Chalice Lighting – The Chalice was lit by the Rev. Sarah Lammert, minister of the UU congregation in Ogden, UT "Immortal, Invisible" was sung by the plenary, led by Planning Committee member Reid Swanson.
Moderator's report:
Moderator Denny Davidoff (right) in introducing her report to the Plenary of the GA, said, "I have faced the fact that we can, that we must, do this General Assembly process better. I realize that in order to do this, we must make changes, and very likely – gulp - change ourselves. It's a very tall order, but I am determined to try. 'Oh God,' I hear you thinking, 'not more change. Why doesn't this woman leave us alone?' The late Shel Silverstein wrote a lot about the need for change:
"I'll share your toys, I'll share your money, I'll share your toast, I'll share your honey, I'll share your milk, and your cookies too. The hard part's sharing mine with you.""Last Oct 24," said Davidoff, "the UUA Board of Trustees was meeting in Boston. What a wonderful band of trustees this is," she said. "I urge you to read the printed report of the Board of Trustees, prepared by Margaret Sanders, which will tell you what the Board has been doing since the Rochester General Assembly. Davidoff noted that the Board had had much discussion around an issue that had emerged since the 1993 presidential campaign. "Because of our custom, people who run for president and moderator are expected to engage in a two-year process of running. It will not come as a surprise to you that lay people, who have a demanding day job, and ministers, who have families and also problems with weekends, find this a problem. So it is difficult. Both John Buehrens and Carolyn Owen-Towle," said Davidoff, "were in large churches and serving co-ministries. Most others can not afford the time and the money or risk their congregational calls to run this gauntlet. A gauntlet brought about by our expectations.
"So that's how the conversations began," said Davidoff. "We talked enough to realize that the problem, our problem, lay not with the potential candidates, but with the system. Our system. Two years of travel is brutal," she said.. "But go find a district that would say, 'there's no need to come to us, we'll be happy to sacrifice.' So we talked about technology, video conferencing, using the website, and about holding biennial GA's in the odd years, and in the even year, holding staff-supported regional meetings, where candidates could come, talk to folks, mix and mingle and press the flesh and all of that good stuff. If we did this, we reasoned, many more people than are here in Salt Lake City would come. You all were with us in Rochester, you all would be with us in Nashville – many more people would experience splendid workshops, the teaching talents of the UUA staff, wonderful worship services, many more could stand for denominational service, and get connected to the wonder that is the UUA.
"The next morning I said to Kay Montgomery and John Buehrens, 'I could become a convert to biennials.' Kay told me I had lost it. But in truth I have been thinking about it ever since. And the more I think about it, the more I like it. I speak only for myself, and not for the Trustees, either individually or collectively.
"Now I don't think you're going to dive into biennials or even into a discussion or bylaws about them before there's a whole lot more talk. So do me this favor: start talking. Talk while you're here, and while you're talking, talk to the Board of Trustees and your district President."
Davidoff then introduced the members of the UUA Board of Trustees to the Plenary. She also noted that two districts are placing the issue of biennial GA's on their agendas, and she said, "don't practice avoidance – it is very likely that this issue will come before you at General Assembly."
She emphasized the importance of Fulfilling the Promise: "There are conversations going on in this movement which most of us would not have thought possible five years ago…I am constantly moved, dazzled and humbled by what goes on in our congregations. The tenacious refusal to abandon what goes on with our Journey Toward Wholeness even when we are discouraged and disheartened. The willingness to try some of the covenanting suggested in our materials on Fulfilling the Promise. Our willingness to believe that we can afford just about anything we want if only we will shake off the shackles of scarcity thinking. My report details my many visits with the congregations during the year past. I find you amazing, inspiring, touching, funny, and standing tall in your communities as witnesses to this great faith of ours. Mine is the best volunteer job of all – and I thank you for the many ways in which you honor it, and me. I praise all of you who do the work of the church volunteer, teachers, board members, finance advisors, canvasses, committee heads, ushers, greeters, singers in the choir, care-ers for buildings and grounds, communicators, workers for the common good, and all the unnamed rest, and yes, oh yes, you who come to honestly represent your congregation at the General Assembly. I praise you. I thank you for this effort. Thank you for this dedication. Thank you for what you do, for -- in the words of the 19 century woman minister, Olympia Brown -- 'Standing by this faith.'"
Final Action on Actions of Immediate Witness
Davidoff called for discussion on the four proposed Actions of Immediate Witness which had been placed on the agenda at Sunday's Plenary. Each proposed action would be alloted thirty minutes of discussion.
AIW-1. Genetically Modified Foods Emergency
Debate can be summarized as follows:
An amendment to delete lines 53-56 of the AIW, calling for a moratorium on the farming and sale of genetically modified foods until there has been adequate testing for environmental and human safety and proper labeling regulations are in place, was proposed, and carried.
A second amendment, to insert after line 19 of the proposed AIW this language: "This is a necessary step to have any hope of preventing uncontrolled genetic mixing, but it raises the treat of monopolistic exploitation," was moved but failed..
A third amendment, to insert in line 49, after the word "testing": "of effects on humans," carried.
Davidoff called for the vote as discussion time was exhausted. The Action failed to pass.
AIW-2. A Moral Response to Youth Violence at Columbine
unofficial text here
James Walker, a student from Golden, CO, who proposed the AIW, said, "Let us now make our best efforts to pass this Action of Immediate Witness so that the pain that friends of mine and others have suffered through, doesn't have to continue."
A student from the UU Church of Greater Lynn and Swampscott, MA, spoke in favor of the AIW. "How many children have to die here?," she said. "I urge you to support this, both in terms of studying our society so that we know what we have to do to help our children grow into productive mentally stable individuals, and what we need to do to stop the violence at home and in our schools."
Joel Miller, who ministers to the Littleton, CO congregation, said: "Our sanctuary walls are covered with your letters, with your prayer banners, with your art. It gave us solace and hope in a hard time. This Action of Immediate Witness was carefully drafted by our sister congregation in Golden, CO, and it fairly represents our congregation's views as well. What is most important, and what the people of Columbine need, are deeds, not creeds, and service. In the actions described, only you can make the difference. Any change for justice will begin in our homes and our congregations. All our congregations should have a youth group. I hope you will pass this (Action), but more than that, our people in Columbine want you to make a home for all our youth."
An amendment was proposed on line 109, to insert "e) to work for the revision of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and other steps to break up the media monopoly and strengthen alternative channels of communication which celebrate non-violence and democratic values." The amendment failed.
An amendment, to delete lines 106-108 and 121-123, which eliminates section (d) from the AIW, was moved and seconded. The amendment carried.
A third amendment, to deleted language from "and to prohibit" to "military use," was moved and seconded. The amendment failed.
The debate returned to the main motion for the remaining one minute of discussion time. When Davidoff called for the vote, the proposed Action of Immediate Witness was adopted.
AIW-3: "Condemnation of Arson at Sacramento Synagogues"
unofficial text here
There was virtually no debate on this proposed action; the action passed without amendments.
AIW-4: "Work to Change Discriminatory Policies of Boy Scouts of America"
unofficial text here
Debate around this proposed Action was impassioned. An amendment to add, in line 201, "e) Encourage the BSA to monitor troops nationwide to be sure that all Scouts are being treated equally and fairly despite their religious beliefs or the degree to which their families may practice them," was moved and seconded. The amendment passed.
A second amendment, to substitute language in line 201 to state: "e) Recommend the suspension of the chartering of Boy Scout troops by Unitarian Universalist congregations until the policies of the BSA are reconciled with the purposes and principles of the UUA," was moved and seconded. The amendment failed, and debate returned to the main motion.
A man spoke about his leadership in Scouting and related the story of how he was discriminated against and asked if he was gay. He had won a volunteer recognition award for his work in Scouting, but then had been thrown out of Scouting. He said, "we as adults should be willing to support this (Action)." Davidoff called for the vote, and the Action of Immediate Witness was adopted.
A report was given by the organizers of the General Assembly's Service Project, "Empty Shelves," which sought to aid one of the Salt Lake City area's elementary schools sorely in need of books for its library. Children's books were sold to the delegates; the money contributed would be dedicated to help purchase new and badly-needed resources for an elementary school library.
The results were stunning. Julia Miller, Principal of the Edison Elementary School, came before the Plenary to report that 1,150 books had been sold at the UUA display area, resulting in $15,280 donated to buy new books for the school library. Miller said that she estimated that the funds raised would result in 1200 new books for the school, with 600 old ones weeded out and recycled to students visiting from countries far away who are in need of those older books.
"We had almost no nonfiction works," Miller said. "We had things that weren't appropriate for minority children. This effort will help so much to change that." The school has been helped tremendously, she said, by the contributions of the delegates and visitors to the Assembly.
A report from the UUA's Commission on Appraisal followed, given by chair Lisa Presley (left). She reflected on the delight that the members of the Commission had felt at learning of the enthusiasm with which the COA's report, "Interdependence," had been greeted. "It is gratifying to see the issues we care about so deeply, be talked about so widely." The Commission is concerned, she said, on whether their work is thought provoking enough, but they are encouraged by the fact that a new Bylaw amendment which would express the relationship of members congregations to the UUA in positive terms, will be proposed for a future General Assembly. "'Interdependence'. is and will continue to be a success: because of that success," said Presley. the bar has been permanently raised. "Success is a hard thing to follow," she said. "Our current study, "The Meaning of Membership," can only meet your expectations if you involve yourself in the process." Some of the questions posed for the study include, "What does it mean to be a Unitarian Universalist? What makes someone a UU? Can you be a UU alone, or must you be embedded in a congregation? Must the congregation be one which has four walls, or can it be affiliate groups, or one of our summer camps,? What do members owe their congregations? "Should financial support be mandatory," and more.
Individuals with ideas, thoughts, or questions regarding this study are encouraged to be in touch with the Commission on Appraisal, and may contact them by. Email at: coa@uua.org
An unusual energy break followed, surprising Moderator Davidoff as much as the delegates. members of the Youth Caucus took the stage, announcing that they were taking Davidoff hostage, and that the delegates wouldn't get her back 'unless they danced.' 
Loud music from a boom box poured out, as the hostage takers surrounded Davidoff, and held up a sign saying, "dance if you want Denny back!" After the group decided enough dancing had occurred, they presented Davidoff with a large bouquet of balloons and left the stage, to much applause.
Additional business included a report from the UU-United Nations Office by the Rev. Benjamin Bortin. Highlights of the UU-UNO's year included the nomination of a representative who would serve in the United Nations Criminal Court. Elaine Harvey, a delegate to the Assembly, has been so nominated. The board of the UU-UNO office voted to begin an "adopt a land mine" campaign, and raise funds to help end the risk of land mines throughout the world. Bortin closed his remarks by quoting Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: "I have the audacity to believe that every man, woman and child can have food, shelter, clothing and housing for their bodies, education and culture of their minds, and dignity and freedom for their spirits."
The next report was from the UU Women's Federation, given by Tina Jas (left), President and Patsy Sherrill Madden, Vice President. Jas reported that the 12-member board was one year into a restructuring process, and that the organization has a balanced budget for the year, and a balanced budget for next year. In April, the UUWF will be part of the Women's Gathering 2000, organized by UU Women in Religion. Madden reported on other activities the Women's Federation was engaged in, including a dialogue with the UU Men's Network, looking at ways that together they can benefit women and men. She also reported that the UUWF was in conversation with the UU Young Adult Network, about beginning a Young Adult's branch of the Federation.
Davidoff called for budget motions, and a proposal was made to deduct funds from the budget of WORLD Magazine which would be re-allocated to the General Assembly for the purpose of reducing registration fees. Larry Ladd, Financial Advisor, suggested that the delegates should have the opportunity to review the impact of such a reduction before a vote.
Joel Miller and Patty Pomerantz moved to call the question, but individuals remained at the microphone and Davidoff called on Gini Courter, Trustee from the Michigan District and incoming chair of the Finance Committee. Courter spoke against the resolution, and Davidoff next recognized Tom Stites, UUA Director of Communication, to speak to the impact of such a proposal. Stites, who made clear that he had had no opportunity to analyze the impact of such a proposal, said such a budget reduction would likely result in the elimination of one issue of the WORLD and more. The question was called, and the motion failed.
Davidoff called on Secretary Carl Thitchener, who was retiring from his post, for a final credentials report. Thitchener reported that the General Assembly had 1,270 lay delegates from member congregations, as well as. Ministers, ministers emeriti, and board of trustees members. The total was 1,726 delegates, representing 595 societies from 50 states, 8 provinces, plus the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, Mexico, New Zealand, and Australia, for a final total of 2987 adults, 344 youth, 210 representatives from staff, committees and board, equaling a grand total registration of 3,538. Thitchener thanked the Assembly as he retired from his position, and received warm applause.
2000 GA in Nashville:
Lynn Conley (right), president of the Mid-South district, host for the 2000 General Assembly, took the stage to encourage the delegates to plan on "Nashville 2K." Davidoff called forward members of the Planning Committee, the Commission on Social Witness, and the GA Salt Lake Volunteer Committee, to accept the thanks of the plenary for the work that went into planning the Assembly.
Diane Olson, Chair of the Planning Committee, made the motion to adjourn the Assembly, and Davidoff declared adjournment at 6:35 PM.
