Attack of the C*SACs
by Sean Jones and Al JensenContinental Social Action Coordinators
So as y'all may know we are the current Continental Social Action Co-Coordinators (C*SACs) for Young Religious Unitarian Universalists (YRUUs). There are lots of things we plan to do within the next year to revolutionize social action work, both on continental and local scales. We have been working on lots of different things, mainly a possible new social justice structure for YRUU (SICK YRUU), and increased involvement between the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) and YRUU.
As part of our continental, as well as district plans, we have been working on a new component to the Social Justice structure of YRUU, called SICK YRUU. SICK YRUU, which stands for Socially Involved and Concerned Kids of YRUU, is envisioned as a continental organization within YRUU. Each district or region would have a SICK YRUU chapter, which would be chaired by the Social Action Coordinator (SAC) for the district/region, and would be comprised of elected representatives, whether from each youth group, cluster, etc. These chapters would decide on district or regional Social Action work, workshops, and local efforts. The chairs of these chapters, SACs, would attend an annual meeting of SACs, at which they would pass resolutions, which would then become recommendations to Youth Council. The purpose of this organization would be to increase continental accountability in terms of social action work, to the local efforts that make up YRUU.
As for the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, we have been working to create a relationship between YRUU and the committee. We will be working with the UUSC in the future to create more social justice opportunities for the youth of YRUU. As of now, we are working on a support structure for youth and young adults in the UUSC.
Do we have your attention yet? Well, here’s what you can do! We need each and every person who reads this article to try to get their youth group and district/region to be involved in SICK YRUU. How? Well, youth groups can check in with their District/Regional Social Action Coordinator to see if this structure is being created, and if it is, get themselves involved in it quickly by electing a Social Action Representative to go to Social Action Congress in their district. If it isn't established, Youth Groups can encourage Social Action Coordinators to do so. If you are on a congregational, district or regional youth/adult committee, then you can work more directly on that committee setting up your SICK YRUU Chapter.
We are fairly sure Districts/Regions that do decide to do this will need to engage in OUTREACH! So there is another thing you can do: go to Youth Groups not traditionally "in the loop" on district, regional and continental happenings, and try to spark interest.
Once all of this is set up, we will be in a completely different ballpark. We will have a much greater capacity to do grassroots organizing on any number of subjects, and create revolution at home. We are, however, moving forward one step at a time, and urge you to do so as well. Even if all we do in these two years is establish a strong framework, we will be two satisfied C*SACs. After all, once this is set up, the responsibility will be shared in greater amounts, and that means the energy will be greater, and that means the action will be greater, and that means...the list goes on and on.
We hope we have imparted to you some form of enthusiasm, and we will continue to try. Without your help, we cannot succeed. This is for all of us, so all of us need to lend a helping hand. And maybe, just maybe, YRUU will meet its great revolutionary potential. We think it's possible, do you?
For more information contact youth @ uua.org.
Last updated on Saturday, April 19, 2008.
