UUA TRUSTEE TIDBITS

As I have discussed here before, your Florida District Board met a year ago with the three other District Boards in our Region: Mid South, Southeast, and the Southwest Conference. Out of that meeting, we developed The Orlando Platform.

The Orlando Platform gave expression to two compelling opportunities: 

• Enhancing the impact of professional staff by deepening & sharing expertise, taking advantage of new technologies, and improving organizational efficiency.
• Better engaging our volunteer leadership to build a stronger faith capable of meeting the religious challenges of our times:

1. Working across congregations in new ways and with an unprecedented level of collaboration to advance our faith and values.
2. Offering direct support to our individual congregations in becoming the vital and visible community institutions that our faith demands. 

Your Florida District Board and the Boards of our sister districts within our Southern Region, together with our Regional staff have been working for the past year, taking steps to implement the Orlando Platform.   Each of us has moved forward, creatively imagining and implementing new ways to be true to our Unitarian Universalist faith, cooperating, collaborating and building on each others ideas and steps through this process.

In the Florida District: 

• The Board has been re-visioning the role of the District and the district board in growing our faith, in supporting our congregations, in serving Unitarian Universalism now and in the future. We are broadening our vision to serving the faith in addition to our Congregations, including the many thousands of self-identified Unitarian Universalists who are not connected to our churches.
• The Board has adopted the Unitarian Universalist Association Ends as its own Ends, aligning its work with the Unitarian Universalist Association.
• The Florida District Board, along with our Mid South and Southeast District Boards, has entered into a covenant with our District Staff and our Unitarian Universalist Association Director of Congregational Life regarding the employment of our District Staff. Together we have agreed that the employment and management of our staff will be the responsibility of the Director of Congregational Life. This change provides for professional management of our staff and leadership that is consistent across our region, to better facility the staff collaboration that is already occurring.
• Regional staff has been broadly collaborating, recognizing and developing areas of expertise that can be utilized to great advantage across the Region, providing webinars, district, cluster and congregational workshops, direct assistance to congregations, and significant professional and collegial support to each other.
• We are creating vision of a Circle of Elders, leaders of all ages committed to our Unitarian Universalist faith as a whole, who would assure the overall "Wellbeing and Expression" of Unitarian Universalism across the Florida District. They would lead cross-congregation faith and justice initiatives, and serve as expert adjunct staff in specific functions such as transitions, congregational governance, and stewardship. 

As a part of this work, the Florida District Board is proposing to reduce the size of our Board to five members.  The Board retains the fiduciary responsibility for governing the Florida District consistent with Unitarian Universalist Association ends and in collaboration with regional staff. The Board will have primary responsibility for appointing members of the Circle of Elders. The Board will encourage and specifically support the visionary work of the Circle of Elders.

We will be proposing at Florida District Assembly in March bylaws amendments to authorize reduction of the Board membership, providing for a period of transition.

We are excited about these changes, and believe they will provide the foundation for broader vision, growth of our faith and opportunities for significant meaningful service to the faith for committed lay and religious leaders. Watch for more information about these proposed changes. Contact your District Board members. Talk about it within your congregations.

Be faithful.

Rachel R. Christensen

President, Florida District UUA Board of Trustees

Nomination deadline extended to January 15th

The January 2012 district monthly packet has been posted to the district website and may be viewed at the following link:

District Awards 2012

Nominations are now being accepted for Florida District Awards. Awards will be presented during the District Assembly in March 2012. Click here to download more information and the nomination form. Please note, all nominations must be submitted electronically, no later than February 28, 2012.

Cluster, Congregation and Affiliated Organization Events

February 17-18

Beacon Youth Adviser Training, Hosted by UU Church of Tallahassee

Learn more

February 18

Centennial Celebration, First Unitarian Church of Orlando

Learn more

February 25-26

Annual Florida UU Choral Festival, Hosted by First Unitarian Church of Orlando

The First Unitarian Church of Orlando is hosting the 6th Annual Florida District UU Choral Festival on Sat and Sun February 25-26, 2012. All Florida District UU choir and/or music ministry members are invited to participate. The overall theme for the Festival this year is Compassion and the music will include two new original pieces by UU composers. Rehearsal materials and ordering information for all four pieces are available through our website:

http://tinyurl.com/ChoralFestival-2012

We, at The First Unitarian Church of Orlando are celebrating our 100th anniversary this year, and as part of our celebration we would like to host 100 performers at the Festival. Registration is now open (see our website). We expect the 100 slots to fill up fast, so don't delay in registering.

If you have any questions, feel free to email us at ChoralFestival2012@OrlandoUU.org

March 4

Singing Tree: Folk Music with a Classical Twist, Hosted by Nature Coast UUs

AT 2:30 pm on Sunday March 4, Ray Belanger on the Hammered Dulcimer and Lloyd

Goldstein on the Double Bass will give a concert in Citrus Springs. Singing Tree performs music from around the world with traditional, classical and contemporary approaches. Enjoy a unique and varied program that surprises and elates audiences with a vibrant acoustic sound of fine instruments and the originality and inventiveness of the arrangements.

$10 in advance by calling 746-0655 or at the door.

March 8

International Women's Day Celebration, Hosted by Nature Coast UUs

In some parts of the world, this day has been commemorated every year since 1911. In 1977, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming a United Nations Day for Women's Rights and International Peace to be observed by member states in accordance with their historical and national traditions.

Our celebration will be an occasion to acknowledge the contribution of women to the improvement of the human condition here and in the wider world, to appreciate how far women have come in their struggle for equality, and to recognize that much still needs to be done.

All are invited to join us. Come to hear our speakers, enjoy the music, and stay for food and fellowship. This day is our gift to the women and men of   Citrus County and beyond.

March 8, 2012, 4:00P.M.

March 10

Nonviolent Communication Workshop at River of Grass UU Congregation

Bringing Peace to Our Lives, Relationships, and Communities: An Introductory Workshop in Nonviolent Communication with Rev. LoraKim Joyner

Nonviolent Communication (NVC) is based on the principles of nonviolence and was developed by Marshall Rosenberg. Practicing NVC allows the natural state of compassion to rise up as we rid our thoughts, words and actions of violence.

NVC begins by assuming that we are all compassionate by nature and that violent strategies-whether verbal or physical-are learned behaviors taught and supported by the prevailing culture. NVC also assumes that we all share the same, basic human needs, and that each of our actions is a strategy to meet one or more of these needs.

People who practice NVC have found greater authenticity in their communication, increased understanding, deepening connection, and conflict resolution.

March 10

Northeast Cluster Spring Gathering, hosted by UU Congregation of Lake County

April 27-29

Florida UU Women's Retreat at DaySpring Retreat Center, Ellenton

Series with Multiple Dates (through April)

Earth Jurisprudence Series at UU Church of Brevard

The planet is being stripped of all its natural resources. So what's a Mother to do - Mother Earth that is!! Well according to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Brevard (UUCB) - Educate first - take Action second.

With this in mind, the church is hosting a series of free seminars on Earth Jurisprudence (Earth Law) from January through April. Some of the topics to be covered will be: Wild Law, the rights of the Earth Community and how Earth Law can be applied in the courts for the protection of the planet and its inhabitants- one of them being us.

The courses won't make you an Earth Lawyer but it will make you more aware of how the present environmental laws may be leaving all of us... in the dust.

The full schedule of classes and topics can be viewed at http://uubrevard.us/. Please feel free to contact us via the church's e-mail or phone # concerning this series. Attendees can register online via e-mail (uucb2185@gmail.com) or at time of class.

Florida Humanities Series at The Emerson Center, UU Fellowship of Vero Beach

In Memoriam

Robert L. (Rel) Davis

Former Florida minister, Rel Davis died in Rio Rancho, NM, on November 1, 2011, aged 75. Davis was born in Gainesville, TX. He graduated from Wayland University, Plainview, TX with graduate work at the University of Montana. He was ordained by the Unitarian Fellowship of South Florida and served as minister for more than 25 years. Prior to that, he had served as Assistant Minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ft. Lauderdale. Davis was also active in the Florida District through his work at SWIM in the 1970's-1990's. Davis retired in 1999. With his wife, Edith Sloan, he served for two years in the Peace Corps in Bulgaria. Davis is the author of The Existential Pagan - On Freedom and Responsibility. Davis is survived by his wife, Edith, two daughters, a brother and sister.

Unitarian University Legislative Ministry of Florida (UULMF) has its first achievement for 2012!

Steering Committee member Milo Vannucci in collaboration with the Media Action Center filed a "Petition to Deny" the license of radio station WJNO-AM in West Palm Beach, home of Rush Limbaugh. Details can be seen at www.mediaactioncenter.net.

Major LPFM radio opportunity for 2012:

Unitarian Universalists have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in 2012 to acquire a Community Radio Station when the FCC will award some of the last available low power broadcast spectrum. Applying for the license is the first step needed in 2012. A partnership of local groups could work together as an applicant. It may take 2-3 years before a station becomes a reality. A community radio station could benefit Unitarian Universalists in numerous ways, including strengthening outreach in their communities, providing opportunities for local talent, and offering a vehicle for spin-free local and national news. The window to apply for a radio license will be very short in 2012 only, perhaps one week in June, so please see the timeline and details here, study "Start a Radio Station" at www.prometheusradio.org, follow developments closely, and call Kindra at 941-497-1764, or email kindra_muntz@uulmf.org if you have any interest.

Important coming events: 

• Please join us for Legislative Day in Tallahassee, February 22nd with UULMF and the League of Women Voters. Dinner will be provided Tuesday night, February 21st, at the Tallahassee UU Church. If needed, UULMF WILL PAY FOR THE COST OF YOUR HOTEL for the night of February 21st. In this critical year, our UULMF Legislative Day is sure to be an important educational experience that may benefit all voters in Florida. Let Co-Chairs Steve (steve_segner@uulmf.org) or Kindra (kindra_muntz@uulmf.org) know if you plan to attend or have questions.
• Please plan to attend GA in Phoenix, June 20-24. This will be an historic General Assembly, the first "Justice GA" of its kind. Early registration is March 1-April 30th. The GA Housing reservation system opens March 1. UULMF is offering PARTIAL SCHOLARSHIPS to interested attendees. These scholarships could be a great way to encourage young people especially in your congregation to attend. Contact Kindra or Steve ASAP if interested.

Four recent highlights from 2011:

(Please see the home page of www.uulmf.org for all our 2011 accomplishments)

• The Florida District Board voted in December to sponsor our proposed Economic Justice Business Resolution for GA 2012. (See http://www.uulmf.org/docs/GA-2012__Proposed_BUSINESS_RESOLUTION.doc). Thanks to the Florida District Board for your outstanding support!
• In October, Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater donated $589 to UULMF from a 50/50 Share the Plate. Thanks so much for your enthusiastic support!
• Also in October, the UULMF website underwent a major transformation through the talented efforts of Larry Lawhorn. Thanks Larry for helping us develop an effective web site www.uulmf.org that empowers the Steering Committee members to get involved in maintenance and updates.

Our new UULMF brochure was completed thanks to Rev. Bud Murphy's good help.   See it at http://www.uulmf.org/docs/UULMF_Brochure.pdf, and, if you support our work, please JOIN US as an individual member, and encourage your congregation to join UULMF as a Congregational Member.

UUA Certification of Membership Deadline Approaching!

Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) member congregations are required to submit the annual Certification of Membership report. The deadline to certify your congregation's membership number and financial data is Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 5 p.m. PST.

Congregations can log in to their Data Services account beginning November 15, 2011 to complete the Certification report before the deadline, and to access a printer-friendly Certification worksheet in order to review the questionnaire ahead of time. Please see our Frequently Asked Questions about Certification of Membership.

Hit the Fields for Farmworker Justice II

On January 21st, 2012, the Alliance of Active Women (AMA), National Farm Worker Ministry (NFWM) and Youth and Young Adult Network (YAYA) will host Hit the Fields for Farm Worker Justice II

This fundraiser soccer game will support the work of AMA and NFWM/YAYA while strengthening the relationship between these communities.

AMA is an organization of farm worker women who are fighting to improve the safety, well being, and health of their community. They offer workshops, cultural programs, and provide assistance and referrals for low-income families in Volusia County.

NFWM/YAYA and AMA have been working together for three years to address the many issues that farm worker women face in Volusia County. On March of this year, we were able to secure funds to open an office for AMA in the city of Seville. After 6 years of using members' homes, the office has provided a much needed space for meetings and events.

Learn more

Allies for Racial Equity - Annual Conference

Colonization Privilege & Resistance: Preparing for Justice GA 2012

February 17 - 19, 2012, Ft. Worth TX

Featuring keynote speakers & workshops by Robert Jensen, UT Journalism Professor and author of The Heart of Whiteness: Confronting Race, Racism and White Privilege and Megan Dowdell Unitarian Universalist leader, ministerial candidate & UCSF doctoral student.

The annual conference will offer Unitarian Universalists who identify as white the opportunity to develop their anti-racist and anti-oppressive analysis and practice. Whether this will be your first or fifteenth anti-racist conference, we will provide you an opportunity to learn, grow and explore how you can turn your commitment into action.

Learn more

Regional Events to note

Many events in our neighboring districts & conferences (Mid-South, Southeast, Southwest) are open to Florida District UUs.

Here is a sampling of upcoming events:

• Faith Development Summit, January 28, Nashville TN
• UU Young Adult Spirituality Conference, February 17-19, Charlottesville NC
• UU Identity Workshop and Retreat, March 16-18, Haw River State Park NC

Learn more about these and other events on the Southern UU Regional Calendar