The General Assembly (GA) is the annual business meeting of the denomination. An elected moderator presides at the General Assembly in accordance with rules of procedure. General Assemblies make overall policy for carrying out the purposes of the Association and direct and control its affairs. Voting at each regular and special General Assembly shall be by accredited delegates from certified member congregations, certified associate member organizations, and trustees.

The business to be transacted will be set forth in the official agenda.

2021 Agenda

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

Who May Place Items on the GA Agenda?

Certified congregations may:

• Propose Amendments to Bylaws in collaboration with 14 other congregations.
• Write a Business Resolution in collaboration with 14 other congregations.
• Petition to propose Amendments to Rules by gathering 250 signatures (no more than 10 from any one congregation) in collaboration with other congregations.
• Petition to propose a Business Resolution by gathering 250 signatures (no more than 10 from any one congregation) in collaboration with other congregations.

Districts may (by official action at a district meeting at which a quorum is present):

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

The Board of Trustees or the Executive Committee may submit Business Resolutions, Amendments to Rules or Bylaws, or other items.

The Commission on Social Witness may submit proposed Congregational Study/Action Issues and UUA Statements of Conscience.

The Commission on Appraisal may submit additional proposed Amendments to Bylaws.

All reports and other matters required by the Bylaws to be submitted to the General Assembly may also be included in the agenda.

UUA Bylaws

• Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Bylaws—You may need to refer to the bylaws to contextualize proposed bylaw and rule amendments in the agenda.

General Assembly 2020 Results

General Assembly Business Meeting Minutes (PDF)

The Business Resolution Embodying Human Rights in Our Investment Decisions was adopted.

The Bylaw Amendments Co-Moderator Vacancies and Timelines for Nominating Committee were adopted.

The following proposed Actions of Immediate Witness (AIWs) were adopted.

• 400 Years of White Supremacist Colonialism (PDF)
• Amen to Uprising (PDF)

The following Proposed Responsive Resolutions were adopted.

• Widening the Circle: Establishing Ongoing Intersectional Accountability Commission and Sunsetting the JTWTC
• Supporting and Investing in Youth and Young Adults in Unitarian Universalism
• The Pandemic: a Religious Response

Past Agendas

The below are all in PDF format unless otherwise noted.

• 2020 Final Agenda (PDF, 12 pages)

• Budget Documents
  • FY2021 Board Budget Memo (4 pages)
  • Board Budget FY2021—FY2022 (7 pages)
  • Consolidating Budgets FY2021—FY2022 (1 page)
• 2019 Final Agenda (19 pages)
  • 2019 Revised Order of Business
  • Proposed Merger Agreement (7 pages) between the Ballou Channing District and the UUA​
• 2018 Final Agenda (21 pages)
• 2017 Final Agenda (15 pages)
• 2016 Agenda (19 pages)
• 2015 Agenda (30 pages)
• 2014 Agenda (23 pages)
• 2013 Agenda (24 pages)
• 2012 Agenda (58 pages)
• 2011 Agenda (64 pages)
• 2010 Agenda (64 pages)
• 2009 Agenda (21 pages)
• 2008 Agenda (49 pages)

Summary of 2019 GA Business Items with voting results

• Consent Agenda
  Two items were removed, one by the Assembly, and one by the Board at the recommendation of legal counsel (these are the last two items listed below). All items remaining on the agenda were then passed.
• Bylaw Amendments to sections 5.11 (a) (1), 7.6 (b), 11.3, 11.5, and 11.7 to changing final fellowship to full fellowship
• Bylaw Amendment to section 5.2 (b) to remove in odd numbered years
• Amendment to Rule G-9.13.1 to modernize for electronic vote and clarify election preparation by Secretary
• Amendment to Rule G-9.13.2 to modernize for electronic vote and randomize the order of candidate names for election
• Amendment to Rule G-9.13.3 to modernize for electronic vote and remove "on a ballot"
• Amendment to Rule G-9.13.4 to provide for mailed paper ballots in elections
• Amendment to Rule G-9.13.5 to clarify voting at General Assembly
• Bylaw amendment to section 9.6 to increase number of petitions for nominations to 50 congregations from at least 3 of the regions of the Association
  Removed by the Assembly, discussed separately, and passed by the Assembly without amendment
• Ballou Channing Merger Resolution
  Removed by the Board and passed as a separate resolution
• Bylaw amendment regarding preliminary fellowship (Section 11.3)
  Passed
• Bylaw amendment regarding voting and elections (Sections 9.9, 9.10, 9.11 and Rules G-9.11.1, G-9.11.2, and G-9.11.3)
  Passed
• Statement of Conscience: Democracy Uncorrupted
  Passed - with the addition of amendments (a), (b), and (i)
• Elections for Board of Trustees, Commission on Appraisal, Commission on Social Witness, General Assembly Planning Committee, and Nominating Committee
  All elections were uncontested and those nominated were therefore elected, and were affirmed by the acclamation of the Assembly.
• Actions of Immediate Witness (AIWs)​
  Three AIWs were passed
  • ​Build the Movement for a Green New Deal (PDF)
  • Immigration and Asylum (PDF)
  • Support Our First Amendment Right to Boycott (PDF)
• Responsive Resolutions
  No qualifying responsive resolutions were offered.