Follow-up

This is a follow-up to my last entry. Thanks for reading; thanks for caring.

Please, discuss these issues within your congregations. Hopefully, all this will lead to substantive discussions among members and congregations and with your respective delegates and your UUA trustees.
DELEGATES: Come to Minneapolis prepared: to learn; to seriously weigh the factors involved; to come to a reasoned, carefully thought out decision; and to vote.


“So, when I have conversations in my congregation, or with delegates, or with trustees, what should I be focusing on?” Outstanding question! I’m glad you asked.

Remember that the board put this issue on the agenda for a couple reasons:

1. to get a lot more people involved in the discussion of what is the right thing to do in this case, and
2. to get all of us to focus on our principles in making important decisions like this one.

So, a few questions to stimulate your thinking:

- Which of our principles is in play here? One of them was specifically called out in the motion; are there others?

- The board decided that we want to make a statement opposing the new Arizona law. What’s the best, most effective, way to do that? Should we take our money and go elsewhere? Should we stay in Phoenix and make a visible public witness opposing the new law? Some other action?

- Does it matter that, if we move away from Phoenix, the UUA will have to pay just over $600,000 for defaulting on existing hotel contracts? Or, should principle overshadow any monetary cost that might be charged?

- What would you tell our members who are concerned for their personal safety in Phoenix?

- Does it matter that several other organizations have moved major meetings away from Arizona? For example, the following organizations have moved:
• The United Church of Christ has moved their 2011 SW conference meeting.
• The Immigration Lawyers Association has moved their national meeting.

- Whichever way you have decided, what would change your mind?

- What are the long-term policy issues when it comes to future GA sites? Should we avoid cities that:

• Have adopted laws we find oppressive of minority populations?
• Have adopted laws against marriage equality?
• Have recently been the target of ICE ([Federal] Immigration and Customs Enforcement) raids?
• Have particularly poor environmental records?
• Others?

BOTTOM LINE: We want to make a reasoned, carefully thought out, decision on how to proceed. If you can participate at GA in Minneapolis, great. If can’t make it to GA this year, please ensure you’re your delegates know your thoughts.

Also, please let me know (lphinney@uua.org) so that I can participate on your behalf.