EVENT: B2016 0626 GENERAL SESSION V 0115 PM EST CAPTIONS PROVIDED BY: HEAR INK http//www.hearink.com PHONE: 314‑427‑1113 **********DISCLAIMER********** THE FOLLOWING IS AN UNEDITED ROUGH DRAFT TRANSLATION FROM THE CART CAPTIONER'S OUTPUT FILE. THIS TRANSCRIPT IS NOT VERBATIM AND HAS NOT BEEN PROOFREAD. TO DO SO IS AN EXTRA FEE. THIS FILE MAY CONTAIN ERRORS. PLEASE CHECK WITH THE SPEAKER(S) FOR ANY CLARIFICATION. THIS TRANSCRIPT MAY NOT BE COPIED OR DISSEMINATED TO ANYONE UNLESS YOU OBTAIN WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM THE OFFICE OR SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT IS PROVIDING CART CAPTIONING TO YOU; FINALLY, THIS TRANSCRIPT MAY NOT BE USED IN A COURT OF LAW. **********DISCLAIMER********** >> THE FIFTH AND FINAL SESSION OF THE 55TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST ASSOCIATION. ARE YOU CHEERING BECAUSE IT'S THE GENERAL SESSION OR BECAUSE IT'S THE LAST ONE? I SUSPECTED AS MUCH. THAT WAS A STRETCH SQUEEZING LUNCH IN BETWEEN THE GREAT MORNING SERVICE. WERE YOU HERE FOR THAT AND DULY INSPIRED? SO YOU'VE BEEN HEARING MULTIPLE MESSAGES ALL WEEK ABOUT THE NEED TO MOVE INTO DISCERNMENT AND ENGAGEMENT. I LIKE THAT HOLY ABRASIVE METAPHOR. I'M GOING TO TAKE THAT ON MY OWN. I LIKE IT VERY MUCH. A LITTLE MORE SOBERING. I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT, AND I CAN'T NOW FIND MY NOTES, ON THE WEST VIRGINIA FLOODING. I SAID SOMETHING EARLIER WHEN WE FIRST CONVENED, BUT IT'S CERTAINLY GOTTEN MUCH WORSE. IF THEY WOULD SCREEN UP, I HAVE A SLIDE THAT WE PREPARED QUICKLY OVERNIGHT. A LOT OF PEOPLE APPROACHED ME ON MAKING CONTRIBUTIONS. THIS SLIDE WILL TELL YOU HOW YOU MIGHT WANT TO DO THAT DIRECTLY TO THE CONGREGATION OR THE UUC CLEAN WATER FUND. I HAVEN'T SPENT MUCH TIME ON THE NEWS, BUT REPORTS TO ME TELL ME IT'S DEVASTATING WITH THE DEATH COUNT UNKNOWN IN MANY PLACES, NOT EXCESS. SO KEEP THEM ALL IN YOUR PRAYERS. I THINK IT WILL BE DAYS BEFORE WE KNOW THE EXTENT OF THE DEVASTATION AND FOR THOSE OF YOU TRYING HOME THROUGH WEST VIRGINIA, A NOTE THAT THERE ARE FLOOD CONDITIONS IN MANY PLACES. SO CHECK WITH SOMEBODY, AAA OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT TO MAKE SURE OF YOUR OWN SAFETY GOING FORWARD. AND THEN I'VE ALSO HAD QUERIES ABOUT THE ORLANDO UU'S, PEOPLE WANTING TO MAKE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THEM. I DON'T HAVE A SLIDE FOR YOU, BUT SIMPLY GO TO THEIR WEBSITE, ORLANDOUU.COM, IF YOU FEEL MOVED. ORLANDOUU.ORG. IF YOU WISH TO HELP THE GOOD PEOPLE OF THE ORLANDO CONGREGATION WHO ARE DOING INCREDIBLE COMMUNITY WORK AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND STRETCHING THEIR FACILITIES AND STAFF IN THAT PROCESS. THAT'S OKAY. I KNOW I'VE MADE YOU TIMID ON APPLAUSE, BUT THAT'S OKAY. AND ONE LAST SORT OF INTERESTING THING. AT GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN 1984, HERE IN COLUMBUS, ACTUALLY, THE ASSEMBLY TOOK THE FIRST VOTE ON OUR CURRENT STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES AND PURPOSES. IT WAS FINALLY ADOPTED THE NEXT YEAR IN 85 IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA. I JUST WANTED TO SHOUT OUT TO THE FOLKS OF OHIO THAT WE'RE BACK AGAIN AND HAD A GREAT WEEK OF HOSPITALITY. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] I NOW CALL TO ORDER. I'VE DONE THAT. YESTERDAY YOU VOTED TO PLACE THREE ACTIONS OF IMMEDIATE WITNESS ON TODAY'S AGENDA. TODAY WE'LL TAKE UP EACH OF THE THREE AND ACCORDING TO THE RULES WE ADOPTED ON THURSDAY, YOU WILL HAVE 20 MINUTES OF DEBATE FOR EACH AIW. THE MINI‑ASSEMBLY TO OFFER AMENDMENTS WAS HELD YESTERDAY. SO LET ME FIRST TURN TO SUSAN GOEKLER AND THEN WE'LL HAVE SOME INTRODUCTION AS WE DO EACH AIW OF WHAT WENT ON IN THAT SESSION. SO I THINK THE CSW INCLUDES THE TEXT. ENLIGHTEN US. >> THANK YOU. WHEN YOU CAME IN THE HALL, IF YOU WERE A DELEGATE, YOU WERE OFFERED A CSW ALERT. IT SHOULD ALSO BE ON THE GA APP AND IT IS AVAILABLE FOR OFF‑SITE DELEGATES WITH THEIR CSW ALERT OFF‑SITE. THAT CSW ALERT HAS COPIES OF THE THREE PROPOSED ACTIONS OF IMMEDIATE WITNESS THAT YOU SELECTED YESTERDAY, ALONG WITH SOME AMENDMENTS THAT WERE PROPOSED AT THE MINI ASSEMBLY. THE CSW REVIEWED THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS. WE INCORPORATED MOST OF THEM. WHAT YOU SEE AND WHAT YOU'VE PRINTED OUT IS IF SOMETHING IS UNDERLINED, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WAS ADDED AS A RESULT OF THE AMENDMENT PROCESS. IF YOU SEE SOMETHING WITH A STRIKEOUT, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WAS TAKEN OUT AS A RESULT OF SOMETHING AT THE AMENDMENT PROCESS DURING THE MINI‑ASSEMBLY. AT THE END OF EACH OF THE PROPOSED AIWS, THERE ARE UNINCORPORATED AMENDMENTS WITH LINE NUMBERS. WITH A LITTLE EXPLANATIONS AFTER EACH AS TO WHY WE MADE THE DECISION AS A CSW NOT TO INCORPORATE THAT PARTICULAR RECOMMENDED AMENDMENT. BEFORE I ACTUALLY MAKE THE MOTION TO PUT THESE INTO PLAY, THOUGH, I WOULD LIKE TO JUST MAKE A COMMENT, AND THAT IS I KNOW THAT THIS MORNING THE DELEGATES VOTED TO SUSPEND AIW'S NEXT YEAR, AND I WANT TO AZURE THIS BODY THAT THE CSW IS SUPPORTIVE OF CHANGING THE PROCESS. WE'RE OPEN TO THAT. WE'RE ALSO OPEN TO EXPLORING ALTERNATIVES TO WAYS THAT WE CAN WITNESS AND ACT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE. WE WILL WELCOME YOUR COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR THINGS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO DO, EITHER NEXT YEAR OR IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS. AND YOU CAN OFFER SUCH BY GOING TO SOCIAL WITNESS AT UUA.ORG. SO WITH THAT, I NOW MOVE TO ADOPT ITEM NUMBER ONE, WHICH IS BUILD SOLIDARITY WITH OUR MUSLIM NEIGHBORS FOUND IN THE CSW ALERT. >> IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED TO ADOPT CSW‑A, BUILDING SOLIDARITY WITH OUR MUSLIM NEIGHBORS. IS THERE A SECOND? OF COURSE THERE IS. THANK YOU. BEFORE WE GO INTO THE INSTRUCTIONS, WILL THE FACILITATOR WHO DID THAT MINI‑ASSEMBLY GIVE US A LITTLE INSIDE AS TO WHAT WENT ON FROM THE AMENDMENT MIC, PLEASE? BE A LITTLE EASIER ACCESS THERE. >> HEY, EVERYBODY. TAKE OFF THE GLASSES FOR THIS. SO THIS MORNING I WENT TO TYPE UP A SYNOPSIS ABOUT THE ACTION OF IMMEDIATE WITNESS REGARDING THE SUPPORT OF OUR MUSLIM NEIGHBORS, AND APPARENTLY I MADE A TYPO, BECAUSE SPELL CHECK THOUGHT I HAD SAID ACTION OF IMMEDIATE WISDOM. I THOUGHT, HUM. CAN WE ADD THIS? >> THAT CAN BE EASILY FIXED. WE DON'T NEED TO DISCUSS THAT HAS AN AMENDMENT. >> BUT I DIGRESS. I UNDERSTAND, MODERATOR. AND I APOLOGIZE. BUT I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT OUR GROUP OF 30‑ISH DELEGATES WORKED TOGETHER REVIEWING THE TEXT OF THE AIW SECTION BY SECTION. THE GROUP WAS SERIOUS AND I KNOW TENSE NATIONAL ABOUT THE SPIRIT OF THE EFFORT. GRACIOUSLY LISTENING TO ONE ANOTHER. DELEGATES RAISED QUESTIONS AND COLLABORATED ON THE LANGUAGE OF THE AMENDMENTS WITH THOUGHTFUL LEADERSHIP. A COUPLE OF TIMES DIFFERING OPINIONS LED TO STRAW POLLS TO TEST THE MOOD OF THE ROOM AND TO MOVE FORWARD IN OUR WORK. AND INITIALLY, DISCUSSION OF THE TITLE OF THE ACTION FOCUSED ON EMPHASIZING THAT MUSLIM PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITIES, OUR UU CONGREGATIONS' COMMUNITIES ARE OUR NEIGHBORS. WE SPENT A BIT OF TIME TALKING ABOUT HOW WE WOULD FRAME OUR GROUNDING SPIRIT TO LOVE OUR NEIGHBORS AS OURSELF. AND EVENTUALLY WE WERE CALLED BY A DELEGATE TO RECOGNIZE THAT IF WE WERE NOT CAREFUL, WE WOULD SPEND ALL OF OUR TIME ON PREAMBLES AND NEVER GET TO THE PART WHERE WE CALL OURSELVES TO ACTION. SO REGARDING THE LANGUAGE OF THE AIW AS WRITTEN, ONE MEMBER CULLED TO OUR ATTENTION THE PROBLEMATIC LANGUAGE BY THE WORDING OF WHAT PEACEFULLY IN AND GOOD PEOPLE MUSLIMS ARE, MOST MUSLIMS ARE. AND THIS DELEGATE NOTED THAT AS A WHITE MAN AND A UU, HE IS NEVER TO POINT OUT THAT HE'S GENERALLY A GOOD AND PEACEFULLY IN PERSON. IT IS ASSUMED ABOUT HIM. AND IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO THIS DELEGATE MODEL ANTI‑RACIAL ABILITY IN OUR GROUP, AND IT SPOKE TO THE CARE WE TOOK IN OUR PROCESS. IT IS NOT NECESSARY FOR US TO STATE THIS ABOUT MUSLIM NEIGHBORS TO MAKE THIS AIW WORTHY OF OUR SUPPORT. AFTER THIS, THE GROUP MOVED TO REFINING AND STRENGTHENING THE ACTION STEPS THAT WERE CALLED FOR, RECOGNIZING MUSLIMS AS OUR NEIGHBORS. IT WAS SUGGESTED WILL CALL TO US ADDRESS THE LEGISLATION, THE VERY REAL LEGISLATION THAT DEALS WITH THE VERY REAL PROBLEMS, THE VERY PREVALENT WARMS THAT IT MUSLIM COMMUNITIES DEAL WITH EVERY DAY, SUCH AS EXCESSIVE SURVEILLANCE AND BARRIERS TO IMMIGRATION. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. SO LET ME GO OVER THE RULES ONCE AGAIN BEFORE I CALL ON PEOPLE AT THE MICROPHONE. THE MOTION CAN ONLY BE AMENDED BY INTRODUCE AGO AMENDMENTS OFFERED IN THE MINI‑ASSEMBLY, BUT WHICH WERE NOT INCORPORATED. YOU HAVE THOSE ON THE CSW ALERT. IN OTHER WORDS, NO AMENDMENTS FROM THE FLOOR TODAY. AND NO AMENDMENT CAN BE OFFERED UNTIL 12 MINUTES OF DEBATE. THE AIW REQUIRES A MAJORITY, A TWO‑THIRDS FAVORABLE MAJORITY TO BE ADOPTED. BUT THERE MUST BE 12 MINUTES OF DEBATE BEFORE A DELEGATE MAY MOVE THE PREVIOUS QUESTION TO CALL FOR A VOTE ON THE MAIN MOTION. THE MOTION TO MOVE THE PREVIOUS QUESTION REQUIRES A TWO‑THIRDS MAJORITY TO REQUIRE AN IMMEDIATE VOTE ON THE MAIN MISSION. SAME AS WE DID THIS MORNING AND YESTERDAY. SO THE CHAIR REMINDS YOU ALL ONCE AGAIN, IF YOU WANT TO SPEAK IN FAVOR, PLEASE SPEAK TO THE MERITS OF THE AIW AND AVOID INJECTING A PERSONAL NOTE INTO THE DEBATE. EACH SPEAKER IS LIMITED TO TWO MINUTES AND MAY ONLY SPEAK ONCE. SO THE DELEGATES HAVE TWO POSSIBLE OUTCOMES: APPROVE IT WITH A TWO‑THIRDS VOTE OR DEFEAT IT WITH MORE THAN ONE‑THIRD UNFAVORABLE VOTE. SO NOW THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE DELEGATE AT THE PRO MICROPHONE. >> THANK YOU, MR. MODERATOR. ERIC HUFFER OF THE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF LEXINGTON, CONNECTICUT, AND ALSO THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF THE MID‑AMERICA REGION. FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO REITERATE THAT THE MINI‑ASSEMBLY PROCESS BOTH REFINED AND IMPROVED THIS AIW AND I THANK THE CSW FOR THAT. IN THIS TIME OF HATE SPEECH AND I KNOW CREASED ISLAMOPHOBIA THAT IS ESCALATING INTO ACTUAL PHYSICAL AGGRESSION, WE NEED TO LET OUR MUSLIM NEIGHBORS KNOW THAT WE STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH THEM. STANDING ON THE SIDE OF LOVE MEANS ENGAGING IN A RESISTANCE AGAINST HATE. THIS AIW HAS IMPACT. THERE ARE SPECIFIC BULLET POINT ITEMS IN IT THAT CONGREGATIONS CAN UNDERTAKE. IT ALSO OFFERS PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR INTERFAITH ACTION. A LOT OF CONGREGATION DON'T KNOW HOW TO TAKE THAT FIRST STEP, HOW TO GO ACROSS THE STREET TO THEIR MUSLIM NEIGHBORS AND ENGAGE. THIS AIW IS THAT KNOCK ON THE DOOR FOR THEM. IT'S THE WAY OF SAYING, I STAND HERE IN SOLIDARITY WITH YOU. LET US WORK TOGETHER. THANK YOU, MR. MODERATOR. >> THANK YOU. WELL, SEEING NO ONE AT THE CON MIC, I'LL RETURN AGAIN TO THE PRO MIC, AND I WILL RECOGNIZE THE DELEGATE AT THE PRO MICROPHONE. >> THANK YOU, MR. MODERATOR. I'M CYNTHIA LANDROM. MINISTERIAL DELEGATE FOR THE CHURCH IN CLARK LAKE, MICHIGAN. I ALSO WANT TO ECHO MY SUPPORT FOR THIS AIW AND MY THANKS TO THE CSW FOR THEIR WORK IN HELPING US BRING IT INTO THE FULLNESS OF OUR REAL INTENTIONS. I'M THE ONE WHO ADDED THE LANGUAGE TO THIS FROM OUR GROUP PROCESS, I ADDED THE LANGUAGE IN LINES 14 AND 15 THAT WERE STRUCK AND I FULLY SUPPORT THAT, BECAUSE I ADDED THAT LANGUAGE OUT OF MY OWN ISLAMOPHOBIA AND MY OWN FEAR. IT WAS MY FEAR THAT THIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED PEOPLE TO SAY THAT, WELL, PEACEFULLY IN MUSLIMS WE SUPPORT. AND I'M SO PLEASED TO SEE THAT WE'RE STRIKING THAT LANGUAGE TO SAY THAT WE DON'T NEED TO HAVE FEAR IN THE WAY WE STAND WITH OUR MUSLIM NEIGHBORS. [APPLAUSE] SO I URGE THIS ASSEMBLY TO PASS THIS WITHOUT AMENDMENTS TAKEN OUT OR ADDED IN. THOSE OF US WHO WERE INVOLVED IN THIS, THOSE OF US WHO AUTHOR AND HAD COAUTHORED THIS RESOLUTION, THIS AIW ARE IN SUPPORT OF THE LANGUAGE AS IT IS NOW. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. AGAIN, I'LL GO TO THE PRO MICROPHONE AND RECOGNIZE THE DELEGATE THERE. >> THANK. I'M DANNY REBB AND I AM THE DELEGATE FROM THE FIRST UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST OF DETROIT AND ALSO A RESIDENT OF DEARBORN, MICHIGAN, THE LOCATION OF THE LARGEST MIDDLE EASTERN COMMUNITY IN THE UNITED STATES. I SPEAK IN FAVOR OF THIS MOTION, BECAUSE THE BULLET POINTS LISTED IN IT WILL PROVIDE DIRECTION TOWARDS OUR CONGREGATIONS IN REGARDS TO ACTIONS THAT THEY MAY TAKE. ONE OFTEN DOES NOT KNOW WHERE TO START AND THIS RESOLUTION PROVIDES A CLEARER ROADMAP. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. SO ONCE AGAIN, I GO TO THE PRO MICROPHONE AND ACKNOWLEDGE THE DELEGATE AT THE PRO. >> I HOPE I'M NOT DOING THIS TOO LOUD. I AM SARA WADE SMITH FROM THE ALLEGHENY UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, AND I AM URGING YOU TO SUPPORT THIS ACTION OF IMMEDIATE WITNESS. ON BEHALF OF MY MARTIAL ARTS INSTRUCTOR, AN AFRICAN‑AMERICAN MUSLIM, AND MY MANY MUSLIM FRIENDS. AMERICA HAS A LONG AND PROUD TRADITION OF RELIGIOUS DIVERSITY AND TOLERANCE, BUT LIKE SO MANY OF OUR BEST TRADITIONS, IT IS A CHECKERED ONE. OVER THE CENTURIES, WE HAVE SEEN MANY OUTBREAKS OF ANTI‑CATHOLICISM, ANTISEMITISM, THE MURDEROUS PERSECUTION OF MORMONS. IT IS A TRADITION THAT HIS ALWAYS BEING CHALLENGED AND NEVER PERHAPS MORE SO THAN TODAY WHEN A RABID EVANGELICAL MOVEMENT WOULD LIKE TO BAN ALL NON‑CHRISTIAN RELIGIONS. THIS IS OUR CHANCE TO STAND AGAINST THAT AND TO STAND FOR OUR BASIC PRINCIPLES BY SUPPORTING A COMMUNITY THAT IS FACING PERSECUTION. MOST MUSLIMS, WELL, OBVIOUSLY SAYING THE OBVIOUS, MOST MUSLIMS HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE ACCUSATIONS OF TERRORISM. THEY DESERVE OUR SUPPORT. AND ALSO, IF WE DO NOT STAND AGAINST THIS, MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT MUSLIMS, BUT WHO ARE OF MIDDLE EASTERN ORIGIN, WILL FIND THEMSELVES BEING PERSECUTED BECAUSE THEY ARE PERCEIVED AS MUSLIMS, WHETHER THEY ARE OR NOT. IT'S A SIMPLE CHOICE BETWEEN AMERICA'S BEST TRADITIONS AND AMERICA'S WORST TRADITIONS, AND I'M ASKING TO YOU STAND FOR AMERICA'S BEST TRADITION. >> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> AGAIN, I GO TO THE DELEGATE AT THE PRO MICROPHONE. >> THANK YOU. MY NAME IS ALISSA GOSON FROM UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST IN SEATTLE AND I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE MY ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORT WITH THIS ACTION FOR IMMEDIATE WITNESS, IN PARTICULAR, THE 25TH AND 6TH, ESPECIALLY AROUND XENOPHOBIA WITH THE INCREASED AND NOT NECESSARILY SURVEILLANCE OF OUR MUSLIM NEIGHBORS. WE SEE THIS COMING IN A LOT OF OUR STATE LEGISLATORS, ON OUR CITY COUNCILS, AND THIS IS AN ACTION OF IMMEDIATE WITNESS, NOT A WITNESS ON IMMEDIATE WITNESS, AND I THINK HOW WE CAN TAKE ACTION IS REALLY LOOKING AT THE BILLS THAN COMING INTO OUR COMMUNITIES AND REALLY BEAR AND SPEAK TO THE ISLAMOPHOBIA THAT IS SPREADING, AND WE NEED TO TAKE ACTION ON THAT AND ALSO LIKE TO LIFT UP AND AFFIRM, PRACTICALLY ADVOCATE AGAINST ISLAMOPHOBIC BILLS AND ACTIONS. WE'VE GOT THAT LISTED UNDER THE ACTIONS IN THIS, AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT MAKES THE RESOLUTION SO POWERFUL. >> THANK YOU. AND THE MODERATOR RECOGNIZES THE DELEGATE AT THE PRO MICROPHONE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, MODERATOR. I AM JACKIE WILLIAMS AT THE ALBANY UU CONGREGATION IN NEW YORK STATE. I RISE TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF THIS, AND ESPECIALLY BECAUSE OF IT MAY SOUND A LITTLE BIT HOWEVER IT SOUNDS. THIS ACT THAT IN REFERRING TO MUSLIMS AND A LOT OF INFORMATION ABOUT SYRIA AND SOME OF THE PARTICULAR ATTACKS, ONE OF THE CONCERNS IS THAT SOME PEOPLE HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME RECOGNIZING THAT THERE ARE INTERNATIONAL MUSLIMS AND AMERICAN MUSLIMS. VERY OFTEN THE BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE WHO CONVERTED WHILE INCARCERATED ARE AMONG THE AMERICAN MUSLIMS THAT SOMETIMES USE A DIFFERENT MOSQUE, SO WHEN OUR UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CONGREGATIONS WERE REACHING OUT, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE REACH OUT TO ALL MUSLIMS IN THE AREA AND THOSE WHO WERE FORMALLY INCARCERATED ARE BEING OPPRESSED DOUBLY, TRIPLY, QUADRUPLY FOR THEIR RACE, FOR THEIR INCARCERATION STATUS, AND FOR THEIR RELIGION. SO I JUST URGE IN LOOKING AT THIS RESOLUTION THAT WE LOOK AND WE DO BUILD ON THE REFERENCES TO INHERENT WORTH AND DIGNITY OF EVERY PERSON, AND WHEN WE'RE REFERRING TO ALL MUSLIMS, REGARDLESS OF NATIONAL ORIGIN. >> THANK YOU. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE DELEGATE AT THE PRO MICROPHONE. >> I'M RACHEL HAYES FROM THE FOURTH UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, AND I AM SPEAKING TO THIS AIW IN RECOGNITION OF THE MUSLIMS WHO ARE NOT ONLY OUR NEAR NEIGHBORS, BUT WE HAVE OUR MUSLIM UU'S WHO ARE PART OF OUR BODY AND WE LOVE THEM AND NEED TO SUPPORT THEM, JUST AS MUCH AS OUR NEIGHBORS REACHING OUT TO. WE NEED TO HOLD THE MUSLIMS IN OUR OWN MIDST. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE DELEGATE AT THE PRO MICROPHONE. >> I'M BETTY MCGARVEY CROWLEY FROM THE UU CHURCH OF ANNAPOLIS AND I'M ALSO ON THE BOARD OF THE UU LEGISLATIVE MINISTRY OF MARYLAND. AND I WANT TO COMPLIMENT THE WRITERS OF THIS RESOLUTION AND THE ONES WHO RE‑DRAFTED IT. I'M VERY PROUD FOR US TO HAVE THIS, AND AS A LEGISLATIVE PERSON, I AM PARTICULARLY PLEASED TO HAVE LINES 52 THROUGH 54. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN ALL IMPLEMENT IN OUR CONGREGATIONS OR LEGISLATIVE MINISTRIES. SO THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. AND THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE DELEGATE AT THE PRO MICROPHONE. >> THANK YOU. >> I'M GETTING A CRICK IN MY NECK. >> THANK YOU. DORIS MARLIN, ALL SOULS CHURCH, WASHINGTON, D.C. I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THIS ACTION OF IMMEDIATE WITNESS AND CALL EVERYONE'S ATTENTION TO A STORY THAT ONE OF MY MUSLIM FRIENDS HAS TOLD ME THAT RECENTLY IN CALIFORNIA AND PROBABLY IN OTHER PARTS OF THE U.S. THERE HAS BEEN A MOVEMENT TOWARD ASKING OUR MUSLIM BROTHERS AND SISTERS TO IDENTIFY THEMSELVES AND ACTUALLY WEAR SOMETHING IDENTIFYING THEMSELVES AS MUSLIMS. AND MY MUSLIM FRIEND WAS HORRIFIED BY THIS, BECAUSE SHE IDENTIFIED THE PARALLELS TO, WELL, PRE‑WORLD WAR II GERMANY EFFORTS, WHICH WAS SHOCKING AND NOT ONLY DID THAT STORY SHOCK ME, BUT ALSO IN A RECENT VISIT TO THE CIVIL HUMAN RIGHTS MUSEUM IN ATLANTA, THERE WERE, LIKE, FIVE ACTIONS THAT YOU NEED TO BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THAT IDENTIFY STEPS TOWARDS ‑‑ WELL, BASICALLY GENOCIDE. AND ONE OF THOSE WAS MARKING INDIVIDUALS OF A PARTICULAR GROUP. THAT IS ONE OF THE STEPS THAT LEADS TOWARDS THAT. SO LET'S NOT GO THERE. LET'S BE FRIENDS WITH OUR MUSLIM BROTHERS AND SISTERS AND TAKE THIS BULL BY THE HORNS AND REVERSE THIS INHUMAN AT THIS. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THEORETICALLY WE HAVE, I THINK, ONE MORE MINUTE FOR DEBATE, BUT THIS DOESN'T SEEM TO BE MUCH OF A DEBATE. AM I GETTING A SENSE THAT YOU ALL ARE READY TO VOTE? YES. >> ALL RIGHT. THOSE IN FAVOR OF VOTING ON THIS MAIN MOTION AS AMENDED IN THE AIW WITH NO UNINCORPORATED AMENDMENTS TO CONSIDER, PLEASE RAISE YOUR VOTING CARD. OH, I THINK I KNOW HOW THIS IS GOING TO TURN OUT. LOWER YOUR CARD. THAT HIS OPPOSED? THE AIW CLEARLY PASSES. IT SEEMED ALMOST UNANIMOUS TO ME. [APPLAUSE] >> YOU ALL DO GOOD WORK. I'M GOING CALL ON SUSAN GOEKLER ONCE AGAIN TO PUT THE MOTION FOR THE CSW. >> THANK YOU, THE COMMISSION ON SOCIAL WITNESS MOVES TO ADOPT PROPOSED ACTION OF IMMEDIATE WITNESS B, SOME GUNS, ALL GUNS, LEGISLATING APPROPRIATE RESTRICTIONS. >> SO IT HAS BEEN MOVED. IS THERE A SECOND? INDEED, THERE IS. COULD I NOW CALL ON THE FACILITATOR OF THAT AIW TO TELL US WHAT WENT ON THERE? THE FACILITATOR OF THE AIW? >> THE AIW DISCUSSION ON GUNS WAS VERY, VERY ENERGETIC. I THINK ANY DISCUSSION ON GUNS WOULD BE ENERGETIC, VERY SPIRITED, AND I WAS IMPRESSED IN FACILITATING THAT PARTICULAR SESSION WITH THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THE PEOPLE, THE DELEGATES IN THE ROOM CAME UP WITH AS THEY TALKED ABOUT THE TEXT THAT IS IN FRONT OF YOU. WE DID, IN WORKING BEYOND THAT PARTICULAR SESSION, DISCOVER THAT WE, TOO, HAD AN EDITING CHALLENGE. I THINK JIM CALLED IT A KERFUFFLE, AND I'VE ASKED THAT IT BE PUT UP ON THE SCREEN. IN LINES 31 THROUGH 35 IN THAT PARAGRAPH, THE WORDING SHOULD HAVE READ, POLICIES SUCH AS EXPANDING BACKGROUND CHECKS TO COVER ALL GUN SALES WOULD HELP KEEP GUNS OUT OF THE HANDS OF THOSE ALREADY DEEMED ILLEGAL PURCHASERS. AND THAT WAS WHAT WAS INTENDED AND IN TYPING IT LATE LAST NIGHT WE MISSED IT. WHAT I FOUND AS I WORKED WITH THIS GROUP WAS SUCH DEDICATION, AND I'M SURE THAT THERE WERE PROBABLY MORE PEOPLE, BUT YOU WERE ALL INTERESTED IN YOUR OTHER AREAS. WHAT I ALSO SHARED WITH A FEW OF THE DELEGATES WAS THAT I, AS A PERSON, LOST A SON TO GUN VIOLENCE. >> THANK YOU. NOW, DO WE UNDERSTAND THIS? THE HANDOUT YOU HAVE, SOME GUNS, ALL GUNS, ACTION OF IMMEDIATE WITNESS B, ONLINE 32, IT HAS BEEN AMENDED BY THE MINI‑ASSEMBLY AND IT'S JUST A TYPOGRAPHICAL ERROR THAT THEY LEFT IN THE PHRASE. SO YOU'RE DEBATING AND ULTIMATELY VOTING ON THAT LINE 32, WHICH WILL READ IN THE HANDS OF THOSE ALREADY DEEMED ILLEGAL PURCHASERS. ARE WE CLEAR WITH THAT ONE? SEEMS LIKE WE ARE. SO THE MOTION HAS BEEN MADE AND SECONDED AND EXPLAINED. SO I'LL GO TO THE PRO MICROPHONE AND RECOGNIZE THE DELEGATE THERE. >> THANK YOU. KIMBERLY HOLDRIDGE, FIRST UNITARIAN CHANCE CHURCH OF ORLANDO, FLORIDA. EVERY DAY ON AVERAGE, 297 PEOPLE IN THE U.S. ARE SHOT IN MURDERS, ASSAULTS, SUICIDES, SUICIDE ATTEMPTS, AND UNINTENTIONAL SHOOTINGS. EVERY DAY, 90 PEOPLE DIE FROM GUN VIOLENCE. MILLIONS OF GUNS ARE SOLD EVERY YEAR, AND NO QUESTIONS ASKED TRANSACTIONS. THE DEATH TOLLS CHANGE, BUT THE MEMORIAL PHOTOS CHANGE THE MOST. THE ONE THING THAT'S THE COMMON DENOMINATOR, VIRGINIA TECH, THE HOME OF SUE C2015, 32 STUDENTS WERE KILLED. SANDY HOOK, THE WASHINGTON NAVY YARD, CHARLESTON CHURCH, THE RECRUITING CENTER, UMPQUA COMMUNITY COLLEGE, AND THE ORLANDO PULSE NIGHTCLUB. POLICIES SUCH AS EXPANDING BACKGROUND CHECKS TO COVER ALL GUN SALES WOULD HELP KEEP GUNS OUT OF THE HANDS OF CRIMINALS, FELONS, DOMESTIC ABUSERS, AND OTHER ILLEGAL PURCHASERS. BACKGROUND CHECKS ARE SUPPORTED BY 930% OF AMERICANS, INCLUDING THE VAST MAJORITY OF GUN OWNERS, BECAUSE THEY MAKE IT SAFER. SINCE 1994, THE BRADY LAW ITSELF HAS BLOCKED OVER 2.4 MILLION PROHIBITED GUN PURCHASES. AS UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS, WE AFFIRM THE WORTH AND DIGNITY OF ALL PEOPLE AND JUSTICE, EQUITY, AND COMPASSION IN HUMAN RELATIONS. THESE REGULATIONS WILL NOT FINISH THE TASK OF BUILDING THE WORLD WE DREAM OF, BUT THEY WILL KEEP NUMEROUS PEOPLE SAFE AS WE CONTINUE TO ADDRESS BROADER ISSUES OF MENTAL HEALTHCARE, HATE RHETORIC, AND CULTURAL VIOLENCE. I HOPE YOU'LL SUPPORT THIS AIW. WE BROUGHT IT TO YOU THOUGHT. I. WE DEALT WITH OTHER MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY AND NONPROFIT GROUPS THAT ARE NON‑PARTISAN. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I RECOGNIZE THE PERSON AT THE PRO MICROPHONE. >> THANK YOU. HELLO. I'M DANNY SLATER, DIRECTOR OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION AT BUCKMAN BRIDGE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA. THE ATTACK ON THE PULSE ROBBED YOUNG ADULTS IN OUR CONGREGATION THAT WERE SETTING AT VALENCIA COLLEGE OF FOUR CLASSMATES AND FRIENDS. FURTHER, IT TOOK FEELINGS OF SAFETY FROM OUR LGBT CONGREGANTS AND REPLACED THEM WITH THOSE OF FEAR. ON THE 13TH, 1 OF THOSE CONGREGANTS BEGAN TO TEXT ME. I'M TERRIFIED, DANNY, THEY SAID. I THINK THERE WILL BE MORE COPY CATS. WE ARE AN EASY TARGET. THIS HAS HIT MY FAMILY HARDER THAN I THOUGHT IT WOULD. LOVE IS POWERFUL, BUT PEOPLE WITH GUNS TAKE LIVES. WE SPOKE A BIT MORE AND I ENDED HER CONVERSATION BY TELLING HER I HAD HER BACK AND I MEANT IT, BUT IT IS NOT ENOUGH. NOT NEARLY ENOUGH. FOR THOUGH I CAN COMFORT THEIR FEAR, I CANNOT REMOVE IT. WHAT I CAN DO AND WHAT I ASK YOU TO DO IS TO JOIN THE FIGHT TO GET THE TYPES OF WEAPONS THAT FEED THEIR FEAR OFF THE STREETS. WE CAN ADD OUR VOICES TO THE CRY TO END THE SELLING OF ASSAULT WEAPONS. WE CAN DEMAND A SAFER COMMUNITY FOR THOSE WE LOVE, BECAUSE CAMPS, SCHOOLS, AND SANCTUARIES SHOULD NOT HAVE TO DO ACTIVE SHOOTER TRAININGS, BECAUSE VIGILANCE CANNOT COMBAT A BULLET BECAUSE THERE IS VIOLENCE IN THE HEARTS OF THE HURTING AND OUR FRIENDS ARE THE TARGETS. LET US WITNESS TOGETHER THAT EVEN ONE MORE GUN DEATH IS UNACCEPTABLE. TOGETHER WE HAVE A MIGHTY VOICE. LET US SHOUT SO LOUD THAT CONGRESS HEARS US. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] I RECOGNIZE THE DELEGATE AT THE CON MICROPHONE. >> THANK YOU. I'M ELIZABETH MOUNT. I AM WITH THE FIRST UNITARIAN SOCIETY OF DENVER, COLORADO. I LIVE JUST NORTH OF COLUMBINE. I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL DURING THAT SHOOTING. AND TO SAY THAT BECAUSE I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE DIVERSITY OF IDEAS AROUND GUN VIOLENCE DO NOT COME FROM PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED THE TERROR OF GUN VIOLENCE, BUT I KNOW, I KNOW FROM MY OWN EXPERIENCE THAT WHEN WE USE COMPREHENSIVE BACKGROUND CHECKS, WHEN WE ADVOCATE FOR GUNS TO BE ONLY IN THE HANDS OF THE MILITARY AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, WHEN WE DECLARE THAT SOME PEOPLE ARE IRREDEEMABLE AS FELONS AND SHOULD NEVER HAVE ACCESS TO ANY SORT OF WEAPONRY, WE ARE NOT MAKING A UNIVERSALIST STATEMENT IF ACCORDANCE WITH OUR PRINCIPLES OR OUR ASPIRATIONS AND WE ARE FURTHER MARGINALIZING THE VERY PEOPLE WHO WE JUST CLAIMED IN OUR LAST ACTION OF IMMEDIATE WITNESS THAT WE WANTED NOT TO CONTINUE TO MARGINALIZE. THE USE OF COMPREHENSIVE BACKGROUND CHECKS AND THE ADVOCATING OF THAT HE KNOW DANGERS AND MURDER MARGINALIZES PEOPLE WHO ARE MUSLIM, PEOPLE WHO ARE QUEER AND NOT WHITE, AND NOT WELL PROTECTED. WE OFTEN FORGET THIS. AND WHILE I SINCERELY HOPE THAT WE WILL WORK TO END GUN VIOLENCE AND TO RESTRICT ACCESS TO GUNS, I CANNOT SUPPORT AN ACTION OF IMMEDIATE WITNESS THAT DOES THAT THROUGH THE USE OF FURTHER BACKGROUND CHECKS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. I RECOGNIZE THE DELEGATE AT THE PRO MICROPHONE. >> IMAGINE WITH ME FOR A MOMENT THAT YOU'RE IN A PARK PLAYING WITH A GROUP OF YOUNG CHILDREN AND ONE CHILD HAS A STICK, A STICK THAT IS BEING USED TO HIT AND HARM THE OTHER CHILDREN. HOW WOULD YOU SOLVE THIS PROBLEM? WOULD YOU GIVE ALL OF THE CHILDREN STICKS? I'M GUESSING THAT I WOULD STAKE THE STICK AWAY. I'M REGINA NOBE FROM THE FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH REMEMBER OF ORLANDO AND I NEVER IMAGINED THAT GUN VIOLENCE WOULD COME SO CLOSE TO ME, TO MY CITY, TO MY LGBTQ COMMUNITY, TO MY FRIENDS, AND EVEN TO MY SISTER, WHO WAS AT THE PULSE CLUB DURING THE SHOOTING. THE NEWS REFERS TO THIS AS THE LATEST SHOOTING, AND LATEST BECAUSE WE'VE BECOME BLIND AND IMMUNE TO THE ISSUE OF GUN VIOLENCE. SINCE TWO WEEKS AGO WHEN THE ORLANDO TRAGEDY HAPPENED, ANOTHER 1,170 PEOPLE HAVE DIED FROM GUN VIOLENCE. STATISTICALLY SPEAKING, THAT'S 90 PEOPLE A DAY. AT MY CHURCH, I SERVE AS THE DRE, AND LAST SUNDAY WE BROUGHT IN GRIEF COUNSELORS TO SPEAK TO THE CHILDREN. AND WHAT I SAW ON THE FACES OF THE CHILDREN AND HEARD IN THEIR YOUNG VOICES WAS FEAR, FEAR OF GOING TO A RESTAURANT AND GOING TO A NIGHTCLUB MAYBE SOMEDAY. THEY'RE AFRAID TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL AND THEY'RE AFRAID TO GO TO THEIR CHURCH, A PLACE THAT IS SACRED AND IS THEIR SAFE PLACE. THEY'RE AFRAID TO GO TO THEIR CHURCH. AND WHAT DOES OUR FUTURE LOOK LIKE IF WE'RE AFRAID TO GO OUT INTO PUBLIC? AND SO I ASK YOU, WHEN IS ENOUGH ENOUGH? IF 90 DEATHS A DAY ISN'T ENOUGH, WHAT IS? HOW MUCH BLOOD HAS TO SPILL BEFORE WE CONSIDER HAVING A CONVERSATION ABOUT TAKING AWAY THE STICK, THE STICKS THAT ARE SHOOTING 13 BULLETS PER SECOND? LET'S JUST HAVE THE CONVERSATION. >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE DELEGATE AT THE PRO MICROPHONE. >> I'M CHARLOTTE FLEMING OF THE FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH OF ORLANDO. OUR CITY HAS BEEN THROUGH SHOCK AND HORROR. THE ECHOES OF IT STILL REVERBERATE AND WILL FOR SOMETIME. THE MAN WHO INVADED THE PULSE NIGHTCLUB, SHOOTING OVER 100 PEOPLE AND KILLING 49, CARRIED AN AUTOMATIC ASSAULT WEAPON. HE HAD PURCHASED IT LESS THAN A WEEK BEFORE. THAT WEAPON SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE TO HIM FOR ANY REASON. WE, AS A UU COMMUNITY, CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. WE CAN CREATE A GROUNDSWELL OF PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITIES WHO AGREE THAT ASSAULT WEAPONS HAVE NO PLACE IN OUR STATES AND NATION. WE CAN ELECT CANDIDATES WHO CAN AND WILL STAND UP TO THE NRA AND THEIR LOBBYISTS. WE CAN PUT THIS ISSUE IN FRONT OF THE PEOPLE AND KEEP IT THERE WITH LETTERS TO OUR NEWSPAPERS AND OUR REPRESENTATIVES AT ALL LEVELS AND THE CORPORATIONS AND WEALTHY PEOPLE WHO FUND THE GUN INDUSTRY AND THE NRA. WE CAN TALK TO OUR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS AND STRANGERS TO EDUCATE AND MOTIVATE THEM TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT GUNS. WE ARE NOT HELPLESS. WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO PROTECT THE CHILDREN, WOMEN, AND MEN OF OUR COMMUNITIES, OF OUR STATE, AND OF OUR NATION WITH OUR EFFORTS. WE CAN MAKE IT SO. >> THANK YOU. I RECOGNIZE THE DELEGATE AT THE PRO MICROPHONE. >> THANK YOU. MY NAME IS DENISE HOLDRIDGE. I'M ALSO FROM THE FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH OF ORLANDO AND AN EMPLOYEE WITH THE CITY OF ORLANDO. THE EARLY MORNING HOURS OF JUNE 12TH BROUGHT UNIMAGINABLE CHANGE TO OUR COMMUNITY. FIRST RESPONDERS WALKED AMONG THE DEAD SEARCHING FOR THE LIVING. INSTEAD OF THE SILENCE FOLLOWING A MASS SHOOTING, THEY WERE MET WITH THE SOUNDS OF CELL PHONES RINGING AND TEXT MESSAGES GOING UNANSWERED. FAMILIES AND FRIENDS DESPERATELY SEARCHING, TRYING TO FIND THEIR LOVED ONES. ABOVE THEM, THE DISCO BALL CONTINUED TO SPIN AND CAST AN EERIE LIGHT IN THE CLUB. THESE ARE IMAGES THAT THOSE FIRST RESPONDERS WILL NEVER FORGET. GRADUALLY CAME THE TASK OF RE‑UNITING FAMILIES WITH THE WOUNDED AND THE SLOW PROCESS OF NOTIFYING NEXT OF KIN. 49 DEAD BECAUSE ONE YOUNG MAN WAS ABLE TO PURCHASE AN ASSAULT RIFLE, MEANT SOLELY FOR THE ACT HE CARRIED OUT. WILL YOU PLEASE JOIN ME IN SUPPORTING THIS ACTION OF IMMEDIATE WITNESS? THIS HAPPENED IN ORLANDO, BUT COULD HAVE EASILY HAPPENED ANYWHERE IN AMERICA. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. I RECOGNIZE THE DELEGATE AT THE PRO MICROPHONE. I'M SORRY. I DIDN'T SEE THIS OVER HERE. I'VE GOTTEN SO ACCUSTOMED TO LOOKING TO MY LEFT. I RECOGNIZE THE DELEGATE AT THE CON MICROPHONE. >> I'M BRIANN BYRD OF BLUE SHORE UU. THE PREVIOUS CON SPEAKER RAISES A GOOD POINT. WE ARE JUMPING TO PASS THIS AIW TO PROTECT THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY, BUT HOW MANY OF OUR QUEER COMMUNITY AND ALSO THE DISABLED COMMUNITY HAVE BEEN LABELED FELONS FOR THINGS THAT ARE NOT ACTUALLY CRIMES OR PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN LABELED AS HAVING MENTAL ILLNESSES AND BEING UNSAFE WHEN THEY AREN'T? WE NEED TO KEEP THAT IN MIND WITH THE BACKGROUND CHECK PORTION AND THE WAY THAT WE LEGISLATE THIS. >> THANK YOU. I BELIEVE WE HAVE TIME NOW. WE'RE IN THE TIME PERIOD WHERE WE CAN ENTERTAIN AMENDMENTS. IS THERE SOMEONE AT THE AMENDMENTS MIC WISHING TO MAKE AN AMENDMENT? I RECOGNIZE THAT DELEGATE. >> THANK YOU. DAVID OVERTON OF FIRST UU CHURCH OF AUSTIN, TEXAS. I'D LIKE TO SUGGEST THAT WE AMEND THE AIW TO INCORPORATE AMENDMENT E. THE AIW IS WRITTEN ONLINE 11, BANS SALE AND MANUFACTURE OF ASSAULT WEAPONS ONLY FOR CIVILIANS. AND I THINK OUR INTENT IS THAT WE WOULD NOT WANT LICENSED GUN DEALERS TO SELL ASSAULT TYPE WEAPONS, ALSO. THERE ARE 13,000 FEDERALLY‑LICENSED GUN DEALERS IN THE UNITED STATES, AND I THINK OUR INTENT IS THAT IT WOULD BE A CRIME FOR THEM TO SELL ASSAULT WEAPONS AS WELL. >> THANK YOU. IS THERE A SECOND TO IN AMENDMENT? TO THIS AMENDMENT? I HEAR NO SECOND. NO, THERE'S A SECOND. I SEE IT. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. SO NOW WE ARE DEBATING THE SUGGESTED AMENDMENT THAT HAS BEEN PUT IN PLAY. IS THERE ANYBODY WHO WANTS TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF THIS AMENDMENT? IS THERE ANYONE WHO WISHES TO SPEAK OPPOSED? ARE WE READY TO CONSIDER THIS AMENDMENT? SO THE AMENDMENT, YOU'RE GETTING READY TO VOTE ON WHETHER TO ADD THIS AMENDMENT TO THE AIW THAT WE'VE BEEN DISCUSSING. ALL IN FAVOR OF ADDING THE AMENDMENT, RAISE YOUR CARD. THANK YOU. OPPOSED? LET ME CHECK, BUT I THINK I'M CLEAR ON IT. WE ALL AGREE THAT THE AMENDMENT PASSES, SO WE HAVE ANOTHER AMENDMENT TO CONSIDER. I RECOGNIZE THE DELEGATE AT AMENDMENT MICROPHONE. >> THANK YOU. SALLY GELLERT, PARAMUS, NEW JERSEY. I'D LIKE TO MOVE THAT WE INCLUDE UNINCORPORATED AMENDMENT G, REPLACING IN CIVILIAN HANDS WITHIN OUR COMMUNITIES. SIMILAR RATIONALE. THE COMMISSION THOUGHT IT WAS VAGUE, BUT I INTENTIONALLY BROADENED IT, BECAUSE IN PARTICULAR, IN NEW JERSEY WE HAVE HAD AN ISSUE WHERE POLICE ARE GETTING MILITARIZED IN OUR CASE A TANK FOUGHT OFF BY THE ACL UUA BUT WE'RE CONCERNED ABOUT THOSE WEAPONS BEING ANYWHERE NEAR CIVILIANS, NO MATTER WHOSE HANDS THEY'RE IN. THANK YOU, IS THERE A SECOND? RAISE A CARD SOMEWHERE. SEVERAL SECONDS. THANK YOU. SO NOW WE CAN DEBATE THE AMENDMENT. IS THERE ANYBODY WHO WANTS TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF THIS AMENDMENT, BEYOND WHAT WE'VE HEARD? ANYONE OPPOSED? ARE WE READY TO VOTE ON WHETHER TO INCORPORATED THIS AMENDMENT? I THINK WE ARE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF INCORPORATING THE AMENDMENT? PLEASE DON'T YELL AT ME. IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING, COME TO THE PROCEDURES MIC, AND I SEE THAT SOMEONE IS COMING. I RECOGNIZE THE DELEGATE AT THE CON MICROPHONE. >> ERIN WHITE FROM FIRST UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST IN NEW YORK CITY. SORRY, I HAVE A SPRAINED ANKLE, SO I CAN ONLY RUN SO FAST. I AM OPPOSED TO THIS AMENDMENT, AS I EXPLAINED IN THE MINI‑ASSEMBLY, BECAUSE WHILE I AGREE THAT THE MILITARIZATION OF OUR POLICE FORCE IS A PROBLEM IN OUR SOCIETY, I THINK THAT IT IS TOO LARGE OF A PROBLEM TO INCLUDE WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THIS CURRENT AIW. I THINK IT'S AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT ISSUE THAT WOULD NEED MUCH FURTHER STUDY AND CLARIFICATION. >> THANK YOU. SEEING NO ONE ELSE AT THE PRO AND CON MICROPHONE, I THINK WE'RE READY TO VOTE ON WHETHER TO INCORPORATE THIS AMENDMENT. THOSE IN FAVOR OF INCORPORATING THIS AMENDMENT, RAISE YOUR HAND. RAISE YOUR CARD. AMENDMENT G. EXCUSE ME. AMENDMENT G, LINE 16. THOSE IN FAVOR OF ADDING, REPLACING THE LANGUAGE IN 16, RAISE YOUR CARD, WHETHER YOU LIKE THIS AMENDMENT. HANDS DOWN. THOSE OPPOSED? THE AMENDMENT FAILS. THANK YOU. DO WE HAVE ANYBODY BE AT THE AMENDMENT MIC? TELLER? NOT YET? WE HAVE SOMEONE AT THE AMENDMENT MIC? AND I RECOGNIZE YOU. >> THANK YOU. I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE ‑‑ MY NAME IS PATRICK STATE. I'M FROM VISTA, CALIFORNIA. I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE AMENDMENT B. FURTHERMORE, WE SUPPORT THE DIALOGUE WITH LOBBYING INSTITUTIONS SUCH AS NRA TO ENCOURAGE RESEARCH ON THIS ISSUE. >> TELL ME AGAIN THE LINE NUMBER. I DIDN'T FOLLOW YOU. >> LINE 30. IT GOES RIGHT AFTER THE END OF THE PARAGRAPH. >> CAN YOU GIVE ME THE LETTER OF THE AMENDMENT? >> B. >> D? >> B AS IN BOY. >> BOY? THANK YOU. SO DO I HAVE A SECOND TO THAT? WE DO. SO WHAT WE'RE DISCUSSING NOW IS WHETHER TO ADD, AND BUY GUN OWNERSHIP FROM ANYONE ON THE NO‑FLY LIST OF HAVING A HISTORY OF MENTAL ILLNESS. NO. NO. B. >> B. SORRY. LINE 30, FURTHERMORE SUPPORT DIALOGUE WITH LOBBYING INSTITUTIONS SUCH AS THE N RA AND ENCOURAGE REASON THIS ISSUE. DOES ANYBODY WANT TO SPEAK AT THE PRO MICROPHONE FOR THIS? IS THERE ANYONE AT THE CON MICROPHONE THAT WISHES TO SPEAK TO THIS? >> YES. ERIN WHITE, FOURTH ‑‑ >> COULD WE GET THE MIC? I RECOGNIZE THE DELEGATE AT THE CON MICROPHONE. >> THANK YOU, MR. MODERATOR. ERIN WHITE, FOURTH UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST, NEW YORK CITY. AS I SPOKE IN THE MINI‑ASSEMBLY, IT WAS REGARDING THIS, AGAIN, THIS IS ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE ISSUES WHERE, FIRST, I THINK SUPPORTING DIALOGUE IS RATHER VAGUE IN TERMS OF WHAT DOES THAT MEAN. AND SECOND, ALSO, THE ISSUE OF THE NRA AND WHETHER TO TAKE THEM ON IN THIS ISSUE, AND THE FACT THAT RESEARCH INTO THIS IS CURRENTLY BANED BY FEDERAL LEGISLATION N ACCORDANCE WITH, YOU KNOW, SOMETHING THAT THE NRA HAS LOBBIED FOR. SO WHILE I THINK THAT, YES, WE SHOULD BE TAKE ON THAT ISSUE, I AGREE WITH THE COMMISSION, THAT THIS IS NOT MEETING THE CRITERIA OF IMMEDIACY AND WOULD TAKE AWAY FROM THE OVERALL ACTION OF IMMEDIATE WITNESS. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. DO WE HAVE ANYONE THAT WANTS TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF THIS AMENDMENTS? EXCUSE ME. PARDON ME, TELLER. I RECOGNIZE THE DELEGATE AT THE PROCEDURE MICROPHONE. >> POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE. I THINK IT'S IMPROPER ‑‑ MY NAME IS LLOYD DENT. I AM FROM THE UU CHURCH IN NORTH RIDGE, CALIFORNIA. THERE SEEMS TO BE SOME CONSTERNATION WHEN YOU SIMPLY STATE, ARE YOU READY TO VOTE ON THIS AMENDMENT, WITHOUT SPECIFYING THE NUMBER AND THE WORDING. >> SO NOTED. YOU'RE RIGHT. SO NOTED. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> SO I RECOGNIZE THE DELEGATE AT THE PRO MICROPHONE. >> PATRICK STATE FROM VISTA, CALIFORNIA. ON THE AMENDMENTS, THERE IS CURRENTLY LEGISLATION PROHIBITING RESEARCH ON GUN VIOLENCE BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. THIS IS AWFUL. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT UU'S SHOULD STAND UP AGAINST AND WE SHOULD INCORPORATE THIS IDEA OF THE NEED FOR RESEARCH INTO OUR VERBIAGE. AND ALSO, WHEN WE WERE LOOKING AT SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT FACE THE CHANGE OF GUN VIOLENCE IN AMERICA, THE NRA IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THAT PROCESS AND WE NEED TO SOMEHOW EITHER N OUR BEST, MOST LOVING WAY, TALK TO THEM AND NOT CONDEMN THEM. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NOTING NO ONE AT THE CON MICROPHONE, I GO TO THE DELEGATE AT THE PRO MICROPHONE. >> HI. I'M JEFF ‑‑ EXCUSE ME. I APOLOGIZE. I RECOGNIZE THE DELEGATE AT THE PROCEDURE MICROPHONE. >> MY NAME IS CAROLINA CREVART‑GRAHAM. I'M FROM THE CHURCH OF THE LARGER FELLOWSHIP. I WAS LIKE TO CALL THE QUESTION. >> THE QUESTION HAS BEEN CALLED. IS THERE A SECOND? THANK YOU VERY MUCH. SO THE QUESTION HAS BEEN CALLED, WHICH WOULD END DEBATE IF YOU SUPPORT THIS CALL OF THE ORIGINAL QUESTION BY A MARGIN OF TWO‑THIRDS. ON THE AMENDMENT. I'M SORRY. SO WE'RE TRYING TO CALL THE QUESTION ON THIS AMENDMENT, WHICH IS LINE B OF THE UNINCORPORATED AMENDMENTS TO ADD, FURTHERMORE, WE SUPPORT DIALOGUE WITH LOBBYING INSTITUTION SUCH AS THE NRA AND ENCOURAGE RESEARCH ON THIS ISSUE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THIS AMENDMENT, RAISE YOUR CARDS. CALLING THE QUESTION. I'M SORRY. YES? OPPOSED? THANK YOU. SO THE QUESTION IS CALLED AND DEBATE ON THAT AMENDMENT IS CLOSED. SO NOW WE RETURN, WE DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER AMENDMENTS TO CONSIDER, SO NOW WE RETURN TO THE DEBATE ‑‑ I GOT IT. I GOT IT. I'M TRYING TO GET AHEAD OF MYSELF. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF INCORPORATING THIS AMENDMENT INTO ACTION OF IMMEDIATE WITNESS B, SOME GUNS, ALL GUNS, LEGISLATING APPROPRIATE RESTRICTION, PLEASE RAISE YOUR CARD IN FAVOR. THANK YOU. OPPOSED? CLEARLY THIS AMENDMENT FAILS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. SO HAVING DISPOSED OF THAT AMEND MEANT, LET US RETURN TO THE DEBATE ON THE MAIN MOTION. AND I GO TO THE PROCEDURES MICROPHONE. I RECOGNIZE THE DELEGATE AT THE PROCEDURES MICROPHONE. I'M JIM CREVART‑GRAHAM FROM THE CHURCH OF THE LARGER FELLOWSHIP AND I'D LIKE TO CALL THE QUESTION ON THE MAIN MOTION. >> QUESTION HAS BEEN CALLED. IS THERE A SECOND? THIS MEANS IF THIS VOTE PASSES, WE WILL VOTE, THEN, ON THE MAIN MOTION. SO ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF CALLING THE QUESTION? THANK YOU. THOSE OPPOSED? WE CLEARLY HAVE CALLED THE QUESTION. SO WE'RE NOW READY TO VOTE ON THE MAIN MOTION ARE YOU READY TO VOTE ON THE MAIN MOTION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, RAISE YOUR CARDS. OPPOSED? THE MOTION CLEARLY PASSES. AND THIS ACTION OF IMMEDIATE WITNESS IS ADOPTED. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] THANK YOU FOR THAT. THE MOTION TO ADOPT CSW‑F, STOP THE HATE, PROTECT AND SUPPORT OUR TRANSGENDER AND GENDER NON‑CONFORMING FAMILY. SUSAN, ARE YOU GOING TO MAKE IT? >> BEFORE I MAKE THIS FINAL MOTION, I WOULD LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IN ADDITION TO THE MINI‑ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE HELD ON‑SITE, AND WE HAVE BEEN HEARING FROM THE FACILITATORS OF THOSE SITES, WE DID HAVE A SEPARATE MINI‑ASSEMBLY FOR THE OFF‑SITE DELEGATES, AND THEY DID ENGAGE WITH ALL THREE OF THESE ISSUES. THEY PROPOSED AMENDMENTS. THEIR AMENDMENTS WERE ALSO INCLUDED IN THE DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERED, AS WERE THE ONES FOR THE ON‑SITE DELEGATES. AND MY UNDERSTANDING FROM THE COMMISSIONERS WHO FACILITATED THAT WAS THAT THEY WERE VERY ENGAGED H A LOT OF GOOD IDEAS, AND A LOT OF GOOD ENERGY AROUND ALL THREE OF THESE ISSUES. THE COMMISSION ON SOCIAL WITNESS MOVES TO ADOPT PROPOSED ACTION OF IMMEDIATE WITNESS. IF FOUND IN THE CSW ALERT, STOP THE HATE, PROTECT AND SUPPORT OUR TRANSGENDER AND GENDER NON‑CONFORMING FAMILY. HAVING HEARD THE MOTION TO PASS THIS AIW TO STOP THE HATE, PROTECT AND SUPPORT OUR TRANSGENDER AND GENDER NON‑CONFORMING FAMILY, AND HAVING HEARD A SECOND, IT IS SO MOVED AND WE ARE READY FOR DEBATE. I'M CONFUSED. YOU'RE GOING TO TELL US WHAT WENT ON IN THE CSW. I LIKE IT. I LIKE IT TELL US WHAT WENT ON THERE. I RECOGNIZE THE DELEGATE AT THE AMENDMENT MICROPHONE. >> THANK YOU, MR. MODERATOR. MY NAME IS THE REVEREND KAITLYN COTTER AND I AM DELIGHTED TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED IN OUR MINI‑ASSEMBLY. LIKE THE OTHER MINI‑ASSEMBLIES, WE FOUND THAT WE HAD AN AMAZINGLY THOUGHTFUL AND CAREFUL DISCUSSION OF THIS ISSUE. MORE THAN THAT, WE HAD FUN TOGETHER ENGAGING IN THIS PROCESS, JOKING, LAUGHING, AND EVEN DANCING. YES, THERE WAS DANCING IN OUR EXCITEMENT FOR THIS ACTION OF IMMEDIATE WITNESS. AS YOU CAN SEE, READING THROUGH THIS AIW, MOST OF THE SUGGESTED CHANGES ARE ABOUT MAKING IT MORE INCLUSIVE AND STRENGTHENING THE LANGUAGE. THOSE IN THE ROOM FELT THE ORIGINAL PROPOSAL DIDN'T GO FAR ENOUGH AND INDICATING JUST ON YOU PERILOUS THE LIVES OF OUR TRANSGENDER AND GENDER NON‑CONFORMING FRIENDS AND FAMILY ARE. THOSE IN THE ROOM DID TAKE OUT SOME SMALL THINGS. YOU'LL NOTICE AS YOU LOOK THROUGH THE TEXT, SUCH AS THE REFERENCE TO THE SEVENTH PRINCIPLE, WHICH PEOPLE IN THE ROOM FELT DIDN'T ADD SIGNIFICANTLY AND, IN FACT, POTENTIALLY WEAKENED IT JUST A TOUCH, THE ACTION OF IMMEDIATE WITNESS. THEY DID SUGGEST TWO MAJOR ADDITIONS TO THE ACTIONS OF IMMEDIATE WITNESS, WHICH YOU WILL SEE UNDER THE UNINCORPORATED AMENDMENTS. THOSE TWO SUGGESTIONS WEREN'T INCLUDED, BECAUSE THE AIW FELT THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO ADD SUCH MAJOR CHUNKS OF TEXT, AND THAT WOULD REST IN THE AUTHORITY OF THE DELEGATES IN THIS ROOM. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU FOR THAT. SO WE'RE READY TO HAVE OUR DEBATE. I RECOGNIZE THE DELEGATE AT THE PRO MICROPHONE. >> THANK YOU, MR. MODERATOR. I AM VANSTROM GREKLE FROM THE UU FELLOWSHIP AT DEKALB, ILLINOIS. I SUPPORT THIS AIW BECAUSE I AM A TRANSGENDER MAN. THIS IS NOT A CHOICE, NOT A SILLY CHOICE. MY ONLY DECISION WAS TO BE TRUE TO MYSELF. SINCE I STARTED TRANSITIONING IN 2013, I WAS CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY. BUT AFTER UNJUST BATHROOM LAWS AND ESPECIALLY THE SHOOTING ORLANDO, I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS COUNTRY ANYMORE. PUT YOURSELF IN MY SHOES. AND IMAGINE THIS. BECAUSE WE CAN GO THROUGH A LOT OF VIOLENCE. I GO INTO A MEN'S RESTROOM JUST TO DO MY BUSINESS PEACEFULLY. SO IF I AM ANOTHER WHITE MAN, BUT HEAVEN FORBID SOMEONE DISCOVERS I'M TRANSGENDER. INSTANTLY, I BECOME JUST A PIECE OF MEAT, LESS THAN HUMAN, AN OBJECT SOMEONE ELSE FEELS ENTITLED TO USE FOR HIS OWN PLEASURE. DISABLED AND HAVING HEALTH CONDITIONS THAT RENDER ME PHYSICALLY WEAK, I AM DEFENSELESS. CAN I TRUST AUTHORITIES TO HELP ME AFTER THOSE BATHROOM LAWS? OF COURSE NOT. I DON'T WANT TO BE BLAMED. I'M PUT ON TRIAL INSTEAD OF THE ATTACKER. OUR FIRST PRINCIPLE APPLIES TO ALL, WITHOUT EXCEPTION. [INDISCERNIBLE] TITLED POST SAYS I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO LEAVE WHERE I STAND. I SHOULDN'T CHANGE WHO I AM TO COUNT AS A HUMAN. WHEN WILL WE, TRANSGENDER AND GENDER NON‑CONFORMING PEOPLE WILL START COUNTING AS HUMAN. >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU. I RECOGNIZE THE DELEGATE AT THE PRO MICROPHONE. >> THANK YOU. I AM SARA WADE SMITH FROM ALLEGHENY UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH IN PITTSBURGH. AND I AM A TRANSGENDERED WOMAN, WHICH MEANS I AM DIRECTLY AFFECTED BY THE ONGOING WAVES OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST TRANSGENDER PEOPLE. SOME OF YOU MAY HAVE THE BLESSING OF NOT KNOWING ABOUT A HOLIDAY, IF I CAN CALL IT THAT, THAT WE HAVE IN THE TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY. THE DAY OF REMEMBRANCE, WHEN WE GATHER EVERY YEAR TO COMMEMORATE THOSE TRANSGENDERED MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE BEEN KILLED IN HATE CRIMES OVER THE LAST YEAR. IT'S ALMOST NEVER LESS THAN 50. BECAUSE WE ARE DIFFERENT, PEOPLE THINK THAT THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO COMMIT VIOLENCE AGAINST US. PEOPLE THINK THAT THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO DENY US THE RIGHT TO LIVE, A PLACE TO LIVE. THESE BATHROOM BILLS, WORDS CANNOT EXPRESS MY RAGE AT THIS. IT IS BASICALLY THE ROOT OF ALL OPPRESSION, WHICH IS TAKING A SMALL MARGINALIZED GROUP, MAKING THEM THE OTHER, AND THEN LEGITIMIZING VIOLENCE AGAINST THEM. NOT ONLY DO WE HAVE THESE LAWS BEING PASSED, WE HAVE SOUTHERN POLITICIANS ACTUALLY BOASTING ABOUT HOW IF IT THEY SEE A TRANSGENDERED WOMAN USING THE BATHROOM, THEY WILL BEAT HER UP OR SHOOT HER. WE NEED TO STAND AGAINST THIS. WE NEED TO STAND FOR THE RIGHT THAT I THOUGHT WAS ENSHRINED IN THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE THAT EVERYONE, WITHOUT EXCEPTION, HAS THE RIGHT TO LIFE, TO LIBERTY, AND TO THE APPROXIMATE PURSUIT OF THEIR OWN HAPPINESS. I AM ASKING FOR YOUR SUPPORT. [APPLAUSE] THANK YOU. I RECOGNIZE THE DELEGATE AT THE PROCEDURE MICROPHONE. >> STEVE HOLLINGSWORTH, UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF CHATTANOOGA. I'M HERE TO MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUBSTITUTING FOR THE WORD FAMILY THE WORD SIBLINGS IN THE TITLE. >> YOU'RE THE OUT OF ORDER, SIR. I'M SORRY. I'M SORRY. THANK YOU. >> WHY AM I OUT OF ORDER? >> AMENDMENTS GO OVER HERE. THEY CAN'T BE INSERTED UNLESS THEY'RE UNINCORPORATED. THANK YOU. >> I RECOGNIZE THE DELEGATE AT THE PRO MICROPHONE. >> THANK YOU. MY NAME IS [INDISCERNIBLE] FINGERSON. I'M A MEMBER AT THE UNITARIAN CHURCH OF SHARON, MASSACHUSETTS. LIVING IN MASSACHUSETTS, I HAD THE GREAT PLEASURE OF LOBBYING IN SUPPORT OF A BILL EXTENDING PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS, RIGHTS TO TRANSGENDER AND GENDER NON‑CONFORMING PEOPLE. THESE BILLS ARE COMMONLY KNOWN AS BATHROOM BILLS, BUT THAT POLITICIZED BIASED INTERPRETATION MASKS WHAT IS A VERY SIMPLE CONCEPT, THAT A TRANS PERSON, WHO ALREADY HAS THE RIGHT UNDER LAW TO WORK AT, SAY, A DUNKIN' DONUTS OR TO DRIVE A BUS FOR THE MBTA SHOULD ALSO HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE SERVED A DONUT AND A COFFEE WITHOUT BEING CHUCKED OUT OF THE RESTAURANT AND TO GET ON A BUS AND RIDE IN PEACE. THAT SIMPLE. I FIND IT INCREDIBLY HARD IN MASSACHUSETTS. IT IS NOT OVER, BUT IT WILL BE TOUGHER. ON ONE OF THE LEGISLATIVE VISITS, THE CONGRESSMAN WITH WHOM WE MET REVEALED HIS OFFICE RECEIVED BILLS AT A RATIO OF 200 CALLS AGAINST TO EVERY ONE SINGLE CALL FOR THE BILL. THE OTHER SIDE IS THAT WELL ORGANIZED AND THEY ARE EXPERTS AT THE MANUFACTURE OF UNFOUNDED FEARS. DURING THOSE VISITS TO THE STATEHOUSE, I LEARNED THAT I AM NOT NOW, MYSELF, THE TYPICAL ADVOCATE FOR TRANSGENDER AND NON‑CONFORMING PEOPLE'S RIGHTS, BUT RATHER THAT MANY OF YOU ALL ARE. I AM NOT MARRIED. I DON'T HAVE CHILDREN. I HAVE NO TRANS PEOPLE WHO ARE IMMEDIATELY MEMBERS OF MY FAMILY. AT THE LEVEL OF LAW MAKING, IT IS, HOWEVER, FAMILY MEMBERS WORKING HAND IN HAND WITH TRANS PEOPLE WHO ARE CHANGING THE PERCEPTION OF THIS FIGHT ON A VISCERAL LEVEL FOR THE GENERAL POPULATION. IT IS THE FAMILIES WHO LIVE IN FEAR OF LOSING THEIR GENDER NON‑CONFORMING LOVED ONES TO THE SCOURGE OF SUICIDE AND HATE CRIMES THAT ARE NOW SPEAKING OUT ON BEHALF OF THEIR CHILDREN ESPECIALLY AND ALSO IN IMMEASURABLE GRIEF FOR TRANS AND GENDER NON‑CONFORMING PEOPLE OF COLOR WHO ARE THEY GREATEST RISK AND WHOSE NAMES WE MUST SAY AND SAY AND SAY. ARE WE READY TO ANSWER EMPATHETICALLY AND PASSIONATELY? >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. LET'S TAKE A BREATH HERE, AND THEN I'LL RECOGNIZE THE DELEGATE AT THE PROCEDURES MICROPHONE. AND I WOULD REMIND FOLKS THAT WE DO HAVE CHAPLAINS IN THE HOUSE IF YOU FEEL YOUR ANGER RISING OR HAVING YOURSELF BE TRIGGERED IN ANY WAY. SO I RECOGNIZE THE DELEGATE AT THE PROCEDURES MICROPHONE. THANK YOU, MR. MODERATOR. I'M THE REVEREND LYNN MARSHAL FROM THE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE. AND I'VE NOTICED THAT OR OFF‑SITE DELEGATE VOTES HAVE BEEN SHOWING ON THE SCREEN, BUT AS WE VOTE, THERE HAS BEEN NO MENTION OF THEIR PARTICIPATION. >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR DRAWING IT TO MY ATTENTION. I HAVE A LITTLE TOOL HERE THAT TELLS ME IF THERE'S ANYBODY WISHING TO BE IN THE PRO OR CON OR PROCEDURAL, SO I'M END ACTING WITH THEM IN THAT WAY, SO THEY'VE BEEN PARTICIPATING. >> IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR US TO BE REMINDED THEY'RE PARTICIPATING. THANK YOU. MY PARLIAMENTARIAN AND I HAVE COUNSELED HERE AND THE GENTLEMAN AT THE PROCEDURES MICROPHONE THAT I RULED OUT OF ORDER, APPARENTLY I MISUNDERSTOOD WHAT HE WAS TRYING TO SAY AND HE WANTS TO MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES REGARDING NOT ADMITTING OTHER AMENDMENTS INTO THIS DISCUSSION. SO THE RULES AS STATED NOW, THE AMENDMENT TIME AND PERIOD HAS CLOSED AND WE'RE DEBATING THE MAIN MOTION. SO I NEED SOMEONE TO MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES. THERE'S A MOVE AND A SECOND. IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT TO SPEAK TO, SIR? >> I HAD THOUGHT I HAD CORRECTLY STATED MY MOTION BEFORE, WHICH THE PARLIAMENTARIAN HAS GIVEN ME, WHICH WAS I MOVE TO SUSPEND THE RULES FOR THE SPECIFIC AND SOLE PURPOSE OF SUBSTITUTING THE WORD SIBLINGS FOR THE WORD FAMILY AT WHICH POINT/AND I APOLOGIZE. I MISUNDERSTOOD THAT IT WAS A MOTION AND THOUGHT YOU WERE TRYING TO INTRODUCE AN AMENDMENT. SO NOW WE HAVE A MOTION TO SUSPEND THE RULES RELATIVE TO AMENDMENTS TO SEE IF WE WANT TO CONSIDER ANOTHER AMENDMENT. FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF MAKING A MOTION TO BRING IN ONE MORE AN AMENDMENT. IS THERE A MOTION TO DO THAT? YOU'VE MADE THE MOTION. IS THERE A SECOND TO DO THAT? SO WE'RE READY TO VOTE ON SUSPENDING THE SPECIFIC RULE TO ALLOW ONE AMENDMENT TO COME IN. READY TO VOTE ON THAT? THOSE IN FAVOR OF SUSPENDING THE RULE FOR A FEW MOMENTS TO ADVANCE ONE AMENDMENT, RAISE YOUR CARD. THANK YOU. HANDS DOWN. THOSE OPPOSED? CLEARLY, THE MOTION TO SUSPEND THE RULES FAILS AND WE CAN MOVE ON TO WHERE WE ARE IN THE DEBATE. AND I WILL RECOGNIZE THE DELEGATE AT THE PRO MICROPHONE. >> BRIANN BYRD FROM EAST SHORE UU CHURCH IN CURTLAND, OHIO. I SPEAK TODAY AS THE WIFE OF A GENDER FLUID PARTNER AND THE STEPFATHER OF A LITTLE GIRL WHO SAYS SHE HAS A TRANSGENDER SIBLING WHO IS HER FAVORITE PERSON IN THE WORLD. I SPEAK TODAY TO AMPLIFY THE VOICES OF US MESSY YEARS AND OUR ALLIES THAT CALL OUR CHURCH HOME. I SEEK TO LIFT UP OTHER VOICES WHO CANNOT BE HERE TODAY, BUT STILL DESPERATELY NEED THIS AIW HAS AN ACT OF FAITH FROM THIS ASSEMBLY. JUST YESTERDAY DURING THE SESSION, A TRANSGENDER WOMAN WAS CHALLENGED WHILE TRYING TO ENTER A BATHROOM RIGHT HERE. SHE ENDURED THE PAIN AND EMOTIONAL VIOLENCE OF BEING MIS‑GENDERED IN A STATE THAT HAS NOT EVEN YET PASSED A BATHROOM BILL. THESE LAWS ARE JUST, THAT A STATE DIRECTED ACT OF VIOLENCE PERPETRATED ON A POPULATION ALREADY GIVING UNDER THE CONSTANT THREAT OF VIOLENCE, DISCRIMINATION, POLICE BRUTALITY, AND MURDER. THESE STATISTICS ARE RISING. THE URGE HE WANTS NEED FOR US TO STAND AGAINST THIS HATRED IS THE DEFINITION OF WHAT AN AIW IS FOR AND CENTRAL TO EVERY PRINCIPLE WE TEACH. THIS WEEK ALSO, A HATE GROUP CHOSE TO PROTEST US BECAUSE WE SUPPORT LGBTQ RIGHTS. WE RESPONDED BY STANDING TOGETHER IN AN ACT OF LOVE THAT MADE ME PROUD TO BE A UU. I CHALLENGE YOU TODAY TO STAND TOGETHER AGAIN TO COUNTER HATE WITH LOVE. I CHALLENGE US ALL TO DRAW A LINE IN THE SAND AND RECOGNIZE THAT IF WE, AS A FAITH, CLAIM TO SUPPORT THE DIGNITY AND RACE OF ALL PEOPLE ACROSS THE ENTIRE SPECTRUM OF GENDER, WE CANNOT STAND BY AND CHOOSE TO NOT BE THE CHOICE WITHIN OUR CHURCHES AND GREATER WORLD FIGHTING AGAINST THIS OPPRESSION. I ASK YOU TO SEE THAT WE CANNOT REFUSE TO TAKE THIS FIRST STEP. I BELIEVE THAT WE ARE LIVING IN A KIND OF COVENANTAL OR BELOVED RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR GENDER‑DIVERSE MEMBERS AND MINISTERS IN OUR OWN CHURCHES, LETS ALONE A WIDER WORLD. IMPLORE TO YOU MAKE SURE THAT NEVER AGAIN WILL I FEEL THE INSANE MY HEART THAT APPEARED LISTENING TO A SPEAKER ON GENDER IDENTITY ASK IF THEY FEEL THERE IS HOPE FOR THEM WITHIN OUR CHURCHES AND I HEARD THE HESITATION IN THEIR ANSWER. WE CANNOT CREATE SANCTUARY OR JUSTICE WITHIN OUR OWN SPACES IF WE ARE NOT WILLING TO STAND WITH THEM IN THE GREATER WORLD. >> THANK YOU. DO WE HAVE SOMEONE AT THE AMENDMENTS MIC? >> YES. >> DO WE HAVE AN AMENDMENT TO MAKE AT THE AMENDMENT MIC? I RECOGNIZED DELEGATE AT THE AMENDMENT MIC. >> ANGELA BRIDGEMAN, UU PEACE FELLOWSHIP, RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA, AND ONE OF THE SPONSORS OF THIS AIW. I'M CALLING UNINCORPORATED AMENDMENT A, INSERTING AFTER LINE 389, PLEDGE TO EDUCATES OURSELVES AND OUR FAITH AND OUR COMMUNITIES IN ORDER TO PROVIDE EVER SAFER, MORE INCLUSIVE AND POTENTIALLY HEALING SPACES FOR TRANSGENDER OR NON‑CONFORMING PEOPLE. MY REASONS FOR CALLING THIS SPECIFIC AMENDMENT, BECAUSE THIS CAME OUT OF THE MINI‑ASSEMBLY THAT WE HAD, WHICH WAS A VERY POSITIVE AND MOVING EXPERIENCE FOR US, I MIGHT ADD, IS THAT SEVERAL LGBT IQ PEOPLE, MYSELF INCLUDED, HAVE HAD NEGATIVE EXPERIENCES BECAUSE WE ARE LGBT IQ RIGHT HERE AT THIS VERY GENERAL ASSEMBLY. I WILL ALSO SAY THAT THIS WAS NOT THE FAULT OF THE UUA OR OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY OR ANY UU'S, BUT WE HAVE HAD THESE NEGATIVE EXPERIENCES AND IT HAS BECOME CLEAR TO ME THAT WE DO NEED TO EDUCATE OURSELVES SO THAT WE CAN ALSO EDUCATE OTHERS. I ALSO WISH TO POINT OUT THAT THE RIGHT RELATIONS TEAM DID A FABULOUS JOB WITH DEALING WITH THESE SITUATIONS, BUT THE POINT IS THE SITUATIONS SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED IN THE FIRST PLACE AND WE NEED TO FURTHER EDUCATE OURSELVES AS WELL AS OTHERS. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. SO THE AMENDMENT THAT YOU'RE NOW CONSIDERING IS INSERTING AFTER LINE 39 THE GROUP OF TEXT THAT I HOPE WE CAN SCREEN UP, BUT IT'S ON YOUR HANDOUT: PLEDGE TO EDUCATE OURSELVES AND OUR FAITH AND CIVIC COMMUNITIES IN ORDER TO PROVIDE EVER SAFER, MORE INCLUSIVE, AND POTENTIALLY HEALING SPACES FOR TRANSGENDER AND GENDER NON‑CONFORMING PEOPLE. IS THERE A SECOND? THERE IS A SECOND. SO WE'RE NOW DEBATING WHETHER TO ADD THIS AMENDMENT. SO I'D GO TO THE PRO MICROPHONE AND RECOGNIZE THE DELEGATE THERE. >> I'M CAROLINA CREVART‑GRAHAM FROM CHURCH OF THE LARGER FELLOWSHIP. I WAS ONE OF THE PEOPLE WHO CRAFTED THIS IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. I SAY THAT ALL JUSTICE WORK IS INTERNAL WORK AND THE MOOD IN THE ROOM AT THE TIME WAS THAT WE REALLY, REALLY DO NEED TO LOOK WITHIN AND WE DO NEED TO LOOK IN THE MIRROR BECAUSE OF THE EXPERIENCES THAT OUR LGBTQ IA FAMILY HAVE TOLD US ABOUT IN THIS SPACE. SO I WAS A LITTLE SURPRISED HONESTLY THAT WE TOOK THAT OUT. I SEE IN THE REST OF THE STATEMENT WE ARE EDUCATING ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE OUT THERE. I HEAR PRECIOUS LITTLE ABOUT US EDUCATING US HERE NOW. I ASK THAT YOU SUPPORT THIS AMENDMENT. >> THANK YOU. DOES ANYONE ELSE AT THE PRO MICROPHONE WISH TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF THIS AMENDMENT? I RECOGNIZE THE DELEGATE AT THE PRO MICROPHONE. >> YES. MY NAME IS REVEREND FRED HEYMOND, MINISTER AT THE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CONGREGATION OF TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA. AND I'M SPEAKING IN FAVOR OF THIS AMENDMENT, BECAUSE I KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS TYPE OF EDUCATION. WE HAD A MEMBER OF OUR CONGREGATION WHO WAS IN TRANSITION AND WE NEEDED TO DO EDUCATION OF OUR CONGREGATION BEFORE THEY CAME OUT. AND IT WAS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT AND AFFIRMING TO THAT INDIVIDUAL THAT WE DID THAT WORK. AND I URGE YOU TO PASS THIS AMENDMENT. >> THANK YOU. ARE THERE OTHERS WHO WISH TO SPEAK IN FAVOR EVER THIS AMENDMENT? I RECOGNIZE THE DELEGATE AT THE PRO MICROPHONE. >> HELLO. MY NAME IS REBECCA KELLER‑SCHULL, DELEGATE FROM NEEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS, AND I WAS THE ONE WHO WAS AT THE MINI‑ASSEMBLY AND PROPOSE THAT HAD WE INCLUDE EDUCATE OURSELVES FOR A VERY SPECIFIC REASON. WHEN I ATTENDED THE PORTLAND GENERAL ASSEMBLY, I WENT TO A MINI‑ASSEMBLY THAT WAS ON, IF I RECALL, FUNDING ELECTION PRACTICES. I ANTICIPATED IT TO BE A RATHER BORING SESSION, BECAUSE THAT'S JUST NOT MY THING, BUT I WENT AS A GOOD DELEGATE. AND WHAT HAPPENED WAS A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT WAS PUT FORTH TO WITHDRAW GENDER INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE AND REPLACE IT WITH BINARY GENDER LANGUAGE. AND RATHER THAN A DISCUSSION HAPPENING THAT WAS UPLIFTING AND AFFIRMING OF ALL PEOPLE, IT BROKE DOWN TO A CONVERSATION ON GRAMMAR. THIS IS NOT A CONVERSATION ON GRAMMAR. AS THE PARENT OF A TRANSGENDER NON‑BINARY CHILD, I CONTINUE TO EDUCATE MYSELF EVERY SINGLE DAY. THE EDUCATION DOESN'T END. WE CAN'T GO OUT AND EDUCATE OTHERS IF WE'RE NOT WILLING TO EDUCATE OURSELVES AND WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO. SO I URGE YOU TO INCLUDE THIS AMENDMENT. >> THANK YOU. AND IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THE ONLY REASON THAT IT WASN'T INCORPORATED WAS THAT IT WAS A LARGE CHUNK OF TEXT AND THE CSW TEAM THOUGHT THAT IT NEEDED TO BE FULLY EXPOSED HERE IN THE GENERAL SESSION. I RECOGNIZE THE DELEGATES AT THE PROCEDURES MIC. >> I'M LINDA SANDERS FROM FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH OF WILMINGTON. I'D LIKE TO CALL THE QUESTION ON THIS AMENDMENT. >> IS THERE A SECOND? IF WE VOTE IN FAVOR OF CALLING THE QUESTION, WE ARE SHUTTING OUT DEBATE OF THIS AMENDMENT AND CAN PROCEED TO VOTE ON THE AMENDMENT. SO ALL IN FAVOR OF CALLING THE QUESTION, PLEASE RAISE YOUR CARDS? THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I THINK I KNOW THE ANSWER. THOSE OPPOSED? THE QUESTION IS CALLED. AS TO WHETHER THIS AMENDMENT IS NOW CLOSED, WE ARE NOW READY TO VOTE ON WHETHER TO ACCEPT THE AMENDMENT. SO THOSE IN FAVOR OF ACCEPTING THIS AMENDMENT, RAISE YOUR CARD. OH, EASY‑PEASY. THANK YOU. HANDS DOWN. THOSE OPPOSED? RIGHT. OKAY. THE AMENDMENT PASSES AND WE'RE ALL GOOD WITH THIS. EXCELLENT. SO NOW WE HAVE ANOTHER AMENDMENT. I RECOGNIZE THE DELEGATE AT THE AMENDMENT MICROPHONE. >> REVEREND DR. MICHELLE WALSH, AFFILIATE COMMUNITY MINISTER FROM FIRST UNITED CHURCH IN QUINCY. I MOVE TO INCORPORATE UNINCORPORATED AMENDMENT B, PLEDGE TO EDUCATION SOCIAL WORKERS AND EDUCATORS ABOUT TRANSGENDER AND GENDER NON‑CONFORMING PEOPLE'S NEEDS. >> THANK YOU. IS THERE A SECOND? THERE IS A SECOND. SO WE NOW ARE TALKING IN FAVOR OR AGAINST THE UNINCORPORATED AMENDMENT B TO INSERT AFTER LINE 39, PLEDGE TO EDUCATE SOCIAL WORKERS AND EDUCATORS ABOUT TRANSGENDER AND GENDER NON‑CONFORMING PEOPLE'S NEEDS. SO I RECOGNIZE THE DELEGATE AT THE PRO MICROPHONE TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF THIS. >> OKAY. BACK OVER HERE. REVEREND DR. MICHELLE WALSH FROM UNITE FIRST PARISH CHURCH IN QUINCY. WHILE I AM A MINISTER, I AM ALSO A CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER. I KNOW THAT THERE IS A TREMENDOUS NEED TO CONTINUE TO EDUCATE SOCIAL WORKERS IN THIS AREA, AS WELL AS OTHER EDUCATORS. I'M VERY IGNORANT STILL IN THIS AREA. THIS IS A HUGE LEARNING AREA FOR ME, EVEN THOUGH I AM A SOCIAL WORKER. SOCIAL WORK SCHOOLS VARY IN THEIR COMMITMENTS ON THIS ISSUE, PARTICULARLY IF THE SOCIAL WORK SCHOOLS ARE RELIGIOUSLY AFFILIATED IN ANYWAY, WHICH MANY ARE. SO I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING SIGNIFICANT THAT WE NEED TO RECOGNIZE. SOCIAL WORKERS ARE AT THE FOREFRONT CLINICALLY OF WORKING WITH PEOPLE AND ENGAGING IN SOCIAL JUSTICE WORK. WE NEED TO BE OUT THERE ON THIS ISSUE, AS WELL AS THE OTHER ISSUES. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. THIS IS ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE AMENDMENTS THAT HAD BROAD SUPPORT IN THE MINI‑ASSEMBLY, BUT THE CSW FELT LIKE IT WAS A LOT OF TEXT THAT THE FULL ASSEMBLY SHOULD CONSIDER. LOOKS LIKE WE'RE READY TO VOTE ON THIS AMENDMENT. SORRY. THERE'S A CON. I'M SORRY. I RECOGNIZE THE DELEGATE AT THE CON. >> VANESSA BIRCHHILL FROM BUCKMAN BRIDGE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHILDREN. I AM A LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND I'M WONDERING HOW WE CAN GO OUT AND EDUCATE OTHERS WHEN WE STILL ARE NOT EDUCATE. SO WHO'S SUPPOSED TO BE DOING THE EDUCATION TO THE SOCIAL WORKERS AND EDUCATORS IF WE DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT WE'RE DOING YET? SO I THINK THAT WE HAVE TO KIND OF HOLD THE BRAKES. WE WANT TO DO TOO MUCH. FIRST LET'S FOCUS ON WHAT WE NEED TO DO AND THEN WE COULD BE ABLE TO GO OUT AND EDUCATE OTHERS ONCE WE HAVE A GOOD IDEA ABOUT WHAT THEY ACTUALLY NEED TO KNOW. >> THANK YOU. IS THERE ANYONE WHO WANTS TO SPEAK AT THE PRO MICROPHONE? HAVE YOU NOT SPOKEN ON THIS ISSUE? I CAN'T REMEMBER. I SEE YOU SO OFTEN. >> I KNOW. >> I RECOGNIZE THE DELEGATE AT THE PRO MICROPHONE. >> SO I'M CAROLINA CREVART‑GRAHAM FROM THE CHURCH. LARGER FELLOWSHIP. I SHOULD JUST, LIKE, WEAR A HAT OR SOMETHING. ONE OF THE REASONS, AND I REALLY WANT TO SAY I APPRECIATE THAT COMMENT, AND I AM A BIG EDUCATE YOURSELF BEFORE YOU THINK YOU CAN EDUCATE SOMEBODY ELSE, BUT WE HAVE QUITE A FEW PEOPLE LISTED, QUITE A FEW ‑‑ WE HAVE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, ET CETERA, LISTED AND THIS WAS INCLUSIVE WHEN WE DID THIS. WE WANTED TO INCLUDE SOCIAL WORKERS AS WELL, BECAUSE THEY WERE SOCIAL SERVICE PROVIDERS. I FEEL LIKE I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE THEM OUT. >> THANK YOU. I RECOGNIZE THE DELEGATE AT THE PRO MICROPHONE. EXCUSE ME. I RECOGNIZE THE DELEGATE AT THE PROCEDURE MIC. >> I JUST HAVE A QUESTION. JOHN COWLEY FROM VIEW CITY, IOWA, UNITARIAN CHURCH. LOOKING AT A AND B, AND I'M NOT ARGUING ABOUT YES OR NO, YOU'VE GOT TO REWRITE THE SENTENCES IF YOU PUT THOSE IN THE SAME PLACE. >> WELL, IT WILL BE PERFECTED, DEPENDING ON WHAT GETS INCLUDED OR NOT SO IT'S GOOD GRAMMAR AND WELL PUNK WAITED. THANK YOU. I RECOGNIZE THE DELEGATE AT THE CON MICROPHONE. >> I'M LORI ALBRIGHT FROM THE FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH OF CLEVELAND, AND I AM IN COMPLETE SUPPORT OF THE NEED FOR THE EDUCATION OF SOCIAL WORKERS AND OTHER PEOPLE. HOWEVER, TO THINK THAT UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS ARE GOING TO TAKE ON THAT JOB, I THINK THAT IT WOULD BE GOOD IF IT WERE WORD TODAY ADVOCATE FOR SOCIAL WORKERS BEING EDUCATED IN THIS AREA WOULD BE FABULOUS, BUT AS IT STANDS, IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE SOMETHING THAT WE WANT TO TAKE ON THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR. >> THANK YOU FOR THAT. THAT WOULD REQUIRE AN AMENDMENT, WHICH WOULD BE OUT OF ORDER, BECAUSE IT WASN'T DISCUSSED IN THE MINI‑ASSEMBLY, SO THEREFORE, IT ISN'T UNINCORPORATED. I RECOGNIZE THE DELEGATE AT THE PRO MICROPHONE. >> ANGELA BRIDGE MAN, UU PEACE FELLOWSHIP, RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA. AMENDMENT B CAME OUT OF OUR MINI‑ASSEMBLY AS A DIRECT RESPONSE TO HB840 IN TENNESSEE, WHICH ALLOWS MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS AND SOCIAL WORKERS TO TURN AWAY LGBTQ PEOPLE IF IT GOES AGAINST THEIR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND ALLOWS THEM TO EVEN INFORM LGBT PEOPLE OF WHY THEY ARE REFUSING TO TREAT THEM, WHICH IS HURTING PEOPLE WHO ARE ALREADY HURT. I ALSO WISH TO POINT OUT THAT THE AMENDMENT DOES NOT SAY WE ARE NECESSARILY GOING TO EDUCATE SOCIAL WORKERS AND EDUCATORS, BUT THAT WE PLEDGE TO DO SO, WHICH MEANS WE CAN PLEDGE TO DO SO WHEN WE, OURSELVES, ARE EDUCATE AND ABLE TO DO SO. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I RECOGNIZE THE DELEGATE AT THE PRO MICROPHONE. >> PROCEDURAL? >> I RECOGNIZE THE DELEGATE AT THE PROCEDURAL MICROPHONE. >> THANK YOU, MR. MODERATOR. DANNY REP, FIRST UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF DETROIT. I MOVE TO CALL THE QUESTION ON THIS AMENDMENT. >> IS THERE A SECOND? THIS WILL REQUIRE A VOTE. THOSE IN FAVOR OF IT MEANS SHUTTING DOWN THE DEBATE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF CALLING THE QUESTION? THANK YOU VERY MUCH. OPPOSED? THE CALL THE QUESTION SUCCEEDS AND WE CAN NOW GO BACK TO DEBATING THE AMENDMENT? NOPE, NOPE, NOPE. WHERE ARE WE? >> MOVING ON THE AMENDMENT. >> WE'RE STILL ON B. WE'RE STILL ON B. DOES ANYBODY WISH TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OR AGAINST IT? NO. WE CALLED THE QUESTION. SO THOSE IN FAVOR OF ADDING THIS AMENDMENT ONLINE B, INSERTING AFTER LINE 39, PLEDGE TO EDUCATE SOCIAL WORKERS AND EDUCATORS ABOUT TRANSGENDER AND GENDER NON‑CONFORMING PEOPLE'S NEEDS, ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE RAISE YOUR CARD. EASY ANSWER. THANK YOU. THOSE OPPOSED? THE AMENDMENT PASSES. WE CAN NOW RETURN, I THINK, WITH TIME ‑‑ WE HAVE TIME ‑‑ ANOTHER AMENDMENT. I RECOGNIZE THE DELEGATE AT THE AMENDMENT MIKE. >> MARCUS FOLIANO FROM THE UU CHURCH OF PEORIA, ILLINOIS. I'D LIKE TO CALL TO INCORPORATE THE UNINCORPORATED AMENDMENT D, LINE 36, INSERTING THE DEFINITION OF FAIRNESS ACT, BECAUSE FAIRNESS ACT IS VERY SPECIFIC TO LOCAL STATES. OTHER STATES IT'S THE EQUALITY ACT, SO I THINK THE DEFINITION THERE IS VERY IMPORTANT. IT ALSO IS THE ONLY TIME THAT GENDER EXPRESSION WOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS RESOLUTION. >> THANK YOU. IS THERE A SECOND TO THAT AMENDMENT? THERE IS. SO THIS AMENDMENT THAT WE'LL NOW VOTE IN FAVOR OR AGAINST IS ONLINE 36, INSERTING THE DEFINITION OF THE FAIRNESS ACT, AND THERE'S A FAIRLY LENGTHY ADDITION THERE. COMMISSION ON SOCIAL WITNESS CANNOT INCORPORATE THAT BECAUSE IT OFFERS LEGAL INTERPRETATION. SO I'LL GO TO FIRST THE PRO MICROPHONE. I'M SORRY, GOING TO GO TO THE CONFESSER AND HAVE YOU SPEAK. >> YEAH. SALLY GELLERT, CENTRAL UNITARIAN, PARAMUS, NEW JERSEY. I AM NOT OPPOSING, NECESSARILY, THE SENSE OF THIS AMENDMENT, BUT I THINK THAT IT WAS COVERED BY THE ADDITIONS TO LINE 36 AND 37. THE EXTRA SENTENCE SAYS TYPICALLY WHAT IT WILL DO IT, WHICH IS, YOU KNOW, A SPECULATION, A LEGAL INTERPRETATION THAT I CAN SEE WHY IT WAS LEFT OUT. I DO UNDERSTAND THE CONCERN FOR INCLUDING THE WORD GENDER EXPRESSION. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I GO TO THE PRO MICROPHONE AND RECOGNIZE THE DELEGATE THE THERE. I'M SORRY? >> THE MOTION IS OUT OF TIME. >> THE DEBATE IS OVER? WE ARE OUT OF TIME. THANK YOU. BUT I HAVE A QUESTION AT THE PROCEDURE MIC. >> JAY CLEMY, WORCESTER, OHIO, UU. IF LEGAL ASPECT IS WHY UUA THOUGHT IT SHOULD NOT BE INCLUDED, COULD UUA LEGAL COMMENT ON WHAT'S MEANT WAY IN? >> WOULD YOU LIKE TO COMMENT ON THIS? NO. THIS WAS A CSW DECISION TO LEAVE IT OUT, BECAUSE IT WAS A LEGAL INTERPRETATION. SOMEONE AT THE PROCEDURES MIC. I RECOGNIZE THE DELEGATE ‑‑ EXTEND DEBATE BY TWO MINUTES SO THAT THE AMENDMENT HAS A CHANCE ‑‑ >> TELL ME LATER. IS THERE A SECOND FOR THAT NOW? THOSE IN FAVOR OF EXTENDING THE VOTE BY TWO MINUTES, RAISE YOUR CARD. THOSE OPPOSED? A LOVELY COURTESY TO OFFER. THANK YOU FOR OFFERING THAT. YOU GETTING YOUR 10,000 STEPS IN ON YOUR FIT BIT TOAY? >> ABSOLUTELY. >> I RECOGNIZE THE DELEGATE AT THE PRO MICROPHONE. >> MARCUS [INDISCERNIBLE] PEORIA, ILLINOIS. AS I MENTIONED, THE REASON I WOULD LIKE THIS AMENDMENT TO BE INCLUDES IS THE USE OF FAIRNESS ACT IS USED SPECIFICALLY IN STATES WHERE THE WORD EVE QUALITY DOESN'T REALLY FIT. IT'S NOT VERY POPULAR. SO HAVING THE DEFINITION OF WHAT THE FAIRNESS ACT IS GIVES US THE ABILITY TO ALSO ADVOCATE FOR EQUALITY ACTS. THE NATIONAL LAW IS ACTUALLY CALLED THE EQUALITY ACT. IT IS NOT THE FAIRNESS ACT. AND THE OTHER POINTED WAS THAT THIS IS THE ONLY POINT THAT GENDER EXPRESSION WOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE DEFINITION IN THIS RESOLUTION. SO WE HAVE THREE DIFFERENT THINGS HERE: SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY, AND GENDER EXPRESSION. SO NO MATTER WHAT YOUR GENDER IDENTITY IS, NO MATTER WHAT YOUR SEXUAL ORIENTATION IS, YOU CAN HAVE A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT GENDER EXPRESSION, AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN ALSO BE DISCRIMINATED AGAINST, SO IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT THAT IS INCLUDED IN THIS RESOLUTION. >> THANK YOU. SO WE ARE OUT OF TIME AND WE ARE READY TO VOTE. I THINK WE'RE READY TO VOTE. ONED ON THE AMENDMENT, YES AND WHAT WE ARE VOTING ON IS TO INCLUDE AMENDMENT, UNINCORPORATED AMENDMENT D, LINE 36, INSERTING THE DEFINITION OF THE FAIRNESS ACT. AND IN CONSIDERATION OF YOUR TIME, I THINK YOU COULD READ IT ON THE DOCUMENT. ARE WE OKAY WITH THAT? ALL IN FAVOR OF APPROVING THIS AMENDMENT, PLEASE RAISE YOUR CARDS. THANK YOU. OPPOSED? THE AMENDMENT PASSES. IT IS INCORPORATED INTO THE DOCUMENT. NOW, ARE WE READY TO RETURN TO THE MAIN MOTION AND VOTE ON THIS AMENDMENT AS AMENDED? THE AIW. I HAVE A DELEGATE AT THE PROCEDURES MICROPHONE. >> JIM CREVART‑GRAHAM AT THE CHURCH OF THE LARGER FELLOWSHIP. I'D LIKE TO CALL THE QUESTION. >> THE QUESTION IS CALLED. A SECOND? THERE IS A SECOND. NOW WE'RE VOTING WHETHER WE WANT TO VOTE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THIS VOTE. THOSE IN FAVOR OF CALLING THE QUESTION, RAISE YOUR CARD. THANK YOU. OPPOSED? THE QUESTION IS CALLED AND WE ARE NOW READY TO VOTE ON THE CSW‑F, STOP HATE, PROTECT AND SUPPORT OUR TRANSGENDER AND NON‑GENDER CONFORMING FAMILY AS AMENDED IN THIS GENERAL SESSION. THOSE IN FAVOR, RAISE YOUR CARD. THANK YOU. OPPOSED? THE AIW CLEARLY PASSES. THANK YOU ALL FOR THE SPIRITED DEBATE AND THE COURTESIES EXTENDED TO ONE ANOTHER. I VERY MUCH APPRECIATED IT. SO ARE YOU READY TO SING AFTER THAT? SO I'M GOING TO BRING BACK OUR GA MUSIC COORDINATOR, WHO IS SPRINTING TO THE STAGE. >> ALL RIGHT. THAT WAS GREAT TO HEAR ALL THE CONVERSATION. I THINK YOU'RE PROBABLY ALL READY TO STAND UP AND STRETCH AND SING. I HAVE WITH ME LEON BURKE FROM ELIOT CHAPEL IN KIRKWOOD, MISSOURI, AND I HAVE WITH ME CECELIA HAYES FROM WEST SEATTLE, THOSE OF YOU WHO WERE IN PORTLAND LAST YEAR. YOU REMEMBER HER SINGING FOR SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP, AND SHE'S UP HERE WITH US. AND WE'RE GOING TO DO A LITTLE NOW LET US SING. LEON IS GOING TO LEAD OFF THE LOW VOICES AND I'M JUST GOING TO IT TURN CECELIA LOOSE ON THE TOP PART. BE READY ON THE FORTH VERSE, BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO DROP INTO A LITTLE SPANISH. YOU'LL SEE THE WORDS UP THERE. AND I THINK WE'RE GOING TO LET LEON START IT. >> ARE WE READY? >> WITH WARE GOING TO BRING BACK MARY KATHERINE MORN, BECAUSE I'M GOING TO GIVE AWAY SOME STUFF. >> HELLO, GA. WE ARE SO GRATEFUL TO ALL OF YOU FAITHFUL, COMMITTED, AND GENEROUS UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS WHO HAVE IN THE LAST FEW DAYS CONTRIBUTED OVER $246,714 TO OUR FAITH AND THE VALUES WE SUPPORT IN ALL OF OUR COLLECTIONS. WE'RE NOT FINISHED COUNTING. YOU ARE GENEROUS, COMMITTED PEOPLE, AND WE THANK YOU. I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE HUNDREDS OF YOU WHO ENTERED THE TO BE A FRIEND DRAWING AND MADE A GIFT TO FRIENDS OF THE UUA AND A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR MATCHING DONORS WHO COMMITTED $20,000 TO BE A FRIEND. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT DURING THIS GA AND THROUGHOUT THE YEAR FOR YOUR SUPPORT FOR OUR ASSOCIATION. SO WE WILL BE SELECTING WINNER OF THE BE A FRIEND DRAWING RIGHT NOW. IF YOU'RE HERE AND WE CALL YOUR NAME, WE INVITE TO YOU COME FORWARD SO WE CAN TALK WITH YOU. OTHERWISE, WE'LL BE IN TOUCH WITH THE WINNER. OUR THIRD PRIZEWINNER WILL RECEIVE REGISTRATION TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2017 AND A LOVELY NEW ORLEANS GIFT BASKET. JIM, WOULD YOU PLEASE DRAW AH NAME. >> IS THIS THE ONE WITH THE BEIGNETS? >> YES. >> HERE WE GO. HERE WE GO, HERE WE GO. EMILY BURKE, CANTERBURY, NEW HAMPSHIRE. THANK YOU PRESENT? COME ON FORWARD IF YOU'RE PRESENT. [APPLAUSE] AND CONGRATULATIONS. OUR SECOND PRIZEWINNER WILL RECEIVE TWO REGISTRATIONS TO GA 2017 AND A GIFT BASKET. THEY WERE BLANK. SALLY BETH SHORE, ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA. [APPLAUSE] FINALLY, OUR GRAND PRIX WINNER WILL RECEIVE TWO REGISTRATIONS TO GA 2017, HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS FOR FOUR NIGHTS IN NEW ORLEANS, AND A FABULOUS GIFT BASKET. AND OUR WINNER IS JANELLE HILL FROM GOLDEN VALLEY. YES? CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR THREE WINNER, AND MANY THANKS TO ALL OF YOU WHO PARTICIPATED. THANK YOU FOR BEING A FRIEND OF OUR UUA. [APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU, MARY KATHERINE. THE UU COLLEGE OF SOCIAL JUSTICE WAS JOINTLY LAUNCHED BY THE UUA AND UUSC AT JUSTICE GA IN PHOENIX IN 2012 AS A NEW WAY TO INSPIRE AND SUSTAIN EFFECTIVE, FAITH BASED ACTION FOR JUSTICE. ITS EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING PROGRAMS INCLUDE EMERSION JOURNEYS, HIGH SCHOOL JUSTICE PROGRAMS, YOUNG ADULT TRAININGS AND I KNOW TEN SHIPS, AND SKILLED VOLUNTEER PLACEMENTS. PLEASE WELCOME REVEREND KATHERINE MCTIGUE, DIRECTOR OF UUSC J TO TELL US MORE. [APPLAUSE] >> HELLO, YOU STALWART SOULS WHO ARE STILL HERE. THE BIG IDEA AT THE HEART OF THE COLLEGE OF SOCIAL JUDGE IS EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING. THIS IS THE IDEA THAT SAYS THAT WHEN WE STEP OUT OF OUR USUAL COMFORT ZONES, WE CAN BE STARTLED INTO NEW INSIDE AND UNDERSTANDING. WE CONNECT IN ALLIANCE AND SOLIDARITY WITH PEOPLE WHOSE LIVES MAY BE VERY DIFFERENT FROM OUR OWN, BUT WHO WE SUDDENLY RECOGNIZE AS FAMILY. AND WHEN IT'S FAMILY WHOSE LIVES ARE AT STAKE, WE BECOME MORE BOLD AND CREATIVE IN OUR ACTION FOR JUSTICE THAN WE MIGHT HAVE EVER DREAMED POSSIBLE. UUCSJ HAS DEVELOPED FOUR PROGRAM AIRS. FIRST, OUR VERSION OF SERVICE‑LEARNING PROGRAMS IS BUILT ON THE ASSUMPTION THAT THE MOST IMPORTANT SERVICE WE RENDER HAPPENS ONCE WE RETURN HOME, IN NEWLY INSPIRED AND INFORMED ACTION FOR JUSTICE. WE RAN NINE SUCH PILGRIMAGES THIS YEAR TO HAITI, NICARAGUA, ARIZONA, AND THE LUMMI NATION IN WASHINGTON STATE. SECOND, OUR ONE‑WEEK HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH PROGRAM, ACTIVATE, OFFERS YOUTH AN INTENSIVE INTRODUCTION TO ORGANIZING SKILLS AND CHANGE THEORY AND A CHANCE TO ANCHOR THIS LEARNING IN A PARTICULAR STRUGGLE. WE HAVE OFFERED ACTIVATE IN BOSTON FOCUSED ON CLIMATE JUSTICE, TUSCAN ON IMMIGRATION JUSTICE, AND NEW ORLEANS ON RACIAL JUSTICE. THIRD, WE HAVE SOME AMAZING PROGRAMS FOR YOUNG ADULTS, COLLEGE AGE AND OLDER. IN COLLABORATION WITH THE YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULT OFFICE OF THE UUA AND STANDING ON THE SIDE OF LOVE, OUR PROGRAM GROW RACIAL JUSTICE WILL BRING OVER 30 YOUNG ADULTS TOGETHER NEXT MONTH IN NEW ORLEANS, HALF OF THEM WHITE AND HALF OF THEM PEOPLE OF COLOR TO DO INTENSIVE RACIAL IDENTITY WORK AS SEPARATE CADRES AND COME TOGETHER FOR A DAY OF ORGANIZING SKILLS AND STRATEGIZING. 15 OTHER YOUNG ADULTS WILL JOIN US IN SUMMER LONG INTERNSHIPS WITH GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATIONS ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES AND IN INDIA. THESE INTERNS SPEND THEIR SUMMER IN A DEEP IMMERSION, LEARNING ABOUT SOCIAL CHANGE IN A PARTICULAR CONTEXT. THIS IS A PRE‑OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUNG ADULTS WHO ARE JUST BEGINNING TO IMAGINE THEMSELVES INTO THE VOCATIONS THAT ARE CALLING TO THEM. THE FOURTH ARENA WE'VE BUILT OUT THIS YEAR ARE SKILLED VOLUNTEER PLACEMENTS WITH PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS IN THE U.S. AND ABROAD. FOR EXAMPLE, A UUSC PARTNER CALLED RAICES IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, OFFERS LEGAL HELP TO REFUGEE WOMEN AND CHILDREN FLEEING VIOLENCE IN CENTRAL AMERICA. THIS IS A HUMAN RIGHTS CATASTROPHE ON OUR BORDER, LARGELY INVISIBLE. FOR THE SECOND YEAR, WE HAVE ORGANIZED GROUPS OF VOLUNTEERS WHO SPEAK SPANISH OR HAVE LEGAL TRAINING TO PARTNER WITH RAICES FOR A WEEK OR LONGER IN THIS LIFESAVING WORK. LAST YEAR, 18 PEOPLE ANSWERED THIS CALL. THIS YEAR WE ORGANIZED 24 VOLUNTEERS WHO CAME FROM ALL OVER THE U.S. TO PUT THEIR SKILLS TO WORK FOR JUSTICE ON OUR BORDER. AND HERE I WANT TO GIVE A HUGE SHOUT‑OUT TO THE FIRST UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF SAN ANTONIO, OVER THERE, WHOSE MEMBERS FOLLOWING A SINGLE MEETING OPENED THEIR HOMES TO HOUSE ALL 24 VOLUNTEERS. [APPLAUSE] SAN ANTONIO UU'S ROCK. ALL OF THE PROGRAMS THAT I'VE DESCRIBED ARE SUPPORTED BY DEEP LEARNING BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER THE EXPERIENCE AND BY SPIRITUAL REFLECTION AND GROUNDING. MOST IMPORTANT, THEY ALL POINT US TOWARD POWERFUL, SUSTAINED ACTION AT HOME. WE HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US. UUCSJ.ORG HAS ALL OF OUR PROGRAMS. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU, KATHLEEN. LAST YEAR, THE YA@GA TALKS WERE VERY POPULAR AND TODAY WE HAVE ELIZABETH MOUNT TO GIVE US A TASTE OF THIS YEAR'S OFFERINGS. I WANT TO TELL THAT YOU ELIZABETH IS ON THE REIMAGINING COVENANT TASK COURSE AND HAS BEEN VERY HELPFUL TO US. ELIZABETH? >> THANKS, YOUNG ADULTS. HI. MY NAME IS ELIZABETH MOUNT. I'M A MEMBER OF THE UU YOUNG ADULTS FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE AND I'M ALSO A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER WITH THE COMMIT2RESPOND CAMPAIGN, WHICH IS BEYOND THE UUA. IT'S A COLLABORATION OF ACTUALLY SEVERAL DIFFERENT INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE UUA ORGANIZATIONS ON BEHALF OF UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISM. AND ABOUT THIS TIME LAST YEAR, I BECAME PART OF A GREEN PEACE TEAM CALLED TO HANG OFF OF THE ST. JOHN'S BRIDGE IN PORTLAND, OREGON, TO STOP ARCTIC DRILLING. [APPLAUSE] WE WERE PART OF A MUCH LARGER CAMPAIGN, THE #SHELLNO CAMPAIGN, WORKING COLLABORATIVELY WITH LOCAL GROUPS, WITH INDIGENOUS GROUPS, AND WITH GRASSROOTS CAMPAIGNS. MANY OF YOU, I HOPE, ARE ALSO INVOLVED OR CONSIDERING COLLABORATION WITH SUCH GROUPS IN YOUR OWN COMMUNITIES. IF YOU ARE, I WANT TO THANK YOU. BECAUSE RAISED AS A UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST, I AM CALLED. I AM PART OF A FAITH THAT ASKS ME TO AFFIRM AND PROMOTE OUR VALUES, TO LIVE OUT OUR BELIEF IN THE INTERCONNECTED WEB OF ALL EXISTENCE. DEFENDING THE INTEGRITY OF OUR PLANET, AND THIS HAS NEVER BEEN MORE PRESENT THAN WHEN I SWUNG OUT OVER THE EDGE OF THAT BRIDGE. I WENT OVER THE EDGE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT AND SAW THE STARS IN THE SKY REFLECTING IN THE HEAD LAMPS OF KAYAKERS BELOW ME ON THE WATER AND EVERY INDIVIDUAL ONE OF THOSE LIGHTS SHOWED ME THE POWER OF PEOPLE AS CONNECTED TO THE VASTNESS OF THE UNIVERSE, ENTWINED AND EMBODIED IN THAT PLACE. YOUNG ADULTS I THINK ARE ESPECIALLY KEENLY AWARE THAT WE HAVE REACHED A POINT WHERE THE HOPE OF AN PROVIDING CLIMATE CHANGE AND CLIMATE CHAOS IS GONE. WHATEVER CHANCE WE HAD TO KEEP THINGS ON THIS PLANET THE WAY THAT THEY WERE, IT'S OVER. WE CAN NO LONGER SUSTAIN A STEADY GROWTH ECONOMY, BECAUSE WE HAVE RUN OUT OF PLANET. CHANGES MUST BE MADE. [APPLAUSE] IT SOUNDS FRIGHTENING, BUT TAKE COURAGE. IT IS A TIME OF ACTION AND CREATIVITY, BECAUSE IF THE ONLY OPTION IS TO CHANGE, THEN THAT MAKES US FREE TO TRY MANY NEW AND CREATIVE THINGS. NOW IS A TIME FOR LIBERATION. NOW IS A TIME FOR DREAMS OF INTERDEPENDENCE. NOW WE CAN RE‑SET OUR EXPECTATIONS FROM THE GREED OF GLOBAL CAPITALISM TO NEW SHARING ECONOMIES DRIVEN BY MUTUALITY AND GENEROSITY. [APPLAUSE] YOUNG ADULTS KNOW, WE KNOW THAT THE SYSTEMS WE GROW UP IN WON'T WORK TO CREATE A SUSTAINABLE WORLD. WE NEED ACTION, BODIES ON THE LINE, WE NEED FINANCIAL AND MATERIAL SUPPORTERS OF ALL KINDS AND ALL CAPABILITIES. EVEN IF YOU DON'T SEE THE CRISIS YET, KNOW THAT AFFECTED COMMUNITIES, FRONT LINE COMMUNITIES ARE CALLING FOR YOUR SOLIDARITY. DIVESTMENT, WHICH WE DID TWO YEARS AGO, WAS A START. WE CAN DO MORE. WE WILL DO MORE. LET US BE PEOPLE OF FAITH, ANCHORED IN OUR VALUES, READY TO TAKE ACTION. THE TIME IS NOW TO BE BRAVE TOGETHER. DON'T WAIT. I'M NOT GOING TO SAY SEE YOU IN NEW ORLEANS. I DO WANT TO SEE YOU THERE, BUT I WANT TO SEE YOU BEFORE THAT. I WANT TO SEE YOU EVERYWHERE. I'LL SEE YOU EVERYWHERE. [APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU, ELIZABETH. THIS IS THE TIME IN OUR AGENDA WHEN WE ENTERTAIN RESPONSIVE RESOLUTIONS, AND WE DON'T KNOW WHETHER WE HAVE ANY UNTIL I LOOK AT MY E‑MAIL AT 6:00 P.M. ON SATURDAY NIGHT, ACCORDING TO THE RULES, RULE TEN, ACTUALLY, THAT WE PASSED ON THURSDAY MORNING. SO COULD WE OPEN UP THE AMENDMENT MICROPHONE AND THE MAKERS OF THIS BUSINESS RESOLUTION INTRODUCE IT? IT WAS HANDED OUT, I BELIEVE, WAS IT NOT? IT'S ON THE GA APP AS WELL. I DON'T HAVE ONE IN FRONT OF ME. SO I RECOGNIZE THE DELEGATES A AMENDMENT MICROPHONE. ELI BRIDGEFORD FROM THE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CONGREGATION IN SEATTLE. WE, AS A RELIGION V ACKNOWLEDGED THAT WE SUPPORT THE BLACK LIVES MATTER MOVEMENT WITH THE PASSAGE OF THE AIW LAST YEAR. THIS HAS DONE VERY LITTLE AS TO OUR ATTITUDE TOWARD PEOPLE OF COLOR. VOICES OF COLOR CONTINUE TO BE MARGINALIZE AND HAD SPOKEN OVER AND FOR IN OUR CHURCHES. ALL OF OUR ACTIVISM HAS BEEN COMFORTABLE AND REQUIRED VERY LITTLE PERSONAL WORK OR SACRIFICE FOR WHITE PEOPLE. OUR JOB AS A FAITH IS TO COMFORT THE AFFLICTED AND AFFLICT THE COMFORTABLE. WE HAVE FAILED MAJORLY ON BOTH REGARDS. I AM USING WE PRONOUNS, BUT I'M ONLY INCLUDING MYSELF AS A FUNCTION OF UU SOCIETY. IT IS NOT THE JOB OF PEOPLE OF COLOR TO FIX THE WORLD'S RACISM PROBLEMS, CONSIDERING THAT MOST OF OUR MODERN WORLD WAS BUILT ON OUR BACKS AND CONTINUES TO ACTIVELY WORK TO SUPPRESS AND OWE PRESS US. YOU WHITES HAVE SELF‑CONGRATULATED A LOT FOR PEOPLE WHO HAD A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TROUBLE PASSING THE BLACK LIVES MATTER AIW. THE PUBLIC WITNESS, WELL, PRIVATE WITNESS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A PUBLIC STATEMENT OF OUR FAITH, BUT I WANT STEAD, YOU ALL GAVE YOURSELVES A BIG PAT ON THE BACK FOR SOLVING RACISM. GUESS WHAT? RACISM HASN'T BEEN SOLVED. YOU TELL US THAT THE SYSTEM ISN'T WORKING AGAINST US, BUT YOU WOULDN'T CALL THIS A SYSTEM IF IT WASN'T WORKING. ANTHONY RAGLER. WE ARE ALL ACCOUNTABLE FOR ALL OF OUR PAST WORDS AND ACTIONS. THE BLACK LIVES MATTER AIW GENERAL SESSION WAS USED TO HURT BLACK AND OTHER POC INSTEAD OF WORKING TOWARDS PROGRESS. THIS WAS A FURTHER SYMPTOM OF YOUR CONTINUED OPPRESSION OF PEOPLE OF COLOR. WE ARE CALLING ON THE UUA BOARD OF TRUSTEES TO ISSUE A MULTI‑LEVEL REPORT ON RESPONSE TO HIS BLACK LIVES MATTER AT THE NEXT THREE GENERAL ASSEMBLIES. YOU PUT US IN LEADERSHIP ADS TOKENS AND DON'T LISTEN TO OUR VOICES. WELL, HERE WE ARE. LANGSTON HUGHES SAYS NEGROS, SWEET AND DOS AISLE, NEAT, HUMBLE AND KIND. BEWARE THE DAY THEY CHANGED THEIR MIND. >> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> I'M GUESSING THERE'S A SECOND OUT THERE? I HEAR MANY SECONDS. CLEARLY, THIS HAS A GREAT DEAL OF SUPPORT. AND WE HAVE 30 MINUTES TO DEBATE IT, OR WE CAN DO SOMETHING BY ACCLAMATION. IS THERE ANY DESIRE TO DEBATE IT? I DO RECOGNIZE THE DELEGATE AT THE PRO MICROPHONE. >> YES. ANGELA BRIDGEMAN, UU PEACE FELLOWSHIP, RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA. I JUST WANT TO EXPRESS MY SUPPORT FOR THIS RESPONSIVE RESOLUTION. AS A PROUD CITIZEN OF RALEIGH AND A PROUD TRANSGENDER PERSON WHO HAS MARCHED WITH BARBER MANY TIMES IN RALEIGH IN BLACK LIVES MATTER MARCHES, IN HIS HK ON J MARCHES WITH HIS HISTORIC THOUSANDS ON JONES MARCHES, I HAVE STOOD SHOULDER TO SHOULDER WITH THE BLACK LIVES MATTER MOVEMENT AS A TRANSGENDER PERSON WHO OFTEN HAS TO LIVE MY LIFE IN FEAR. I STAND SOLIDLY WITH MY AFRICAN‑AMERICAN BROTHERS AND SISTERS WHO ALSO HAVE TO LIVE IN FEAR AND SHOULD NOT HAVE TO. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [APPLAUSE] >> THAT WAS A SERIOUS QUESTION. IS THERE AN APPETITE IN THIS HALL FOR ACCLAMATION OR WOULD YOU LIKE TO HEAR MORE DISCUSSION ON IT? I HEAR AN ACCLAMATION. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF DOING THIS BUSINESS RESOLUTION WITHOUT FURTHER DISCUSSION AND WITH GREAT ENTHUSIASM AND ACCLAMATION, RAISE THE CARD. THERE'S AN OBJECTION. THERE'S AN OBJECTION. WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT. THAT'S OKAY. THAT'S WHAT DEMOCRACY IS ALL ABOUT. SO I RECOGNIZE THE DELEGATE AT THE PRO MICROPHONE. >> I'M ASKING PERMISSION TO SPEAK AS A COAUTHOR OF THIS RESOLUTION AND ALSO AS SOMEONE WITH EXPERT KNOWLEDGE? >> THANK YOU. >> OKAY. MY NAME IS ALLEY BUTLER CORDOVA, WITH THE FIRST UNITARIAN SOCIETY OF MADISON. AS A FAITH, WE HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED AND AFFIRMED OUR BACKING OF THE BLACK LIVES MATTER MOVEMENT WITH THE PASSING OF THE AIW LAST YEAR. HOWEVER, THE PASSING OF THIS IT AIW DOESN'T EQUATE TO SUCCESS IN OUR ANTI‑RACISM EARTHS. AS UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS, TO MANY INDIVIDUALS. BUT WE HAVE NOT SUCCEEDED. OUR WORK HAS NOT ENDED. IT HAS ONLY BEGUN. OUR ACTIVISM FOR THIS MOVEMENT DOES NOT START WITH HANGING UP A BANNER OUTSIDE OUR CONGREGATIONS AND END WITH A PASSAGE OF A BLACK LIVES MATTER AIW. WHEN WE HAVE TO PAT OURSELVES ON THE BACK, THIS IS KNOT SUPPORT. WHEN UU'S OF COLOR ARE A TOKEN MINORITY, THIS IS NOT SUPPORT. WHEN UU'S THINK SIGNING A CHECK AND THROWING A BILL IN THE OFFERING MEANS WE SHOWED UP FOR BLACK LIVES OF UU AND ACCOMPLISHING THAT MEANS WE'RE DONE WITH THIS ACTIVISM, THIS IS NOT SUPPORT. WHEN UU'S ENCOURAGE EACH OTHER TO STAY WOKE, BUT VOTE AGAINST THE ASIA FOR NATIONAL CONVERSATION ON RACE, THIS IS NOT SUPPORT. WHEN UU'S, A PERSON OF COLOR PREACHES AT THE PODIUM, BUT THE MESSAGE CALLING US AS FAITH TO ACTION FLIES OVER THEIR HEADS, THIS IS NOT SUPPORT. WHEN UU'S MEAN CONSTANT ‑‑ THIS IS NOT SUPPORT. GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN COLUMBUS REEKS OF UNPRODUCTIVE WHITE GUILT RATHER THAN WHITE DISCOMFORT, WHICH UU'S DESPERATELY NEED TO SIT WITH. ONCE WE'VE SAT WITH THIS, WE CAN MOVE AWAY FROM THE DISCUSSIONS TO THE ACTION WE SO DESPERATELY NEED. WE CANNOT CALL OURSELVES A RADICALLY PROGRESSIVE FAITH WE THINK WE ARE WHEN WE REFUSE TO PRIORITIZE A MARGINALIZE AND HAD OPPRESSED VOICES OF COLOR, SPECIFICALLY BLACK ONES WITHIN OUR FAITH. WE CANNOT CLAIM TO HONOR THE INHERENT WORTH AND DIGNITY OF EVERY PERSON WHEN WE'VE BARELY SCRATCHED THE SURFACE OF WHAT WE CALL ANTI‑RACISM WORK. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> I RECOGNIZE ‑‑ DO WE HAVE SOMEONE AT THE PROCEDURES MIC? I RECOGNIZE THE DELEGATE AT THE PROCEDURES MIC. >> I'M CAROLINA CREVART‑GRAHAM FROM CHURCH OF THE LARGER FELLOWSHIP AND I HOPE THIS IS THE LAST TIME I'M HERE. I HAVE HEARD A LOT OF GREAT SUPPORTING STATEMENTS FOR THE AIW'S. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT THING AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW, HOW IS IT THAT I CAN ASK YOU THAT WE WOULD HEAR MORE? I AM SURE THAT THERE IS MORE TO HEAR. >> OH, WE COULD DO THIS. WE CAN DO THIS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. >> I RECOGNIZE THE OTHER DELEGATE AT THE PROCEDURES MIC. >> DENNY DAVIDOFF FROM UNITARIAN CHURCH IN WESTPORT. YOU KNOW, I'M SITTING HERE, JIM, THINKING, AS I LOOK OUT AT SO MANY OF THOSE BEAUTIFUL FACES WHO I AM PRIVILEGED TO KNOW, THAT THIS IS A REALLY GOOD EXAMPLE OF HOW OUR REINFORCED ROBERTS RULES, RULES‑DRIVEN, WE MEAN WELL SYSTEM DOESN'T WORK ANYMORE. BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, I WAS BROUGHT UP THROUGH PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURES, A PERSON OF PRIVILEGE, TO UNDERSTAND THAT A VOTE OF ACCLAMATION IS WE WANT TO DO THIS. WE LOVE YOU AND EVERYTHING. BUT IT'S LIKE A FLYOVER. WHEN THE FOLKS ARE ASKING FOR CONVERSATION, AND THIS IS NOT MEANT TO BE CRITICAL OF YOU. IT'S A REFLECTION ON MY PART OF HOW THE SYSTEM THAT I THINK WE ALL YEARN FOR IS NOT THE SYSTEM WE'RE WORKING WITH, BECAUSE WE NEED TO FIND A WAY FOR PEOPLE LIKE ME TO UNDERSTAND BETTER WHAT'S BEING SAID AND GET IT BEYOND MY WHITE PRIVILEGE RHETORIC OF SUPPORT TO SOMETHING THAT'S MORE LIKE THE SANDPAPER THAT NANCY LADD WAS TALKING ABOUT THIS MORNING. SO WE DON'T WANT TO WITHDRAW THE ACCLAMATION, BUT IT'S NOT SATISFYING, BECAUSE IT'S TOO EASY FOR US. >> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> SO LET'S HEAR SOME CONVERSATION ABOUT THIS. DELEGATE, I RECOGNIZE THE DELEGATE AT THE PRO MICROPHONE. >> HELLO. I'M SHAFIA [INDISCERNIBLE] FROM THE FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH OF NEW ORLEANS. AND I STAND TO SAY THAT EARLIER, WITHIN THE LAST HALF HOUR, WE WERE REMINDED THAT WE ARE ALL FAMILY AND THAT IT IS WHEN WE UNDERSTAND ONE ANOTHER AS FAMILY THAT WE KNOW IF WE SHAPE OUR PROGRAMS, IF WE DO OUR WORK IN A WAY TO ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT THAT, THEN WE MIGHT GET SOMEWHERE AT CHINKING AWAY AT THIS BIG ROCK OF RACISM AND OTHER FORMS OF OPPRESSION. AND SO I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I THINK THIS DAY CALLS US MORE THAN ANY TO UNDERSTAND SOMETIMES FAMILY HAS TO SCHOOL YOU. SOMETIMES WE NEED TO LISTEN OUTSIDE A SENSE OF CELEBRATION AND HURRAHS, BUT TO LISTEN IN A DEEP WAY AND BRING SOMETHING THAT MOVES US AT A DEEPER LEVEL. AND AS A WHITE PERSON, I'M STANDING UP HERE WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE MY FAMILY AND I AM PART OF SOMETHING THAT'S HARMING THEM THROUGH MY WHITENESS, IN SPITE OF ANY GOOD INTENTIONS I'VE GOT. I AM A PART OF DOING HARM BY VIRTUE OF BEING A PART OF ALL THESE SYSTEMS IN THIS CONGREGATION AND OUTSIDE IN OUR COMMUNITIES. AND SO I WANT US TO HEAR THIS, HEAR THIS AND TAKE THE TIME TO LISTEN TO THIS, TO THE VOICES AND DO SO FROM A PLACE OF THE DEEPEST KIND OF HUMILITY WE CAN FIND. IT MAY NOT BE AS DEEP AS IT NEEDS TO GO, BUT WE CAN GO A LITTLE DEEPER EVERY DAY, AND THIS DAY IS ONE OF THOSE DAYS. >> THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> I RECOGNIZE THE NEXT DELEGATE AT THE PRO MICROPHONE. >> SORRY. I'VE DO THE A PROCEDURE QUESTION. I RECOGNIZE THE DELEGATE AT THE PROCEDURES MICROPHONE. >> CHRISTINA RIVERA, YOUR FELLOW TRUSTEE ON THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. I'M GOING TO FAKE A MOMENT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE. >> CERTAINLY. >> WHEN THIS IS PASSED, AND I KNOW IT WILL BE, I WOULD LIKE YOU, AS OUR MOD, THIS BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN RESPONSIVE RESOLUTION CALLS ON THE BOARD TO TAKE ACTION. RIGHT? AND THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT THAT YOU ARE CALLING ON US TO DO THIS WORK. AND NOT JUST WORK, AS DENNY SAID, BUT CONVERSATION. RIGHT? TO BE IN CONVERSATION. THAT THIS ISN'T JUST ABOUT PRODUCING A REPORT AT THE NEXT THREE GENERAL ASSEMBLIES. RIGHT? WE ARE GOING TO BE IN CONVERSATION AND COMMUNITY. WE ARE GOING TO DO THE DIFFICULT THINGS AS A BOARD. IT'S CALLING ON US TO DO THE WORK. SO WHEN THIS IS PASSED, I'D LIKE AN AFFIRMATION FROM YOU, OUR TRUSTED LEADER, THAT WE ARE GOING TO DO THIS DIFFICULT WORK. THAT WE HEAR THE CALL AND THAT WE ARE PREPARED TO RESPOND. >> THANK YOU. AND LET ME ASSURE THAT YOU WHEN THEY BROUGHT ME THE BUSINESS RESOLUTION, WITH WE SPOKE AT SOME LENGTH BEFORE THIS WAS PERFECTED, AND I GAVE THEM THAT ASSURANCE. I RECOGNIZE THE DELEGATE AT THE PROCEDURES MIC. >> JANUARY TATIO SERVING OUR CONGREGATION IN LAWRENCEVILLE, GEORGIA. >> AND KEVIN LOWREY FROM THE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST OF WAYNE COUNTY IN WORCESTER, OHIO. >> WE WOULD LIKE TO ASK IF WE COULD MOVE INTO A COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE AND I KNOW RIGHT THE GROUP TO COME FORWARD. >> AND SPEAK FROM THE STAGE. >> I DON'T THINK WE NEED A COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE, IF YOU DON'T MIND. I THINK WE CAN COME TO THE STAGE. I'LL INVITE ‑‑ >> HOWEVER YOU THINK WE CAN DO IT. >> I'M SORRY. I DIDN'T HEAR THE LAST PART. >> HOWEVER YOU THINK WE COULD DO IT. THANK YOU. >> SO I WOULD INVITE THE YOUTH WHO PINED THIS, ORGANIZED IT, TALKED TO THEIR BLUU SIBLINGS, I WOULD INVITE YOU UP TO THE STAGE, EITHER THROUGH THE STAIRS ‑‑ [APPLAUSE] ALL IN THAT SCRUM ARE INVITED. EVERYBODY IN THE SCRUM IS INVITED. I'LL TAKE IT AS A POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE TO GIVE THEM THE MIC, BUT I SEE THAT I HAVE A DELEGATE AT THE PROCEDURES MICROPHONE, SO I RECOGNIZE THAT DELEGATE. >> THANK YOU. MY NAME IS WESLEY THOMPSON. I'M FROM FIRST UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST HERE IN COLUMBUS, AND I'D JUST LIKE TO ASK YOU, MR. MODERATOR, TO REMIND US OF SOMETHING YOU'VE REMINDED US THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF THESE DEBATES. THE NOT TO ASSUME A PARTICULAR ATTITUDE THAT'S BEING ADDRESSED OR ATTACHED TO PEOPLE IN THESE DISCUSSIONS. >> VERY GOOD. THANK YOU. SO LET'S BE SURE THAT WE ARE HONORING OUR YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS THAT ARE UP HERE, AS YOU CAN SEE, STANDING TOGETHER. AND I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE WHOMEVER WISHES TO SPEAK AT THE MICROPHONE TO SAY ANYTHING OR NOTHING AT ALL OR SOMETHING. OKAY. COME ON DOWN. CAN WE MOVE OVER? >> I'M SIR LABEAR JUNIOR FROM THE UU CHURCH OF AKRON. [APPLAUSE] >> REVEREND TAMERSON, REALLY, HE ENCOURAGED ME TO COME OUT HERE. REVEREND ELIZABETH WYNNE, SHE ENCOURAGED ME TO COME OUT HERE. I MET LESLIE MAC AFTER I CAME BACK FROM FERGUSON IN AUGUST. I REMEMBER SEEING A LOT OF UU'S OUT THERE IN YELLOW SHIRTS. WHERE ARE THOSE UU'S IN WHERE WERE THEY ON FRIDAY? I WAS BROUGHT OUT HERE TO BE IN A SAFE SPACE, SHARE MY WORKSHOP, SPIRITUAL HEALING. ANY PREPARE ANYTHING. AND IT'S JUST INTERESTING THAT I WAS BROUGHT OUT HERE TO THIS SAFE SPACE BECAUSE EVERYBODY IS PROUD OF ME AND MY CONGREGATION. PUT ME ON A COMMITTEE. LET ME PREACH. AND I'LL BROUGHT OUT HERE. ALL OF THE PEOPLE ARE YOU'RE SO COOL. YOU'RE LIVING VICARIOUSLY THROUGH US. BECAUSE IT'S FUNNY HOW YOU CHOOSE TO FIGHT A CORRUPT DEMOCRACY AND USE A CORRUPT DEMOCRATIC PROCESS TO DO IT. IT'S FUNNY TO ME HOW YOU SAY YOU APPRECIATED US FOR FIGHTING THE SYSTEM, AND YOU'RE THE SAME SYSTEM THAT NOW WE ARE OUT HERE HAVING TO FIGHT. I STAND IN FRONT OF SOUND CANONS, RIFLES, DOGS, AND YOU THINK I WON'T STAND IN FRONT OF YOU AND SAY THIS? I APPRECIATE THE CONCERN THAT WE GOT ON SATURDAY MORNING, THE $89,000 OF AFRICAN AID MONEY THAT WE NOW HAVE TO FUNNEL THROUGH OUR MIDDLE MEN AND FIGURE OUT HOW IT GETS TO THE PARISHIONERS IN THE CONGREGATIONS. WE NEEDED A PUBLIC STATEMENT OF SUPPORT IN FRONT OF OUR NATION, OUR WORLD THAT THIS COUNTRY WAS MADE GREAT ON THE BACKS OF SLAVES, THAT IT'S GOING TO BECOME GREAT AGAIN BY FIGHTING THAT ORIGINAL PROBLEM, NOT FOUR MONTHS OF FIGHTING TRUMP FOR THE DEMOCRATS. [APPLAUSE] I BROUGHT MY FAMILY OUT HERE TO BE WOUNDED, TO HEAR ABOUT THIS BETRAYAL, AND NOW WE HAVE ‑‑ THE YOUTH WROTE THIS. WE ADULTS, WE SHOULD HAVE WRITTEN THAT. I'M NOT NECESSARILY ASKING HOW WE'RE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD. ONE OF MY DELEGATES AT AKRON TOLD ME THAT HE WAS REALLY SORRY FOR THE BLACK PEOPLE IN OUR CONGREGATION AND OUR COMMUNITY. I'M SORRY FOR THE UU AS A TRADITION. WE DON'T NEED THE UU. WE ARE ALREADY CONNECTED. WE'VE BEEN CONNECTED FOR TWO YEARS AND LONGER, FOR 400 YEARS FIGHTING THESE KINDS OF SYSTEMS. I WANT PROOF OF WHY I SHOULD SAY. I WANT PROOF OF WHY WE SHOULD STAY. I WANT SOMETHING DONE. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THIS RESPONSIVE RESOLUTION. I'VE BEEN A UU FOR SIX YEARS. I HAVEN'T HEARD ABOUT ANY DELEGATE SYSTEM. SO MY QUESTION IS TO THE SYSTEM, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO. NOT WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO SAY? [APPLAUSE] I'M ISIS FROM ALL SOULS OF NEW LONDON. I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE SOMETHING THAT I WROTE WHILE I WAS HERE. YOU WHITE FOLKS ARE AFRAID OF US BECAUSE OF THE WRONGS YOU DID AND DO TO US. YOU THINK WE WANT TO DO THE SAME TO YOU, BUT YOU ARE WRONG. ALL WE WANT IS EQUALITY, A CHANCE IN THE ECONOMY, A SAFE PLACE FOR OUR FAMILIES. WE WANT THE THINGS YOU HAVE AND KEEP FROM US, BUT THIS IS WHAT YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND. WE ARE GETTING ANGRIER, CLOSER TO SNAPPING, AND ONE DAY SOON, WHO KNOWS THAT WILL HAPPEN? BECAUSE THEN YOU'LL BECOME THE ENEMY OF THE MAJORITY. YEAH, THAT'S WHAT I SAID. YOU WHITE FOLKS ARE THE MINORITY AND WE, THE PEOPLE OF COLOR, ARE THE MAJORITY. [APPLAUSE] >> CHLOE RUSH SPRATT FROM FIRST UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST IN MINNEAPOLIS. MY FAMILY HAS BEEN MEMBERS OF FIRST UNIVERSALIST FOR ABOUT FOUR YEARS NOW, AND THREE OF THOSE YEARS I'VE BEEN A UNIVERSITY STUDENT, SO I HAVEN'T HAD MUCH TIME TO ACTUALLY BE A PART OF THE CHURCH. BUT EVERY SUMMER I COME HOME AND I'M DISHEARTENED BY THE LACK OF DIVERSITY IN MY CHURCH. MY CHURCH IS VERY ‑‑ I'M GRATEFUL TO MY CHURCH, BECAUSE IT CONTINUES TO SPEAK OUT FOR RACIAL JUSTICE, BUT I FEEL VERY ALONE WHEN I'M THERE. THEN I WAS INVITED TO COME HERE. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT GA WAS. AND I WAS INVITED BY THE BLUU, AND WITHOUT THEM, I WOULD NOT BE HERE. BUT I'M SO GRATEFUL TO BE HERE, BECAUSE I HAVE FINALLY FOUND A FAMILY AMONG MY BLACK FRIENDS AND PEOPLE OF COLORED FACES THAT I CAN FEEL SPIRITUALLY A PART OF. WITHOUT THEM, I WOULD HAVE FELT SO DIS‑CENTERED FOR THE REST OF THE SUMMER. AND WHILE I'M SO GRATEFUL FOR THEM, I'M SCARED TO GO BACK HOME. I'M SCARED TO BE ALONE WITHOUT THEM. AND WE WANT CHANGE. WE WANT CHANGE IN OUR ADMINISTRATION AND THE BOARD. THE BANNER IS GREAT, BUT WHEN I FIRST SAW THAT BANNER, I HONESTLY KIND OF SCOFFED, BECAUSE IT WAS LIKE, BLACK LIVES MATTER, BUT THERE ARE NO BLACK LIVES IN YOUR CHURCH. [APPLAUSE] YOU'RE SAYING IT TO YOURSELVES. YOURSELVES. SO ONCE AGAIN, I STAND WITH THEM AND I HAVE NEVER FELT MORE A PART OF SOMETHING UNTIL THIS WEEKEND, AND I'M REALLY HOPING THAT YOU WILL LISTEN TO US AND YOU WILL DEMAND CHANGE, YOU WILL DEMAND CHANGE IN THE ADMINISTRATION, IN THE BUREAUCRACY OF THIS, AND REALLY HAVE FAITH IN WHAT UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS STAND FOR, BECAUSE WE ARE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS AND WE BELIEVE IN THAT. WE BELIEVE IN THIS FAITH AND THIS SPIRITUALITY, BUT WE WANT IT FOR EVERYONE AND WE WANT TO BE EQUAL AND FAIR AND JUST. [APPLAUSE] >> LET ME SAY THAT CERTAINLY THE MODERATOR HEARS YOU. YOU NEED MORE THAN BEING HEARD. YOU'VE BEEN HEARD. THE MODERATOR AND THE BOARD, I HAVEN'T POLLED THE WHOLE BOARD, BUT I HAVE NO DOUBT, BASED ON A COUPLE OF OUR TRUSTEE'S COMMENTS IN THE CROWD, WE HEAR YOUR MESSAGE. WE WILL ACTION IT AND WE WILL KEEP REPORTING ON IT. I CAN'T SPEAK FOR THE CONGREGATIONS, THIS WORK IS YOURS TO DO. YOU'VE GOT TO TAKE THIS BACK TO YOUR CONGREGATIONS, THIS MESSAGE. HAVE THE PEOPLE THAT DIDN'T COME HERE WATCH THIS, THE VIDEO OF THIS WHEN YOU GET BACK. CREATE A SERVICE OUT OF IT, BECAUSE THE WORK HAS TO BE DONE AT OUR CONGREGATIONS AND OUR COMMUNITIES. SO PLEASE DO THAT FOR US AND WE'LL KEEP REPORTING ON IT. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> BUT WE HAVE SOME UNCOMPLETED BUSINESS TO DO. WE HAVE TO PASS THIS RESOLUTION. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, RAISE YOUR CARD. THANK YOU. OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> WOW. LET'S BREATHE WITH THIS FOR A MOMENT. I'VE GOT TO BREATHE WITH THIS FOR A MOMENT. I THANK THE DELEGATES FOR THEIR RESPONSE TO ALL OF THIS AND DEPARTURE FROM PROTOCOL. I HOPE THIS IS SOMETHING GOING FORWARD AS WE RE‑IMAGINE, RENEW OUR COVENANT AND THINK ABOUT SOCIAL JUSTICE GOING FORWARD, WHICH HAS BEEN TALKED ABOUT SEVERAL TIMES THIS WEEK. I HOPE YOU'LL TAKE ADVANTAGE OF RESPONDING TO OUR ASKS TO GO INTO DISCERNMENT IN A DIFFERENT WAY GOING FORWARD, BEGINNING IN NEW ORLEANS. PERHAPS WE CAN NOVEMBER A MORE COLLEGIAL DIRECTION OF GETTING OUR WORK DONE AND DOING DEEP, DEEP WORK LIKE THIS, WHICH RESULTS IN ACTIVITY, NOT JUST MOTIONS. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [APPLAUSE] THE DEBATE IS CLOSED, SO WE THANK YOU FOR THAT. WE'RE GOING TO NEW ORLEANS NEXT JUNE. HAD YOU HEARD ABOUT THAT? SO WELCOME JOLANDA, WALTER TO TELL US WHY WE SHOULD PLAN ON GOING TO NEW ORLEANS. IT'S GOING TO BE HOT. IT'S GOING TO BE HUMID. BUT IT'S GOING TO BE FUN. >> BREATHE IN. ARE WE PREPARED FOR NEW ORLEANS? I HOPE SO. HELLO. I'M JOLANDA WALTER, AND I HAVE THE PLEASURE OF BEING YOUR LOCAL ARRANGEMENT CHAIR FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN 2017. AND I INVITE YOU ALL TO THE UUA'S SOUTHERN REGION TO A QUIET LITTLE PLACE IN THE MISSISSIPPI DELTA CALLED NEW ORLEANS. NEW ORELEANIAN WRITER AND JOURNALIST CHRIS ROSE SAYS YOU CAN LIVE IN ANY CITY IN AMERICA, BUT NEW ORLEANS IS THE ONLY CITY THAT LIVES IN YOU. I INVITE YOU TO COME TO ONE OF THE MOST UNIQUE CITIES IN THE WORLD AND EXPERIENCE HOW OUR CITY CAN LIVE IN YOU. BREATHE IN. THE SMELL OF FRESHLY BREWED CAFE‑AU‑LAIT IN THE MORNING. IN THE MORNING, THE SOUNDS OF BRASS BANDS CALLING YOUR SPIRIT REJOICE. THE ROOTS OF ANCIENT CHIVE OAK TRIES UPLIFTING THE SIDEWALKS. THE POWER AND FORCE OF THE MIGHTY MISSISSIPPI SHAPING OUR BELOVED CRESCENT CITY AND SCULPTING THE HIGH GROUND WHERE OUR CONVENTION CENTER RESIDES. BREATHE IN OUR JOYFUL HOSPITALITY AND AFFECTION FOR SIMPLER THINGS. CHALLENGE YOUR PALLETS WITH WORLD RENOWNED CUISINE THAT IS PREPARED IN A ROUX OF HISTORY, GHOSTS, AND THAT ADDITION. DISCOVER THE MANY FLAVORS OF NEW ORLEANS. THE FOOD, THE MUSIC, THE ARCHITECTURE, THE ARTISTRY, THE HISTORY, THE ALL AGES FUN. IT'S SPICEY. IT'S SWEET. IT'S EARTHY. IT'S RICH. IT'S WARM. IT'S INTOXICATING. NEW ORLEANS WILL LEAVE ITS MARK IN YOU AND YOU WILL BE AFFECTED, INSPIRED, AND TRANSFORMED. AND THAT WHICH UNITES ALL OF US UU'S, THAT CALLS US TO SERVE AND FIGHT FOR JUSTICE ALSO UNITES NEW ORLEANIANS IN COMMUNITY AND SOLIDARITY. SO I INVITE YOU TO COME STAND WITH US, TO COME ROLL WITH US, TO COME WALK WITH US, TO COME DANCE WITH US, TO GET UNCOMFORTABLE WITH US, AND TO LISTEN TO US. SO LET'S MAKE HISTORY TOGETHER. I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE ALL OF Y'ALL IN NEW ORLEANS. IT'S JUNE 21ST THROUGH 25TH NEXT YEAR, AND DON'T FORGET YOUR OPEN HEARTS, YOUR TASTE BUDS, YOUR DANCING SHOES, AND YOUR WATER BOTTLE. [APPLAUSE] >> I CAN'T WAIT. WE NOW WANT TO HEAR OUR LAST REPORT FROM THE RIGHT RELATIONSHIP TEAM AND THE EVER PRESENT MS. ‑‑ >> AND SO OUR TIME TOGETHER DRAWS TO A CLOSE. FIRST OF ALL, I NEED TO APOLOGIZE. I WAS CARELESS WITH MY WORDS IN MY REPORT THIS MORNING WHEN I SAID STEP, I COULD HAVE SAID MOVE OR SOMETHING ELSE LIKE THAT. I SHARE THIS APOLOGY WITH YOU, FIRST OF ALL, BECAUSE I AM TRULY SORRY. BUT I ALSO SHARE IT, BECAUSE IT IS A REMINDER OF THE TRUTH THAT THERE IS NO FINISH LINE FOR THIS WORK. WE LEARN. WE TRY, WE MAKE MISTAKES. WE SEEK FORGIVENESS. WE MAKE AMENDS. AND WE TRY AGAIN. SO I AM SORRY. PART OF THE WORK OF THE RIGHT RELATIONSHIP TEAM IS TO IDENTIFY THE GENERAL THEMES THAT COME UP AT GENERAL ASSEMBLY. WE HAVE HEARD THIS WEEK OF YOUTH FEELING DISENFRANCHISED. CONCERNS ABOUT INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE, PEOPLE FEELING UNWELCOME IN VARIOUS SPACES, INCLUDING THIS ONE, DUE TO A MARGINALIZED IDENTITY SUCH AS RACE OR CLASS, AS WELL AS MIS‑GENDERING AND OTHER COMMENTS REGARDING THE USE OF BATHROOMS BY TRANS AND GENDER NON‑CONFORMING PERSONS. IN ADDITION, MICROAGGRESSIONS HAVE BEEN COME ACROSS IDENTITIES. TENSIONS WERE HIGH AROUND A NUMBER OF ISSUES BROUGHT BEFORE GENERAL SESSION, PARTICULARLY THE BUSINESS RESOLUTION AND ACTIONS OF IMMEDIATE WITNESS. NONE OF THESE ARE NEW THEMES. WE SEE THEM REPEATING YEAR AFTER YEAR. THIS TELLS US THAT WE NEED TO KEEP LEARNING, TO KEEP TRYING, TO KEEP ALLOWING OURSELVES TO BE CHANGED BY OUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH ONE ANOTHER. LIKE OUR CONGREGATIONS, WE WANT GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO BE A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE CAN BRING THEIR WHOLE SELVES, NOT LEAVING PART BEHIND TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS COMMUNITY. REVEREND NANCY McDONALD LADD SPOKE SO ELOQUENTLY THIS MORNING ABOUT REAL FIGHTS AND FAKE FIGHTS. OUR HOPE AS A TEAM IS THAT OUR WORKS HELPS THIS GATHERED COMMUNITY ENGAGE MORE DEEPLY IN THE REAL ONES. OUR HOPE IS THAT A CONVERSATION THAT BEGINS WITH HURT AND MISUNDERSTANDING ENDS WITH A RE‑COMMITMENT TO THE DIFFICULT RELATIONAL WORK OF BEING IN RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY. WITH GRATITUDE, I WISH SAFE TRAVELS TO YOU‑ALL, AND SEE YOU IN NEW ORLEANS. [APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU, LISA. AND WE HAVE, I GUESS, OUR FINAL REPORT FROM OUR SECRETARY, REVEREND ROB ELLER‑ISAACS. >> IT'S KIND OF A TEPID RESPONSE, DON'T YOU THINK? >> I DON'T ACTUALLY ANTICIPATE ANY RESPONSE. I'M THE SECRETARY. >> OKAY. >> IN SEPTEMBER OF 2013 ‑‑ [APPLAUSE] THANK YOU, FRIENDS. IN SEPTEMBER OF 2013, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY PLANNING COMMITTEE, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE BOARD AND THE ADMINISTRATION, CREATED THE WORSHIP ARTS TEAM. THE WORSHIP ARTS TEAM WORKS WITH THE GA MUSIC COORDINATOR TO RECRUIT THE LEADERS FOR OUR WORSHIP SERVICES. THE WORSHIP ARTS TEAM WORKS WITH ALL OF THOSE WORSHIP LEADERS TO CREATE THE POWERFUL AND BEAUTIFUL, MOVING, INSPIRING, INTERCONNECTED WORSHIP SERVICES THAT WE ENJOY AT GENERAL ASSEMBLY. FOR ALL THREE YEARS OF ITS EXISTENCE, THE WORSHIP ARTS TEAM HAS BEEN CHAIRED BY THE REVEREND CAROLYN PETERNO. AS REVEREND PETERNO ROTATES OFF THE TEAM, WE OFFER OUR DEEPEST THANKS FOR HER LEADERSHIP. CAROLYN, ARE YOU HERE? [APPLAUSE] WELL, WE'LL MAKE BELIEVE YOU'RE HERE, AND THANK YOU SO MUCH. [APPLAUSE] IN OUR EVER EXPANDING OUTREACH, WE HAD A TOTAL OF 154 OFF‑SITE REGISTRATIONS. 104 CONGREGATIONS WERE REPRESENTED IN THAT GROUP FROM 31 STATES. THE TOTAL NUMBER OF DELEGATES ATTENDING HERE AT THE ASSEMBLY IN PERSON IS 1,088 REPRESENTING 471 CONGREGATIONS FROM 46 STATES, THE TOTAL REGISTRATION HERE, INCLUDING 204 YOUTH IN THE YOUTH CAUCUS ‑‑ [APPLAUSE] YES, HOW ABOUT THEM? IS 3,788. THANK YOU. AND I WILL CLOSE WITH A HAIKU I'VE WRITTEN FOR THE OCCASION. ANNOUNCEMENTS NOT SO GOOD IN WORSHIP THERE IS A WORLD OUTSIDE THIS HALL [APPLAUSE] AS I WAS PLANNING THE BUSINESS SESSIONS OF THIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY, IT OCCURRED TO ME LONG AGO THAT WE WERE GOING TO HAVE ISSUES TO DISCUSS THAT WERE GOING TO PUT US IN THAT HOLY SANDPAPER SPACE, AND I'D ASKED ON THURSDAY MORNING, YOU'LL RECALL, THE REVEREND ROSEMARY BEVERLY BARKER TO SORT OF RIVER US A SETTING, A CHICAGO LOGICAL GROUNDING, IF YOU WILL, AND SO I THOUGHT IT APPROPRIATE TO REPRIZE, THEN, AND DO SORT OF A REFLECTION IN A CLOSING OF OUR WORK TOGETHER. SO I INVITE THEM BACK TO THEIR USUAL SEATS ON THE PLATFORM. LEE BARKER, ROSEMARY BRAY MCNATT. [APPLAUSE] >> SO IT'S BEEN QUITE A FEW DAYS, HASN'T IT? IT REALLY HAS. I CANNOT WANT TO RAISE YOU IN FEAR OF FALSE MEMORY. I CANNOT WANT YOU FORCED TO MASK YOUR JOYS AND BIND YOUR EYES. WHAT I WANTED FOR YOU WAS TO GROW INTO CONSCIOUSNESS. AND DID WE GROW INTO CONSCIOUSNESS? HOW DID WE DO TOGETHER? >> I THINK IF I AM PAYING ATTENTION TO MY BODY, MY BODY TELLS ME THINGS WERE ALL CHURNED UP. MY BODY TELLS ME THAT THIS HAS BEEN ONE OF THE MORE EMOTIONAL GA'S IN THE MANY THAT I'VE BEEN TO OVER THE DECADES. THERE IS A SENSE THAT I HAVE THAT WE DID PRETTY WELL TOGETHER AND YET THERE'S A LOT OF STUFF THAT'S HANGING. A LOT. >> AND I DON'T JUST MEAN ISSUES. I MEAN THERE'S A LOT OF STUFF HANGING EMOTIONALLY, TOO. THERE REALLY WERE THREE, I THINK, ROSEMARY, PROVOKE FOG ME, AT LEAST, PROVOKING ISSUES THAT CAME BEFORE THE ASSEMBLY. SOME WERE IN FORMAL SESSIONS. SOME WERE IN INFORMAL SESSION. ONE IS ABOUT THE PLIGHT OF PALESTINIANS AND HOW WE, AS A BODY, ADDRESS THAT PLIGHT. >> THAT'S RIGHT. >> THE OTHER IS WHETHER OR NOT WE ARE EMBRACING FULLY ENOUGH THE CALL FROM BLACK LIVES MATTER. AND THEN THE THIRD IS HOW UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISM IS ADDRESSING SEXUAL MISCONDUCT AMONG ITS CLERGY. WE'VE DONE PRETTY WELL, BUT WE'RE IN A PLACE WHERE I AM STILL KIND OF CHURNED UP. >> I FEEL LIKE THIS DISCONNECT, THERE'S A DISCONNECTED BETWEEN OUR AFFIRMATION AND OUR ACTIONS, AND THAT DISCONNECT IS REAL. WE ALL FEEL IT. AND IF WE HADN'T FELT IT, THE POWERFUL WITNESS OF OUR YOUTH AROUND THE BLACK LIVES MATTER MOVEMENT THIS AFTERNOON IS A REAL REFLECTION OF THAT DISCONNECT AND THE VOICES OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE SAYING TALK IS CHEAP. AND I RESONATE WITH THAT. I HAVE YOUNG CHILDREN. THEY'RE NOT CHILDREN ANYMORE ACTUALLY. THEY'RE YOUNG ADULTS, BUT THEY WERE RAISED IN THIS FAITH, AND YET THEY ARE NOT HERE, AND THEY'RE NOT HERE FOR THE VERY SAME REASONS THAT THESE YOUNG PEOPLE DESCRIBE. SO THAT DISCONNECT IS REAL. BUT WHAT'S ALSO REAL, I THINK, IS THIS SENSE OF IMPATIENCE, A KIND OF HOLY IMPATIENCE, WHICH I THINK IS ALSO REAL. THE ENERGY THAT SAYS, TALK IS NOT ENOUGH ANYMORE. THE SYSTEM AS WE UNDERSTAND IT IS NOT ENOUGH ANYMORE. THE FAITH THAT HAS SUSTAINED SO MANY OF US IS NO LONGER ADEQUATE FOR THE NEEDS. DAY. THAT IS WHAT I FEEL VERY STRONGLY THAT'S HAPPENING IN HERE. >> WELL, AND BALANCING THAT HOLY IMPATIENCE WITH WHAT WE KNOW TO BE THE HOLINESS OF RELATIONSHIP AS WELL. >> YEAH. >> I'VE SPENT SOME TIME IN MARRIAGE COUNSELING OVER THE COURSE OF MY LIFE, AND MAYBE ONE OF THE MOST ILLUMINATING THINGS THAT A THERAPIST EVER SAID TO ME IN THAT CONTEXT IS YOU KNOW, LEE, YOU CAN BE RIGHT ALL THE TIME OR YOU CAN BE IN RELATIONSHIP. >> THAT'S RIGHT. >> TAKE YOUR PICK. >> THAT'S RIGHT. >> BALANCING HOW TO BE IN RELATIONSHIP, HOW TO GIVE UP THE NEED TO BE RIGHT, OH, THAT IS SPIRITUAL WORK. >> HARD, TOO. AND WHAT WE'VE BEEN ASKING OF EACH OTHER IN HERE HAS BEEN HARD AND WILL BE HARD. WHAT YOU WERE ASKED TO DO THIS AFTERNOON WILL BE HARD TO TAKE HOME, BECAUSE GA IS JUST A STOPPING PLACE WHERE THE WORK IS TRIGGERED, BUT IS NOT REALLY BEGUN. IT'S IDENTIFIED, BUT THE WORK BEGINS WHEN WE GO HOME. AND SO I THINK THAT IT'S MORE IMPORTANT, PERHAPS EVEN THAN OUR EARLIER RITUAL ON THURSDAY, TO SEND PEOPLE BACK HOME WITH A REMINDER OF THAT SAME RITUAL AND ENCOURAGEMENT TO BEGIN WITH THAT PERHAPS AS YOU ARRIVE BACK IN YOUR CONGREGATIONS AND COMMUNITIES, BECAUSE THE HARD WORK IS STILL AHEAD OF YOU AND AHEAD OF ME AND AHEAD OF YOU. AND SO I PUT MY HAND IN YOURS SO THAT WE MIGHT DO TOGETHER WHAT WE CANNOT DO ALONE. [APPLAUSE] >> I PUT MY HAND IN YOURS SO THAT WE MIGHT DO TOGETHER WHAT WE CANNOT DO ALONE. >> WE APPROXIMATE PUT OUR HANDS IN THE FUTURE OF OUR MOVEMENT, IN YOURS, SO THAT WE MIGHT DO TOGETHER WHAT WE CANNOT DO ALONE. AMEN. >> AMEN. [APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE'RE ALMOST READY TO ADJOURN, BUT THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE TO THANK AND I NEED TO LOOK AT MY LIST. THIS IS A LIST OF THANK YOUS YOU CERTAINLY DON'T WANT TO MISS NAMING SOMEONE, AND I'M GOING TO K I'M GOING TO READ THEM NOT RAPIDLY, BUT IF YOU'RE IN THE GROUP THAT I'M GOING TO RECOGNIZE AND YOU'RE IN THE HALL, PLEASE COME TO THE PLATFORM SO PEOPLE CAN SEE, FRANKLY, THE MASS OF PEOPLE THAT IT TAKES TO PULL OFF THESE KINDS OF THINGS EACH YEAR. I WANT TO NAME A FEW AND MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE STAGE AS YOU'RE WILLING, ABLE, AND AVAILABLE. OUR CHAPLAINS HEADED BY THE REVEREND JENNIFER BROOKS. OUR RIGHT RELATIONS TEAM, HEADED BY LISA BOVEE‑KEMPER. SHE HAS A CO‑CHAIR, BUT HE'S HAD AN EMERGENCY IN THE FAMILY AND HE'S BEEN POSTING THAT ON FACEBOOK, BUT I'LL LEAVE YOU TO GO THERE TO UNDERSTAND HIS SPACE. THE UU MUSICIANS NETWORK, THEY'RE PROBABLY EXHAUSTED, BUT IF THEY'RE STILL IN THE HALL. SUSAN PECK AND THE MANY MUSICIANS THAT HAVE BROUGHT SO MUCH ENERGY AND REFLECTION TO THIS GATHERING. THE GA CONFERENCE SERVICE STAFFS: JAN SNEEGAS, DON PLANTE, STACY DICKSON, STEVE RANSOM. THE PEOPLE OVER THERE IN THE TECH DECK THAT RESPOND TO THESE LAST MINUTE SLIDES, OVERNIGHT TEXTS, SCRIPT CHANGES, ET CETERA. THEY ARE THE UNSUNG HEROS HERE. WE NEED MORE PEOPLE UP HERE. PEOPLE THAT ARE PART OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS. PLEASE COME FORWARD. MEET GREEN, YOU PROBABLY HAVEN'T HAD MUCH INTERACTION WITH THEM. AARON ELIOT AND OUR DISTRICT COORDINATOR, LAURA HOWE, HERE IN TOWN. AND SHE HAD 180 VOLUNTEERS. IF THERE ARE 108 OF YOU IN THE ROOM, COME ON UP. CMI, GREG BATES AND THE TEAM. THE GUYS IN BLACK THAT ARE ALWAYS MOVING STANDS AND MICS AND CUEING ME. ALL GREAT. THE WORSHIP ARTS TEAM. YOU'VE HEARD CAROLYN PATIERNO. THE PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT GROUP. GAIL FORSYTHE VALE AND REVEREND RENEE RUCHOTZKE AND CO‑CHAIRS. THE COMMISSION ON SOCIAL WITNESS. THEY WORKED THROUGH THE NIGHT TO GET THE CSW'S ON SATURDAY TO PRESENT THEM TO YOU ON SUNDAY. AND LAST, AND CERTAINLY NOT LEAST, OUR SEMINARY PRESIDENTS, ROSEMARY BRAY MCNATT AND LEE BARKER, WHO I THOUGHT ADDED A NICE BOOK‑END ON OUR DELIBERATIONS THIS WEEKEND. AND THEN VICE‑MODERATOR DENISE RIMES AND THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. I'M GOING TO INVITE YOU UP. AND THE HUNDREDS OF UUA STAFF FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT HAVE LEAD WORKSHOPS AND EVERYTHING ELSE. PRETTY SOON WE'RE GOING TO ALL BE UP HERE AND THE FEW DELEGATES THAT HAVEN'T GONE HOME WILL BE LEFT IN THE HALL. AND FINALLY, CERTAINLY BUT NOT LEAST, PRESIDENT PETER MORALES, YOU REMEMBER HIS NAME, WHOSE INTERFAITH INITIATIVES LED TO THIS FIRST INTERFAITH GA. I'M PERSONALLY GRATEFUL ‑‑ [APPLAUSE] FOR THE EFFORT OF ALL, AND I HOPE A GOOD GA FOR ALL OF YOU. YES? LET'S WAIT FOR THEM TO ALL GET UP HERE BEFORE I SEND YOU ALL HOME. IN OUR YOU'RE READY TO TAKE ALL THAT YOU'VE DONE THIS WEEK HOME AND PUT THINGS INTO ACTION. SO WE JUST HAVEN'T PRODUCED PIECES OF PAPER, BUT SOME ACTIONABLE ITEMS THAT WE CAN ENERGIZE OUR CONGREGATIONS IN THE WORK THAT IS YET TO DO. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I'LL ASK THE VICE‑MODERATOR TO COME UP AND READ THIS MOTION. I'M SORRY. THE PROCEDURES MIC IS NOT OPEN. BUT IF YOU WANT TO GET WITH THE TELLER? THANK YOU. SO DENISE, WHY DON'T YOU MOVE THAT WE ADJOURN? >> I'VE KNOWN JIM KEY FOR A WHILE NOW, AND I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO GET UP IN PUBLIC AND NOT DO WHAT HE SAYS. SO BEFORE I DO WHAT HE SAYS, I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER ON BEHALF OF ALL OF THE VOLUNTEERS, THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, AND THE MANY OF YOU WHO HELPED MAKE THIS A SUCCESSFUL GA, I'D LIKE TO THANK MODERATOR KEY FOR WHAT I HAVE LEARNED IS AN EXTRAORDINARILY DIFFICULT JOB. [APPLAUSE] YOU GET UP HERE IN FRONT OF THIS TELEPROMPTER OR THIS SCREEN AND YOU GO, WHO IS THAT OLD LADY AT THE MICROPHONE? WAIT, IT'S ME. SO VARIETY, I'D LIKE TO MOVE THAT THIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS NOW ADJOURNED. [APPLAUSE] >> SO IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED THAT THIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS NOW ADJOURNED. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF ADJOURNMENT, PLEASE SIGNIFY BY RAISING THOSE VOTING CARDS. THANK YOU. AND WE'LL WAIT FOR THE OFF‑SITE DELEGATES. AND I THANK THE OFF‑SITE DELEGATES. I THINK THE TECHNOLOGY WENT BETTER. THOSE OPPOSED TO ADJOURNING? THE MOTION TO ADJOURN IS CARRIED AND I DECLARE THAT THE 2016 GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST ASSOCIATION NOW STANDS ADJOURNED. HAVE A WONDERFUL SUMMER. SEE YOU IN NEW ORLEANS, Y'ALL. [APPLAUSE] [GENERAL SESSION V CONCLUDES] EVENT: B2016 0626 GENERAL SESSION V 0115 PM EST CAPTIONS PROVIDED BY: HEAR INK http://www.hearink.com PHONE: 314‑427‑1113 **********DISCLAIMER********** THE FOLLOWING IS AN UNEDITED ROUGH DRAFT TRANSLATION FROM THE CART CAPTIONER'S OUTPUT FILE. THIS TRANSCRIPT IS NOT VERBATIM AND HAS NOT BEEN PROOFREAD. TO DO SO IS AN EXTRA FEE. THIS FILE MAY CONTAIN ERRORS. PLEASE CHECK WITH THE SPEAKER(S) FOR ANY CLARIFICATION. 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