How Do I Find Information about Voting in the Congregational Poll?

When certifying your congregation's membership number online, you are encouraged to cast a vote in the Congregational Poll.  You will be asked to vote on whether your congregation thinks either of the two proposed Congregational Study/Action Issues (CSAIs) should appear on the Final Agenda of General Assembly 2018. Please read the complete text of the CSAIs before casting a vote.  A summary of the two CSAIs:

CSAI: Undoing Intersectional White Supremacy

Racism is fundamental to U.S. social systems. White supremacy culture operates economically, institutionally, politically, and culturally, shaping everyone’s chances to live healthy, fulfilling lives. It is also the nation’s most toxic export, shaping policies and practices that do profound harm to the Earth and all living things.

CSAI: Dismantling Intersectional Oppression

Systemic injustices intersect across environment, race, gender and all other forms of oppression. Identifying the underlying mechanisms which enable systemic and intersecting injustices enables us to mitigate their harm.  Intersectional justice calls us to work together across oppressions and become a movement of movements.

At least twenty-five percent (25%) of all certified congregations must participate in the ballot vote, and a majority of those must vote in favor of placing the CSAIs on the Final Agenda. 

Please base your vote on whether your congregation, or its representatives, believes the CSAI is worded well enough to be considered by the General Assembly. It can be further refined by congregational comment before and during the 2018 General Assembly. Congregations may vote "Yes", "No", or "Abstain" based on the preferences that your congregation has expressed through a congregation-wide vote, vote by your board of trustees, work by your Social Action or Social Justice committee, or other body, or by whatever other method your congregation has selected. 

You may vote in the Congregational Poll as part of the Certification process, and the deadline for voting is the same as the deadline for the membership certification: Thursday, February 1, 2018 at 5 p.m. PT.