Northwest UU Justice Network

The Northwest UU Justice Network is a growing group of Pacific Northwest Unitarian Universalists (UUs) who believe we can do more to create a just and sustainable world when we connect with each other and work together. The Network’s dual mission is to:

• further the sustainable growth and positive impact of Unitarian Universalist social, economic, and environmental justice work, as we
• increase the ability of UUs in the region to undertake social and environmental justice work as an expression of their UU values and in collaboration with other UUs.

In pursuing this work, Network members make the assumption that we can do more, more easily and to greater effective by working together. This is both an assumption and a reason for being. It is also an expectation against which we measure our progress.

The Network was chartered in the spring of 2011, elected its first Board in early summer of that year and is in the process of developing core programs and network capabilities that support its mission. The Network is powered and led by volunteers and the Network encourages interested individuals to contact us to explore how you might make a difference within the Network and through your justice work. The Network also accepts monetary donations and grants through its fiscal agent, Edmonds Unitarian Universalist Church. The Network recently received two awards from the Unitarian Universalist Fund for Social Responsibility in partial support of its network development efforts.

Core Programs:

• Annual NW UU Justice Summit: UUs working for justice convene at this annual event to learn from and with each other, and to collaborate in their justice work. The first Summit was held October 22, 2011, and drew 77 UU activists who represented more than 20 congregations & organizations from western Washington and Oregon.
• UU Justice Program Census: The Census is currently under development and will list the major justice programs and competencies of congregations and organizations in our region. Eight congregations are presently involved in developing the Census data format and are providing initial data prior to the full launch of the program.
• Issue-Group Support: The Network supports UUs working together both within and across congregations to address justice issues in our local, regional and global communities. The Network will also connect these UU groups to interfaith and other non-sectarian justice groups as it expands. The Network offers web space, training and support for the creation and management of issue-based social networks, as well as shared on-line resources. Issue groups are forming now and will be forming throughout 2012 and beyond.
• Network Website and social networking capability: The Network website, www.trunity.net/UUsConnect/ , supports individuals, groups and congregations, as they share information, programs, resource materials, and events, and as they come together plan and act to build a more just and sustainable world.