The Next Social Action Committee Meeting is: August 16, 12:15 - 1:30pm
Meetings are usually held in the Owl Room. Please join us!
Note: There is NO meeting in July. But we have a Marriage Equality event at MDUUC, and the YRUU and supporters are participating in the AIDS Walk
We are soliciting requests for Share The Plate (STP) for September 2009 - August 2010. Decisions on STPs will be made in late August. Please watch this space and the Beacon for further information.
The Social Action committee's focus for 2009-10 is Economic Hardship, and Civil Justice.
Social Action Committee Events
There's a lot going on ... check out the social justice activities, events, and volunteer opportunities:
Invitation: MDUUC hosting a community gathering on Marriage Equality
Fellow Marriage Equality Supporters –
By now, we’ve all heard that the California Supreme Court has ruled to uphold Prop 8. With marriage equality a reality in Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, New Hampshire and even Iowa, it’s astounding to think that just a year ago same-sex couples could marry and today that right has been snatched away by a mere majority vote. While we are disappointed by this decision, we can’t be discouraged and now’s the time to get engaged!
On Sunday July 12th, from 4 to 6pm at Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church, we will be hosting a community gathering to discuss what we know and what we need to do to regain marriage equality in California.
A broad coalition of community organizations have come together to sponsor the latest California poll on support for marriage equality and initiative options. Results from this poll, along with information on how our county voted on Prop 8, will be shared. We will have an opportunity to not only ask questions, but to provide input on what we’d like to see in a future campaign and find out how we can get involved today.
So I hope to see you on July 12th and bring a friend, we can use all the help we can get!
Volunteers! I will need clean-up assistance and greeters!
Please let me know if you can help with this Visibility event at our Church!
Thanks - Nancy, Chair of Marriage Equality Task Force
Once you register online you can download your sponsor form to print out immediately and receive your Walker Kit from the AIDS Walk office. Or Go Green and get it all online. Encourage your family members and friends to register online to walk with our team - the more the better!
Please join our team and walk on July 19th- it's an important cause and an inspiring day.
Reverend Leslie Takahashi-Morris wrote a letter to President Obama, expressing her disappointment that his Administration has chosen to DEFEND the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA):
Dear President Obama and Team,
I am yet another of your supporters who is stunned at what was uttered by your Justice Department yesterday. To see DOMA defended despite campaign promises to oppose it was a deep sadness. To hear the lines of argument used, arguments that will reinforce stereotypes and fuel hatred against good people living decent lives was shocking. Nothing--not the need for economic recovery or the need to pass the health care which we so desperately need--can justify the despair that this generated. I personally live with all the privileges a heterosexist system gives--and yet my life has been indelibly diminished by being a multiracial child whose father was interned at the Poston Relocation Center in Arizona as part of the relocation of Japanese-Americans in WWII. That too was justified as law that had to be enforced because of larger concerns. As a religious person, I know that a good shelter cannot be built on a corrupt foundation and I believe you know it too. As King said (quoting one of my religious ancestors), "The moral arc of the universe is long but it bends towards justice." Your Justice Department and your administration through complicity have just stepped out of its course and its trajectory. I implore you to reconsider this tragic misuse of the power of your office.
Notice! Please call or write your legislators requesting SINGLE PAYER HEALTH INSURANCE !!
President Obama wants the issue of healthcare for all settled by August! We must have our numbers count! The Senate hearings didn't even allow anyone wanting single payer insurance to testify. The insurance and drug companies are giving legislators tons of money to keep them in the business of taking 33% of the money they collect. And they deny anyone who has had ANY medical problems from getting insurance from them.
This is a huge amount of $ saved if the government accepts the costs. That is what covers Medicare! Also, we need to have the government cut the costs drug companies are charging us for drugs. I went to France and paid $33 for a drug that costs $230 here!
Here are the pertinent people to call or postcard or write or e-mail.
Senator Barbara Boxer
112 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington DC 20510
202 224-3553 or 415 403-0100
Senator Dianne Feinstein
331 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington DC 20515
202 224-3841 or 415 393-0707
Representative Elllen Tauscher
1034 Longworth HOB
Washington DC 25010
202 225-1880 or 925 932-8899
If you do not have Ellen Tauscher Please find out who does represent you and call them or write him or her.
Click here to see a slide show/pictures from a UU member in Berkeley. The Berkeley UU Church came out to Concord to stand with us to fight the battle on this side of the tunnel. Hopefully this weekend I can find time to post my pictures and send you the link for those as well.
MDUUC, and it's friends on the METF list, had 34 people present! Awesome turn out. We have a long road and a lot to do to overturn 8, having extra minds, hearts and hands to help with the journey will make it a much more pleasant road to travel.
Thank you MDUUC for Standing on the side of Love and Justice!
4Equality,
Watch this space for MDUUC efforts to help our schools
Background: The state budget which was passed in February includes $11.6 billion in cuts to K-12 education. This is the equivalent of shutting down every school in the state for 40 days (click here for more information). Even though the state budget has passed, you can still send a message to your legislators letting them know your opinion about the cuts in education
Grant Writing – The Center is so busy helping people, they don’t have the time to look for funds to support their work. They have all the information you’d need; they just need someone to put the pieces together.
Baking Anyone? – They always need cookies to share with the Seniors on Senior Moment Fridays.
Receptionist – They need help answering calls and greeting clients as they come in. This opportunity is available Monday through Thursday from 9am-1pm.
Administrative Help – They need help with filing, and with writing “Thank You” notes. An ideal morning or afternoon to file is Wednesday or Thursday. “Thank You” notes - once a week morning or afternoon is ideal.
If you are interested in any of these opportunities, please contact Bob Lane: boblane01 @ aol.com or 426-1226. Thanks for your help which is needed during these hard times more than ever!
The first-ever MDUUC Justice Fair, as part of our Justice Sunday service, happened on March 29. Thank you so very much to all who shared their passions with all of us. Many of you signed up to help in all sorts of ways, including volunteering at the Monument Crisis Center (an official SAC partner). Drop by the SAC Table to see photos of the event!
Our own Nancy J. was quoted in an article in the Contra Costa Times on the national Freedom to Marry Valentine's Day social action.
MDUUCers are very active in the No Against Prop 8 campaign. That action continues, as congregation members take letters to Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, urging the Board of Supervisors to join the lawsuit against Prop. 8. Come to the next SAC meeting to learn more. The next Marriage Equality meeting will be January 29; check the Beacon for time and place.
