Off-site Delegate Participation in GA Business
Off-site delegate participation provides an alternative way for congregations to participate in the business of the Association when their delegates cannot physically attend General Assembly (GA).
Even if they cannot be present physically at GA this year, congregational delegates, ministers, and credentialed directors of religious education can participate in the business of GA in Phoenix by serving as off-site delegates.
Off-site delegates can:
- Watch live streaming video of all Plenary Sessions online.
- Vote online and speak during debate in General Assembly business sessions from home, office, or congregation, or as part of a congregational cluster.
- Listen to discussion and vote during business mini-assemblies.
Using a telephone and a computer with high-speed access to the Internet, off-site delegates participate in the Plenary business sessions and mini-assemblies right along with the delegates who are in Phoenix.
In 2011, off-site delegate votes were tallied and reported but did not count in GA decisions. The 2011 General Assembly amended the bylaws to allow off-site delegates to vote in GA business; in 2012, votes cast by off-site delegates in plenaries will be counted and included in all official tallies.
All delegates are required to submit a certified GA credential from their congregation. An off-site delegate will count against a congregation's total number of delegates allowed; so off-site participation is not recommended for congregations that can send a full delegation to attend GA in person.
Congregations are encouraged to provide resources for off-site delegates (ie., meeting space, technology, telecommunication), as much as is possible.
Off-site delegates are also asked to furnish a photograph of their congregation’s banner for inclusion in the Virtual Banner Parade during the Opening Ceremony.
Requirements for Participation
In order to participate off-site, delegates must:
- Represent a congregation certified for General Assembly 2012.
- Obtain a signed delegate credential from the congregation (during the off-site delegate registration process, the delegate will need enter unique ID information found on their credential card).
- Register as an off-site delegate to General Assembly no later than June 8, 2012; this process will be separate from regular GA registration, required for all those who will attend in person and participate on-site. Registration for off-site delegates will be $100.
- Have access to a computer with internet access compatible with Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) streaming video protocols (Technical Notes; test a computer’s internet connections by playing video from the 2011 GA. If this video plays without pauses, your computer and internet connection are adequate.)
- Be willing to download and use online voting software furnished by the UUA
- Have an active email account
- Have access to a telephone while using the computer
A variety of self-serve and group training opportunities will be available beginning in May. Off-site delegates are encouraged to register early to take full advantage of the training resources as soon as they are available and well before GA begins. The system can accommodate up to 250 off-site delegates. A waiting list will be established in the event that more than 250 people wish to be off-site delegates.
Registered off-site delegates will receive instructions via email regarding credentials and training.
Off-site delegates will also receive access to the complete set of recordings of GA 2012 workshops.
For more information contact generalassembly@uua.org.
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Last updated on Tuesday, April 24, 2012.
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