events, and/or inviting each other to events
Sponsors of this resolution will more clearly define the structure and election process for a core planning
committee for the social justice training collective. They will also discuss whether it would be composed of
youth or youth and young adults.
o A core committee (make up TBD) will begin planning and exploring what a social justice collective would look
like. This proposed structure/election process will be run by the YRUU Steering Committee during their October
2006 meeting.
o Use Groundwork as model for the set up of the organization
o Decide how trainers will be chosen and trained and how trainings will be run
o Investigate sources of funding, while being mindful not to take funding away from Groundwork
Long term goals and steps to achieve:
The core committee of the social justice training collective will ensure that training material is created,
a budget drawn up, and secure funding sources
Interfaith events and collaboration on issues begin to take place at all levels, and bridges are built with
other faith communities through shared social justice work
Resources YRUU has that will be used:
Some Youth Office staff time will be used, for example in making and implementing changes to YSJT
Existing connections to other faith-based and secular organizations
Financial impact:
The social justice training collective will require its own budget and funding, probably on a similar scale
to that of Groundwork.
Some youth office funds will be needed to fund the printing and distribution of the Social justice newsletter
Evaluation:
The C*SAC (Chris Michell) will work with Steering Committee, Youth Office Staff and other involved parties
to evaluate the extent to which each of these actions has been carried out, and Chris Michell will report
on it to Youth Council 2007 during her general report.
Stand-Aside Concerns:
The proposed social justice training collective might compete with Groundwork for funding
Uncomfortable with the use of the word "tolerance"
No reference in this resolution to anti-racism or anti-oppression work
No reference in this resolution to YRUU's Working Action Issue (Education Reform and Multiculturalism)
The Formation of a Youth and Young Adult Caucus for Allies for Racial Equity
Sponsors: Chris Michell, Charlie Burke, Becca Brown, Elisabeth Moore, Nick Allen, Mary Roffers
Point People: Chris Michell and Charlie Burke
Primary Aide: Becca Brown
UU Principle: The inherent worth and dignity of every person. Justice, equity, and compassion in human
relations.
Specific Problem being Addressed: The lack of a safe place for white youth and young adults to come
together as a caucus to do identity work and learn to become allies within Allies for Racial Equity (ARE)
and the lack of an organization to be directly accountable to Diverse Revolutionary Unitarian Universalist
Multicultural Ministries' Youth and Young Adult Caucus (DRUUMM YaYA).
Hope to Achieve: The formation of a youth and young adult caucus within ARE, set up by ARE, with continued
and direct accountability to DRUUMM YaYA.
How will this further the principles and visions of YRUU: This will stand on YRUU's commitment to
AR/AO work by fostering a safe place that younger struggling white allies can come together and caucus.
How will this further the greater denomination and the world: It will further the greater denomination
by making ARE a stronger ally organization which will communicate a message of accountability not only to
DRUUMM but all Persons of Color within our denomination.
Short term goals: The point people will write a letter requesting that ARE create a YaYA caucus. This
letter will be written by August 14, run by the YRUU Steering Committee, and then sent to the ARE Steering
Committee.
Local and District/Region Resources: While many participants of the proposed YaYA caucus will be active
on their local and/or district levels, the caucus would be created at a continental level by ARE.
Long term goals: The ARE YaYA caucus will be created
Resources from YRUU: While YRUU and this proposed ARE YaYA caucus will have many of the same people
participating, no resources will come directly out of YRUU for the creation of this caucus.
Bylaws: No changes to the bylaws will be necessary.
Financial Impact: While this may have a financial impact to ARE (all of which would be for the better)
there would be no direct financial impact to YRUU as of right now. However, the Youth Council may decide to
ask the UUA for monetary support for this caucus, as they do DRUUMM YaYA.
Evaluation: This resolution will be evaluated by next year's Youth Council, whether or not ARE decides
to act on this suggestion.
Resolution to Improve YCR Preparedness and Effectiveness
Sponsor: Casey Asprooth-Jackson, Laura W. Spencer
Point Person: Jesse Jaeger
Primary Aide: Youth Office Assistant
Specific Problem Being Addressed
Many YCRs new to youth council have found themselves ill prepared when they arrive, and without direction
prior to YC. Though there are many processes and procedures set up to aide the YCRs, most of them are outdated
and not longer practiced. Specifically concerning the YCR district report, it is easy for new YCRs to find
themselves scrambling to put something together before YC if they have not received enough information either
from the Youth Office or the YCR they are replacing.
It is important that YCRs feel prepared and comfortable when they arrive at YC, if we wish for them to be
productive district and regional representatives. It is easy for members of YC, (specifically old YCRs) to
forget how foreign an idea it can seem to newcomers, and we must do our best to ensure their comfort and preparedness
when they arrive.
We recognize that there is a great deal of information available to YCRs on the website and at the youth
office through by-laws, procedures and policies, and that is sent out through the pre-packet. This information
can be overwhelming and difficult to sort through. It is difficult to conclude what is most important to know
and where to find it.
Goals of the Resolution
A packet describing the job of a YCR and what information they should have when they arrive at Youth Council
(including a specific description of a district report) will be developed by the youth office and sent out
twice every year:
1. Once at the beginning of the year to each district YAC, prior to elections
2. Once later in the year to each YCR, after elections have been held.
The interaction between old YCRs and their successors will be stressed.
A regional buddy system will be developed by the youth office to pair up newer and more experienced YCRs
to aid new YCRs in learning about their role and responsibilities. Each YCR will be given the name and contact
information of the YCRs in neighboring districts or regions to facilitate the sharing of ideas and information
between Youth Council members.
How the Resolution promotes YRUU principles
This new system will help promote and develop a communication network between new and old YCRs. This is key
to establishing a continental community of youth. Furthermore, ensuring that YCRs will be prepared when they
arrive at YC will more efficiently promote the development of personal growth and leadership skills among
youth. Without the addition of this new process new YCRs will be unable to promote the goals of YRUU as effectively
as they may have otherwise.
How it helps the greater denomination and the world
Strengthens the YRUU community
Short Term Goals
1. Develop a YCR Job Description and YC preparedness mini-packet separate from the pre-packet, comprised of
the information most important to YCRs. This will include
a. YCR Job Description,
b. How to write a district report (including the format)
c. Where to look to find additional resources.
This mini-packet should be short and concise.
2. Set up a "buddy" system for YCRs between districts and regions.
Resources that will help
Procedures and Policies
Long term Goals
1. Better relationships between YCRs will be developed, and YCRs will be better prepared before arriving at
YC.
Local/Regent Resources
YAC/DYSC co-chairs, District Executive and/or Program Consultants
Resources the YRUU has and will use
There is a job description of the YCR in the by-laws, though it is not readily available to the average YCR
(yet!).
Changes to policies and procedures and by-laws: Add the procedure of mailing out the mini-packet for
YCRs twice a year.
Establishing regional buddy system.
Financial impact: The addition of two mailings per year to each of the districts or regions.
Evaluation Process: When first year YCRs meet at YC they will be asked about how prepared they feel
for YC, and for making their district reports.
District Youth Envoy to the Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office (DEYUU-UNO)
Resolution Title: District/Regional Youth Envoy to the Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office
(D/REYUU-UNO) (Verbally can be called the "Duh yah know" or "do you know" for Canadians
Verbally can be called the "Ray yah know" or "Ray you know")
Sponsor: The Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office. Executive Director, Jim Nelson; and the
UU-UNO Envoy Program Coordinator, Peggy Montgomery.
Point Person: Reid Robinson
Primary Aid: Amanda-Beth Campbell
UU Principles:
1. The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
2. Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
3. Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
4. A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
5. The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at
large;
6. The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
7. Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
Specific issue: Several programs and agencies of the United Nations system have increasingly recognized
the importance of youth voice and responsibility, as reflected in major UN Youth Conferences. Unitarian and
Universalist youth movements reflects a living history of the impact of youth vision and vocation spanning
two centuries. For the past several decades, the UU-UNO has helped to bridge the UU and UN initiatives, and
to address obstacles. Two longstanding efforts have been through the UU-UNO Internship Program, and the Annual
Intergenerational Spring Seminar. In addition, the UU-UNO has occasionally sponsored youth at major UN Conferences
(Sustainable Development, Millennium Development Goals). However, the turnover of youth leadership, interns
and seminar participation creates challenges to build upon success. The result is inadequate communication
about opportunities to share awareness of the world we live in. This proposal seeks to develop a sustainable
method for recruiting contacts for the UU youth movement and UU-UNO organization to further involvement.
Hope to achieve: Building connections between YRUU and the UU-UNO, by encouraging each UUA District
and CUC Region in the continent to designate a Youth Envoy to the UU-UN Office. Through D/R Youth Envoys,
congregations will be encouraged to designate Youth Envoys to collaborate intergenerationally with adult Envoys.
Short-term Goals:
| # |
Due Date |
Steps to Achieve |
Assigned |
| 1 |
Sept 2006 |
Receive the contact info for each YAC/DYSC co-chair |
Reid |
| 2 |
Nov 2006 |
Communicate to each District/Region about the position |
Amanda
|
| 3 |
March 15, 2006 |
Compile names of every district/region's D/RYE |
Reid |
| 4 |
March 20, 2006 |
Send welcome letter to all the district/regional envoys |
Amanda |
Long-term Goals:
| # |
Due Date |
Steps to Achieve |
Assigned |
| 1 |
Aug 26, 2007 |
Start compiling contact information for new D/RYE |
Amanda |
| 2 |
Oct 24, 2007 |
Start informing D/RYE of UN Sunday Youth activity |
Reid
|
| 3 |
Jan 2007 |
Inform D/RYE |
|
| |
|
|
|
Local and District/Regional people: (Generally will be some Intern at the UU-UNO office).
Evaluation: Convene a Youth Envoy meeting at the UU-UNO Annual Intergenerational Spring Seminar to
evaluate the program. Work with UU-UNO Envoy Program Coordinator(s) to develop indicators. This meeting is
not mandatory and the minutes will be sent out to all D/RYE.
Resources YRUU has: A Code of Ethics for Youth, Adults and Older Youth and Fundraising in YRUU Youth
Groups….Synapse, when appropriate a little blurb can be about the UN.
UU-UNO Envoy Action Guide developed for Congregation and District/Regional Envoys. This resource is currently
available on the website www.uu-uno.org .
How this will further YRUU…: This is important because the UN takes on goals that are very difficult
and important to everyone in the world. The UU-UNO also adopts a mission every year and works hard to further
the UN's work as well. If YRUU can work with the UU-UNO, the youth and their advisors will be able to help
the UN further their work and raise more awareness.
How this will further UU and World: The future of UU youth includes appreciation of world community.
A growing global awareness among the youth community is the conduit for planning, action, and change. As the
network of youth who are engaged in UN issues grows, UU youth will be "be on the same page" as other
international-minded youth to make educated decisions paving the future's path. If we stay entangled in the
interconnected web of our world community, then we will be more apt to flow together as united selves, both
spiritually, and internationally.
Fiscal Impact: Youth will have to fund themselves, possibly with assistance when available from home
congregations, districts and regions.
Stand Aside Concern
We are layering more and more things on that won't actually take place. Because of the lack of follow-through
on last year's AR/AO District/Regional Consultant resolution, there's doubt that this will happen.
YRUU Encouraging the UUMA to Participate in the Consultation on Youth Ministry
Sponsor: Julian Sharp
Aides: Beth Dana, Jova Vargas, Ian Moore
Whereas the importance of the outcomes of the Consultation on Ministry to and with Youth is very high, and
Whereas, some key stakeholders (including the Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association) have not yet
fully engaged in the process, and
Whereas, youths' ministerial needs are not currently being met in many Unitarian Universalist congregations
Be it resolved that Youth Council, the governing body of the Young Religious Unitarian Universalist movement
authorize the YRUU Steering Committee to urge the UUMA and other key stakeholders as they see fit to partner
with YRUU and the Task Force on Youth Ministry to fully engage in the transformation of our faith community.
We have much to learn from one another and much intergenerational work to do for the betterment of our movement.
Suggested Actions:
Steering Committee write a letter to the UUMA encouraging them to engage in the Consultation process and to
reach out to their members to get them involved.
Encourage Youth Council Representatives and other youth leaders to write to their district's UUMA chapter
- request to visit or speak with them about the Consultation and youth ministry.
Create a general letter that congregational youth can give to their ministers
Let's Be Inclusive, Eh?
Sponsors: Chris Michell and Rose Roberts
Point People: Youth Office Staff
Primary Aide: Canadian-at-Large
UU Principle: The inherent worth and dignity of every person,
The goal of world community with peace liberty and justice for all
Specific Problem being addressed:
Many "Continental" events are held without any Canadian content, making them essentially National
(US American) events, which Canadian youth are invited to. Since the split of the CUC and the UUA, YRUU has
remained a continental area; so truly continental events such as YSJT, Youth Council and Trainings of Trainers,
are necessary in order for YRUU to meet the needs of all its constituents.
Hope to Achieve:
A requirement for every conference or event that is billed as being "continental" to include Canadian
content of some sort, be it a workshop or presentation.
How this will further the principles and visions of YRUU:
One of the goals of YRUU is to "Establish a continental community of youth", so this resolution,
if adopted, will help to support Canadian youth, and foster US-Canadian understanding and cooperation.
One of the purposes of YRUU is "We shall strive to support our members and member groups with educational
resources, a communications network, and with love." This is largely carried out by the Youth Office
for Canadian youth, but in order for Canadians to have full access to educational resources and communications
networks, there need to be truly Continental events.
How will this further the greater denomination and the world:
Truly continental events will be more supportive of Canadians, so more Canadians will stay involved. Also,
by becoming more inclusive of one community, we will appear more inclusive in general, and so draw new people
to our denomination and YRUU.
Short term goals and steps to achieve:
Make connections with Canadian organizations and individuals who can be brought in to lead workshops/presentations,
or can be resources for individuals leading them.
Resources YRUU has that will be used:
In many circumstances youth office staff will need to spend additional time when planning an event, to find
someone to lead a Canadian portion, and/or to do research on the topic of the workshop or presentation, which
may require more paid staff hours, and therefore some financial commitment.
Evaluation:
The Canadian-At-Large will be responsible for checking in with the youth office and the continental community
to ensure that Canadian content is being included in all Continental events.
Uprooting Cultural Misappropriation
Sponsor: Ian Moore, Sara Castro, India McKnight, Nan Moore
Point Person: Becca Brown
UU Principles: All of them…
Specific Problem being addressed: Over the past few years, there has been an awareness among YRUU
leaders that within our UU faith communities the misappropriation of cultures and religions is not acknowledged
in our religious education format and worship gatherings. As we move to become a religion that accepts all
cultures and religions, offering our full attention to understanding all countries and First Nations is necessary
to achieve and show respect for those cultures. We as UUs must understand that a culture's/religion's practices
have many spiritual or cultural roots that cannot be recklessly borrowed because of the privilege which we
all hold.
Hope to Achieve: By writing this resolution, it is our hope that awareness will be brought to our
community. In doing this, we will achieve an inclusive and respectful religion with its own identity, not
one taken from the culture of someone else.
How will this further the principles and visions of YRUU: In doing this, resources will be developed
that provide information to youth groups, districts/regions, and congregations as a guide of principles that
will ensure respect.
Short term goals and Steps to achieve:
Create awareness through YRUU website, Synapse, and UUA website.
Offer information and guidance in uprooting cultural misappropriation.
Evaluate the implementation of this resolution at Youth Council 2007.
Long term goals and steps to achieve:
Make YRUU a community that respects cultures, religions, and individuals by examining our own spiritual practices.
A staff person in the UUA providing the service of cultural misappropriation review for current RE materials
and newly developed resources. Jova, Ian, and Youth Office staff will bring this suggestion to the Consultation
on Youth Ministry process as a way to ensure that anti-racism and anti-oppression are core principles of UU
youth ministry.
Resources that will be used: Groundwork, Youth Office, UU Ministers' Association, Liberal Religious
Educators' Association, information, a desire for making the world a better place.
Stand Aside Concern:
-it's a fuzzy line, hard to identify when something is/is not cultural misappropriation; don't want to lose
the richness of other cultures
YRUU Curricula Development with Anti-Racism/Anti-Oppression and Identity Work
Sponsor: Eliza Hens-Greco, Chris Michell, Nick Allen, Helia Daigeau, Braeden Lentz
Point Person: Nick Allen
Primary Aid: Eliza Hens-Greco
UU Principle: Inherent worth and dignity of every person; Justice, equity, and compassion in human
relations; Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations; A free and
responsible search for truth and meaning; The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for
all; Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
Specific issue or problem being addressed: There is little to no support for youth who only participate
in Young Religious Unitarian Universalists (YRUU) only at a congregational level. These youth are often unaware
of the principles and structure of YRUU, and there is especially a lack of resources regarding anti-racism/anti-oppression
and identity work that are available to these youth.
Hope to achieve:
A congregational-level program devoted to educating youth about YRUU principles, structure, resources, and
how to be involved at all levels: congregational, district, and continental. The program should have a strong
focus on anti-racism/anti-oppression and identity work for youth.
Anti-racism/anti-oppression and identity work incorporated into the Coming of Age (COA) and Our Whole Lives
(OWL) programs.
Short-Term Goal: Youth Office should bring proposal to the Taskforce on Ministry to and With Youth
and Lifespan Development to discuss the creation of this program and the modifications to COA and OWL.
Local and district people: None.
Long-term goals:
To have a strong, well-developed curricula in every UU congregation that is dedicated to teaching UU youth
about anti-racism and anti-oppression, fostering personal identity work, and the purposes of YRUU.
To have OWL and COA include content on anti-racism/anti-oppression and identity work.
Local and district people: DREs, Youth Group Advisors and Lifespan Development Directors.
Resources YRUU has that will be used: The current COA and OWL curriculums, and resources created by
Groundwork as a basis for the new anti-racism, anti-oppression, and identity work curricula, youth office
staff time.
How this will further the vision and purposes of YRUU: Three of the goals of YRUU are to develop educational
resources, foster tolerance, understanding and acceptance of diversity, and develop personal growth and leadership
skills. This curricula would further those goals.
Changes that are needed in YRUU Policies or Bylaws: None.
Fiscal impact: Costs will be associated with the development of the curricula.
Evaluation: Once the curricula exists, evaluation of the effectiveness and success of it would be
important.
Resolution to Facilitate Greater Communication Among Youth Council Representatives and Continentally About
District Policy and Procedure
Sponsor: Sam Cory
It has come to attention that breaking the community formed at Young Religious Unitarian Universalists conferences
across the country is a problem. The breaking of community stems from a variety of actions but the effect
on the community is the same. Some of the breaking of community at conferences has been due to exclusiveness
and disregard for the policy on sexual behavior. Many districts have experimented with various policies and
procedures to address this issue. Youth Council is a place of sharing among Youth Council Representatives
from each district and region. The seventh principle that we as Unitarian Universalists covenant to affirm
and promote is "The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations
and in society at large." By providing a means to have inter-district and region communications throughout
the year creates an environment in which Youth Council Representatives are better prepared to make policy
and direction for Young Religious Unitarian Universalists if they understand what is happening in each district.
Article I.
To facilitate better communication between districts and to create continental discussion about breaking community
at Young Religious Unitarian Universalists conferences and policy and procedure in general
Section 1. The Youth Council Representatives of each district in the United States of America and
each region in Canada shall mail to the Unitarian Universalist Association Youth Office their district or
region's current by-laws, conference codes, safety policy, smoking policy, and any other applicable policy
or procedure.
Section 2. Accompanying the policies and procedures laid out in Article I, Section 1 the Youth Council
Representative shall write a brief yet informative report summarizing what policies and procedures are working
and what policies and procedures are ineffective.
Section 3. Upon receiving the packet of information from each Youth Council Representative, the Unitarian
Universalist Association Youth office will put together a packet of current by-laws, conference codes, safety
policy, smoking policy, other policies, and the report.
Section 4. This report shall be sent to the current Youth Council Representative of each district
or region by mail in print form.
Article II.
In the event that a change in Youth Council Representative or an incompetent Youth Council Representative
Section 1. If the packet has not been received by the Unitarian Universalist Association Youth Office
two weeks after the deadline the Unitarian Universalist Association Youth Office will contact the Youth Programming
Coordinator for the respective district or the Director of Lifespan Learning for the Canadian Regions. It
then becomes the responsibility of the Youth Programming Coordinator or the Director of Lifespan Learning
to supply the required materials to the Unitarian Universalist Association Youth Office.
Article III.
Timing
Section 1. The reports to the Unitarian Universalist Association Youth Office shall be postmarked
no later than the first Friday in May.
Section 2. If the Unitarian Universalist Association Youth Office has not received the packet by the
third Friday in May the Unitarian Universalist Association Youth Office will contact the Youth Programming
Coordinator or Director of Lifespan Learning for the respective area.
Section 3. The Unitarian Universalist Association Youth Office has until the first Friday of June
to mail the compiled packets to the Youth Council Representatives.
Article IV.
For future Youth Council Representatives to the look back on previous policy, so they may learn from past
policy and procedure and need not make the same mistakes
Section 1. The will be an achieve of all packets produced by this resolution.
Section 2. Any Youth Council Representative, Youth Programming Coordinator, or Director of Lifespan
Learning may request a copy of a past packet of policy and procedure.
Article V.
Implementation
Section 1. This measure shall become effective immediately after it is passed.
Section 2. The first round of reports will be September of 2006 instead of May 2007 with the Youth
Council Representative reports postmarked by the first Friday of September 2006, Youth Programming Coordinators
and Director of Lifespan Learning contacted if the materials are not received at the Youth Office by the second
Friday of September 2006, and the Unitarian Universalist Association Youth Office postmarking the packets
to Youth Council Representatives by the fourth Saturday of September 2006.
Section 3. Youth Council will have the resolution as a agenda item for Youth Council 2007.
Section 4. Young Religious Unitarian Universalists Youth Council Steering Committee will discuss this
issue at least once during the Fiscal Year 2006-2007.
Section 5. The monies for creating, printing, and mailing will come from the Unitarian Universalist
Association Youth Office.
Making GA Planning Committee and Nominations Committee Accountable to Youth
Sponsors: Charlie Burke, Amelia Harati, Carolina Holt, Elisabeth Moore, Mary Roffers
Point People: Charlie Burke, Elisabeth Moore
Primary Aide: Mary Roffers
UU Principles: The right to the democratic process and the inherent worth and dignity of every person.
Specific Problem being addressed: There are no youth on the Nominating Committee or the General Assembly
Planning Committee, both of which, have a deep effect on the youth community and denomination.
Hopes to Achieve: To get a youth on the GAPC and NomCom so that specific issues relating to youth
in our denomination and the youth at GA can be more accountably addressed.
How Will This Further The Principles And Vision of YRUU: This resolution will empower youth in YRUU
to take leadership on a large scale and it will also provide youth on a local and district level to become
more involved in continental YRUU and the Unitarian Universalist Association.
How Will This Further The Greater Denomination And The World: This will further the denomination because
youth could be seen in leadership positions and can bee seen as productive leaders if not more productive
than adults.
Short Term Goals: Write a letter to the Board of Trustees of the UUA charging them to create an institutionalized
position on the GAPC and NomCom as part of the consultation on ministry to and with youth. The next step will
be once the positions are created that years youth council will elect youth to each of these positions.
Local and District Resources: We will use members of congregations and districts to encourage their
trustees to approve this recommendation.
Long Term Goals: To have a stable youth position on NomCom and GAC. So that large scale UUA events
and issues to be accountable to youth.
Resources: Resources about youth empowerment could be sent to each trustee to reinforce the importance
of youth in our religion and their role in its leadership.
Bylaws: No changes to Bylaws or procedures would be needed.
Organization: No specific outside organization will be needed as of this time.
Financial Impact: No major financial impact will com out of this resolution.
Evaluation: This resolution will be evaluated after the Board has responded to this charge by either
creating the position or denying our request.
Get Out the Youth
Sponsors: Jessy Hennesy and Paul Hunt
Point Person: Laura Manning
UU Principle: The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations
and in society at large
Issue or Problem being addressed: Young peoples' involvement in politics is at a low point.
Hope to Achieve: Creation of a resource allowing young UUs to get involved in the political process,
especially election campaigns.
Short Term Goals:
1. Pass this resolution.
2. Connect UUA staff from Youth, Young Adult and other offices to begin working.
Long Term Goals:
1. Accumulate resources and compile them in a concise on and offline document that would offer information
about the political process as well as about ways to participate. This resource should reflect the continental
nature of our organization. This resource would have to be mindful of the legal issues concerning separation
of church and state.
2. Change the World.
Evaluation: This resource should be ready by YC 07.
Local and District People: None
YRUU Resources: Youth Office Staff should cooperate with other UUA staff.
How this furthers the purpose and vision: Political involvement is an empowering activity. It is a
good way for young people to live their UU values and promote their UU values in the world. YRUU's leaders
are well suited to share their organizational skills with the world.
Impact for Greater Denomination: If used properly, this resource should allow young people to shape
the future.
Other Resources: YA Office and Adult UUA staff.
Fiscal Impact: None
Bylaws: No changes
It's a Holiday, Lets Celebrate
Sponsor: Paul Hunt
Point Person:
Primary Aide:
UU Principle: A free and responsible search for truth and meaning; The goal of world community with
peace, liberty, and justice for all;
Specific Problem:
Lack of Spirituality,
Need for denominational growth,
Need for greater awareness in general public.
Goals: Create a report on the steps needed to establish an official religious holiday. Create a report
about the possible UU holidays that could be established.
How resolution promotes YRUU principles: Establish a continental community of youth; Provide for worship,
celebration, and rites of passage; Build the Unitarian Universalist movement: its traditions, membership,
and heritage; Foster tolerance, understanding, and acceptance of diversity.
How resolution helps greater denomination and world: A UU holiday that is a youth initiative could
also be enjoyed by adults. Having it mentioned on multifaith calendars would increase awareness about our
religion.
Short term goals: Empower the Youth Office to create a report on the steps needed to establish an
official religious holiday and create a report about the possible UU holidays that could be established. Connect
with people who have proposed UU holidays, like Chalica and Religious Freedom Day. Research the background
of these proposals and the history they celebrate.
Long term goals: Choose a holiday at Youth Council 07 that YRUU wants to promote and then follow through
the steps identified in the first report.
Local/ Regional Resources: Adults with historical knowledge of UUism.
Resources that YRUU has and will use: The YO. The administration.
Changes to policy procedure/bylaws: None
Financial Impact: For the initial step, only that YO staff would spend their time on it.
Evaluation Process: The two reports should be ready in time to be in next years YC prepacket. The
report on specific holidays should be brief, but already have some of the pro/cons of having each holiday
as a tradition.
Bring Religion (Unitarian Universalism) and Spirituality into YRUU Lifestyle Beyond Worship
At Continental Youth Council 2006, we separated into groups to talk about the branches of YRUU we felt could
stand some improvement. Myself (Victoria Woodard), Kasey Neiss, Ethan Taylor, Katrina Thralls, and Elwood
Sturtevant were in the spirituality group, and we felt we need to put the 'R' back into the YRUU community.
We feel we could achieve this by having each district host an annual SpiritualityDevelopment Conference. This
would help the youth develop the skills and amass theresources needed to bring spirituality back to share
with their communities. Another thing that would help us achieve this goal is having chalice lightings before
business meetings.
This would bring us back to our spiritual roots as a group, which we seem to have strayed from due to our
love of governance. Also on our list is having workshops on UUism at conferences include spirituality. We
feel that if more youth are informed of our spiritual history as UUs, they will feel moved to reach into their
own minds and find what they believe in. Another important aspect of this is learning about our own faith
in conjunction with all the other faiths out there would help build respect for other belief systems and structures,
which is exceedingly important for right relations in today's multicultural society.
This recommendation is largely affected by the UU principles "affirming the inherent worth and dignity
of every person" and "acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual grown in our congregations."
Therefore, by bringing back our lost spirituality into the youth community, we will keep our religion alive.
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