GA 2012 Relocation/ AZ Boycott

Hopefully, you've heard that the UUA Board of Trustees has voted to bring a resolution to GA delegates this year asking for direction to the GA Planning Committee to immediately re-locate our 2012 General Assembly currently scheduled for Phoenix, AZ. See the full text at Business Resolution on Phoenix General Assembly 2012. 

This is not just a "feel good" action of solidarity - the resolution calls for member congregations to cover the cost of cancellation, which could exceed $600,000. In addition, the resolution also calls for a pledge "to generate an equal or greater amount to fund ongoing efforts to Stand on the Side of Love in Arizona." These are serious costs, over and above congregational pledges to UUA Annual Program Fund (APF).

Are we ready to put our money where our convictions are?

Interestingly, UU Religious Professionals in Arizona have issued a statement in opposition to the boycott and relocation of GA 2012. See their prespectives at the UUA Pacific Southwest district website. There is even a "Facebook" page collecting "fans" of this opposing view: Keep GA In Arizona 2012 (note that you may need to be a Facebook member to access that link). A summary argument is well made at the Rev. John Cullinan's blog, Returning - see "Why A General Assembly Boycott of Arizona Is Not an Option."

I've found valuable resources about this issue at the May 5 issue of UU World on-line, with plenty of links to related stories. In these weeks rolling up to GA 2010 in Minneapolis, I hope our congregational delegates will stay right on top of this discussion. The conversation and vote on this resolution might be one of the most intense and important at GA.