GA in Phoenix Process

Every UU member and friend would have enjoyed observing the process of a room full of thousands of UU’s carefully, respectfully listening to each other’s perspectives on how to best address the many layers of the immigration law in AZ and how that relates to our GA in Phoenix in 2012.

A movement was actively raising cash donations to pay fees related to pulling out. Last number I saw was $20,000 in individual contributions. People were quite adamant about not crossing the picket line and the need to boycott the state.

Then, some very articulate voices from AZ helped delegates to recognize the best approach was to come to AZ, but minimize normal GA activities to focus on social justice work in the community instead of holding lengthy plenary sessions. Apparently, that will be an off year when we are not considering which issue will become study/action issue for the following year, so easy to keep any meeting time to a minimum.

There was quite a bit of debate time spent adding and subtracting language that would limit “normal” GA meeting activities. To me, it was thrilling to watch a huge ship, of thousands of minds moving in one direction, shift quite abruptly to this new idea: continue to commit to AZ, but with the focus on actions to assist the people most oppressed by the immigration bill as currently written. This shift resulted from one or two articulate voices expressing quite passionately what UU’s could do with this as a focus. I was was moved to see this shift manifest, as moderator called for votes. First fairly evenly divided between for and against, but finally a forest of yellow cards go up at once, followed by a handful in final opposition to this solution seeking action vs. talking about it.

It was the most amazing development in what started as a very divisive conflict of positions. Before the vote there was a mini worship service where we centered ourselves to Stand on the Side of Love in our discussion and ultimate decision. Be proud to be a part of this marvelous association of people.