General Assembly Delegate Selection Process and Expectations

Written by the UU Connections Circle May, 2023

Sending delegates to the annual General Assembly of the UUA is a crucial element of our community’s engagement in, and connection to, the larger UU world.

We currently are entitled to send two delegates to GA. The number of delegates is determined by the size of the congregation, one delegate per 50 members.

Delegates need to be selected and registered by March 1 to avoid increased registration costs. The selection process will therefore start at the beginning of January, with the proposed delegate names submitted to the Governing Circle prior to the February GC meeting.

Some financial support is available to delegates if requested. 

The UU Connections Circle will recruit delegates.

  • by directly contacting the members of the Governing Circle and the Coordinating Circle
  • by submitting a newsletter article by the January newsletter deadline seeking candidates

Our criterion for selection is as follows:

  • must be a currently active and engaged member of INUUC
  • preferential consideration will be given to delegate candidates who are members of the Governing Circle, the Coordinating Circle, or leaders of any other INUUC circle.

Delegates will be expected to engage in these ways:

  • attend all General Assembly business meetings (either in person or online)
  • cast a vote representing the view of INUUC at each election during pre GA business sessions and during GA business meetings.
  • attend any pre-GA meeting or caucus for delegates
  • attend online UUA Board openhouses when able, but especially when the business agenda for GA is discussed
  • attend a Town Hall prior to GA, hosted by the UU Connection Circle, to discuss that year’s GA proposals
  • attend a Town Hall following GA, hosted by the UU Connection Circle, sharing the delegates’ GA experience with the rest of the community
  • contribute to an article for the INUUC newsletter sharing their GA experience

Timeline

  • Early January
    • send a direct request to all GC and CC members calling for delegate volunteers
    • submit a newsletter article calling for delegate volunteers and explaining the process
  • February
    • Report proposed delegate candidates to the Governing Circle for approval
    • Inform delegates of their approval and discuss any financial needs they may have
  • Before March 1 — Register delegates for GA (UU connections will assist delegates)
  • March
    • UU Connections submits a newsletter article announcing the delegates
    • Delegates meet with each other to review and discuss the GA agenda
    • Town Hall to provide the full Community an opportunity to discuss GA proposals
  • June — General Assembly!
  • September or October
    • Town Hall for delegates to share their GA experiences with the rest of the Community
    • Newsletter article recapping the events and experiences at GA

Download the PDF of this document here:

General-Assembly-Delegate-Selection-Process-MAY2023