Purpose
The goals of the Rules of Procedure are to ensure that:
- Decisions are based on the will of the majority in accordance with UU values, principles, UUA Bylaws and rules. Delegates have the chance to express a range of opinions as part of the decision-making process.
- Delegates know how they can participate in business discussions and voting at General Assembly in a respectful, transparent, and inclusive way.
- Business discussions are predictable, accessible and smooth, making the best use of everyone’s time.
These Rules of Procedure apply to every item on the Final Agenda. They include separate rules for items that may be added to the Final Agenda during General Assembly. They do not apply to UUA elections, which are governed by separate rules.
As used in these Rules of Procedure, the term “Moderator” applies to any individual or team who is appointed by the Board of Trustees to lead or facilitate the business discussion process, unless otherwise specified.
Rule 1: Adopting and Changing These Rules of Procedure
The first thing the General Assembly must do is adopt these Rules of Procedure. The Assembly will do this after the first General Session. Delegates may not debate or amend the Rules of Procedure before they are adopted. The Rules of Procedure require a 2/3 majority vote to be approved.
Delegates may propose changes to the Rules of Procedure through a mini assembly prior to General Assembly. If any proposed changes to the Rules of Procedure receive sufficient support at a mini assembly prior to General Assembly (per UUA Rule 4.18.5), they may be considered after the initial vote to adopt the Rules of Procedure. Once initially adopted, the Rules of Procedure require a 4/5 majority vote to be changed.
Rule 2: Final Agenda and Order of Business
The Final Agenda is set by the Board of Trustees, and the UUA Bylaws define how items can be added to the agenda. All business items listed on the Final Agenda which require a vote will be scheduled for discussion during a General Session. The Board of Trustees or the Commission on Social Witness will introduce each item of business. The items of business on the Final Agenda may include:
- Proposed business resolutions
- Proposed changes to a Bylaw or Bylaw G-Rule
- Actions of Immediate Witness
- Other motions added during General Assembly
Role of the Moderator
The flow of discussion will be managed and led by a Moderator. The Assembly will consider the items on the Final Agenda in the order listed on that agenda. The Moderator decides the order in which amendments to items on the Final Agenda may be discussed.
Rule 3: Voting and Counting Votes
At least 300 accredited delegates representing at least 100 congregations located in at least 10 states or provinces must be present for discussion and voting to begin at General Assembly. When this is true, the Assembly has a “quorum,” per UUA Bylaws Section 4.10. Delegates participate in discussion and voting through the online delegate platform. They must log into the delegate platform to receive their credentials, which allows them to access the ballots and other key links, and to be counted towards the quorum.
Delegates must vote on an electronic device, such as a computer, tablet, or smartphone, which can access the delegate platform. The Secretary may approve any other method needed to meet any accessibility requirements for delegates to participate.
Ballot Time Limits
After each of General Sessions I, II, III, and IV, there will be a ballot on the delegate platform which lists the items on which delegates will vote. Each item on these ballots will be scheduled for discussion during that general session (if discussion is needed). The ballot will open for voting once the general session has ended and close on the dates and times listed below.
| General Session | Date | Voting Opens | Voting Closes |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | Sunday, June 14 | Sunday, June 14 — 6pm ET / 5pm CT / 4pm MT / 3pm PT / 2pm AT / 12pm HT | Monday, June 15 — 9am ET / 8am CT / 7am MT / 6am PT / 5am AT / 4am HT |
| II | Monday, June 15 | Monday, June 15 — 3pm ET / 2pm CT / 1pm MT / 12pm PT / 11am AT / 10am HT | Monday, June 15 — 4pm ET / 3pm CT / 2pm MT / 1pm PT / 12pm AT / 11am HT |
| III | Monday, June 15 | Monday, June 15 — 6pm ET / 5pm CT / 4pm MT / 3pm PT / 2pm AT / 12pm HT | Tuesday, June 16 — 9am ET / 8am CT / 7am MT / 6am PT / 5am AT / 4am HT |
| IV | Tuesday, June 16 | Tuesday, June 16 — 3pm ET / 2pm CT / 1pm MT / 12pm PT / 11am AT / 10am HT | Tuesday, June 16 — 4pm ET / 3pm CT / 2pm MT / 1pm PT / 12pm AT / 11am HT |
| V | Tuesday, June 16 | Tuesday, June 16 — 6pm ET / 5pm CT / 4pm MT / 3pm PT / 2pm AT / 12pm HT | Wednesday, June 17 — 9am ET / 8am CT / 7am MT / 6am PT / 5am AT / 4am HT |
All business items and amendments requiring discussion may only be voted on if they have been discussed in a General Session within the discussion time limit. The Moderator may extend the ballot’s voting time limit if they determine it is essential for the business of the Assembly. The results will be available online promptly after voting has closed.
The UUA Bylaws or these Rules of Procedure specify the percentage of affirmative votes needed for an item of business to pass. Only votes for and against a business item will be counted towards the percentage needed to pass.
The Moderator may ask for a straw poll on any question. Straw polls are not official votes; they are tools to help the Moderator understand how delegates are currently feeling or thinking.
Delegates may not make any motion which is not specified under these Rules of Procedure, such as a proposal to table (postpone), reconsider, move the previous question (end discussion), suspend the rules, extend debate, or take any other action related to a business item, unless the Moderator determines it is in the best interest of the General Assembly to consider such a motion.
Rule 4: Minutes
The UUA Recording Secretary, Governance Manager, and Legal Counsel draft the minutes of the General Assembly General Sessions, which are the official record of the decisions made. The Board of Trustees will approve the minutes at a future Board meeting.
Rule 5: Amendments to Regular Business Items
Amendments to items on the regular business agenda must be submitted in writing for consideration at the mini assembly held prior to General Assembly, in accordance with the UUA Bylaws and Rules. Delegates may submit amendments through the mini assembly process. Administrative deadlines may be established in advance to support the collection and distribution of proposed amendments. Amendments will be compiled and shared with delegates. The Moderator, in consultation with appropriate advisors, will determine which amendments are scheduled for discussion and vote at General Assembly. Amendments considered by the General Assembly will be considered before the item they amend, unless incorporated into the final text of that item. Amendments require a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote to be affirmed.
Items added to the Final Agenda during General Assembly, including Actions of Immediate Witness, Budget Motions, and Responsive Resolutions, may not be amended, except for technical amendments as determined by the Moderator.
Rule 6: How to Participate in Discussions
Delegates can discuss a business item during the General Session by joining one of the two lines for speakers, and can speak when they are recognized by the Moderator. Tellers designated by the Board of Trustees will monitor each line.
Pro and Con Lines
- The first line is called the Pro Line. If a delegate wants to speak in favor of the item being discussed, they can join the Pro Line.
- The second line is called the Con Line. If a delegate wants to raise a concern about the item being discussed, they can join the Con Line. Only concerns that would prevent the delegate from voting in favor of the item being discussed are allowed in the Con Line.
Each delegate may speak only once in the Pro or Con Line on an item of business until everyone else who wants to speak has had the opportunity to do so.
The Moderator will decide if a comment is appropriate, or “in order,” for each line. The Moderator may also allow other miscellaneous comments if the Moderator thinks it would be helpful to the Assembly.
Information Desk
Delegates may ask clarifying questions during a general session or raise a procedural concern at the Information Desk. Tellers can relay issues raised at the Information Desk to the Moderator so they can be addressed.
Progressive Stack
Tellers will use progressive stack in determining the order of delegates joining the queue to speak in the pro or con line. Progressive stack is a technique used to give those with marginalized identities a greater chance to speak. To use progressive stack, at least the first two speaking slots for discussion in both the pro and con lines will be reserved for delegates who are Black, Indigenous, People of Color, disabled, fat, transgender or nonbinary, or delegates with otherwise marginalized identities. Delegates who want to participate via progressive stack must notify the tellers when they join a speaking line.
Rule 7: Role of Process Observers During Discussions
The Moderator may appoint process observers to support constructive, respectful, and inclusive conversation during General Assembly business sessions, and to help the process reflect the Association’s democratic and liberatory values. Process observers may offer observations, feedback, or recommendations at times in formats determined by the Moderator.
Rule 8: Time Limits for Discussion
There will be a time limit for each item scheduled for discussion during a general session. The Moderator may make small changes to these time limits to help the meeting move smoothly and remain within the agenda, or to make an ability-based accommodation.
- During discussion time, delegates may speak on the item up for discussion from the Pro or Con line for up to 2 minutes and 15 seconds when it is their turn. This time will be inclusive of a personal introduction (name, congregation, pronouns, and very brief physical description).
- The only time that counts against the discussion time limit is when someone is speaking from the Pro or Con Line. Time spent by members of the Board of Trustees or Commission on Social Witness explaining the business being discussed does not count against the time limit.
- The Moderator will try to divide the time between Pro and Con speakers equally and will alternate between speakers in the Pro and Con lines.
Time Limits
Individual items included on the Final Agenda have individual time limits specific to those items. Items which may change after the publication of the Final Agenda, such as amendments to regular business items, have an overall time limit for all items of that type. For item types with an overall time limit, sponsors will have up to 2 minutes and 15 seconds to present their submissions.
| Item | Discussion Time Limit | General Session |
|---|---|---|
| Regular business item, e.g. business resolution (individual) | 35 minutes | II |
| Amendments to regular business items (overall) | 35 minutes | III & IV |
| Action of Immediate Witness, once added to the final agenda (individual) | 35 minutes | IV |
| Responsive & Budget Resolutions (overall) | 20 minutes | V |
Note: The process to admit AIWs to the business agenda is defined in Rule 11.
If time for an item scheduled on the agenda is not needed, the Moderator may choose to add unused time to the overall discussion time limit of another item in the same General Session.
Close of Discussion
Discussion on a business item ends when the time limit is up, or when no one is waiting to speak in either the Pro or Con lines. The Moderator may end the discussion before the time limit if one of the Pro or Con lines has no one waiting to speak.
Rule 9: Budget Motions
A Budget Motion is a request to consider a change in the amount of money proposed to be spent in an area of the UUA operating budget. Any motion to spend more money in one area must also say which area(s) of the budget would receive less money, equal to the amount of the requested increase. All Budget Motions must include a title, and text of up to 200 words explaining the requested change. The UUA Financial Secretary, Treasurer, Co-Financial Advisors, or other officers may provide commentary to delegates on any Budget Motion. Budget Motions will be reviewed by the UUA Board of Trustees to ensure the proposed motion meets the requirements stated above (see UUA Bylaws Rule 10.1.4). These motions are non-binding.
A discussion about the budget for 2026–2027 will take place on Monday, June 15, 2026, at 7:30pm ET / 6:30pm CT / 5:30pm MT / 4:30pm PT / 3:30pm AT / 2:30pm HT. Any delegate can submit a Budget Motion to be added to the Final Agenda, and all submissions must be made in writing. Delegates may submit Budget Motions through a form on the delegate platform. Budget Motions will be reviewed by UUA Legal Counsel to ensure they meet the qualifications for consideration.
The deadline to submit 2026–2027 Budget Motions is 7:00pm ET / 6:00pm CT / 5:00pm MT / 4:00pm PT / 3:00pm AT / 2:00pm HT on Sunday, June 14, 2026. Budget Motions require a 2/3 majority vote to be affirmed.
Rule 10: Responsive Resolutions
Per UUA Bylaw Rule 4.16.2:
Responsive resolutions are brief, advisory statements that express the sentiment of the delegates. They must be in response to a substantive portion of a report by an officer or committee reporting to a regular General Assembly. Responsive resolutions are not binding and do not set policy for the Association. They may not act as a substitute for other types of business items, such as business resolutions, budget motions, study/action issues, bylaw amendments, or actions of immediate witness. The Moderator will determine whether a proposed responsive resolution may be added to the final agenda under this rule.
Any delegate can submit a Responsive Resolution to be added to the Final Agenda, and all submissions must be in writing. All Responsive Resolutions must include a title and body text of up to 200 words.
Delegates may propose Responsive Resolutions through the form on the delegate platform. The deadline to submit Responsive Resolutions is 4:00pm ET / 3:00pm CT / 2:00pm MT / 1:00pm PT / 12:00pm AT / 11:00am HT on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. Responsive Resolutions require a 2/3 majority vote to be affirmed.
Rule 11: Actions of Immediate Witness (AIWs)
An Action of Immediate Witness (AIW) is, per Bylaw 4.16(b), a statement about a significant action, event, or development in the world that needs immediate engagement and action from UU member congregations and groups. The process for submitting an AIW, including criteria for eligibility, is set by the Commission on Social Witness (CSW) and published online: Action of Immediate Witness (AIW) Process
Per the UUA Bylaws, up to three AIWs can be considered by the General Assembly to be added to the Final Agenda. If more than three proposed AIWs are eligible, the proposers of each potential AIW will have 2 minutes and 15 seconds to speak in favor of their AIW. The first AIW vote will determine which 3 AIWs will be placed on the Final Agenda.
Discussion and Voting on AIWs
Delegates must vote on whether to add each proposed AIW to the Final Agenda in order to discuss and consider it, per Bylaws Section 4.16.
- Only AIWs that have been put forward by the CSW through its selection process may be admitted to the final agenda.
- The sponsor of each proposed AIW has 2 minutes and 15 seconds to speak in favor of it before the Assembly votes to admit it to the Final Agenda.
- The motion to add a proposed AIW to the Final Agenda is not otherwise debatable and requires a 2/3 majority vote to be affirmed.
- If the motion to admit fails, the AIW will not be considered.
Delegates will discuss and vote separately on each AIW which is admitted to the final agenda. AIWs require a 2/3 majority vote to be affirmed.
Rule 12: Questions of Procedure
If there is a question about how these rules should be interpreted, the Moderator will consult with the Legal Counsel and Parliamentarian. If these Rules of Procedure and the Bylaws and Rules of the UUA are in conflict, the Bylaws and Rules of the UUA take precedence. If these Rules of Procedure do not address an issue that arises, the Bylaws and Rules of the UUA will be the basis of any decision.
Rule 13: End of Business
The final business session of General Assembly 2026 ends at 6:30pm ET / 5:30pm CT / 4:30pm MT / 3:30pm PT / 2:30pm AT / 1:30pm HT on Tuesday June 16, 2026. If there is discussion regarding submitted budget motions or responsive resolutions during General Session V, voting for those will begin immediately following the conclusion of General Session V at 6:30pm ET / 5:30pm CT / 4:30pm MT / 3:30pm PT / 2:30pm AT / 1:30pm HT on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, and will end at 9am ET / 8am CT / 7am MT / 6am PT / 5am AT / 4am HT on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. If there is a ballot for General Session V, delegates will be notified of the results of the final ballot from General Session V on Wednesday, June 17, 2026 via email.