The Unitarian Universalist Office at the United Nations is seeking passionate youth and adults to serve on the 2023 Intergenerational Spring Seminar Planning Committee! Applications are due August 9, 2022.

The success of the seminar depends upon the talent of volunteers like you who contribute their time, energy, and skills. The theme, dates, and format of the 2023 Seminar are to be determined.

Registration fees are waived for all active Planning Committee Members.

Time Commitment and Tasks

The Spring Seminar Planning Committee is composed of 4 teams, each with a Leader who is responsible for keeping the team on track and coordinating with other teams. Planning Committee meetings start in September and continue through the Seminar in April.

September - November

During the first three months of Planning Committee work, the full committee will all be together coordinating the overall goals and schedule for the Spring Seminar. In September, October, and November, the Full Planning Committee will meet twice per month via Zoom. Each Team has a particular area of responsibility to look out for and contribute to those discussions, but the teams don't meet separately outside the Full Committee until December.

December - April

Beginning in December and continuing until the Seminar occurs in April, teams each have a bi-weekly phone or video conference call and the full Planning Committee joins for a monthly video conference call to ensure transparent communication between the teams.

The day and time of the meetings are determined by the committee. Committee members will need to accomplish tasks during the time between conference calls and report back on their progress. The Planning Committee will use Slack and Google Drive to ensure everyone has access to all of our work and planning.

Application Requirements

We are looking for energetic and enthusiastic committee members who can realistically dedicate the time commitment noted above.

An intergenerational Seminar means we need an intergenerational planning committee. Youth (age 14-18), young adults, adults, and elders are all encouraged to apply!

This Intergenerational Seminar will take a broad and intersectional view of working towards justice – we hope that our Planning Committee will reflect the diversity of identities that exist in our world. People with disabilities, people of color, indigenous people, Hispanic/Latinx, and LGBTQ+ candidates are encouraged to apply.

Planning Committee Teams

Please review the following descriptions of each team. In the application below, make note of what you can contribute to the team(s) that interest you.

Trajectory of Learning Team

Responsible for realizing the trajectory of learning during the Intergenerational Spring Seminar, including organizing and coordinating the main content of the Spring Seminar, such as workshops, panel discussions, keynote speakers, small group discussion time, and other performances/presentations. All programs should be engaging and as much as possible, should be interactive, multisensory experiences; the team should aim to minimize the time when participants are just sitting-and-listening. The Trajectory of Learning Team should consider how to ensure that these sessions flow smoothly from one to another and that the overall Seminar objectives are achieved.

Logistics & Accessibility Team

Responsible for logistics coordination and planning the physical and technological aspects to the Intergenerational Seminar to maximize clarity and accessibility. Work with UUA staff to execute logistical planning of the seminar including booking the venues, coordinating technology, researching and confirming catering, procuring materials and supplies, etc. Consider how the transitions between sessions will work, how onsite participants will get from one place to another, and how offsite participants will interact with one another and with onsite attendees and presenters.

Spiritual Grounding Team

Work to ensure that participants remain spiritually grounded and don't burn out over the course of the 3 action-packed days. Collaborate with other planning team members to plan worship services and incorporate spiritual elements throughout the Spring Seminar, including in workshops, intergenerational small group time, and evening activities. This team will include but is not limited to two Youth Chaplains and two Adult Chaplains (separate applications required).

Communications & Publicity Team

Publicize the Seminar to promote registration and coordinate communications with registered participants to ensure that they are prepared to attend. This will include creating and promoting the program book and event app, required pre-seminar assignments relating to the theme, as well as sharing logistical details with attendees such as when/where to arrive in-person or access the online events, how to get from place to place, affordable hotel and restaurant suggestions, and etc. This outreach will be done via social media, blog posts, email blasts, letters of invitation, and updating webpages. During the event, the Team will help participants to connect with each other and with the wider Seminar community.

Planning Committee Applications are due August 9, 2022.

Contact the UU Office at the UN with any further questions at unitednations@uua.org.