October 18, 2009
For Minnesota congregations
The MUUSJA (Minnesota UU Social Justice Alliance) Fall meeting will be Sunday, October 18, from 1:30 to 3:00 pm at the White Bear UU Social Hall, 328 Maple Street, in Mahtomedi. For further information contact Ralph Wyman at rwmuusja@gmail.com.
2009
For Nebraska Congregations
For further information contact D Moritz at dmoritz2@yahoo.com.
October 9-11, 2009
For Western Missouri and Kansas Congregations
Southern Cluster retreat and camp-out .
For further information contact Sara Banner at sarabanner@gmail.com.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
For Iowa congregations
Representatives of the congregations in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, and Cedar Falls/Waterloo met at People’s Church in Cedar Rapids on November 21, 2009. St. Timothy’s United Methodist Church in Cedar Falls was also represented. Also present were representatives of One Iowa, the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa, and the Minnesota UU Social Justice Alliance (MUUSJA). Iowa State Senator Bob Dvorsky was present as a guest speaker.
The meeting began with a discussion of the limits on “lobbying” that are imposed by the 501c3 tax exempt status of religious congregations.
Senator Bob Dvorsky, Iowa Senate District 15, gave a presentation on the consideration of a “marriage amendment” to the Iowa Constitution in the upcoming 2010 session of the Iowa General Assembly.
Ralph Wyman, from MUUSJA, talked about UU statewide social justice alliances now active in 14 states.
Andrea Janssen, a field organizer for One Iowa, discussed some of their activities related to the upcoming Iowa legislative session. The group then discussed the possibility of mobilizing UUs from across the state to participate in a Lobby Day as well as participation in forums.
Melisabeth Wright, of the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa, also spoke to the group.
Items discussed for possible joint congregation action:
1. Organize a letter writing session during coffee hour.
2. Organize a group of UUs to attend:
· Debates or dialogs on the issue in your area
· Rallies in your area
· Legislative forums held by your local representatives/senators
3. Organize a group of UUs to attend events in Des Moines:
· Lobby days
· Rallies
4. Reach out to other liberal religious groups in your area.
5. Arrange to be interviewed by local media.
6. Talk personally with state legislators that you know or who are willing to meet with you.
7. Develop an email list (or other social media list) of people in your congregation who are particularly passionate on selected issues.
8. Have a discussion group in your congregation in which you answer questions and develop talking points on selected issues.
9. When a partner organization issues a Legislative Alert, respond quickly!
10. Write letters to the editor; talk with newspaper editorial boards.
For more information contact Al Hays, PSD Social Justice Liaison for Iowa, at allen.hays@uni.edu
TBD
For Southern Minnesota and Western Wisconsin
We are looking for a representative from this geographic area to schedule a cluster meeting.
TBD
For South Dakota
For further information contact Mary Jo Farrington at maryjo@rushmore.com.
