Frequently Asked Delegate Questions
Individual Delegate Questions
How do I register for General Assembly (GA) as a
delegate?
Delegates do not declare their delegate status when registering for
GA. They simply register in the appropriate category (adult, youth,
retired minister, etc.).
What is an alternate delegate?
An aternate is a member of the
congregation designated to replace a member delegate at GA, if necessary or
desired. This may be decided before or during GA. The alternate must
present both an alternate card and either the original delegate's credential card or the original delegate's GA name
badge and voting ribbon at the delegate credentialing station at GA.
How do I get a credential card?
You will receive a delegate
credential card from your congregation before departing for GA.
Credentials are mailed to certified congregations in early May.
How do I get a delegate voting card and ribbon?
Bring your credential card (
signed by the minister, chair or clerk) to GA. Pick up your GA name badge at registration and proceed to the delegate credentialing station. Present your credential card and name badge together to receive your delegate voting card and
ribbon.
What if I lose my credential card before GA?
If you need a replacement before June 8,
contact the GA office. After June 8, you must request replacement materials from the delegate credentialing station at GA.
Your Congregation & its Delegates
Who can vote at GA?
Delegates
from certified UU congregations.
Is my congregation certified?
Most (not all) UU congregations are
certified. Find your
congregation.
How many delegates does my congregation have?
All certified congregations
have one member delegate for every 50 members (or fraction thereof), with a
minimum of 2 delegates. Additional delegates include ministers; emeritus/a
ministers; community ministers, Directors of Religious Education (DREs) having achieved Credentialed Religious Education – Masters Level status by the Association; and emeritus/a DREs. Restrictions apply; refer to UUA Bylaw Section 4.8 and Rule
4.9.2 for more information.
How many alternate delegates does my congregation have?
A congregation may
have the same number of alternate member delegates as it has member
delegates. Alternates may replace delegates as necessary before or during
GA.
How are delegates selected?
Every congregation decides how to select
delegates. All delegates must be voting members of the congregation.
Can we send Youth delegates?
There is no special category for "youth"
delegates, but young people may be delegates so long as they are members of the
congregation.
Can I be a delegate and not go to GA?
A delegate can vote by
absentee ballot in elections. However, there is no proxy voting on
business items during GA.
Can our congregation instruct delegates how to vote?
The relationship
between a congregation and its delegates is determined by the congregation, not
the UUA. There are no guidelines in the UUA Bylaws governing individual
congregations. So, if a congregation wants to instruct its delegates, it
can.
How does our congregation register delegates?
Delegate status is
irrelevant to registration. The registration process is the same for
delegates and non-delegates. The GA office mails delegate credential cards
to certified congregations in early May. Congregations then distribute the
credential cards to their selected delegates. Delegates simply bring their
credential cards (signed by the minister, chair or clerk) with them to GA.
Individuals serving as delegates must register as GA attendees.
What if my congregation never gets the credentials mailing or loses
it?
Delegate credentials are mailed to certified congregations during the
first week of May. They should arrive by May 18. If your certified
congregation has not received delegate credentials for GA by May 25, please
contact the GA Office. We are able to send out replacement credentials through June 8. After that date, you must request replacement materials at the delegate credentialing station in the convention center.
Last updated on Friday, February 23, 2007.
