Social Action Council

Brighten The Flame

We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote justice, equity and compassion in human relations and the goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all.

-- Second and Sixth UU Principles

We seek to make tangible our commitment to UU principles through acts of love and deeds of justice.

-- Vision Statement from the Social Action Council Charter

Our Vision of Social Action

The mission of the Social Action Council (SAC) is to support social action within and outside our church community and to facilitate participation in social action programs by any member or friend who seeks an opportunity to be involved in social action issues through our church.

To fulfill this purpose, the Social Action Council:

• Coordinates and supports social action initiatives within the UUCA congregation;
• Supports social action programs with funds budgeted by the UUCA for that purpose;
• Fosters communications and education among members of the church, the Social Action Council and social action programs.

Meetings of the Social Action Council

The Social Action Council meets monthly on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the church. Meetings are open are open to all, but please let us know you are coming in advance! Contact John Zeray or stop by the SAC table in Fellowship Hall on
Sundays.

Contact

For more information email John Zeray or call 703-820-2724.

Background

In 1998, UUCA began a visioning process that identified three paths to UU principles in practice. The third of these is the Path of Social Action and Ethical Development. In following this Path, our purpose is to:

• Deepen our commitment to community outreach and social action
• Provide programming opportunities that may include forums on a variety of community and national issues, conferences, classes, speakers, workshops, gatherings of local officials, lobbyists, human service agencies, UU action groups, and so forth, to discuss issues and to support and plan effective work to improve the world.
  

The Social Action Council is dedicated to realizing this vision. For further detail on the mission and organization of the Social Action Council, see the Social Action Charter.

Members of the Social Action Council

Members of the Social Action Council serve two-year terms. Members are shown below.

• John Zeray, Chair
• Laura Dely, Vice Chair
• Anne Bridgman
• Francesca Grizar
• Marc DeFrancis
• Sara Anderson
• Jacomina de Regt
• Louise Van Horne
• Ken Marshall
• Christina Larwil
• Lavona Grow, ex officio member (Social Justice Coordinator)
• Rev. Mary Ganz, Professional Leadership Team (PLT) Liaison
  

SAC Projects:

Partners for Accompaniers in Guatemala

Green Action

Anti-Racism Transformation Team

Additional SAC sponored programs and UUCA Organizations

Grant Activities

SAC coordinates a Share the Plate one Sunday per month, where UUCA members and friends contribute funds to non-profit organizations with UU connections that provide service, advocacy, and/or direct action on issues we care about. The collection on each Share the Plate Sunday is split 50/50 with the organization. Additionally, information is provided to the congregation about ways to become personally, not just financially, involved. On each Share the Plate Sunday, we will feature a speaker and literature from the designated organization, to enable the congregation to learn more about it. SAC takes applications in late spring for Share the Plate for the following church year. For more information, please contact the church office or John Zeray.

Share the Plate Application

The Social Action Council is now taking applications for Share the Plate, which designates an organization to receive financial support from a Sunday service collection one Sunday per month. Please mail completed applications to the church, drop them off at the SAC table, or email them to staff@uucava.org by June 1, 2008. Questions? Please email John Zeray or call him at 703-820-2724.