UUCC Social Justice
Mission of the Social Justice Program:
To shape a more just and equitable community through advocacy, education, and service.
Because of our belief in our inherent worth and mutual interdependency, UUs have a strong commitment to and history rooted in social justice. Back in the 1960’s our UUCC minister and many church members were active in the civil rights movement, participating in sit-ins and protests for equal rights and the desegregation of local hospitals and public schools. Our religious association, the UUA, takes strong visible stands nationally on many important social justice issues, including: gender equality, LBGT (Lesbian, Bi-sexual, Gay and Transgender) equality, environmental justice, living wage, immigration, and peace.
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Charlotte has been actively engaged in choosing a direction for our effective and responsible Social Justice actions. While we have a number of projects that our members are committed to (see Outreach and Other Social Justice Efforts), a vote was taken at a special congregational meeting in 2008 to select a social justice project that we could all unite around and devote much of our energy and resources to. The issue selected was Homelessness and Affordable Housing.
The Social Justice Program falls under the direction and management of the Social Justice Team. Responsibilities of the Social Justice Team include:
- Ensuring that Social Justice projects are congruous with UU philosophy, UUCC’s Ends, and the mission and goals of the Social Justice Program.
- Collaborating with other UUCC programming, such as R.E. and Adult Education, to strengthen the effectiveness of the Social Justice Program.
- Monitoring and tracking progress of approved projects to assess whether the strategies, milestones, and goals of those projects are being met.
- Coordinating with the UUCC Coordinating Team on budgetary and resource needs.
- Judiciously reviewing proposals for continuation of existing projects and one-time service or advocacy projects, keeping in mind limits on church resources.
- Promoting the activities and achievements of the Social Justice Program to members and the wider community.
- Ensuring there is explicit religious reasoning as a foundation of the Social Justice Program.
The Strategic Planning Team (SPT) reports to the Social Justice Team on a regular basis. The SPT actively plans the Social Justice actions within the congregation. Its responsibilities include:
- Researching the issue
- Conducting stakeholder analysis
- Developing a multi-year action plan
- Delegating responsibility to Action Groups and providing coordination and oversight as needed.
Action Groups are the “worker bees,” those who participate in the direct services. These groups are currently being formed as activities and programs are beginning to be identified. These Action Groups will focus in various areas related to:
- Advocacy
- Education
- Direct Service
- Communication
- Volunteer Management
How Can You Help?
- Get involved in one of the programs that already exist within our church community (see Outreach and
Other Social Justice Efforts). . - Become involved in other direct services. You can click here to review the SPT Resource Notebook, also available in the Church office. The notebook outlines opportunities and needs in a variety of issue-related agencies.
- Volunteer to share your expertise in the areas of database and resource library building, organizational support, volunteer coordination, community advocacy activities, or whatever you see as a need or opportunity. Contact the SPT Team.
- Volunteer to participate in an Action Group or become a Team Leader. Contact the SPT Team.
- Participate in the numerous congregational educational opportunities provided.
- Read Charlotte’s 10 year plan to prevent Homelessness.