How does it all fit together?

(Note: In order to be be inclusive of people who do not fit into the gender binary, gender neutral pronouns "ze" and "hir" will be used throughout this document.)

Continental Social Action Coordinator (C*SAC)

The C*SAC coordinates the work of the District/Regional Social Action Coordinators/Committees (SACs) and send them the SAC Pac twice a year. Ze is selected by the YRUU Steering Committee on even-numbered years. Ze works with the Working Action Manager (WAM) to promote the Working Action Issue (WAI), and to plan the YRUU Social Justice Training (YSJT) and Youth Caucus at GA. Ze also serves as an at-large on Youth Council.

The current C*SAC is Chris Michell.

District/Regional Social Action Coordinators/Committees (SACs)

SACs are elected by their district/region annually or bi-annually (depending on the district/region); their work is coordinated by the C*SAC. They are charged with promoting social action in their respective district/region, especially around the WAI, through workshops at conferences, hosting a social justice conference, spreading news of social justice issues going on, and being a resource for youth in their district/region. They are members of the Super Working Action Team (SWAT) and attend the YRUU Social Justice Conference (YSJC) if they are able.

Social Action Coordinator Packet (SAC Pac)

This is a resource put together by the C*SAC that is sent out to SACs twice a year. It includes information about current social justice issues and actions coming up.

Local Youth in Youth Groups

These youth can join the SWAT and attend the YSJT and GA Youth Caucus, suggest Youth Council Resolutions, can receive Anti-Racism Training, and take part in all sorts of AWESOME social justice in the world. They also send representatives to the district regional youth leadership meetings.

District/Regional Youth and Youth Leadership Committees (YAC/DYSC)

In addition to all the things that local youth can do (above), these youth elect SACs and Youth Council Representatives.

Youth Council / Youth Council Resolutions

Youth Council, the governing body of YRUU made of representatives from district/regional leadership and others, passes resolutions which either resolve to make a statement, take an action, or amend policy and procedures or the bylaws. There have been many resolutions since the first Youth Council meeting in 1983 that have guided YRUU's social justice work.

Here is the current Youth Council.

Youth Caucus at General Assembly (GA Youth Caucus)

Youth Caucus is made up of the youth (aged 14-20) who come to General Assembly. Youth Caucus elects the Working Action Manager (WAM) bi-annually and selects the Working Action Issue (WAI) annually.

Study-Action Issue (SAI)

The SAI is a social justice issue chosen during plenary at General Assembly each year. The SAI will then be studied by congregations and districts for two years, then come before the GA for vote as a Statement of Conscience. By studying the issue, congregations learn about social justice issue, and Statements of Conscience direct the staff of the UUA to affect the way we do the work of the Association.

Working Action Issue (WAI)

The WAI is chosen by GA Youth Caucus every year. It is a social justice issue that is of particular concern to youth. The SWAT and WAM work to educate other YRUUers about the issue. Youth Caucus tries to pass the WAI as the SAI at the following GA.

The current WAI is Education Reform and Multiculturalism

Working Action Manager (WAM)

The WAM is elected on odd-numbered years by GA Youth Caucus and serves for two years. Ze assembles the SWAT; promotes, researches, and educates about the WAI throughout the year; and serves on the YSJT and GA Youth Caucus staffs together with the C*SAC.

The current Working Action Manager (WAM) is (position currently not filled). For a more detailed job description for the WAM, click here.

To apply for the position of WAM, you can download an application here.

Super Working Action Team (SWAT)

The SWAT is made up of District/Regional Social Action Coordinators (SACs), and youth interested in the WAI. Members research and educate their communities about the WAI. They also support the WAM, who organizes them, and are invited to attend the YSJT.

The UUA's Youth Office

The Youth Office is currently made up of the Youth Programs Director, an Administrative Assistant, and two YRUU Programs Specialists
(YPSs) . The YPSs are selected by the YRUU Youth Council's Steering Committee. The Youth Office works on and staffs conferences such as YSJT, Con Con, GA Youth Caucus, Youth Council, trainings, and more. They provide office support for the WAM and the C*SAC, provide resources about the WAI, implement Youth Council Resolutions, serve on the ARID working group, and work day and night to make the vision of YRUU a reality!

Large Scale Protests and Rallies

Large Scale Protests and Rallies can be an effective tool for creating change and showing a group of people (the government, for instance) that people are taking a stand. The Youth Office tries to coordinate the presence of YRUUers at such protests. Past protests we have worked at have been the School of the Americas (SOA), the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), the March for Women's Lives, and Anti-War protests.

YRUU Social Justice Conference (YSJC)

Planned and led by the WAM, the C*SAC, and the Youth Office, the YSJC is a training for SACs, the SWAT, and other youth interested in social justice work. There are workshops on social justice issues (ie: Anti-Racism/Anti-Oppression, prison reform, education reform and multi-culturalism, environmental sustainability, globalization, and liberation) as well as the many tools of organizing (ie: media, running successful meetings, consensus, accountability, getting folx involved, and making demonstrations exciting and effective). The event is held in a different location every year.

Here is the latest info on YSJT.

UUA Staff Anti-Racism Identity Resource Group (ARID)

This is a group made up of the Youth Office, Young Adult and Campus Ministry, Congregational Justice Making, and Identity Based Ministries. They are charged with creating Anti-Racist programming for youth and young adults. They are currently creating the Anti-Racism Training program, which will serve to train local and dirstrict/regional youth and young adults. Future projects include Youth and Young Adults of Color resources and identity group resources.

YRUUSJ @ LISTS.UUA.ORG

An email listserve for youth who are interested in Social Justice and community organizing. This list is managed by the Youth Office. The Youth Office, C*SAC, and WAM post information about upcoming events, projects, and resources that might be of interest to youth. Learn about this and other YRUU email listserves here.