What a Spring it has been! Two new staff members have joined the team. We had a great turnout for our first Water Conference, and the Human Right to Water Bill is out of committee! Health care story collection is in full swing. Young adult UUs are busy planning the next Water Justice Road Trip for this August, and we await word on Prop 8 from the State Supreme Court.

 

When Supreme Court of California renders its decision on Prop 8 there will be a flurry of events around the state.  Click here to find ways to connect to these events and the Day of Decision events in your own local community. Join with thousands ready to March for Equality alongside civil rights leaders from around the country and state. Gather with friends and supporters converging in peaceful witness on Fresno to “Meet in the Middle” for celebration or protest.  Transportation solutions to all events can be found here. Our office will be helping to lead and coordinate events as the LGBT community and supporters assemble to respond to the court’s decision. 

 

Our first go round as co-sponsors of legislation has been an eye-opening and remarkable experience. Executive Director Lindi Ramsden talks about what it has felt like to be part of this Bill and what it represents…(read more)

 

More than 100 UU leaders from around California met at Mt. Diablo UU on April 18 to share information, hear from experts and get a preview of our new Water Justice Curriculum. The day was packed with workshops led by people as diverse as Californian Susana De Anda from The Community Water Center and Washington DC based Paul Schwartz, Clean Water Action National Policy Coordinator.  We also heard a moving account of the struggle of the Winnemem Wintu to save the salmon, their lands and traditional way of life along the McCloud River….(read more and view photos)

 

Beginning in the Bay area we are embarking on a statewide project to collect the stories that UUs have to share about their experiences with our current health care system. One such story is that of UU Volunteer Health Care Organizer Thomas Atwood……(read more)

Last year's Water Justice Road Trip was such a success that some of its participants are busy organizing new sites, new encounters and new vistas for this year’s participants. If you are interested in environmental issues, or have an abiding curiosity for this State and its people and you are between the ages of 18 and 30, or know someone who is, sign up for updates as soon as they become available. (Click here to send email request for registration and more info)

 

The month of March brought new faces to UULM and the Action Network. Betty Jeanne Rueters-Ward and Reverend Anne Hoffmann are our new part time staff members. Read about them HERE and thank you to all the donors who made these part time positions possible.