We are joining the Equity amendment group in proposing this amendment to the Equity section:
Equity.We affirm the inherent worth and dignity of each person. We covenant to defend, build, and sustain fully accessible and inclusive communities. We work to create a just and peaceful world in which all can flourish.
Current lines:
40 Equity. We declare that every person has the right to flourish with inherent dignity and
41 worthiness.
42 We covenant to use our time, wisdom, attention, and money to build and sustain fully
43 accessible and inclusive communities.
I don’t disagree with anything in this amendment.
However I would like to ask you to look at #24 to see whether you would be willing to incorporate any additional changes. One problem I see with the original version of the Equity Value is that it seems to focus more on the community than the individual, and sometimes sounds like it’s more about Justice than Equity. While I want us to also focus on community (and a peaceful world) I want this particular Value to make it clear how the individual fits into that.
So here is Amendment #24: Equity. We declare that every person has [the right to flourish with] inherent dignity and
worthiness. We respect every individual’s freedom of belief and right of conscience.
We [covenant to use our time, wisdom, attention, and money to] build and sustain fully
accessible and inclusive communities that support every person to express who they are.
And here is one possible "mash-up of #24 and #40:
Equity. We affirm the inherent worth and dignity of each person. We respect every individual’s freedom of belief and right of conscience. We defend, build, and sustain fully accessible and inclusive communities , with the goal of [We work to create] a just and peaceful world in which all can flourish.
Another option for the final sentence would be something that hearkens back to the 7 principles:
We defend, build, and sustain fully accessible and inclusive communities, with the goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all.
I like this mash-up. If friendly amendments will be acceptable during the miniassembly (as we did during the business-resolution mini, as long as there were no objections), I think that this would be a good one that would streamline the full session. (I prefer the option for the final sentence that includes the principle 6 wording, but would be O.K. with either.)
There is a concensus formring around " We covenant to defend, build, and sustain . This amendment looks much like 19. Amendment 24 is global - touching multiple parts of Article II. Perhaps amendment 24 can recieve friendly amendments in an orderly way. I think the formation of friendly amenendments to to 19 or 40 Equity unto itself, will be most productive for us delegates.
Note to any authors/proponents of any amendments that did not pass or were not prioritized. I have heard that this site will be locked on Tuesday. Our public Facebook group, Blue Boat Passengers, created for discussing Article II and GA, will remain open for commenting a couple weeks longer (and still be visible for viewing as a public record afterwards). Those who wish to comment there may do so. Please be sure to review the rules and the announcement about the planned suspension of the group before commenting. Thank you. Blue Boat Passengers: Info & Constructive Discussion re Article II, etc. | Announcement: This group will soon be suspended | Facebook
Addendum: Anyone who wishes to use the Blue Boat Passengers group for finding each other and coordinating to do the 15-congregation amendment process may do so while the group remains open (must follow group rules).
Here are some comments about the 15-congregation amendment process, from Donald Wilson, who used to be on the GA Planning Committee:
"“Unlike how the amendment process was run for this GA (ie at the discretion of the moderators and board), the process you’ve mentioned is bylaw and subject to little to no interpretation. I wouldn’t wait however. You need to get the petition from the UUA Board Secretary in the next couple weeks, and you have to have it turned Into the Board before February 1st.”
“If one congregation has a thought, send an email to 50 others and say “we are discussing X. What do you think?”
That is also the kind of thing that we have District and Regional assemblies for, both in person and virtual.
That is also the type of thing your religious professionals should be talking about at their regular meetings with their colleagues like minister Association chapter meetings.
It is the responsibility of your board president and other trustees to be deeply aware of the affairs of your closest congregations.
You discover by being in relationship and talking to one another.
You coordinate by email and phone call, same as we have for the last quarter century.”
“You don’t even have to have a congregational vote. You just have to get their board to sign off.” ETA: You must check this–rules vary by congregation. Also, look for the UU Governance Lab group on Facebook to connect with Donald Wilson directly.
Also, a comment from another member who was participating on Discuss:
“Some of us are connecting on Slack, mainly to remain in contact with others interested in specific amendments or the amendment process in general at GA 2024.”