Lead at General Assembly

By Ted Resnikoff

YC_2016_Guide_Featured_Images_Lead

YC_2016_Guide_Featured_Images_Lead

Hey folks! Your Business Managers here, Isabelle and Hannah, and we want you to become the next generation of youth leaders at GA! This may sound like a daunting prospect, but we have some pointers to help you navigate this year’s General Assembly like a pro.

The hardest part of doing anything is starting it, and the first thing you can do to get involved at GA is simply show up to some workshops! The Business team hosts two Involved Youth Strategy sessions during program slot #3 and #4. In our first Involved Youth Strategy session (Thursday, 3:00-4:15), we will discuss the current Congregational Study/Action Issues (CSAIs), which will become the social justice priorities of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) for 2016-2020. Bring your ideas to this session! During the second session (Friday, 1:15-2:30pm), we have invited the UUA Presidential candidates to come and speak to Youth Caucus, answer questions, and listen to youth. This is a very special opportunity for Youth Caucus members, as it gives us a chance to have all of the current candidates’ undivided attention and give you a clearer idea of which candidate you would like to support in the future.

Another way to get involved is to attend General Sessions. During these sessions, the business of GA is brought forth, debated, and voted on. Attending General Sessions can help you better understand business and gives youth delegates the option of debating, making statements, and voting. This is where all the action happens during GA and it’s incredible to be a part of moments that change the UUA. Also, there’s a bonus of getting to sit with us and ask us every question that exists!

We know at times it can seem like the Youth Caucus is part of their own little bubble at GA, but when we venture out into uncharted territories (i.e. going to...General Sessions) we bring something no other group has. We bring the unexpected idea, the unanswered question, and the unexplored route. When you make the choice to speak up, stand with, or second an action, you are taking part in something much bigger than Youth Caucus, because it affects everyone at GA. This is exactly why we need youth like you to become involved and lead during General Assembly, so UUs everywhere can have a new, interesting perspective: yours.