Social Justice Council, 3/2/22

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Wed Mar 2, 2022 6pm – 7:30pm Mountain Time

Attending: Tom Neal, Sharon Rockwood, Reverend Sara, Jax Perez, Linda Secretan, Diana Borrero-lowe, Mark Busollini, Jim Bigelow

Agenda/Notes:

  • Notes from the February 1, 2022 Meeting
  • Ingathering/Brief Check-in
    • Opening words by Reverend Sara
  • Must: Reverend Sara’s sabbatical
    • Carol Ogburn, cjogburn22@gmail,
      • our liaison with Committee on Ministry
    • Want: Representing BUUF Social Justice at GA 2022 — In Portland
      • The Board will pay  tuition for delegates
  • Must: Plate Partners
    • Assignments and Details  during Reverend Sara’s sabbatical
      • Logistics (Reverend Sara):
        • We typically ask a Plate Partner to give a brief message at start of the first service of the month.  This is an invitation rather than a requirement.
        • For long time Plate Partners it’s usually,  “what’s import right now”
        • The message is to be kept to 3 min.
        • While we have a hybrid service,  we prefer in-person  speakers due to tech problems for remote speaker, but can accept a pre-recorded 3 min video
        • What is necessary for the liaison with a plate partner
          • let them know they’ve been selected.
          • Partner with them: 
            • Let them know we’re not looking for dog/pony show,
            • They are invited to speak about themselves for 3 minutes but it’s not an absolute requirement — but people usually give more when a Plate Partner representative  gives a personal  message. 
            • We will speak on their behalf if they prefer for any reason, since the opportunity to give a message is an invitation rather than a requirement
          • Jim  and the liaison will talk with Nancy to coordinate with celebrant. 
          • If  the Plate Partner can’t speak the first Sunday, than they an come on another.
        • In-person speakers should come to BUUF 20 min ahead of time to get  set
        • If they would rather do do a video performance
          • Could accept a 3min pre-recorded video
          • They need to coordinate with Nancy and Mike L.
          • The video must be ready for a Saturday run thru due to technical issues.
      • Reverend Sara: it’s the job of the  Social Justice Council to help nominators
      • Reverend Sara will send contact info for the Women’s & Children’s Alliance & Idaho Coalition Against Sexual & Domestic Violence 
      • Jim: Ask Nancy about services and especially celebrants
      • Long term: it would be good to have a greater visibility of Plate Partner check presentations, where it makes sense
    • 2021 – 2022
    • 2022 – 2023
      • Nomination Form
      • Nominations close Mid-April
      • Plate Partner Slate of Candidates
        • Chosen during April 27th meeting (in place of May 3rd meeting)
        • on-line voting form completed by April 30
      • On-line voting conducted by Board
  • Must: Support for Interfaith Sanctuary
    • Need a stand in  for Reverend Sara during her sabbatical
      • Reverend Sara has been in meetings with other faith leaders on how to support the Interfaith Sanctuary especially at the Boise city council  in April
        • testimony at the April meeting concerning the Interfaith Sanctuaries move will be restricted rather than open
        • the weeks between now and April 18th are crucial
          • planning how to support the Interfaith Sanctuaries move
          • Plans events to support the interfaith sanctuary.
      • Need a representative in the ongoing interfaith meetings wrt interfaith sanctuary
      • Mark can help in April
      • We need a good communicator / liaison
        • People who are had a long term commitment to the Interfaith Sanctuary
          • Jeanette Ross, Rick Groff, Pat Edmundson
        • Reverend Sara will contact them to see if they can help
      • 3/3/22, Rev Sara, Rabbi Fink and Pastor Joe Bankard on Idaho Matters
  • Must: Social Justice Fund/Special Appeal
    • Please review and comment on the shared document below containing policies and guidelines on how to handle the fund
    • https://docs.google.com/document/d/13gG2dJoQh34_3Cr7SJ4BNNzxPbYF4ORgNUJ4-rqRIx0/edit?usp=sharing
    • Tom/Linda thoughts
      • Our thinking on how to use social justice funds is inspired by Rick’s Duck Valley Christmas appeals
      • How do we do this going forward?
      • Dave Woito, 2/19 email: donations directed to the Eight Principle will be tracked as part of Social Justice [section of the budget?]
    • Rev S. would like to establish an ongoing Social Justice fund outside of BUUF budget, using the Social Justice Special Appeal as seed money.
      • How can we use these funds with special attention with respect to the 8th principle?
      • Funding endeavors would come from our discussions rather than a grant processes.
      • Want to work toward a partnership rather than simply giving money.
    • Mark:  want to have the policies published before we do anything with the funds.
    • Need to describe the circumstances under which money is given away.
      • this is a huge responsibility
      • Our goal –  do some good to someone.
    • Diana – I have experience with managing  the money for Rumel (BUUF supported Asylum seeker) from the special appeal for him
      • It is a huge responsibility, to decide when and how to use the funds.
    • Discussion of the Social Justice Funds Policy and Guidelines 
      • To be considered: how to manage the funds and what types of uses they could be used for.
      • Rather than attempt how the “perfect” set of policies, we will refine these as we go along
    • For everyone:
  • Must: Next Meetings
    • Should we switch to Wed from now on?
      • No agreement at this point, but try something other than Tues in April
    • April 4th & April 27th
    • No meeting in May
    • June 8
    • No meeting in July
    • August — mid-month rather than the first week
      • Should we have a longer Resolution planning meeting?
  • Must: Refugee, Immigrant & Asylum Seekers
  • Meeting adjourned

The remainder of the agenda was not discussed and will be carried over to following meetings

long Term Discussions and Planning – Fall Social Justice Workshop

  • Reproductive Justice and  Roe v Wade
  • how to Support for the occupation protest of unhoused community members.
  • How Can We Counter Soft Fascism/Illiberal Democracy Tactics?
  • How can we support democracy in the face of authoritarianism?
    • See The Dark Century by David Brooks
    • teach/support democratic skills:
      • how to weigh evidence and commit to truth;
      • how to correct for your own partisan blinders and learn to doubt your own opinions;
      • how to respect people you disagree with;
      • how to avoid catastrophism, conspiracy and apocalyptic thinking;
      • how to avoid supporting demagogues;
      • how to craft complex compromises