THouses of Unitary Universalists are preparing to come together online from June 23-27, 2021 for the second fully virtual General Assembly of the Unitary Universalist Association. This year, attendees can look forward to a full range of interactive programs, invigorating worship and opportunities to connect, including the recently announced Ware Conference featuring Stacey Abrams and Desmond Meade.

The General Assembly is also the annual opportunity for delegates to engage in the governance and affairs of the Association and to help shape its mission and priorities. The GA business agenda is still being finalized, but these business will include an election of trustees and other members of the UUA committee, as well as votes on social justice declarations and changes to the process. presidential elections of the AUU. This article will be updated as the agenda is finalized.

Delegates will elect nine people to volunteer leadership positions, although only one race will be contested. Two candidates are running for Board position # 8: Reverend Sam Trumbore, who has been nominated by the UUA Nominating Committee, and Jay Kiskel, who is petitioning.

Barbara de Leeuw, UUA Trustee, made the following statement on behalf of the board: “The UUA Board of Directors approves the three candidates of the UUA Nominating Committee, Reverend Elizabeth Mount, JeKaren Oloya and Reverend Sam Trumbore. The Council is committed to implementing the anti-racist, anti-oppressive and multicultural recommendations of the Commission’s report on institutional change (Expand the circle of concerns) and believes that the candidates nominated by the committee will best support the Association’s journey towards diversity, inclusiveness and equity.

Meet the candidates [PDF] and learn more about the virtual election process [PDF] during two online candidate forums hosted by the AUU, one on June 1, before the GA, and the other on June 24, during the GA. Delegates can vote between June 1 and June 25.

Delegates will also vote at the GA on three proposed amendments to the UUA statutes. Proposed modification 1 [PDF] would allow immediate witness actions to be submitted through the UUA website and through UUA communications, rather than in person to GA. Proposed modification 2 [PDF] adjust timelines and language to shorten election campaigns for the moderator and chairperson of the AUU and better reflect the realities of the campaign. Proposed modification 3 [PDF] would update the wording to allow the presidential search committee to nominate a single candidate for the presidency of the AUU rather than multiple candidates. Additional candidates could still come forward by petition.

Only accredited delegates can vote on business at the General Assembly. Learn about UUA elections, being a delegate, and how to get delegate credentials [PDF].

“Once registered, delegates will find a participation guide that guides them through the GA’s online participation portal,” explains IT services manager Larry Stritof. “It explains the experience they can expect and prepares them to interact with the various delegate tools.”

Registration for the General Assembly is $ 200 per person, with financial support and a payment plan available. Registrants will have access to the GA 2021 participation portal, including live and on-demand video content; a virtual exhibition hall; interactive chat rooms; pastoral care and technical support; and a new GA mobile application. Sign up today to see weekly email updates on programming, activities and events happening at GA. Visit uua.org/ga to learn more.