Social Justice Council, 11/9/22

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Attending: Linda Secretan, Jim Bigelow

Agenda:

  • October 5th  meeting notes
  • Social Justice Resolutions
    • For your reference: BUUF Social Justice Resolutions (Congregational Public Statements) Policy & Procedures
    • Resolutions under discussion
      • Saving the Salmon by Breaching the Four Lower Snake River Dams
        • click here for the on-line comment form for this resolution
        • Feedback so far:
          • should we add information about the Simpson Plan: Salmon, the Columbia Basin Initiative
            • Yes
          • Do we need a speaker on the Simpson plan between now and the vote?
            • maybe if get someone in the next few weeks. Ask, Rev. Sara. Is it even possible
          • 4 commenter so far
            • plan okay but need to say no nukes
            • need info about alternatives
            • 2 yes votes
        • Add the info about Simpson plan, ‘WHEREAS: U.S. Congressman Mike Simpson of the Idaho’s 2nd District has put forth |The Columbia Basin Initiative outlining a possible path forward for the Northwest to transition to a better place that ends the salmon wars, protects all stakeholders on their terms and resets the energy landscape in the Northwest, so we maximize the benefits of the Bonneville System and our abundant renewable solar, wind and hydro and gives our salmon a much better chance at recovery.  The Idaho Statesman Editorial Board calls this initiative, “a workable plan to remove Lower Snake River dams and save Idaho’s salmon.” ”THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:  We, the members of the Boise Unitarian Universalist Fellowship: Acknowledge that the decline, extirpation, and absolute extinction of the Snake River salmon violates Treaty rights of the Northwest Tribes and Nations, and severely jeopardizes their economic well-being and cultural continuity. Support The Columbia Basin Initiative and breaching the lower Snake River dams: Ice Harbor Dam, Lower Monumental Dam, Little Goose Dam, and Lower Granite Dam.’
        • keep sending out information about the plan
      • Supporting Reproductive Rights
    • Time line –
      • Nov 9 – Social Justice Council finalizes resolutions
      • Nov 14 – Final versions of the resolutions are delivered to the BUUF Board
      • Dec 5 – 12 congregational on-line vote for the resolution
  • Social Justice Fund
    • Racial Justice Ministry, $6,000
      • July field trip:  $800 total spent — $600 for food; $200 donation to the Four Rivers Cultural Center.
      • October program (indigenous Peoples’ Day) — $400 total planned:  $150 for speaker honorarium; $200 donation; $50 to Debbie Foster for tech support
      • December 5th program (Black music) — $700 total estimated:  $300 for speaker honorarium; $200 (estimate) to Mike Lemieux for tech support; $200 (estimate) for refreshments for the planned “watch party.
      • Programs in January, February, April and May — $3200 est. Specific program plans are TBD. Estimate assumes an “outside expert” format for these programs.
      • Total: $5100
    • Reproductive Justice ministry, $5,000
    • Refugee, Immigrant Ministry, $3,000
      • review the $3,000  earmarked
        • missed this meeting and last
  • Projects
    • A carbon neutral BUUF
      • Asked John Warren to consider what it would take to  “make BUUF (the building and organization) carbon neutral. This fits in the the Boise plan to have the entire community carbon neutral by 2050. “
      • Mark is interested in this
      • Could we make this a special appeal, or some facet of it such as replacing gas powered  with electric equivalents?
      • Is this something a renewed climate action team is interested in?  How to find out.
    • BUUF Reproductive rights
      • Timothy — is there a need to have a refresher on reproductive rights and logistics?
        • Mark – a short (15min) discussion after a service perhaps once a month or more as needed.
      • will act a resource for questions
    • How to get the
  • Plate Partners
    • December  – Learning Labs
    • January   – CATCH
      • Director of Development Whitney Morgan please email wmorgan@catchidaho.org
      • Jim to arrange for a visit.  — Jim
      • Invite to speak at the Jan. 8th service.
    • February –  Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley Indian Reservation
      • Duck Valley Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of the Duck Valley, P.O. Box 219, Owyhee, Nevada, 89832.
      • Jim to talk to Rick Groff.
        • recap discussion
        • perhaps Tom would do it along with the land acknowledgment
      • check out High Country News
  • Next meeting
    • Dec 7th, 6:30 pm  zoom
  • Adjourn at 7:20.