About the Social Witness Process
While called by various names, the social witness process—the process by which the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) bears witness via official statements to the social issues of our times—has been an integral part of our faith the since the merger between the Unitarians and the Universalists in 1961. This process is a dialogue between Unitarian Universalist congregations and is facilitated by the Commission on Social Witness.Congregational Study Action Issues and Statements of Conscience
Initially called "General Resolutions," the delegates at the 1996 General Assembly in Indianapolis, Indiana, approved changes in the UUA process through which we spend two years in study and action before taking positions on social justice issues. A UUA Statement of Conscience (SOC) thereby results from a process that begins with a Congregational Study/Action Issue (CSAI). Delegates at the 2006 General Assembly in St Louis, Missouri, approved further changes, expanding the time of study and action from two years to the current four.
CSAI to SOC Process Charts
This chart demonstrates the new CSAI to SOC process (PDF), from initial CSAI proposals to adoption of a UUA Statement of Conscience.
For those of you who are more visually inclined, there is this graphical version (PDF).
Actions of Immediate Witness
Sometimes, the CSAI/SOC process cannot effectively deal with all issues. Important concerns may arise after the cut-off date for new Study/Action Issues. At other times, issues emerge which require a response relating to an event which will occur before a Statement of Conscience would be able to respond. Initially called "Resolutions of Immediate Witness" the 1996 General Assembly in Indianapolis, Indiana, approved changes in the UUA process that change the name to "Actions of Immediate Witness" (AIWs).
For more detailed information about both CSAIs/SOCs and AIWs, please see the Proposer's Guide below.
Proposer's Guide (Revised 10/06)
The Proposer's Guide provides updated information on the Congregational Study Action Issue/Statement of Conscience and Action of Immediate Witness proposal process under the By-Laws changes adopted at the 2006 UUA General Assembly.
Last updated on Friday, April 18, 2008.
