by Barbara L. Barnes
First off, thank you to the HUUC Board of Trustees for entrusting in me the honor of being one of HUUC’s General Assembly (GA) delegates. Secondly, I wanted to pass along my experiences and impressions regarding being a delegate.
I admit that I am not a total “newbie” to the GA experience. I attended a GA in person many years ago when I also served as an usher for the events. That was a great way to live firsthand the many aspects of this annual, nation-wide gathering of UUs while reducing the expense. By volunteering, I felt that I was also contributing to the work of our religious organization.
There are many volunteer jobs, but as an usher, a volunteer is required to attend the business sessions (known as General Sessions I – V), several of the evening programs, and the Sunday morning service. I wanted to do that anyways. Even with that commitment, I had plenty of time left to attend the plethora of educational programs and fully check out the vendors/exhibition hall. I admit that the money I saved by volunteering I probably spent on books, t-shirts, and other UU-related mementos that I’d find nowhere else in one location.
Years passed thereafter when GA didn’t fit into my schedule or interests. However, for the last three years I’ve been highly interested in the UUA’s activities since they appeared to have more direct influence on my life and belief system. Previously, the highly contentious discussions at the General Sessions I’d dismissed as religious political theater. However, when the much-delayed proposed changes in the UUA Bylaws began appearing in UUA publications and then in the GA General Sessions in 2023 and 2024, I took notice. I watched the on-line videos of the Sessions. The result of these Sessions was the replacement of our Seven Principles with a Values discussion in the new UUA Bylaws Article II.
This year, bylaws changes have taken a backseat to other more typical, current events/social justice related items up for the delegates’ votes as action items. However, now as a delegate I was privy to the delegates’ opportunities to understand more of the backgrounds on the proposed items and then vote on them.
The other delegates ballots contained the obligatory vote for the unopposed new UUA Board of Trustees members but there was a contest for the six-year term as Board Moderator, the head of the UUA Board. A forum was held during General Session II in which the candidates were asked a series of questions by a panel of interviewers.
Delegates needed to become familiar with the proposed three CSAIs and initial five AIWs for pre-selection votes (reduced to three AIWs by Thursday) and final votes at the Friday and Saturday General Sessions. (CSAIs are Congregation Study Action Issues intended to direct UUA member congregations’ research and efforts in the coming year. AIWs are Actions for Immediate Witness that provide a statement to the world about how the UUA stands on current issues.) Information on these initiatives supplied to delegates included not only their individual comprehensive write-ups but also access to 90-minute feedback sessions on each CSAI and AIW where delegates could ask the proposals’ authors questions and suggest modifications. Delegates could also discuss their questions and concerns in on-line forums.
General Sessions started Wednesday evening, June 18, 2025, lasting through Sunday afternoon, June 22. The time allotted for the General Sessions totaled to 12 hours. Would I say that I found every General Session moment riveting? Of course not. In many ways, this is living the idiom of “learning how the sausage is made.” On the other hand, if you are interested in seeing democracy in action with an occasional spicing of passionate debate, this is a must-see event. As expected, there were moments of unexpected drama and even parliamentary intrigue! Such is anticipated from a distinct group of intelligent, fervent, and zealous people.
Since I’d watched all the previous two years’ GA sessions I added a familiarity with many of the people involved with running the sessions and knowing the sessions’ format. If nothing else, I still marvel at the diversity in the UU world. I’m nothing if not an avid people-watcher and GA offers prime viewing. Anyone can watch all the General Sessions that are posted at https://www.uua.org/ga/off-site/2025 for on-demand viewing.
At Heritage, we empower our delegates to vote their conscience. Our other delegates this year were Laci Adams, Rebecca Pace, and Bill Lyon. Whether they wish to share how they voted is up to them. I’d be happy to tell you individually how and why I voted as I did. I’ll let a separate article published in the Heirloom and on HUUC.net discuss the results from this year’s GA.
If you have an interest in attending a future GA, let a HUUC Board of Trustees member know in the early spring. AIWs and CSAIs change every year. As with any volunteer commitment, the hours you spend are up to you. The least asked from you is to cast a quick vote on-line four times during the Assembly. It is up to you if you want to spend time accessing the many opportunities to research the election issues or to attend GA in-person verses on-line. As an on-line business-only delegate, there is no cost to participate. Time and finances are not barriers to being a delegate. You just need access to the internet to vote during the event.
Next year’s 2026 GA will be nearly totally on-line. The following 2027 GA will again use the hybrid in-person and on-line format streaming from San José, CA. The future GAs hint to more intense discussions of bylaws changes. Proposed modifications are already being prepared. Some people believe that these new proposed changes will be even more impactful to UUs than those recently made to Article II.
Images sources: UUA.org and https://tinyurl.com/yejf7xyr