What Is A Social Justice Workshop?

PURPOSE OF A WORKSHOP
The basic purpose of a social justice workshop is for members of a congregation to assess the quality of their social justice program.  It is an opportunity for members of a congregation to consider what they are doing as an institution to create a more just and caring world.  During the workshop participants reflect upon what they can do as a religious community to put their faith into practice.

FORMAT AND SCHEDULE
A workshop starts on Friday night or Saturday morning, depending on the number of issues to be considered.  A two day workshop will go from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Friday night and 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday.  A one day workshop will run from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday. In the opening session introductions are made and goals are set for the program.  Participants meet in small groups to discuss what they like about the current social justice program and what they would like to see improved. In the second part of the workshop the participants consider four or five crucial issues which, if properly addressed, will lead to a more effective social justice program.  The facilitators use a variety of methods to help people discuss these issues.  At the end of this session, participants develop a plan for implementing the recommendations that come out of this process. Sometimes congregations want to learn more about democratic methods for choosing issues to form task groups around.  In those situations a group priority setting exercise is used.  This exercise takes about two hours. After issues are picked then people have an opportunity to develop an action plan.  This takes approximately an hour and a half. The program closes with an evaluation of the workshop and a brief worship service.

OBJECTIVES
Below is a list of the issues that a congregation may address during the workshop, depending on its needs.

• Inspire a congregation with a vision of their potential to be a social justice community.
• Develop a deeper understanding about the basic elements of an effective social justice program.  Of special concern is the ways that people can develop programs of service, education, witnessing, advocacy, and community organizing.
• Clarify the roles and objectives of the congregation, the board of trustees, the social justice committee, and task groups in providing leadership for the social justice program.
• Provide methods for how to integrate the social justice program into the larger life of the congregation including worship, religious education, and adult programming.
• Help the members of the congregation strategize how they will increase the number of people involved in the social justice program.
• Consider different ways of raising money to support social justice programs.  Acquaint people about the Unitarian Universalist Fund for Social Responsibility.
• Provide information about the resources of the thirty five social change organizations which are affiliated with the Unitarian Universalist Association.
• In those situations where there is more potential for doing significant programming, encourage the group to take on significant projects. This includes methods for picking projects and developing an action plan.