Unitarian Universalist Association
Seventh Principle Project
Annual Report 1999-2000
David Cockrell, Chair

I. Introduction

In an interview with Kaia Svien (1996), John Seed, Director of the Rainforest Information Center in Australia, described his connectedness with the earth:

I allow myself to open up to all my feelings, to let them come up fully. Then I feel my roots go down deep into the earth for certain kinds of nourishment. Certain kinds of wisdom become accessible to me. I am reassured that the world as a whole is O.K. The earth doesn't lose it and become hysterical. I am part of that earth; I can manifest that same calm. When joy wells up, I feel the connection between all beings. I know, once again, that the truth doesn't hurt us. Truth saves us and however pleasant or unpleasant that truth, if we can cleave to the truth, joy and enormous creativity will always be part of that.

It's important for us to remember that we too are natural. If we are "destroying" the earth, we are an expression of the earth destroying itself! If a part of us is addicted to a materialistic lifestyle of craving and consuming, while another part of us struggles to build harmony in our patterns of interacting with the earth, then this is what it means to be human. These paradoxes are spiritual issues for our kind, and the self-acceptance and transformation that we envision is spiritual work.

There is much paradox in a UU environmental network as well. First of all, it certainly seems like a no-brainer that UU's would be in the forefront of the current ecospirituality movement. The American transcendentalist tradition (notably Emerson, Thoreau and Muir), which has inspired three generations of American environmental preservation, was associated with Unitarianism from the beginning. Our commitments to social justice, to liberal religion, and to the "sixth source" (earth-centered spirituality), all would seem to argue for passion on issues of ecological integrity and low impact lifestyles. In my church, many of the members actually are strong environmentalists in their own right.

But we aren't in the forefront—we're playing catch-up! Maybe it's the range of social issues that we take an interest in; maybe it's the (perhaps) stronger commitment to democratic processes and ideals; maybe it's our long-standing bent to intellectual skepticism, sometimes to the detriment of hands-on activism. Whatever it is, we are only now beginning to develop critical mass around environmental work.

We have much to learn from other religious and spiritual groups: From the Episcopal Environmental Network, who convinced the denomination to power their national conference this summer with wind-generated electricity; from the evangelical environmental network, whose fundamentalist "Noah congregations" tithe for the earth; from the Thai Buddhists, whose monks ordain trees to protect them from the chainsaw.

But enough of berating! We do have a start, and we have truly excellent role models and environmental leaders from within our ranks. And the work to be done becomes clearer every moment. There has been a tremendous synergy during 1999-2000 surrounding the adoption of a Study/Action Issue on Responsible Consumption by the Commission on Social Witness of the Unitarian Universalist Association. This SAI was originally stewarded to adoption at the 1999 General Assembly by Gisela Bahr of Oxford, Ohio. The SAI illustrates the current growing commitment of Unitarian Universalism to a path of lifestyle simplification, in harmony with the planet and its interdependent web of existence, of which we are all a part. Concurrently, the work of Cecile Andrews from Seeds of Simplicity, has already provided a significant impact on UU's through her teachings of the use "Simplicity Circles". Simplicity Circles allow communities of people, some in UU churches, to study and alter patterns of personal consumption, and choices about transportation, shelter, food, water and interaction with the natural world. Such support groups permit us to grow into an ability to live as plain citizens of the ecological community, rather than as conquerors of it (apologies to Leopold).

Thus, voluntary simplicity has been the thread that has brought us all together during this time. It has been the motivating force that has permitted a reconceptualization and broadening of the Green Sanctuary idea as a national program for ecospirituality in liberal religious communities. The Green Sanctuary Handbook was originally developed in 1991 by Ecospirit New England, an interfaith environmental education non-profit organization, and the newly-formed Seventh Principle Project: A Unitarian Universalist Environmental Network. These visionary leaders, committed to respect for the interdependent web, saw the need for an easy to use instruction manual to get religious groups started on making their buildings and grounds more environmentally sound. The Green Sanctuary Handbook was intended to provide inspiration, basic instructions, and contacts for further information. Bob Murphy, Leslie Pohl-Kosbau, Rachael Stark, John Tucker, Jim Eller, and Joan Montagnes (who was Newletter editor) were all active from the beginning and responsible for developing the 7th Principle Project and the Green Sanctuary handbook.

At the 1999 Unitarian Universalist General Assembly last year in Salt Lake City, Rev. Fred Small of Florida, offered an inspirational charge to UU's across the U.S. and Canada to take up the challenge of the Green Sanctuary and make it real in all our communities. During the past few months I have coordinated a team of reviewers who have broadened the original manual to reflect our idea of a national program of Ecospirituality. In 2000, pilot religious groups will have an opportunity to commit to creating Green Sanctuary and implementing many of the ideas contained in the manual.

Gisela Bahr and Cecile Andrews have served on the Board of Directors during 1999-2000, along with singer/song writer Jim Scott, Carlos Taylor of Flagstaff, AZ, Katherine Jesch of Star King Seminary, Suzanne Holtz-Gagan of UU in the Pines in Florida and myself. At this point in our development, the primary mission of the Seventh Principle Project is to develop Green Sanctuary as the vehicle to integrate our work on Responsible Consumption through simplicity circles and a wide range of church activities that demonstrate and celebrate our spiritual, biological and physical connectedness to the earth.

Oh, there is one other Seventh Principle Board member I forgot to mention—Fred Mayer. Fred has been the tie that binds together all of this work, the tireless workhorse that knows when the GA workshop proposals have to be in, how to get an ad in the World, and who to call to navigate through the chaotic maze of congregational polity that is Unitarian Universalism. Involved with the 7th Principle Project since 1993, Fred is known throughout Unitarian Universalist circles as the real Lorax! If you want to know what UU thinks of an environmental issue, call Fred (but I'm not giving you his phone number)!

II. Business Agenda

1. Description of and Commitment to Standing Committees and District Networks
2. Election of New Board Members
3. Amendment to By-Laws
4. Discussion of 501(c)3 status
5. Approval of Budget for 2000-2001
6. New Business

III. Standing Committees and District Networks

A. Standing Committees

1. Membership
Charge: Maintain current membership lists; Receive new registrations, and add them to the data base; receive notes abut membership checks and generally track members. Coordinate volunteers. Chair, 2000-2001: Fred Mayer (non-board position). Board Secretary's position remains open.

2. Publicity and Marketing
Charge: Coordinate all marketing, public relations and publicity, including the 7PP website and any listserves or bulletin boards; develop and publish brochures; develop marketing and publicity budget, work on developing a masthead and logo.

3. Finance
Charge: Preparation and submission to the board of an annual budget at the general meeting; accounting, maintenance of bank accounts, make and receive payments; fund-raising and grant coordination.

4. Spirituality
Charge: Music, art, poetry, ministry

5. GA 2001 (Cleveland)
Charge: Facilitate a coordinating team and develop workshop proposals; maintain communication with the UUA; identify deadlines for submission of proposals and associated commitments, and assure compliance; liaison with treasurer to assure adequate financial resources for commitments; maintain communication with workshop coordinators to prepare.

6. Green Sanctuary
Charge: Develop and manage a support system for Founders' Congregations establishing Green Sanctuary during 2000-2001. This will include communication with congregational and district coordinators; provision of resources on specific topics and updates to the Green Sanctuary manual as developed; liaison with the Green Sanctuary writing team; elaborating and managing the certification system; and grant development.

7. Responsible Consumption
Charge: Coordinate with Barbara Childs and the Commission on Social Witness on developments regarding the Responsible Consumption Study/Action Issue. Assist in collection of church feedback and development of the Statement of Conscience for consideration at GA 2001. Work with those implementing Simplicity Circles to maximize synergy on the SAI.

B. District Teams
Charge: Provide direct support services to district congregations in development and management of Green Sanctuary and Responsible Consumption Study/Action Groups. In particular, develop a district-wide system to carry out congregational training in 1) Understanding the scope of the environmental crisis; 2) How UU offers a response to the crisis; 3) Models that have worked or might be tried; 4) Action planning (vision, goals, objectives, strategies). Liaison with the Green Sanctuary and Responsible Consumption coordinators to assure program consistency.

IV. Board Elections

1999-2000 Board Members

David Cockrell, 1999-2000 Chair Pueblo, CO Term of Office 2001
Cecile Andrews Seattle, WA 2001
Jim Scott, Vice Chair Eugene, OR 2001
Katherine Jesch, Treasurer Arlington, VA/Berkeley, CA 2000
Gisela Bahr Oxford, OH 2000
Fred Mayer, Secretary Morristown, NJ 2000
Carlos Taylor Flagstaff, AZ 2000
Suzanne Holtz Gagan Brooksville, FL 2000

By-Laws Article V: BOARD OF DIRECTORS. 1. The Board of Directors (Board) shall consist of at least five active members of the Project who will select from among themselves individuals to carry out required formal roles, including a treasurer, a corresponding secretary, and an identified contact person. Other assignments may be made as necessary. 2. Directors shall serve for two years, except in the first year when half will serve for one year. Officers shall receive no salary. The Board, however, may approve compensation for reasonable expenses. 3. The Board shall meet at least twice a year. Meetings other than at GA may be conducted electronically. Meeting notices shall be provided to all members and to the Office of the Executive Vice President of the UUA least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting. 4. The responsibilities of the Board shall be to manage the affairs of the Project, including the following: Plan all membership meetings. Assist in developing General Assembly resolutions. Establish dues and manage the financial resources of the Project. Establish policies and procedures necessary to conduct the business of the Project. Prepare the Annual Report of the Project for the UUA.

Current Candidates

LYN S. CAMERON accepted the nomination. Some of you know already of her sterling work with the Green Sanctuary workshop at the 2000 GA. She has an MFA from Krannert Center, U. of Illinois, faculty member for 14 years, Dean College, Franklin MA, teaching public speaking, theater and art classes. She regards the earth as her home and source of spiritual connections forever. Lyn has been an active UU for 14 years, is a member of the First UU Church, Milford MA and coordinator of the "Milford Community Supper", a hot meal, cooked and served weekly to anyone in need, which the church supports. She is DRE of Channing Church, Rockland MA.

Rev. JACQUELINE ZIEGLER accepted the nomination. She grew up on her grandmother's (squatter) land on Lake Michigan, loved the marshland, joined the First UU Church of Milwaukee in 1969. Process theology and the environment are her passions. She graduated with a degree in and then taught Health and Education, especially Wellness. At the 1988 International Wellness Conference Sister Miriam McGillis talked about the connection between wellness and the environment and got a 20 minute standing ovation. Jackie came away with a deeper understanding of the connections between the environment and health and decided to become a UU minister. She studied under Prof. Ron Engel at and graduated from Meadville-Lombard in 1990.

She became the minister at the Unitarian Church in Harrisburg, PA where she successfully started ICE, the Interface Council on the Environment. She helped the ministers from many different congregations to have a better understanding of the environment and wellness connections and provided them with materials for use in their churches.

Jackie thinks it is high time for the UUA to become actively engaged in Green Sanctuary and has been in touch with Fred Small. She has accepted to be minister at UUC Boulder CO. and will move there shortly.

KATHERINE JESCH is a seminary student at Starr King School for the Ministry in Berkeley, California. Formerly a program analyst and strategic planner with the US Forest Service, she spent several years working with a team to develop concepts, criteria, and management approaches for sustainable forests and sustainable communities. Katherine has now chosen to refocus her environmental work as a minister. She believes that the Church as an institution must be a leader in the transforming our environmental thinking and identifying and exploring possibilities for the future that can grow out of our shared understanding of the meaning of our Seventh Principle. Katherine has been a valued leader in the 7PP for several years and has served as treasurer during 1999-2000.

V. By-Laws Revisions

Changes to the bylaws of December 19, 1991 were proposed and accepted but not voted on at GA 1999.

The changes are largely formalities, and include the following:

1. Preamble: omitted paragraphs detailing environmental philosophy.
2. Article I Name, and II Affiliation and incorporation: no changes
3. Article III Purpose and Policy: replaced by the Mission Statement.
4. Article IV Membership. IV, 1: Deleted details of categories of people not excluded from membership. IV, 2: deleted formation of chapters. Added section IV, 4 inviting sponsorship by congregations. Changed to elect five or more members as the Board of Directors .
5. Article V Board of Directors Section, V,1: Changed number of Directors from six to a minimum of five (more can serve if willing). Directors will select roles of officers. V,2: merged into Section V,1. deleted the Advisory Council. V 4,6,7,8: omitted as they are incorporated in Article IV or not longer applicable.
6. Article VI Responsibilities of the Board of Directors: deleted

PROPOSAL - To adopt the bylaws, below, approved at the 1999 Annual Meeting:

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST ASSOCIATION SEVENTH PRINCIPLE PROJECT BYLAWS.

PREAMBLE:

We, the participants in the Seventh Principle Project, are individuals who have joined together, as people concerned about environmental quality, sustainability, and social justice, in order to affirm and promote the principles of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA).

We declare our support for the resolutions on environmental policy and social justice adopted by the General Assemblies of the UUA..

We also endorse the principles embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in the World Charter for Nature*.

Article I NAME

The full name of this organization shall be "Unitarian Universalist Seventh Principle Project."

Article II AFFILIATION AND INCORPORATION

1. The Seventh Principle Project shall be affiliated to the UUA as an independent affiliate organization.
2. The Seventh Principle Project is organized and shall be incorporated exclusively for charitable, religious educational and scientific purposes as defined by Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

Article III MISSION

The mission of the Seventh Principle Project (Project) is to facilitate and support the work of Unitarian Universalists (UUs), by affirming and promoting the seven principles of the UUA, including the seventh, "respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part." We do this by focusing on the theological, spiritual, and ethical aspects of human values and activities that affect the health and sustainability of the living earth.

The project will:

• Provide a forum for discussion and dissemination of material for study, religious education and worship;
• Serve as a central source of environmental education for UUs, highlighting the linkages between the religious aspects and related social, ethical, and justice issues;
• Advise the UUA on denominational, congregational, and interdenominational activities related to the religious aspects of the environment; and
• Support UUs in their personal and social actions for a healthy and sustainable environment.

Article IV MEMBERSHIP

1. Any person who subscribes to the purpose, mission, and the bylaws shall be eligible for membership. Individuals shall become members by indicating their intent in writing and paying the required annual dues.
2. The project shall hold its annual membership meeting in conjunction with the General Assembly of the UUA.. The agenda shall include election of the directors. There shall be a treasurer's report. The Board of Directors shall report on current programs and propose goals for the ensuing year.
3. All members have the right to attend and vote at membership meetings. Members may invite guests. Each member has one vote. Significant issues to be voted on shall be announced 30 days in advance so that members not in attendance can vote by contacting one of the directors.
4. Congregations are invited to become supporting members.
5. Written notice of the annual membership meeting shall be made known thirty (30)days prior to the meeting. The Office of the Executive Vice President and to all members of the project.
6. A quorum of the Board consists of the majority of its members present at the meeting.

Article V BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

1. The Board of Directors (Board) shall consist of at least five active members of the Project who will select from among themselves individuals to carry out required formal roles, including a treasurer, a corresponding secretary, and an identified contact person. Other assignments may be made as necessary.
2. Directors shall serve for two years, except in the first year when half will serve for one year. Officers shall receive no salary. The Board, however, may approve compensation for reasonable expenses.
3. The Board shall meet at least twice a year. Meetings other than at GA may be conducted electronically. Meeting notices shall be provided to all members and to the Office of the Executive Vice President of the UUA least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting.
4. The responsibilities of the Board shall be to manage the affairs of the Project, including the following:
   • Plan all membership meetings.
   • Assist in developing General Assembly resolutions.
   • Establish dues and manage the financial resources of the Project.
   • Establish policies and procedures necessary to conduct the business of the Project.
   • Prepare the Annual Report of the Project for the UUA.

Article VI . FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATION

1. The fiscal year of the Project shall commence on the first day of July each year.
2. The programs of the Project shall be financed by membership dues, congregational sponsorship, investment income, legacies or gifts, sale of educational materials, grants and contracts or other means as determined by the Board.
3. Dues are payable on the first day of July each year.
4. In the case of dissolution of the Project, all its property, both real and personal shall be conveyed to the UUA or its successors.

Article VII. AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

The bylaws may be amended by a two thirds vote of the members at the annual General Assembly meeting of the Project. Proposed amendments must be announced at least thirty (30) days prior to the meeting as part of the agenda.

*World Charter for Nature, UN (1982) Sets out principles to prevent the earth's genetic resources being compromised, achieve optimum sustainable productivity and the proper functioning of ecosystems.

VI. Discussion of Article II.2 of By-Laws, concerning 501(c)3 status.

VII. Financial Report

The 1999-2000 Financial Report and 2000-2001 Proposed Budget are available as a PDF file (click here to download the Acrobat PDF Reader).

Formatted for the web by Kasey Melski.