Topical Program Guide - Unitarian Universalist Association of ...

PRESIDENTOne position; four-year termThe Rev. Peter MoralesJefferson Unitarian Church, Golden, COMODERATOROne position; six-year termJim KeyUU Fellowship of Beaufort, SCkeyuumoderator.comThe vision we need, the experienceto get us there. Let me tell you what mycampaign tagline means to me:My vision for all peopleeverywhere is they have the resourcesand opportunities to live authenticand meaningful lives – rich withrelationships, ideas, emotion, creativity,spiritual growth, passion, and enduringachievement. As your Moderator, thiswill be my focus for our members andfriends foremost, and also for those inour wider communities.This vision takes us beyond aninternal focus on our faith – beyondour structural changes, moving ourheadquarters, internal tensions, etc. Itforces us to ask ourselves as we makeany decision of consequence, “How willwhat we are about to do contribute tothe common good of our people and oursociety, and enrich their lives in any ofthe above ways?”It is a vision of congregations filledwith people whose lives are so rich inmeaning, passion and achievement thatpeople will beat down our doors to getwhat we have.My business and UU experienceis detailed on my website –keyuumoderator.com. Here are whysome who know me well think myexperiences prepare me for this position.“Jim’s vision and leadership isweighted toward the priorities ofthe liberal spirit—right relationship,generosity, and inclusion. Our politydemands right relationship between ourBoard of Trustees and our UUA president;Jim has the skills and experience torestore that right relationship. Jimunderstands, as few white allies do, thefuture of our faith lies in our commitmentto proudly multiracial, multiculturalliberal religious communities—andhe knows what it takes to createthese communities.” Rev. RosemaryBray McNatt, Senior Minister, FourthUniversalist Society NYCSlate of Candidates for UUA Election“In my decade on the UUA’s seniorstaff, I increasingly came to understandthat the UUA is a closed system—andthat this drastically limits us. Jim candraw not only upon his wide experiencein our denomination but also on bestpractices from the private and publicsectors the world over. Under Jim ourAssociation will be not closed but wideopen.” Tom Stites, former editor andpublisher – UU World“Jim works in ways that build upconnections among people. He is acommitted and accountable antiracist.His leadership style is accountable toboth process and outcome. He connectslaity, staff, and Ministers into one,effective leadership group. Plus, heknows the finances of the UUA insideout.” Rev. Jeanne Pupke, Senior Minister,First UUC Richmond, VA“The role of moderator requiresan unusual combination of executiveexperience, facilitative outlook, superbpeople skills, and ability to help UUA andcongregational leaders navigate change.Moreover, as our nation becomes moreculturally diverse, the moderator musthave superb cultural competencies.The UUA needs Jim’s talents at this timein our history.” Rev. Archene Turner,Community Minister, MarylandI believe in my bones that thisis OUR FAITH and that we can worktogether to create OUR FUTURE. Thankyou for your support.Tamara Payne-AlexFirst Unitarian Church of San José, CAtamarapaynealex.comBorn into Unitarian Universalism anda multiracial family, I have been shapedby what we Unitarian Universalists teach,what we believe, and what we hope.Through over 30 years of volunteerleadership—as a youth leader in mydistrict, member of the Black ConcernsWorking Group in the 1990s, memberof the Ministerial Fellowship Committeefor six years, at-large trustee on the UUABoard for ten years, and program officerfor the First Unitarian Church of San Joséfor the last four years—I am clear whowe are and who we are called to be. Mycommitment to an ever more inclusiveUnitarian Universalism drives my desireto become the next moderator.Governance: Governance alignedwith our principles is participatory, notsimply representative. Such inclusivegovernance may be messy, but it isalso soul satisfying. I am eager to makeour governance structures even moretransparent and accessible. Grateful thatmore diverse voices are now presentat the table, I can help us to look at thepower dynamics that still privilege somevoices over others—not to shame orblame, but because this work makes allof us more connected and whole.In my professional consultancies,I have used diversity training,organizational development, andcommunity outreach to create effective,inclusive organizations ranging fromairline companies to museums. Myexperiences addressing oppression inthe business and nonprofit worlds aswell as in UU settings will help foster thedialogue, build the partnerships, andstructure our governance so that wemove into a compassionate, courageous,and just future that embodies ourprinciples.Growth: Growth includes throwingwide our doors for all kinds of seekers,while also lifting up those among uswho are sometimes overlooked. Myaging grandparents, once leaders intheir congregation, seemed forgottenafter their pledges ceased. An amazingyoung adult who started a UU group onher college campus is actively growingour faith, but is not a member anywhere.We need a better understanding ofmembership so that more of us areheard and counted. With my leadership,we can discover the practices that keepUnitarian Universalism growing fromwithin as well as without.Access: Folks with family or jobobligations struggle to serve in manyof our elected volunteer positions, andour leadership applicant pool rarelyreflects the age and class diversity thatwe want. I have had a full-time job andfamily throughout my volunteer servicewith the UUA. I want my candidacyto expand the circle of those whomay serve at the highest levels of ourassociation. Partnering with the boardand committees, I will structure our workso that a wider range of talented folkscan serve as leaders.In sum, I bring my love for UnitarianUniversalism, my years of service, myclarity, creativity, and commitment to therole of moderator. Let us respond boldlyand lovingly to the call to become a moreinclusive and relevant faith. Be a delegateand vote for Tamara for UUA moderator!2013 General Assembly 123