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GINI COURTER: Good
morning, sir.

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I now call to order the Second
Plenary Session of the 51st

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General Assembly of the
Unitarian Universalist

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Association.

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I'd like you to please welcome,
if you would, the

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Reverend Marti Keller, President
of the Unitarian

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Universalist Women's Federation,
who is here to

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light our chalice and tell you
a bit about the work of the

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Women's Federation
as it pertains to

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Justice General Assembly.

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Reverend Keller will be assisted
by legal counsel.

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It's all good, it's all good.

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Thank you.

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Thank you, Tom, Thank
you, Marti.

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Now let's welcome Reverend
Marti Keller, please.

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Come on, it's all right.

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MARTI KELLER: The one thing they
didn't teach us to do in

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seminary is how to use a lighter
for the [? chalice, ?]

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so thank you.

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As we at the UU Women's
Federation looked at this

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year's GA's focus on
immigration, racial and

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economic justice, we immediately
saw what a good

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fit it was and is for us.

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Indeed, the UUWF's mission
statement begins with the

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words "Advancing justice for
women and girls." So we are

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already positioned to address
these issues as they relate to

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women and girls.

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We have been vigorously engaged
in this work for

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nearly 50 years.

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And while the human rights of
immigrants and the racial

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targeting of persons of color
were most prominent in our

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hearts and minds when this
Justice General Assembly was

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conceived in reaction to the
draconian and damaging

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immigration legislation adopted
here in Arizona.

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We can now, unfortunately, add
the status of women and gender

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targeting of women to
our priorities here.

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On Capitol Hill and in state
legislatures, the attack on

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women's rights have been
unremitting recently.

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With stunningly mean-spirited
and/or cynical rollbacks in

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the areas of reproductive
justice, access to health

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care, equal pay and measures
to stop domestic violence.

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We at the UUA Women's Federation
are outraged and

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are working on several fronts
to support Unitarian

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Universalist's as they work to
counter the omnipresence

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threats to the welfare
of women and girls.

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We are also heartened
by the UUA's renewed

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focus on women's issues.

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Late last year we worked closely
with the Association's

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Multicultural and Witness
Staffing Group to help

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revision the UUWF Clara Barton
Internship for Women's Issues.

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A position supported by an
endowment comprising funds the

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UUWF donated and helped raise
in the first years of this

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21st century.

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That process has placed the
internship in just the right

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spot to support UUs
at the grassroots.

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Since it has moved the
position's emphasis from

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direct advocacy at the federal
level to providing resources

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and opportunities for
congregations and their

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leaders to advocate for justice
issues specific to

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women, notably reproductive
and economic justice.

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Jessica Halperin filed the
redefined position in January,

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and the UUWF board and I have
been working closely with her

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to support her efforts with
UUWF's resources.

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In addition to giving her space
in our newsletter, we

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have also arranged for her to
post action alerts and other

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information on our Facebook
page website and LISTSERV.

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We're also working to connect
her with the appropriate women

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in UUWF affiliated women's
groups in our local

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congregations.

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Later this morning, Jessica
will join Reverend Helen

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Zidowecki and me in presenting
a workshop on Engaging Women

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in Justice Work through
Small Group Ministry.

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She will also develop follow-up
resources on our

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Justice Ingathering on Saturday
which will feature

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the University of Arizona's Dr.
Cecelia Rosales speaking

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on her work on reproductive
justice and compassion among

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vulnerable populations of
women and girls on the

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US-Mexico border.

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In preparing for this GA, we
also looked at two of our

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grants programs.

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In addition to selecting grant
recipients who come to us from

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a general call for proposals,
the perimeters of both

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programs allow us to select
recipients more intentionally

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sometimes by commissioning
specific projects.

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For 2012, we opted to select
funding one project for each

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program that specifically
addressed immigration, racial,

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or economic justice issues as
they affect women and girls.

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Our equity and justice grants
program supports UU justice

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projects directly affecting
women and girls.

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And I am so pleased to announce
that we are giving a

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$5,000 grant to the UU
congregation of Green Valley,

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Arizona, for Amigas de Amado,
a project to assist

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marginalized Hispanic women
and girls in the

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congregation's home community
of Amado, Arizona.

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The project will be carried
out by women from the

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congregation, and will involve
working in partnerships with

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existing agencies, a youth
alliance, an adult education

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program, and a local
elementary school.

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To increase their capacity for
serving women and girls.

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And in the process, identifying
some of the

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underlying systemic issues.

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We next look at the Margaret
Fuller Grants Program which

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supports projects that explore
feminist thought and action

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within a religious or
a spiritual context.

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Our intention here was to
commission a project that

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deepens our understanding and
appreciation of women-centered

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religious beliefs, or spiritual
practices of

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immigrant or indigenous
cultures, as

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we heard last night.

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Little did we know that our
search for this project would

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lead us to the Panama Canal,
which many of us were taught

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as children to view as a triumph
of American progress

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over nature.

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Sofia Betancourt, recipient of
our $4,000 Margaret Fuller

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Grant, has seen instead how
the creation of the canal

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involved sickening violations
of both the first and the

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seven of our UU principles.

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For over 30 years, thousands
of laborers were recruited

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from outside Panama to work on
the canal, their inherent

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worth and dignity under constant
assault from a

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variety of abuses.

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And it is hard to imagine
more disrespect for the

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interdependent web of all
existence than is demonstrated

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by the canal's initial and
continuing impact upon the

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natural environment.

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The resilient spirit of the
Caribbean women brought to

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Panama to work on the canal
is the subject of Ms.

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Betancourt's project, which
will explore ecowomanist

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ethics drawn from their
experiences.

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This is work that can be
characterized not only as

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womanist, but also as mujerista
and ecofeminist.

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It also represents a "first,"
as to date there is not a

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single complete monograph on
ecowomanist thought, and we

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are helping to bring
that forward.

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These commissioned grant
projects are not only worthy

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in themselves, they place UUWF,
as always, in solid

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partnership with the vision and
priorities of our entire

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progressive faith movement.

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We are so confident that they
will be models of the scope

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and depth of work on behalf of
equity and justice, we would

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hope to support and promote as
we very proudly move towards

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our 50th anniversary celebration
in 2013.

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Thank you.

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GINI COURTER: Thank
you, Marti.

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Please welcome our music
coordinator for

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this General Assembly.

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You met her last night,
Kellie Walker.

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KELLIE WALKER: Good morning.

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Feel like doing something
singing?

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Good.

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We're going to do the Spanish
version of "Gathered Here"

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which you started learning
last night, "Unidos en el

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Misterio."

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We'll do it twice through.

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If you're confident and want
to try the round after the

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first phrase in Spanish,
that would be great.

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And David Glasgow is helping
me on piano.

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[MUSIC - UNIDOS EN
EL MISTERIO]

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GINI COURTER: Thank
you, Kellie.

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Well, good morning.

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So, I'd normally assume that
you're all delegates, it's the

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only thing that explains
why you are

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here on Thursday morning.

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But I also realized walking
through the hotel lobby that

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there are a bunch of people here
from New England who've

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been up since 3 o'clock just
waiting for other UUs to

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pounce on and be with.

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So whatever brought you here
this morning, welcome.

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I'm glad to see you in this day
of learning, and singing,

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and worship.

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An amazing ability for us to
deepen our commitment to our

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faith, to deepen our commitment
to justice.

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My job is to make sure this
morning that you understand

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how we're going to process
business for the rest of the

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week so no one is
disappointed.

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There are really three kinds of
things we'll be working on

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in plenary together this year.

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We'll be choosing a new
congregational study action

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issue this year.

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And we will be working on some
bylaw amendments that had

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their first year with us last
year and are coming back for a

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second year vote.

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And then the third thing is that
we have at least one, and

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possibly more responsive
resolutions, but one of which

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was placed on the General
Assembly agenda by your board

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as you heard last night.

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How many people were
here last night?

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OK, so you know this, I don't
need to tell you again.

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Good.

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If you will pull out the version
of the program that

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you have in English, el programa
in Ingles, as opposed

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to the program in Espanol
which doesn't have this

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section of the agenda in it.

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So if you have someone near you
with a Spanish language

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version who'd like to see or who
needs some help accessing

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this information, let me know.

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Let's flip, if we would,
to page 81 together.

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One, two, three, flip, and a
rustle goes through the hall.

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First at the top, it points
out that there are many

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assemblies.

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You might remember last night
that I said anything that came

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up on the floor for business,
we don't amend anything here

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if the amendment hasn't been
offered in mini-assembly.

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So there are two mini-assemblies
being held,

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both of them are in Room 121
of the convention center.

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The first is at 3:15 PM, and
that's the mini-assembly on

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Proposed Bylaw Amendments,
of which there are a few.

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And the Proposed Bylaw
Amendments actually start in--

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I had this folded over--

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on page 103.

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So if you'll just hold a finger
in at 81, or have

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someone else grab that corner
for you, and you flip to page

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103, it says for example that
there's a bylaw amendment was

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voted last year.

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It got a majority last year, but
this year requires a super

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majority that would change our
definition together of the

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word congregation.

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Note that it says that the
mini-assembly for this item is

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Thursday, 3:15 PM to 4:30
PM in Room 121.

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So, what you need to do if you
think you might want to amend

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something, you can't wait until
it's here on the floor

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in plenary.

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You actually have to today, this
morning as a matter of

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fact, go through the few items
of business on pages 103, 104,

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and then again on page 110.

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And say oh, OK, I might want
to either know a lot more

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about them, or understand how
a democratic process for

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thousands of people is pretty
well run, or I just want to

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bring an amendment.

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And if so, you will be in
a mini-assembly today.

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If you are not, you will have
missed your opportunity.

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Does that make sense?

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Because invariably, someone
will say when

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was all this decided?

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And the answer would
be last night.

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You voted on one thing,
it was this.

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So back to page 81 if
you would with me.

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So now you know that you can
find the business items in the

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back if you didn't discuss
them already or

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look at them already.

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And if you want to amend them or
know more about them, that

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you can easily find which of
the two mini-assemblies

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00:15:14,620 --> 00:15:14,860
they're in.

245
00:15:14,860 --> 00:15:18,380
But my big hint for you is that
if it's not the Doctrine

246
00:15:18,380 --> 00:15:21,120
of Discovery, it's
in the first one.

247
00:15:21,120 --> 00:15:22,190
OK?

248
00:15:22,190 --> 00:15:23,410
All right.

249
00:15:23,410 --> 00:15:26,180
And the second one is a
mini-assembly about the

250
00:15:26,180 --> 00:15:27,050
Doctrine of Discovery.

251
00:15:27,050 --> 00:15:28,440
How many people want
to know more about

252
00:15:28,440 --> 00:15:29,920
the Doctrine of Discovery?

253
00:15:29,920 --> 00:15:31,970
Well, there are lots of
workshops, you will find them.

254
00:15:31,970 --> 00:15:34,610
But there's also the ability
to go listen and get

255
00:15:34,610 --> 00:15:35,250
explanation.

256
00:15:35,250 --> 00:15:38,070
You can go to a mini-assembly
and ask a question, you don't

257
00:15:38,070 --> 00:15:40,120
always have to have
an amendment.

258
00:15:40,120 --> 00:15:42,760
The next thing that's listed
on page 81 says Bylaw

259
00:15:42,760 --> 00:15:44,040
Amendments.

260
00:15:44,040 --> 00:15:48,830
That section is just wrong.

261
00:15:48,830 --> 00:15:51,550
So Tom Bean, your legal counsel,
and I were wondering

262
00:15:51,550 --> 00:15:52,170
why it's in there.

263
00:15:52,170 --> 00:15:54,860
And then we realized that we
kept some stuff in for next

264
00:15:54,860 --> 00:15:57,260
year so that it wouldn't get
omitted because this is a

265
00:15:57,260 --> 00:15:58,390
special year.

266
00:15:58,390 --> 00:16:01,140
So I'm thinking if you come back
in Louisville that might

267
00:16:01,140 --> 00:16:06,640
be true next year, but
it's not true here.

268
00:16:06,640 --> 00:16:10,510
If, in fact, you show up at
10:45 in the morning and

269
00:16:10,510 --> 00:16:13,270
expect that you're going to
go right from here into a

270
00:16:13,270 --> 00:16:16,160
mini-assembly, you're actually
going to go to fine workshop

271
00:16:16,160 --> 00:16:17,530
on The New Jim Crow.

272
00:16:17,530 --> 00:16:20,110
Not a bad place to be, but
they won't be asking your

273
00:16:20,110 --> 00:16:25,250
opinion about how to amend
what they tell you.

274
00:16:25,250 --> 00:16:28,060
We will then be voting on a
new congregational study

275
00:16:28,060 --> 00:16:28,700
action issue.

276
00:16:28,700 --> 00:16:30,860
Something that we're going to
promise to take back and study

277
00:16:30,860 --> 00:16:32,370
in our congregations.

278
00:16:32,370 --> 00:16:35,700
And so the discussion of the
five proposed congregational

279
00:16:35,700 --> 00:16:38,440
study action issues that are
listed immediately after the

280
00:16:38,440 --> 00:16:40,160
agenda-- they start
being listed on

281
00:16:40,160 --> 00:16:44,670
page 91 in the program--

282
00:16:44,670 --> 00:16:48,650
that discussion is going to
happen in the same room 121 as

283
00:16:48,650 --> 00:16:50,720
mini-assemblies are held in.

284
00:16:50,720 --> 00:16:56,170
And that will happen at
10:30 this morning.

285
00:16:56,170 --> 00:16:57,970
Make sense?

286
00:16:57,970 --> 00:17:00,920
So you're not going to go amend
that, but that's so you

287
00:17:00,920 --> 00:17:02,120
can hear and understand.

288
00:17:02,120 --> 00:17:05,740
Because you're going to try to
decide which one of those five

289
00:17:05,740 --> 00:17:08,030
congregational study action
issues our congregation should

290
00:17:08,030 --> 00:17:09,349
take up for the next
two years.

291
00:17:09,349 --> 00:17:11,220
And that would mean your
congregation, too, so you're

292
00:17:11,220 --> 00:17:14,210
looking for something that you
feel we would make difference

293
00:17:14,210 --> 00:17:17,410
in the world, that would further
our work for justice,

294
00:17:17,410 --> 00:17:19,609
and that we need
more study on.

295
00:17:19,609 --> 00:17:22,190
That would probably be almost
anything, and so it makes it a

296
00:17:22,190 --> 00:17:25,510
little more difficult, right?

297
00:17:25,510 --> 00:17:30,300
But then after we choose a study
action issue, there will

298
00:17:30,300 --> 00:17:35,240
be a lecture on the
topic next year.

299
00:17:35,240 --> 00:17:40,350
But we chose one two years
ago in Minneapolis.

300
00:17:40,350 --> 00:17:43,560
Do you remember what we chose?

301
00:17:43,560 --> 00:17:44,100
Thank you.

302
00:17:44,100 --> 00:17:48,810
Immigration as a Moral Issue,
how timely was that?

303
00:17:48,810 --> 00:17:50,460
So how many of your
congregations have been

304
00:17:50,460 --> 00:17:53,102
working on immigration
as a moral issue?

305
00:17:53,102 --> 00:17:55,340
Oh, I love you.

306
00:17:55,340 --> 00:17:59,550
All right, so if you want to
know more about how you can do

307
00:17:59,550 --> 00:18:03,440
even more depth on that, or
to share ideas about how

308
00:18:03,440 --> 00:18:08,330
congregations can study, today,
3:15, 227 A-B. That's

309
00:18:08,330 --> 00:18:11,230
what is listed under
2010 Congregation

310
00:18:11,230 --> 00:18:12,810
Study Action Issue.

311
00:18:12,810 --> 00:18:15,400
No actions of immediate
witness this year.

312
00:18:15,400 --> 00:18:20,360
Budget hearing is tomorrow, not
today, at 3:15 PM in that

313
00:18:20,360 --> 00:18:22,570
same room 121.

314
00:18:22,570 --> 00:18:25,680
So just keep going back there
for governance-related things,

315
00:18:25,680 --> 00:18:30,960
except for the workshop
on CSAIs from 2010.

316
00:18:30,960 --> 00:18:33,210
If you want to make a motion
on the budget-- this group

317
00:18:33,210 --> 00:18:35,260
doesn't vote on the budget.

318
00:18:35,260 --> 00:18:37,400
But you can amend the budget,
and by voting on it you are

319
00:18:37,400 --> 00:18:39,100
voting on the budget.

320
00:18:39,100 --> 00:18:42,860
And there's a process for that,
but if you want to know

321
00:18:42,860 --> 00:18:46,650
more about the UUA budget and
just hang out with some really

322
00:18:46,650 --> 00:18:53,600
cool people who ask budgetary
questions--

323
00:18:53,600 --> 00:18:57,400
I used to be a finance chair,
I would be there--

324
00:18:57,400 --> 00:19:00,140
3:15 PM on Friday.

325
00:19:00,140 --> 00:19:00,980
OK?

326
00:19:00,980 --> 00:19:02,260
Makes sense?

327
00:19:02,260 --> 00:19:05,990
So this is the day to start
engaging with business,

328
00:19:05,990 --> 00:19:08,750
particularly if you think you
want to amend something.

329
00:19:08,750 --> 00:19:11,250
There's the big, big
story of the day.

330
00:19:11,250 --> 00:19:14,610
If you have one takeaway, flip
to page 81 and get engaged,

331
00:19:14,610 --> 00:19:15,470
starting today.

332
00:19:15,470 --> 00:19:16,665
Makes sense?

333
00:19:16,665 --> 00:19:19,860
All right, anyone unclear?

334
00:19:19,860 --> 00:19:23,220
There are 2,000 people who
aren't here, and when they

335
00:19:23,220 --> 00:19:25,540
come to the procedural
microphone and ask later when

336
00:19:25,540 --> 00:19:29,750
this was done, you can
all say yesterday.

337
00:19:29,750 --> 00:19:31,420
Whatever day it is, just
say yesterday.

338
00:19:31,420 --> 00:19:34,170
It will all work.

339
00:19:34,170 --> 00:19:38,570
Who's excited to be here?

340
00:19:38,570 --> 00:19:39,610
Me, too.

341
00:19:39,610 --> 00:19:42,630
At this year's Justice GA, we
have an opportunity to learn

342
00:19:42,630 --> 00:19:46,670
so much from each other about
how best to be in community.

343
00:19:46,670 --> 00:19:49,100
And when I say from each other,
I don't just mean

344
00:19:49,100 --> 00:19:50,450
Unitarian Universalists.

345
00:19:50,450 --> 00:19:51,900
I mean, we have a whole
community of

346
00:19:51,900 --> 00:19:53,120
folks here with us.

347
00:19:53,120 --> 00:19:55,850
And I hope you got that starting
last night, if you

348
00:19:55,850 --> 00:20:00,600
hadn't ahead of time, that what
a wonderful opportunity.

349
00:20:00,600 --> 00:20:05,240
I want to ask you to please
welcome and be very attentive

350
00:20:05,240 --> 00:20:08,890
to the co-chairs of our General
Assemby's 2012 Right

351
00:20:08,890 --> 00:20:12,080
Relations Team, Tomoko Takano,
and the Reverend Melissa

352
00:20:12,080 --> 00:20:12,730
Carvill-Ziemer.

353
00:20:12,730 --> 00:20:14,778
Give it up, show some love.

354
00:20:14,778 --> 00:20:28,170
[APPLAUSE]

355
00:20:28,170 --> 00:20:29,570
MELISSA CARVILL-ZIEMER:
My name is Melissa

356
00:20:29,570 --> 00:20:30,680
Carvill-Ziemer.

357
00:20:30,680 --> 00:20:33,270
TOMOKO TAKANO: And I
am Tomoko Takano.

358
00:20:33,270 --> 00:20:35,790
We are honored to be serving as
the co-chairs of the Right

359
00:20:35,790 --> 00:20:39,650
Relationship Team at our Justice
General Assembly.

360
00:20:39,650 --> 00:20:42,350
Serving with us this year
are [? Rezeek ?]

361
00:20:42,350 --> 00:20:49,510
Brown, Owen Huelsbeck, Michael
Salwasser, Lee Freeman,

362
00:20:49,510 --> 00:20:50,070
[? Laida ?]

363
00:20:50,070 --> 00:20:51,420
[? Resiple, ?]

364
00:20:51,420 --> 00:20:55,910
Karen Lynn, Garner Takahashi
Morris, the Reverend Fred

365
00:20:55,910 --> 00:21:04,600
Hammond, and the Reverend
Chip Roush.

366
00:21:04,600 --> 00:21:09,520
You will see us wearing our
green t-shirts and bandannas

367
00:21:09,520 --> 00:21:12,230
throughout this General
Assembly.

368
00:21:12,230 --> 00:21:15,900
If you would like to talk with
us, please don't hesitate to

369
00:21:15,900 --> 00:21:18,780
stop us or call our number,
which is printed on our

370
00:21:18,780 --> 00:21:22,330
t-shirts and in the
program book.

371
00:21:22,330 --> 00:21:24,370
If you are attending General
Assembly from one of our

372
00:21:24,370 --> 00:21:27,700
partner organizations, we want
you to know that you are

373
00:21:27,700 --> 00:21:31,880
warmly welcome to be in
touch with us as well.

374
00:21:31,880 --> 00:21:35,270
Should it be helpful, we do have
two members of our team

375
00:21:35,270 --> 00:21:37,700
who speak fluent Spanish.

376
00:21:37,700 --> 00:21:41,100
And every person on this team
is prepared to help support

377
00:21:41,100 --> 00:21:43,740
the practice of right
relationship

378
00:21:43,740 --> 00:21:46,720
amongst us this week.

379
00:21:46,720 --> 00:21:48,870
MELISSA CARVILL-ZIEMER:
Right relationship.

380
00:21:48,870 --> 00:21:53,010
It's easy to say, harder
to achieve.

381
00:21:53,010 --> 00:21:56,470
Each and every one of us
in this room will have

382
00:21:56,470 --> 00:21:58,720
opportunities to grow.

383
00:21:58,720 --> 00:22:02,600
And chances are good that we may
feel stretched outside of

384
00:22:02,600 --> 00:22:05,110
our comfort zones this week.

385
00:22:05,110 --> 00:22:08,980
General Assembly is always
an intensive experience,

386
00:22:08,980 --> 00:22:12,670
physically, mentally
and spiritually.

387
00:22:12,670 --> 00:22:16,050
The schedule offers the
possibility to keep us engaged

388
00:22:16,050 --> 00:22:19,100
from morning 'til
late at night.

389
00:22:19,100 --> 00:22:22,510
This year, our experience is
made even more intense by the

390
00:22:22,510 --> 00:22:25,410
incredible heat of
this desert.

391
00:22:25,410 --> 00:22:29,530
There will be moments when we
are hot, or tired, or hungry

392
00:22:29,530 --> 00:22:32,810
and distracted, and not
attentive to the fact that

393
00:22:32,810 --> 00:22:36,360
each encounter we have is a
chance to practice being in

394
00:22:36,360 --> 00:22:38,040
right relationship.

395
00:22:38,040 --> 00:22:40,940
We are going to make mistakes.

396
00:22:40,940 --> 00:22:44,720
TOMOKO TAKANO: When that
happens, we hope you will

397
00:22:44,720 --> 00:22:47,360
remember three things.

398
00:22:47,360 --> 00:22:51,435
SPEAKER 1: Intentions do not
always equal impact.

399
00:22:51,435 --> 00:22:54,606
SPEAKER 2: Critical feedback
can be a gift.

400
00:22:54,606 --> 00:22:58,290
SPEAKER 3: Forgive,
but don't forget.

401
00:22:58,290 --> 00:23:02,970
TOMOKO TAKANO: Intentions
do not equal impact.

402
00:23:02,970 --> 00:23:07,040
You might say something you
intend to be funny or playful.

403
00:23:07,040 --> 00:23:09,690
You might ask a question
intending to learn about one

404
00:23:09,690 --> 00:23:11,850
another's experience.

405
00:23:11,850 --> 00:23:15,780
You might do something intending
only to meet your

406
00:23:15,780 --> 00:23:20,560
own physical, emotional
or spiritual needs.

407
00:23:20,560 --> 00:23:25,140
But no matter your intentions,
the impact of your words and

408
00:23:25,140 --> 00:23:28,952
actions can be experienced
quite differently.

409
00:23:28,952 --> 00:23:31,730
SPEAKER 1: Like the time I told
you I envious of your

410
00:23:31,730 --> 00:23:35,950
interesting background, so
exotic compared to my plain

411
00:23:35,950 --> 00:23:38,440
old American heritage.

412
00:23:38,440 --> 00:23:42,410
I intended a compliment, but you
told me you felt othered,

413
00:23:42,410 --> 00:23:46,770
unseen, and hurt by my racism
and white privilege.

414
00:23:46,770 --> 00:23:50,710
TOMOKO TAKANO: We want you
to know that even if your

415
00:23:50,710 --> 00:23:54,610
intentions were innocent, the
impact of your words and your

416
00:23:54,610 --> 00:23:59,688
actions can still be
painful to another.

417
00:23:59,688 --> 00:24:02,100
MELISSA CARVILL-ZIEMER: When
that happens, giving and

418
00:24:02,100 --> 00:24:05,420
receiving critical feedback in
the spirit of love can be a

419
00:24:05,420 --> 00:24:07,270
tremendous gift.

420
00:24:07,270 --> 00:24:09,990
If someone says something that
offends you or hurts your

421
00:24:09,990 --> 00:24:13,320
feelings, please consider
speaking directly to that

422
00:24:13,320 --> 00:24:15,880
person about how you felt.

423
00:24:15,880 --> 00:24:18,110
To do this, you first
have to be in right

424
00:24:18,110 --> 00:24:20,190
relationship with yourself.

425
00:24:20,190 --> 00:24:22,700
You have to be willing to be
honest with yourself about

426
00:24:22,700 --> 00:24:24,400
what you're feeling.

427
00:24:24,400 --> 00:24:28,070
So often, our instinct
is to minimize

428
00:24:28,070 --> 00:24:30,580
or negate our feelings.

429
00:24:30,580 --> 00:24:33,350
We're inviting you to notice
your feelings this

430
00:24:33,350 --> 00:24:35,180
week, to feel them.

431
00:24:35,180 --> 00:24:37,640
And if you're willing, to share
them with the person who

432
00:24:37,640 --> 00:24:39,630
caused you hurt.

433
00:24:39,630 --> 00:24:42,740
If you tell someone else, there
is little chance the

434
00:24:42,740 --> 00:24:45,640
person who made the painful
remark will realize that they

435
00:24:45,640 --> 00:24:47,150
made a mistake.

436
00:24:47,150 --> 00:24:50,120
But if you approach them and
explain how you've been

437
00:24:50,120 --> 00:24:53,590
impacted by their words, you're
giving them a precious

438
00:24:53,590 --> 00:24:56,166
opportunity to learn.

439
00:24:56,166 --> 00:24:59,860
SPEAKER 2: Like the time when
you told me that you felt run

440
00:24:59,860 --> 00:25:05,430
over by my big, adult presence
and authority, when I thought

441
00:25:05,430 --> 00:25:10,570
I was trying to make room
for youth leadership.

442
00:25:10,570 --> 00:25:16,210
It was hard to hear, but by
telling me you gave me a

443
00:25:16,210 --> 00:25:21,640
chance to apologize and learn
about how disempowering youth

444
00:25:21,640 --> 00:25:24,660
is a form of adultism.

445
00:25:24,660 --> 00:25:27,120
MELISSA CARVILL-ZIEMER: Critical
feedback can be hard

446
00:25:27,120 --> 00:25:30,070
to give, and really
uncomfortable to hear.

447
00:25:30,070 --> 00:25:33,130
But given and received in the
spirit of love, critical

448
00:25:33,130 --> 00:25:36,935
feedback can be a
tremendous gift.

449
00:25:36,935 --> 00:25:42,500
TOMOKO TAKANO: Which brings us
to our last reminder, forgive,

450
00:25:42,500 --> 00:25:45,230
but don't forget.

451
00:25:45,230 --> 00:25:49,230
When you say or do something
that pains another, please

452
00:25:49,230 --> 00:25:53,210
forgive yourself, be gentle
with yourself.

453
00:25:53,210 --> 00:25:56,750
Remembering that it isn't
impossible to be 100%

454
00:25:56,750 --> 00:26:00,430
antioppressive 100%
of the time.

455
00:26:00,430 --> 00:26:04,280
We all have room to grow, so
please give yourself the

456
00:26:04,280 --> 00:26:09,070
permission to use feedback as
an opportunity for growth.

457
00:26:09,070 --> 00:26:11,080
SPEAKER 3: I made a mistake.

458
00:26:11,080 --> 00:26:13,740
It hurt that I hurt
somebody else.

459
00:26:13,740 --> 00:26:17,120
It was uncomfortable to hear
hard truth, but I have to

460
00:26:17,120 --> 00:26:20,916
forgive myself to make room
to integrate the learning.

461
00:26:20,916 --> 00:26:24,150
TOMOKO TAKANO: Forgive yourself
for your missteps,

462
00:26:24,150 --> 00:26:27,050
but don't forget them.

463
00:26:27,050 --> 00:26:30,070
Use them as an opportunity to
learn more about yourself and

464
00:26:30,070 --> 00:26:31,280
other people.

465
00:26:31,280 --> 00:26:35,700
Use your mistakes as a chance to
grow more fully into right

466
00:26:35,700 --> 00:26:38,196
relationship.

467
00:26:38,196 --> 00:26:40,660
MELISSA CARVILL-ZIEMER: TIMER
We're not in any way implying

468
00:26:40,660 --> 00:26:43,780
that this is easy
work, it isn't.

469
00:26:43,780 --> 00:26:46,640
It takes courage and strength
to tell someone that

470
00:26:46,640 --> 00:26:47,940
they have hurt us.

471
00:26:47,940 --> 00:26:50,720
It takes courage and strength
to receive critical

472
00:26:50,720 --> 00:26:52,650
feedback as a gift.

473
00:26:52,650 --> 00:26:56,540
It takes courage and strength to
forgive ourselves and each

474
00:26:56,540 --> 00:26:59,000
other, and begin
again and love.

475
00:26:59,000 --> 00:27:03,020
None of this is easy, and
that is why we are here.

476
00:27:03,020 --> 00:27:06,910
We can't fix it for you, but
we can keep you company and

477
00:27:06,910 --> 00:27:10,760
offer you support as you explore
the next steps you are

478
00:27:10,760 --> 00:27:13,940
called to take to be in
right relationship.

479
00:27:13,940 --> 00:27:15,824
Thank you.

480
00:27:15,824 --> 00:27:26,560
[APPLAUSE]

481
00:27:26,560 --> 00:27:29,560
GINI COURTER: In our preparation
to be in beloved

482
00:27:29,560 --> 00:27:32,330
community, or best community
working toward beloved

483
00:27:32,330 --> 00:27:35,080
community continues, I'd
like you to welcome the

484
00:27:35,080 --> 00:27:38,550
accessibilities coordinator for
General Assembly who has

485
00:27:38,550 --> 00:27:42,120
served in this volunteer
role year after year.

486
00:27:42,120 --> 00:27:50,225
Patty Cameron, come talk to
the delegates for me.

487
00:27:50,225 --> 00:27:51,870
PATTY CAMERON: Thank
you, Gini.

488
00:27:51,870 --> 00:27:55,300
My name is Patty Cameron, and I
coordinate the accessibility

489
00:27:55,300 --> 00:27:58,200
services here at General
Assembly.

490
00:27:58,200 --> 00:28:01,880
I've been asked to speak with
you about how we can navigate

491
00:28:01,880 --> 00:28:04,560
together through General
Assembly.

492
00:28:04,560 --> 00:28:09,900
We each possess unique skills,
traits and abilities.

493
00:28:09,900 --> 00:28:13,550
Some are apparent,
and some are not.

494
00:28:13,550 --> 00:28:17,600
Among us are people who happen
to get around by walking,

495
00:28:17,600 --> 00:28:21,420
others use a scooter or a
wheelchair, and others may

496
00:28:21,420 --> 00:28:25,910
have chemical sensitivities,
or vision or hearing needs.

497
00:28:25,910 --> 00:28:29,810
But together here at General
Assembly we are part of one

498
00:28:29,810 --> 00:28:32,620
faith community.

499
00:28:32,620 --> 00:28:37,570
GA is an opportunity to share
kindness, show gratitude,

500
00:28:37,570 --> 00:28:42,480
radical hospitality, and live
out our principle of affirming

501
00:28:42,480 --> 00:28:46,560
the worth and dignity
of every person.

502
00:28:46,560 --> 00:28:52,090
When we move from one activity
to another for workshops, we

503
00:28:52,090 --> 00:28:59,370
need to look around us and be
sure that we scan all around

504
00:28:59,370 --> 00:29:03,000
us, up and down.

505
00:29:03,000 --> 00:29:07,500
Because if I'm using a
wheelchair or a scooter, I am

506
00:29:07,500 --> 00:29:10,990
likely below your
line of vision.

507
00:29:10,990 --> 00:29:15,670
But to be sure, I am
not invisible.

508
00:29:15,670 --> 00:29:19,400
You'll notice in each workshop
and in this Plenary Hall,

509
00:29:19,400 --> 00:29:24,180
there are chairs removed from
the floor plan so that someone

510
00:29:24,180 --> 00:29:28,870
using a wheelchair or a scooter
can sit beside you so

511
00:29:28,870 --> 00:29:33,160
that they are part of
this community.

512
00:29:33,160 --> 00:29:40,250
Please do not move chairs, put
briefcases in those spaces, or

513
00:29:40,250 --> 00:29:44,180
rearrange the furniture
here in Plenary

514
00:29:44,180 --> 00:29:47,480
Hall or in the workshops.

515
00:29:47,480 --> 00:29:51,440
There are members of our beloved
community here at GA

516
00:29:51,440 --> 00:29:56,400
who are sensitive to smells,
including yours and mine

517
00:29:56,400 --> 00:30:00,070
fragrant shampoos or perfumes.

518
00:30:00,070 --> 00:30:04,450
Speakers and worship leaders
have been already asked to do

519
00:30:04,450 --> 00:30:09,210
this, so in order to create a
fully accessible environment,

520
00:30:09,210 --> 00:30:20,170
we ask that everyone refrain
from wearing perfumes.

521
00:30:20,170 --> 00:30:24,230
Accessibility services provide
seat covers for people with

522
00:30:24,230 --> 00:30:27,920
hearing and vision impairments
so they can position

523
00:30:27,920 --> 00:30:32,550
themselves ideally to access the
screens and captioning to

524
00:30:32,550 --> 00:30:34,440
meet their needs.

525
00:30:34,440 --> 00:30:38,310
Seat covers are available for
friends and family members

526
00:30:38,310 --> 00:30:43,270
attending GA with someone using
a scooter or wheelchair.

527
00:30:43,270 --> 00:30:48,700
These seat covers remain on the
seat to reserve space for

528
00:30:48,700 --> 00:30:51,390
any and all activities.

529
00:30:51,390 --> 00:30:53,780
You'll also see seat covers
at the Public

530
00:30:53,780 --> 00:30:55,730
Witness events as well.

531
00:30:55,730 --> 00:30:58,300
They designate seating
for people needing

532
00:30:58,300 --> 00:31:00,370
access to the event.

533
00:31:00,370 --> 00:31:05,150
Again, please do not remove
these seat covers.

534
00:31:05,150 --> 00:31:09,220
In the Convention Center there
are four elevators, two

535
00:31:09,220 --> 00:31:14,080
opposite Hall C and two across
the foot bridge.

536
00:31:14,080 --> 00:31:18,990
Four doesn't seem a lot for this
many people, so we ask if

537
00:31:18,990 --> 00:31:22,210
you can navigate stairs
or the escalators,

538
00:31:22,210 --> 00:31:24,320
that's for your use.

539
00:31:24,320 --> 00:31:27,540
The elevators can accommodate
only a scooter or two at a

540
00:31:27,540 --> 00:31:31,580
time, and we invite those with
health concerns to use the

541
00:31:31,580 --> 00:31:34,020
elevators as well.

542
00:31:34,020 --> 00:31:38,670
Entering and exiting rooms can
be a congested time when we're

543
00:31:38,670 --> 00:31:42,750
all scrambling to get to
our next destination.

544
00:31:42,750 --> 00:31:45,950
Please allow people using
scooters and wheelchairs to

545
00:31:45,950 --> 00:31:48,940
exit ahead of you, remembering
to look

546
00:31:48,940 --> 00:31:52,230
around you at all times.

547
00:31:52,230 --> 00:31:55,890
Scooters are equipped with
horns, but they certainly are

548
00:31:55,890 --> 00:32:02,890
not loud, so we must rely on
expanding our field of vision.

549
00:32:02,890 --> 00:32:07,910
While the hallways are wide,
please, if you stop to talk to

550
00:32:07,910 --> 00:32:13,350
friends and visit, be mindful
of all of those around you.

551
00:32:13,350 --> 00:32:17,060
Please do not clog up the top of
the escalators or in front

552
00:32:17,060 --> 00:32:19,370
of the elevators.

553
00:32:19,370 --> 00:32:25,800
Don't stop short, leave room
for scooter maneuvering.

554
00:32:25,800 --> 00:32:29,690
These vehicles cannot stop
on a dime, and they

555
00:32:29,690 --> 00:32:32,630
need space to turn.

556
00:32:32,630 --> 00:32:37,650
Be present in this community
of wonderful people.

557
00:32:37,650 --> 00:32:39,870
We enjoy a wonderful
relationship with the

558
00:32:39,870 --> 00:32:44,470
convention center staff, and
if you see something amiss,

559
00:32:44,470 --> 00:32:50,060
heavy doors to floor or workshop
areas, please tell us

560
00:32:50,060 --> 00:32:52,620
and we can get that resolved.

561
00:32:52,620 --> 00:32:57,350
Again, practice kindness and
assist with holding a door

562
00:32:57,350 --> 00:32:59,350
when you can.

563
00:32:59,350 --> 00:33:03,810
Here at General Assembly we are
part of one faith family.

564
00:33:03,810 --> 00:33:07,470
And if we are considerate of
each other as we worship, bear

565
00:33:07,470 --> 00:33:10,710
witness and learn this
week, we can enjoy

566
00:33:10,710 --> 00:33:12,250
each other's company.

567
00:33:12,250 --> 00:33:14,240
We'll leave even more fulfilled

568
00:33:14,240 --> 00:33:16,140
than we ever expected.

569
00:33:16,140 --> 00:33:24,480
Thank you.

570
00:33:24,480 --> 00:33:26,850
GINI COURTER: I now call upon
the Secretary of the

571
00:33:26,850 --> 00:33:29,210
Association, Tom Lochry,
to provide us with some

572
00:33:29,210 --> 00:33:31,740
announcements and important
information.

573
00:33:31,740 --> 00:33:37,218
You're going to see him every
day, so give it up for Tom.

574
00:33:37,218 --> 00:33:38,700
TOM LOCKRY: Well, thank you.

575
00:33:38,700 --> 00:33:42,430
And welcome to my district,
the Pacific Southwest.

576
00:33:42,430 --> 00:33:44,810
We're happy to have you here.

577
00:33:44,810 --> 00:33:47,610
A few brief announcements.

578
00:33:47,610 --> 00:33:49,540
I've been asked by the
folks in lost and

579
00:33:49,540 --> 00:33:52,230
found about found items.

580
00:33:52,230 --> 00:33:54,530
If you have reported a valuable
item-- and they've

581
00:33:54,530 --> 00:33:58,430
had several of them so
far that's lost.

582
00:33:58,430 --> 00:34:00,840
If you find it, if you've
reached in the bottom of your

583
00:34:00,840 --> 00:34:03,610
bag and you found that camera or
that cell phone or whatever

584
00:34:03,610 --> 00:34:06,740
it happened to be, let the
office know so that they don't

585
00:34:06,740 --> 00:34:09,750
continue to try and
locate that item.

586
00:34:09,750 --> 00:34:13,429
So if you find it, let them know
that it's no longer lost.

587
00:34:13,429 --> 00:34:16,730
It's down, incidentally, on this
floor about halfway down

588
00:34:16,730 --> 00:34:19,989
the hallway on the right hand
side, the GA office.

589
00:34:19,989 --> 00:34:25,440
We also got a request from the
ushers, you recognize them in

590
00:34:25,440 --> 00:34:27,150
their striped vests.

591
00:34:27,150 --> 00:34:31,380
When you enter the hall, if
you're carrying a large bundle

592
00:34:31,380 --> 00:34:34,440
of papers, books, bags, whatever
and they can't see

593
00:34:34,440 --> 00:34:38,690
your badge, it's difficult for
them to make sure that they're

594
00:34:38,690 --> 00:34:39,730
doing their job properly.

595
00:34:39,730 --> 00:34:41,370
So make sure that when
you enter the hall,

596
00:34:41,370 --> 00:34:43,989
your badge is visible.

597
00:34:43,989 --> 00:34:48,570
And finally, the celebration
with our Arizona partners that

598
00:34:48,570 --> 00:34:52,900
was scheduled for Friday evening
has been canceled to

599
00:34:52,900 --> 00:34:55,385
accommodate our partners'
schedule.

600
00:34:55,385 --> 00:34:57,680
Correct?

601
00:34:57,680 --> 00:35:00,250
This event was the one
that was scheduled

602
00:35:00,250 --> 00:35:03,560
in Civic Space Park.

603
00:35:03,560 --> 00:35:08,020
And finally, I made a terrible
mistake this morning.

604
00:35:08,020 --> 00:35:12,210
I got up, dressed, came over
here, and I forgot to wish my

605
00:35:12,210 --> 00:35:14,000
wife happy anniversary--

606
00:35:14,000 --> 00:35:15,834
43 years.

607
00:35:15,834 --> 00:35:16,828
She's over there.

608
00:35:16,828 --> 00:35:17,822
Thanks.

609
00:35:17,822 --> 00:35:18,816
I apologize.

610
00:35:18,816 --> 00:35:33,726
[APPLAUSE]

611
00:35:33,726 --> 00:35:37,370
GINI COURTER: Isn't
love grand?

612
00:35:37,370 --> 00:35:40,980
Happy anniversary,
Nancy and Tom.

613
00:35:40,980 --> 00:35:43,420
There'd be no further business
to come before us.

614
00:35:43,420 --> 00:35:45,650
And in accordance with the
schedule set forth in your

615
00:35:45,650 --> 00:35:49,320
program book, I declare that the
Plenary Session portion of

616
00:35:49,320 --> 00:35:52,520
the morning shall stand in
recess until Friday, June 22,

617
00:35:52,520 --> 00:35:54,900
at 8:30 AM.

618
00:35:54,900 --> 00:35:59,172
Hasta entonces de
estar en paz.

619
00:35:59,172 --> 00:36:28,800
[APPLAUSE]