Tandi’s Tips to Make the Most of Your General Assembly Experience

Internet portal to all things GA: http://www.uua.org/events/generalassembly/
Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations’ Blog: http://www.uuworld.org/news/ga/


• Before you go to General Assembly (GA), skim the Pacific Northwest District of congregations (www.pnwd.org under “Congregations”) or your own district. Find congregations that are similar in size, and make a list. At the General Assembly, seek out people from those congregations who are in similar leadership roles as you and compare notes. What is working well? What are challenges? What are possible solutions? Swap contact information and keep in touch. There is a message board at GA where you can post and receive messages to people.
• Even better – contact folks ahead of GA and arrange regular meetings (breakfasts?) to debrief the experience and start plotting collaboration and support once we’re back home.
• Be extra-friendly to the folks working the General Assembly – they are all volunteers and our UU brothers and sisters.
• Sing out at the Opening Worship and let the rush of celebrating with thousands of Unitarian Universalists from all over our continent sink into your bones. Let our collective energy feed your spirit. After each worship service ask what you liked best and how you can bring that nugget home to your own worship.
• Seek out district board members and your Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations trustee and tell them what your greatest hopes are for our religion and your congregation. Our boards set the vision for our collective ministry with long range dreaming. Tell them what your priorities are.
• Seek out U.U.A. of C. staff with your questions. Tell us what you need to build a vibrant, thriving religious community. During Plenary staff sit in a block to the front-left when facing the stage.
• Go to a workshop that speaks to a need in your congregation. Before you leave General Assembly, create a plan for how you will apply what you learned back in your home congregation.
• Go to a workshop that speaks to a personal passion or interest. Before you leave General Assembly, create a plan for how you will apply what you’ve learned back in your home congregation and/or your personal life.
• Keep some extra room in your suitcase for the wonderful Unitarian Universalist clothing and jewelry available in the display booth area. Everyone should have at least one piece of UU jewelry to wear.
• Keep the energy going! When you return to your congregation, schedule some coffee time with key folks to share what you learned. Give them copies of the hand-outs and your notes. Write an article for your congregation’s newsletter. Make yourself available at coffee hour for people who are interested. Seek out the next group of leaders who should go to General Assembly 2011 to represent your congregation and bring back inspiration, perspective, connections, and ideas to help your religious community be all that it can be.