Commission on Social Witness

Commission on Social Witness

About

The Commission’s charge is to oversee the collective social witness process among Unitarian Universalist Association (Association) member congregations and groups. Social witness is the act of courageously affirming what is just and good through speech and action that demonstrates solidarity with those who are marginalized;collective social witness collaboratively imagines and embodies social witness for collective liberation.

Vision

We envision a faith engaging in multigenerational, multicultural, accessible, social witness that is in relationship with what is emerging in social justice movements within and beyond Unitarian Universalism, enabling us to live into discomfort and to adapt into a healing, transformative reality.

Mission

To amplify emerging social action, promote connections, and nurture accountable social witness across the Association.

Approach

We pursue our vision and mission in accountable relationships that seek equitable empowerment with people and groups most impacted by oppression, hate, and violence. Together, we celebrate how seeking justice in news ways of relating brings joy to the process of collective social witness.

History

The 1984 General Assembly in Columbus, OH, established the Commission on General Resolutions. The 1996 General Assembly in Indianapolis, IN, changed the name to the Commission on Social Witness and approved other terminology and process.

Members

The Commission on Social Witness (CSW) is made up of five members, three elected by the General Assembly and two appointed by the Board of Trustees, for a term of four years. The current commissioner is:

  • Rev. Mandy Goheen, term expires 2026
  • Sharon Welch, term expires 2027
  • Rev. C. Nancy Reid-McKee, term expires 2027
  • Rev. Dr. Cynthia Landrum, term expires 2027

Covenant

This covenant for the CSW was affirmed Aug. 7, 2018:

As we endeavor to do the best possible work on behalf of Unitarian Universalist congregations and the UUA principles they have affirmed, we covenant to be in right relationship with one another by:

  • finding the holy within each of us;
  • listening to understand; acknowledging and articulating discomfort when it arises;
  • being honest and open about our personal biases;
  • respecting the contributions and circumstances of one another;
  • trusting one another’s good intentions and commitment to our work;
  • affirming different learning and working styles; and
  • grounding our relationships and work in the practices of anti-racism and anti- oppression.

We covenant to hold ourselves and one another accountable by referring to these commitments during process observations at the end of each convening.

Bylaws & Minutes

Unitarian Universalist Association Bylaws under which the Commission on Social Witness operates:

  • Section 5.10 Commission on Social Witness
  • Section 4.11. Tentative Agenda for Regular General Assemblies
  • Section 4.12. UUA Statements of Conscience
  • Section 4.13. Revision of UUA Statements of Conscience Process Schedule
  • Section 4.14. Final Agenda for Regular General Assemblies
  • Section 4.15. Agenda for Special General Assemblies
  • Section 4.16. Additions to the Agenda of Regular General Assemblies
  • RULE IV—General Assembly

Available minutes from prior meetings.

For more information contact socialwitness@uua.org.