SOCIAL JUSTICE COUNCIL CHARTER
Name of Group: Social Justice Council
Effective Date: July 1, 2000.
Mission or Purpose:
To create a proactive, progressive plan for social
action and
community involvement that integrates
social justice work
into the overall life of the congregation
and produces a
significant impact on targeted social justice
issues; and to
involve the congregation in multicultural and
interfaith
collaborative work with other local, national and
international
organizations and faith bodies, including the UUA and UUSC,
on matters of social justice.
Overview of Group's Arena of Activity or Responsibility:
Issues within the realm of social and economic justice, human rights and
environmental action, including collaborative work with multicultural community
organizations and faith bodies that share our values on the issues at hand.
Specific Activities or Task Assignments:
The Social Justice Council shall
focus on five major areas of work, each with its own committee: Economic
Justice, Human Rights, Environmental Action, Peace, and Welcoming Congregation
issues. The Council will strive to develop long-term, relationships with
multicultural community organizations and faith bodies that share our goals
and values-on issues of importance to the community. Committee chairs shall
be members of the Council, and responsible to the Council. Committees within
the Council will be encouraged to recruit and engage other members of the
congregation to participate in their committees, task forces and special
social justice projects, expanding the opportunities for social justice
work to the entire congregation.
The Council and its committees will use a variety of approaches to better fit the different styles and temperaments of congregation members and to appeal to their diverse interests. The five approaches recommended by the UUA's "Social Justice Empowerment Program will be utilized wherever practicable: community service, education and training, witness, advocacy and community organizing.
The Social Justice Council will set goals and objectives, plan and organize
activities, assess and report on activities, maintain communications with
the Board of Trustees, and support its constituent members. The Council
will be responsible for communication and oversight of the planning and
budgeting process of its committees, the reports submitted by its committees,
and leadership development activities for its committee chairs.
Composition of Council:
The Social Justice Council shall be comprised of the Council chair, the
chairs of each Committee of the Council, and representatives from any Task
Forces approved by the Council, all of whom shall be voting members. The
Senior Parish Minister, the Board of Trustees Liaison and the Social Justice
Coordinator will attend and may participate in discussions but are not
voting members.
Reporting Relationships:
Committee chairs shall report to the Social Justice Council Chair and keep
the Chair informed of all projects and activities. The Social Justice Council
Chair will maintain communication with the Board of Trustees Liaison.
Reports and Record-Keeping Expected:
Minutes of each Committee, Task Force and Council meeting shall be recorded
and filed on a timely basis with the Council. Copies of minutes will be
maintained by the Social Justice Coordinator.
Sources of Financial Support:
General budget, local endowment funds and denominational and other grants,
where available.
Board Liaison: Social Justice At Large Council Trustee.
Clergy Liaison: Senior Parish Minister.
Staff Liaison: Coordinator of Social Justice Programs
Date of By-Laws Amendment at Parish Meeting: February 13, 2000.
