Social Justice in Action Meeting Notes 10/14/14

[John Gear]

An idiosyncratic meeting summary:  

Present:  Dale Hitchcock, Kimberly Ocupe, Jan Munsey, Anita Owen, John Gear, Cecelia Craig, Carolyn Bridges, Keith York, Loraine Stuart, Rev. Rick Davis.

ONE TO ONE CONVERSATIONS TO BEGIN:

Cecilia passed out assignments for the One to One Conversations. The hope is to complete the conversations with as many UUCS members and friends as we can before January, though it’s OK to bleed into January or even February if we must.  We discussed the questions to ask and when they could occur.

CLIMATE CRISIS FOLLOWUP

John and Kimberly will develop a plan and proposed steps for following up on the People’s Climate March action we held at the Eco-Earth in Riverfront Park on 9/21.  The goal is to figure out some ways to work with others in Salem (UCC, FUMC, etc.) to get the Salem City Council to make climate action as much of a priority in Salem as it is in Portland and Eugene.

SHARE THE PLATE  — not discussed, we have time to deal with before the next round of selections need to be made.

UUs FOR JUSTICE IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Loraine and Anita spoke passionately about trying to get UUCS to joint UUJME in its call for an arms boycott of Israel and other actions to sanction Israel for its actions in Gaza.  Advocates are invited to make UUJME materials available and to try to get UUCS members involved in the cause. There was not a consensus about whether to try to get a resolution from the congregation or not.

HEALTH CARE FOR ALL OREGONIANS

Carolyn, Cecelia, and Anita are planning to show “The HealthCare Movie” at UUCS and maybe other Salem congregations in advance of the February rally on the Capitol Steps on 2-11-15 sponsored by Health Care for All Oregonians.  The movie was produced by two UUCS members, Laurie Simmons and Terry Sterrenberg, who have agreed to speak at the event.

SANCTUARY CONGREGATION?

The board, through Rick, asked SJAT to consider how UUCS should respond if we are asked to shelter someone (offer sanctuary) against deportation by ICE.  No resolution was reached, but Rick is to contact Rev. Kate Lore of First UU in Portland to find out what it entails and whether we would be an appropriate sanctuary or whether we should act in support of other congregations who are themselves sanctuaries.

NEW LOCATION FOR MEETINGS?  NEW MEETING NIGHT?

Rick is trying to arrange with the IKE BOX for a quiet, regular meeting room where more people could attend (John Gear’s conference room was fairly full at 10 attendees). The meeting night may have to change.

CORRECTIONS? ADDITIONS?

Anyone with corrections or additions is invited to post them to uucs_cof...@googlegroups.com

John Gear
JohnGearLaw.com
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