Guide to General Assembly Business

Business Guide

The General Assembly Business Guide offers an introduction on how to participate in the business brought before the annual General Assembly (GA).

If Certified Your Congregation May

Propose Amendments to the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Bylaws in collaboration with 14 other congregations.
Propose a Business Resolution or Amendment to Rule in collaboration with 14 other congregations.
Petition to propose Amendments to the UUA Bylaws by gathering 250 signatures in collaboration with other congregations.
Petition to propose a Business Resolution or Amendment to Rule by gathering 250 signatures in collaboration with other congregations.
Send voting Delegates to General Assembly.

UUA Regions May

Write up to three Business Resolutions.
Propose Amendments to the UUA Bylaws and Rules.

Business Resolutions and Amendments to Rules

Refer to Article IV of UUA Bylaws and Rules.

A Business Resolution “…directly involves the administration and structure of the Association. Any resolution submitted which, taken as a whole, has as its purpose the making of a statement of social concern or principle shall be deemed to be a Study/Action Issue for Social Justice...” (Rule G-4.18.2)

Who May Submit Resolutions

Fifteen collaborating UUA certified (in 2023) member congregations, by action of their governing boards or congregations.
By official action of a district or region (See UUA Bylaws Section 4.11).
The bearer of a petition signed by 250 members of UUA certified (in 2023) member congregations, with no more than ten members from any one congregation.

How to Write a Business Resolution

Formatting:

Each resolution should have two parts: a preamble and operative paragraph(s).
The first part sets forth the reasons for action, the second part the action desired and the persons or organizations who are requested to act.
Each paragraph in the preamble should begin with “Whereas”; the first operative paragraph with “Be it Resolved that the 20xx General Assembly of the UUA” (urges, recommends, etc.); and successive operative paragraphs with “Be it Further Resolved.”

Each part of a resolution should be:

Accurate: State facts, not opinions or judgments.
Brief: Short statements are more clearly understood than long ones.
Clear: Use direct, straightforward language.

Unified: Limit a resolution to one topic.

How to Submit Resolutions

There are two different web forms used for submitting Business Resolutions. Forms must be received by February 1, 2024.

What Happens Next

Proposed Business Resolutions and Amendments to Rules are reviewed by the UUA Secretary to determine whether the criteria was met for inclusion on the Final Agenda. Proposals received in good order will be voted on by delegates at General Assembly.

Amendments to the UUA Bylaws

Refer to Article XIV of UUA Bylaws and Rules

Bylaws and Rules are the basic legal guide to the actions of the Association.

Who May Submit Amendments

Fifteen collaborating UUA certified (in 2023) member congregations, by action of their governing boards or congregations.
By official action of a district or region (See UUA Bylaws Section 4.11).
The bearer of a petition signed by 250 members of UUA certified (in 2023) member congregations, with no more than ten members from any one congregation.

How to Write Amendment

Proposed amendments must be clear and unambiguous. They should be precise, using words consistent with the context.
Include the basic argument to be used by the proponents.
If other Bylaw sections will be affected, this should be noted.

How to Submit Amendments

Submit amendments via the web form Proposed Amendment to Bylaws. Forms must be received by February 1, 2024.

What Happens Next

Proposed amendments to Bylaws are reviewed by the UUA Secretary to determine whether the criteria was met for inclusion on the Final Agenda. Proposals received in good order will be voted on by delegates at General Assembly.