A collection of columns and reports provided by our District representative to the UUA. Earlier reports may be retrieved by following the archive navigation links in the right hand sidebar.
Friday, October 27, 2006
Tidbits, 11/2006
UUA TRUSTEE TIDBITS Joan Lund, November 2006
For the first time, because I believe the issue of Accessibility is so important. I am writing about it again (see Trustee Tidbits, March, 2004). I have come to know that Accessibility is just one of the many forms of oppression permeating our society. In the U.S., people with physical, mental, developmental, emotional, psychological, and learning disabilities have experienced marginalization in employment, accommodation, education, and public life. Many of us without disabilities may regard ourselves as allies to people who experience marginalization and oppression in a number of areas, including abilities. The concept, "linked oppressions", means that information about what it means to be an effective ally is transferable, so things we know about being an ally to people in the area of racism or other oppressions are also applicable to ableism.
There are some guidelines dealing with oppression, adapted from Paul Kivel?s book, Uprooting Racism, I believe we must be considering in both our personal and congregational life as we live as opponents of all forms of oppression. It is important that we learn something of the history of those who have struggled against oppression and injustice, while we are fighting against these wrongs. Oppression is everywhere, every day. People with privilege do not have to deal with oppression on a daily basis. It?s up to people who have privilege to learn to observe the effects of oppression. Be aware of who the center of attention is, and who the center of power is. Privilege works by directing blame toward people who experience oppression, while consolidating power in the hands of those with privilege. Notice how oppression is denied, minimized, and justified. Understand and learn from the history of privilege. Notice how all areas of oppression, including ableism, change, and morph over time, and how strategies of oppression help to subvert and resist challenge.
All of us must take a position against injustice. Take risks. Intervene in situations in which oppression is being demonstrated. Be strategic and decide what?s important to challenge, and what can be overlooked or ignored. Find and deal with the source of power. Recognize that behind particular incidents and interactions are larger patterns because oppression is flexible and adaptable. We must use critical thinking to make good decisions about whom to support in leadership areas regarding oppression, and when.
The work of being an ally for ableism or any other form of oppression cannot be done alone. No one can end oppression by her/himself. We must work together by building wide bases of support, establishing and strengthening networks, and working with established groups, particularly those with oppressed communities.
You are urged to become instrumental in your congregation and community by playing a positive critical role as an ally in our work towards equality for all. I can be reached at jlund@uua.org. Blessed Thanksgiving holidays to you all.
Welcome to the October column. Hopefully your congregation is prospering and enjoying an active fall season. This month?s column will be devoted to Socially Responsible Investing (SRI). Many investors, be they a religious group or an individual, wish to invest their money without sacrificing their values. This is especially true for UUs because of our ethical and moral principles. The way we invest matters and it is now relatively easy for us to invest in ways that do not violate our integrity while still receiving a competitive return.
There are several main components of SRI. Negative screening means avoiding stock ownership in corporations that make harmful products such as tobacco and weapons, or that have patterns of harmful or flagrant behavior such as polluting substances and abusive labor practices. A second form of SRI is called positive screening which means proactive investment in businesses known for corporate responsibility or positive contributions to the environment and/or society. These corporations have progressive policies concerning equal opportunity, affirmative action, employee ownership, and have beneficial environmental standards. A third form of SRI is shareholder advocacy which seeks to influence corporate behavior through proposing/representing resolutions. These highlight the need for diversified boards of directors, non-discriminatory employment practices, and ending predatory lending programs. Proxy voting is important because we must have the right and responsibility to understand critical aspects of the challenges facing the corporations in which we have invested, and to express our views and concerns to the management through an annual proxy voting process. The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) uses a proxy voting service called Institutional Shareholder Services which votes our shares by proxy according to our strict SRI criteria. Community Investing is financing that creates resources and opportunities for economically disadvantaged people and communities underserved by traditional financial institutions. This financing supports development initiatives in low-income communities both in the U.S. and developing countries and includes programs which provide capital/technical expertise to persons and groups often under-served by traditional lenders. Community Investing Institutions include community development banks, credit unions, loan funds, and other institutions which offer investment products that support community development. Community Investments are offered by community investing institutions.
It is important for all of us to express our values in all facets of our lives. If you or your congregation is interested in further information about socially responsible investing contact me at jlund@uua.org or seek out appropriate links on the UUA web site. There is much to learn and assistance available through the UUA.
Welcome to most of us to the new church year. I hope your summer was a good one. In June, the Task Force on Ministry To and With Youth published their summary report regarding the Youth Ministry Survey. The survey was designed and analyzed by Market Voice Consulting; 1,399 surveys were analyzed; and the average age of respondents was 15.2 years old. The results of the survey are important and very worthwhile for our Association as we make certain the spiritual development needs of our youth are being met.
The results of the survey indicated the vast majority of youth report that, on all levels of youth ministry (local, district/regional, and continental), they feel welcome and respected. Most respondents also believe that youth ministry programs provide them with opportunities to learn new things, to get involved in their communities, and to develop leadership. However on all levels of youth ministry and across all ages and identities, youth report that their spiritual needs are not being met. Only 53% of respondents consider their congregation their spiritual home. And similarly, 53 % say that their youth groups meet their spiritual needs. The question is how can our ministry with youth help them to determine their spiritual needs, articulate their faith, and feel spiritually fulfilled?
Only about half of respondents believe that adults in their congregation or their congregation?s board members other than advisors, RE directors, ministers and RE teachers, support youth ministry. This lack of local adult support suggests that this involvement may cause youth to feel alienated from adults in their congregations. The question becomes what aspects of youth groups, district/regional and continental youth programs are causing youth to feel alienated or isolated from adults in their congregation?
There are other findings as a result of the survey. Because the average age of survey respondents was fairly low and only 37% of survey respondents were junior high level it is important we ensure that there are relevant opportunities and resources for junior high youth, and that this information reaches them, enabling them to be actively involved both within their congregation and in the larger UU community. Also some youth choose to stop attending youth group or religious education, even if it?s available in their congregation for various reasons. Fifty percent said they are too busy to attend and another 25% stopped attending because they didn?t like the other youth in the program. About 24% started attending worship services instead. These results suggest that youth group/religious education did not meet the needs or engage the interest of these youth, and therefore they did not make it a priority in their lives.
Would you like more information? Contact me jblund@uua.org or go on-line at www.uua.org and address the link for the Task Force on Ministry To and With Youth.
I wish each congregation in our District and great new church year.
Thanks to all the Florida District UUs who journeyed to St. Louis for the 2006 General Assembly (GA). I enjoyed meeting and talking with you. It seems that there is much to write about following GA. A five-page report on my observations/doings while there should be on the District web site now (or soon) and of course there is "all you ever wanted to know" on the UUA website. Of importance now: 1) how you could serve our Association, and 2) "Congregations Come First" (CCF) Initiative.
1) Our UUA Nominating Committee is seeking candidates who offer a balance of skills, life experiences, cultural competencies, abilities, and geographic representation for the Committees, Commissions, and Positions elected by the delegates at GA. The Nominating Committee is eager to draw volunteers from the rich diversity of our movement. Consistent with resolutions of GA, our Association is intentional about becoming an anti-racist/anti-oppression/multicultural institution, and we want our UUA groups to embody that intention. If you are interested in helping carry out the mission of the Association contact me at jlund@uua.org. I will direct you accordingly. Applications (can be found on line) must be received by August 15, 2006. We need you!
2) CCF is an initiative of our UUA Moderator, Gini Courter. The purpose of CCF is to find ways to remove organizational obstacles to congregational health and vitality and the goal is to recommend actions that will ensure equitable allocation of resources for service and support of our congregations and their missions. A team of elected and appointed lay leaders, religious professionals, our Moderator, and several UUA staff will consult with congregational, district, and national leaders, both lay and professional. This team wishes to take a comprehensive systems approach to address the inequities, inefficiencies, and bureaucracies that impede service and support of congregations and has been asked to report their findings and recommendations to the January, 2008 UUA Board of Trustees meeting.
How it is?And how it should be: Although our UU covenant calls us to be equitable, open, and in right relationship, staff support for congregations is inequitable and insufficient. Geography, access, and design vary enormously among districts. The way we fund our faith is cumbersome, commercial, and divisive. Now is the time to remember, refresh, and revitalize our UU covenant and strengthen the connections within our UU community.
What you can do: Visit www.uua.org/administration/committees/ccf/, which will be updated as materials are received and/or developed, and review the materials. Send the CCF Team your best thinking at ccf@uua.org. Answer surveys that are posted on this site. Respond to invitations to conversations. Talk with me if you wish. Happy August everyone.
