April 2010 Overview

First in a series of posts about the April 2010 UUA Board Meeting

The UUA Board is not necessarily one that relishes conflict, but this time it seemed inevitable: there were two topics on the agenda that had the potential for generating a fair amount of it. Three members of the Commission on Appraisal attended in person, with more by phone, to appeal their cut in funding. And three meetings into our monitoring schedule, we appeared to be at an impasse with the President in how we monitored our ends. Add to the mix an observer who is relatively well-known to most UU bloggers for his single-minded desire for justice. These topics, along with information on the UUA Retirement Plan changes, UUA finances, what the board is hearing in its direct conversations with congregations, my own AR/AO/MC journey and other topics will be posted over the next few weeks.

Next post: Commission on Appraisal funding

Purpose, Principles, and the Commission on Appraisal

Fourth in a series of posts about the January UUA Board meeting

Included in the January Board packet was one of the best reports I have seen about what can be a delicate and difficult process: a review of our purpose and principles, as required by our by-laws. The Commission on Appraisal (COA) was asked to do this review. Led by Barbara Child and Orlanda Brugnola, this team got feedback from over 1700 individuals and congregations on what we might change – and had the audacity to suggest we actually do that. Some of you may have seen an earlier report put out by comment by the team in September – referred to as the “kitchen sink” report, this version included essentially most major suggestions made and came across that way.

You will find the most recent Commission on Appraisal Report, received by the Board and placed on the General Assembly agenda with one minor change, a very different document. Changes are minimal, and the logic reiterated by the COA for these changes is compelling. Other than putting this on the agenda, the Board has taken no official position on it, and will participate, as you will, in a two year process to discern if this is what we should do as an Association. The Salt Lake 2009 GA delegates will discuss the document, and if a majority passes it, it will be placed on the 2010 GA agenda for a 2/3 majority to pass. No amendments are allowed in this two year process.

My gratitude to the COA for their dedication and work on this.

Next post: Sustainability and White Privilege