Dear Friends,

The election is close at hand. What we do at this pivotal moment in history will teach our children far more than what we say about democracy and civic life. 

Many UUs are active all over this state doing amazing work. There are many others who have been thinking about participating, but who have not yet gotten involved.  Whatever the candidate or cause closest to your heart, from climate change to marriage equality, from the presidential race to school board, now is the time to make it a priority. There are only 18 days left.  Please plan to vote by mail (remember your ballot must be received, not mailed, by Nov 4th) so that you may donate your time on election day to the cause of your choice. 

History is made by those who show up.

Thanks and blessings,

Rev. Lindi Ramsden

Voter Guide for 2008 Propositions

2008 Voter Guide

UULM Action Network Positions for November 2008 - Suggestions and Explanations

There are, count ‘em, 12 ballot measures on the November ballot.  This past year, while trying to discourage people from signing petitions to stop marriage equality, we got to see the paid signature gathering process up close and personal.  It was sobering. Many people have little idea what they are signing.  Seeing parental notification on the ballot for the third time (Prop 4), is a reminder that wealthy donors can continue to buy access to our decision making process, causing a severe drain on the resources of the community.  Ever wonder why aren’t there donation limits to ballot measures?

Many thanks to the UULM Action Network’s Ballot Measures Committee, who coordinated a process of getting input from UU experts across the state to help us sort out the pros and cons of some complex issues.  A chart comparing positions of organizations from labor to business, and from faith to civil rights groups can be downloaded, printed and shared at church.  UULM Action Network took positions on many, but not all propositions. The reasoning behind the recommendations of the UULM Action Network Board are posted here.  We don’t pretend to represent the views of all UUs, but do our best to weigh the pros and cons in light of our principles, whenever possible consulting UUs with experience in the field in question. Comments or questions are welcomed by Lee Lawrence, Ballot Measures Committee chair.

Staff Transition - Thanks and Welcome

UULM is strengthening our ministry by growing into full time staffing.  We are profoundly grateful for the talented part-time staff who have helped UULM to get established. Vivien Hao helped us strengthen our media and communications work. Christy Baker served as our loyal Executive Assistant. Beverley Boido has served in our office as both a volunteer and temp office assistant. Suzanne Marsh gave us a foundation in health care education and organizing during her ministerial internship.  As we restructure UULM to build a full time staff for our work, these fine folks are moving on to other internships, work and school – Vivien to her PR business (while generously volunteering on the marriage campaign), Suzanne is serving in a parish ministry internship in New York, Beverly has resumed her volunteer role in our office, and Christy has shifted to a new role, on loan to the No on 8 effort as an interfaith organizer.   We are profoundly honored by each of their contributions to UULM.

Operations Manager: Welcome Sharon!  
The UU Legislative Ministry is thrilled to welcome Sharon Stone, our first full time Operations Manager.  Sharon was raised in San Jose and moved to Sacramento to receive Bachelor degrees in Public Relations and Art from CSU Sacramento.  She has worked many years in the nonprofit sector with organizations such as Loaves & Fishes, Planned Parenthood, and the American Red Cross.  While in search of religious philosophy and a sense of community, she and her husband, Bryan, joined the Unitarian Universalist church three years ago.  They are proud first time parents of a baby girl, Lorelai, who came into their lives last April.   Sharon can be reached at:   admin@uulmca.org (916) 441-0018 x 200.

Program Manager    After the election, UULM will begin a formal search for our third full-time staff member, a Program Manager to join Lindi and Sharon in our Sacramento office.

No on Proposition 8 - Updates

UULM’s Action Network established a PAC to promote UU values in relationship to ballot measures.  Yesterday, our PAC organizers took the lead in organizing nine interfaith clergy phone banks and press events throughout the state to highlight the support of people of faith for marriage equality.   From Cloverdale to San Diego, from Baptist to Buddhist, clergy and rabbis came together to step outside their comfort zone and call undecided voters.

"It was incredibly moving" said Jan Garbosky, San Diego organizer, we had 32 clergy show up from American Catholic to UU, they just kept streaming into headquarters. It was amazing." In the process they were inspired by their colleagues to more deeply engage their own congregations and to take risks to preach more openly about their position. 

From CBS to FOX, as well as various print and local TV stations, the press came out to see the clergy in action and hear their testimony.  A special thanks to the staff of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation who helped to turn out the media, and to our wonderful lead organizers: Jan Garbosky in San Diego, the Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong in Orange County, Kerry Chaplin  in LA, Lisa Morningstar in Santa Barbara, the Rev. Diana Gibson in San Jose, Melissa Allen and the Rev. Leslie Takahashi – Morris in Walnut Creek, Betty Jeanne Rueters-Ward in San Francisco, Alison Beck and Ruby Cymrot-Wu in the East Bay, and Deborah Mason in Santa Rosa.  What a team effort!

Phone Bank or Phone from Home

Now that our clergy have modeled their commitment, we would like to inspire at least 50% plus one of the UUs in California to take a shift on a local phone bank, or… if you don’t have one near you, but you do have access to high speed internet, you can now phone bank from home.  Get started calling from home by contacting Jeff Melcher, jmelcher@uulmca.org who is coordinating the faith communities call from home efforts and he will help you get up and rolling.  Calling voters is the most important thing you can do to help defeat Proposition 8. To find a phone bank near you, go the the No on 8 website.

Low Carbon Challenge  - News and Inspiration

 Help Us Loose One Million Pounds by Earth Day 2009

UU congregations large and small across California have been working through the Low Carbon Challenge curriculum, making changes in their lives, and dropping tens of thousands of pounds of carbon emissions. Questions arise about the reporting numbers, the difference diet makes, transportation calculations and more. But through it all, people are becoming more aware, and are lowing their carbon foot print.

Connie Young's article "How I Lost 2,480 Pounds,"  published in the FresnoBee typifies some of the experiences of weeding through our daily choices to find a better way. Connie is a member of the UU Church of Fresno.

Together we think we can loose one million pounds of carbon emission reductions by April 22, 2009! We invite your congregation to join us, form a "Carbon Ring," and Take the UU Low Carbon Challenge. Contact Rachel Morris for more information.

Wake up, Freak Out, Then Get a Grip

If you feel you need more motivation and inspiration, here's an artsy little video about the issue that is threatening to eclips us all - the climate change tipping point. In just a few minutes this amazing little cartoon clearly and acurately describes the pink elephant of the American Way. A must see for humanity.

Quote for the Day - Frances Moore Lappé

"I think back to when I was growing up in Forth Worth, Texas, in the 1950s, during the McCarthy era, with two parents who founded a Unitarian Church. We lived in a little frame house, and my bedroom was just down the hall from the kitchen. My favorite memories of childhood are of the smell of coffee wafting into my bedroom as my parents and their friends talked about the
big, important things--about racism and about how to move our country to live its values. So the good life for me always meant connecting with those big, important issues that grown-ups get so excited about. 

A life-long mission has been to counter the notion that political engagement is the spinach we must eat in order to have the dessert of freedom. Engagement IS the good life. What could be more exciting than getting involved in something that you care about and joining with others
and seeing something change? What could be more thrilling?"  - Frances Moore Lappé

To contribute to the UULM Action Network CA and/or the UULM-CA, please visit our Donation pages. UULM Action Network, CA (non-tax deductible) UULM-CA (Tax deductible, for educational purposes). Monthly donors are vital to our work, and one time donations are also gratefully received.