What/ When/ Where: GA Youth Caucus FAQ

What is General Assembly?

General Assembly (GA) is the annual meeting of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). Its programming includes open business meetings in which delegates speak and vote; workshops that any registered attendee may attend; worship services scattered throughout the days and nights; a large exhibit hall with displays from congregations, departments of the UUA, and other Unitarian Universalist (UU) or UU-related organizations; and tons of other great events, meetings and fun programs! Thousands of UU children, youth and adults gather at GA. It has a contingent of youth, but it is not a youth con.

When & Where is General Assembly?

General Assembly in 2019 will be held from June 19-23 in Spokane, WA. For more information about GA, including information about the host city, visit General Assembly.

Which Registration Do I Use?

Youth Registration is open to all those who were in grades 9-12, or the equivalent for home-schooled youth, in the just-ended school year (Fall 2018-Spring 2019). Fourteen year-olds may register as youth if they will have completed 9th grade (or the equivalent for home schooled youth) before GA.

For those who have not yet entered high school (or the equivalent for home-schooled youth), use the Children’s Registration.

For those 18+ and out of high school, take note of the option to get information about Young Adults at General Assembly (YA@GA) on the registration form.

What Is "General Sessions?"

Voting at the GA 2012 Plenary V.

A group of Unitarian Universalist delegates raise their voting cards during General Session.

General Sessions are the times where the entire Assembly gathers for worshipful reflection as well as the business of the Association. (If you have been to GA before, these were called Plenary Sessions, but they were re-envisioned in 2014.) During these sessions representatives (delegates) from all UU congregations gather to do the business of the Unitarian Universalist Association. This includes changing the bylaws of the Association and doing social witness work as part of our faith. Youth Caucus plays an important and influential role in each session. Although only youth who are delegates may speak on the floor during debates and votes, any youth may take part in the Youth Caucus business meetings leading up to the sessions.

Can Youth Be Delegates to General Assembly?

Kara Marler, FUNTIMES/Business Manager for 2014 & 2015 GAs.

A young man in an orange tshirt addresses the Assembly from the

A Delegate at the 2013 General Assembly stands at the mic to add an amendment.

Yes, definitely! Being a delegate gives youth a chance to participate in the democratic process and help shape the face of Unitarian Universalism for the next year. To become delegates, youth must go through regular delegate election/selection processes (these vary from congregation to congregation). By sending youth as delegates, congregations send a powerful message that youth are a vital and important part of Unitarian Universalism.

A GA attendees adds to a paper wall mural

A GA attendee adds to a paper wall mural.

Worship leaders of all ages lead a youth bridging ceremony; leaders are seated with youth behind them

Worship leaders of all ages at Synergy, the GA youth bridging ceremony.

Infographic: To Register or Not To Register as a Youth at GA

TO REGISTER OR NOT TO REGISTER AS YOUTH

This handy infographic helps you discern whether you should use the Youth Registration or the Adult Registration to attend GA.

Youth stand at the 'Pro' microphone during a Plenary debate, ready to make their case.

Youth stand at the 'Pro' microphone during a General Sessions debate, ready to make their case.

Get ready by using UUA web resources to prepare yourselves to get the most out of GA 2018 in Kansas City, MO!

Prep for GA