Attending Youth Council 1986:

Youth Office Staff: David Levine (outgoing YPS), Kathryn Deal (ongoing YPS), Meg Wilson (incoming YPS), Ellen Brandenburg (YPD).

Youth Council Reps: Marty Beck, BCD; Anne Savage, MetroNY; Regan Conley, PCD; Corey Thompson, CMD; Ellen Lamphier, MiD; Becky Scott, PNWD; Tina Adkinson, CMwD; Leigh Berrey, MSD; Jennifer Moody, PSWD; Jessica Kehl, CVD; Dylan Smith, MdD; Ashley Nelson, PSD; Leia Durland, SWD; Dayna Stoddard, NH/VT; Coleen Murphy, FLD; Krista Zidowecki, NED; Ginnie Kilgore, SWD; Dorothy Haigler, JPD; Leah LaCivita, OMD; Samantha Johnson, TJD; Elizabeth Collins, MassBay; Debbie Silverman, OVD; Scott Keeler, WCD; Sean Toomey, Jr. High At-Large; Deborah Dixon, Sr. High At-Large; Tony Donatelli, Post-High At-Large; Dorothy Boroush, Adult; Lark Matis, Adult; Peggie McComb, Adult; Julie-Ann Silberman, Adult; Polly Vaughn, Adult; Arlene Wouters, Adult; Nathan Ackroyd, SC; Johanne Babb, SC; Candace Corrigan, SC; Josh Young, SC; Colin Credle, REAC; Ann Harnar, BOT, Colin Bird, Moderator.

LOCATION: University of Portland, Portland, OR

DATE: August 11-15, 1986

Short, yet Potent Resolutions - YC 1986

Be It Resolved that the Youth Staff be recharged with the responsibility, from the Youth Council 1985 resolution to compile a book, by subject, of past and present Youth Council resolutions for quick and easy reference.

Be It Resolved that the recommendation of the 1985 Youth Council, that the Youth Staff keep a spiritual log-book, no longer be in effect.

Be It Resolved that Youth Council reaffirms that Youth Staff should send a compilation of Youth Council representatives' interim reports to all representatives in addition to Steering Committee minutes.

Be It Resolved that the 1987 Con Con be held in Eastern Canada, and that neighboring districts' Youth Council members help to form the local committee and provide support in finding a site.

Be It Resolved that a site shall be reserved for Con Con two years in advance.

Be It Resolved that a rotational system for the location of Con Con be designed by the Steering Committee.

Be It Resolved that the bylaw amendments recommended by Youth Council 1985 which were published in Synapse 60 days in advance be accepted.

Be It Resolved that Youth Council 1986 refer the proposed bylaw amendment to article V section 2 to the Steering Committee for refinement, 60 day prior publication, and for action at Youth Council 1987.

Be It Resolved that the Youth Staff shall publish proposed amendments to article V section 3, proposed by Youth Council 1985, in Synapse at least 60 days prior to Youth Council 1987, for action at Youth Council 1987.

Be It Resolved that Con-Con should be age inclusive, with age-specific programming for the three age groups within YRUU. The responsibility for developing the age-specific programming for Con-Con is that of the Steering Committee. At the same time, we encourage age-specific district and regional conferences.

Transitions Between Age Groups - YC 1986

Whereas the needs of people in transition between youth programs are not being met,

Therefore Be It Resolved that the Youth Office shall organize and distribute written material in order to facilitate comfortable transitions.

YRUU-YAMs Relations - YC 1986

Whereas the Young Adult Ministries (YAMs) is potentially a logical progression and overlap of YRUU, and

Whereas the YRUU internship provides invaluable leadership experience,

Therefore Youth Council recommends that a young adult internship program shall be established in conjunction with the permanent Adult Programs Coordinator.

YRUU Age Range Limit - YC 1986

Whereas there is presently no continental young adult structure to serve the needs of youth over 18, and

Whereas the fundamental UU belief of personal choice allows those in overlapping age groups to pace themselves in the transition from one group to another,

Therefore Be It Resolved that Youth Council 1986 does not find this issue applicable until such a continental young adult structure exists.

Resolutions on Gender Balance and Inclusiveness - YC 1986

Whereas it is recognized that females far outnumber males among the ranks and leadership of YRUU, and

Whereas this situation prevents YRUU from living up to its full potential as a healthy organization,

Therefore Be It Resolved that districts should solicit male participation at junior high, senior high, and post high and advisor levels.

Whereas there exists a need for RE curricula addressing the issues of homophobia, intimidation between the genders, and male liberation,

Therefore Be It Resolved that Youth Council 1986 expresses its support for the continuing efforts in the area of gender identity of the UUA RE Dept. curriculum team and

Be It Further Resolved that the Youth Council urges this curriculum team to be in close contact with the Youth Staff and other designated youth concerning curriculum material specific to youth.

Whereas there is a need for both men and women to feel equally a part of YRUU and connected to each other, and

Whereas Synapse is a useful tool for reaching out to both men and women,

Therefore Be It Resolved that the Spring 1987 issue of Synapse be dedicated to celebrating masculinity and femininity, with the following suggested inclusions:

1. Articles on homophobia toward self and others;
   
2. Ideas for workshops on male liberation;
   
3. Articles to raise female consciousness of male problems and vice versa;
   
4. Contributions from male and female ministers.

Be It Further Resolved that the best articles from this Synapse issue be contributed to the UU World.

Resolutions on Interracial and Cultural Inclusiveness - YC 1986

Whereas geographically speaking, the time has come to plan a Con-Con in the south central part of the continent, and

Whereas the South has historically had one of the largest populations of ethnic minorities in the United States,

Therefore Be It Resolved that Con-Con 1988 be held in the SouthWest district of the UUA.

Whereas there is a need to address the lack of inclusiveness of racial minorities within our denomination,

Therefore Be It Resolved that Con-Con 1988 and the year to follow be thematically dedicated to Interracial and Cultural understanding,

Be It Further Resolved that the best articles from this Synapse be contributed to the UU World.

Whereas YRUU is committed to racial and cultural inclusiveness,

Therefore Be It Resolved that we will spend time and money to announce to the denomination the birth of a new consciousness-raising effort in the hope that they will join our effort. Specifically, time and money will be spent in the following ways:

1. Youth Staff shall be responsible for the submitting of an article to the UU World within the 1986-87 year outlining the intentions and resolutions of YRUU on racial and cultural inclusiveness.
   
2. Youth Staff shall contact the Urban Church Coalition about utilizing their communications network to send out a special mailing to minority youth in our denomination announcing our intentions and resolutions on racial inclusiveness.
   
3. Youth Staff shall establish contact with the Whitney Young fund about the possibility of support for minority YRUUers to participate in YRUU activities, including Con-Con 1988.

Resolution on Continental Leadership - YC 1986

We recommend that avenues of funding an annual CYLC be explored. If that is not feasible, then Regional Youth Leadership Development Conferences should be held at various locations around the continent.

We recommend that the Youth Office explore the possibilities of developing a Local Leadership Development Curriculum to follow the LIFT training model.

We recommend that a model be developed for the training of adult advisors.

We further recommend that such a model include the role of and guidelines for adult advisors, keeping in mind that the role of advisors is not a directive role but rather an advisory one.

We recommend that a regular section of Synapse be devoted to issues of adult advisors. It will be written by both youth and adults.

We further recommend that when completed, the above-mentioned set of rules and guidelines for advisors be published in the Advisor's section of Synapse.

District Structure Resolutions - YC 1986

Whereas there is a need for increased communication between district YRUU bodies and the UUA district boards,

Be It Resolved that the Continental Youth Council recommends that:

1. A member of each district youth governing body pursues a voting position on its district UUA board.
   
2. Each district YRUU governing body have a voting position filled by a member of its district UUA board.

Whereas there have been resolutions and ideas on policy and procedure which are in the minutes of past Youth Council and Steering Committee meetings,

Be It Resolved that the YRUU Youth Staff be charged with editing and compiling a packet of current policies and procedures and that this packet be distributed to all Youth Council members in the regular Youth Council packet.

Whereas one of the functions of Youth Council is to facilitate and encourage the formation and continuation of strong and effective district structures,

Be It Resolved that Youth Council 1986 representatives distribute the District Structures Resource Packet to the members of their respective youth governing bodies annually.

Whereas there is a need for increased communication between youth governing bodies and district RE committees,

Be It Resolved that district RE committees be requested to assign a representative to the district youth governing bodies.

Resolutions on Youth Council Effectiveness - YC 1986

Whereas the preliminary information and the Youth Council member packet are unclear and incomplete, and

Whereas it is deemed necessary to provide guidelines for preparation of such information,

Therefore Be It Resolved that such information shall be provided to all Youth Council members in the following format:

1. Prepacket




• A welcoming letter including:




• The city in which Youth Council will be held,
  
• Dates and preferred times of arrival,
  
• By-law amendments,
  
• A request for district concerns which are wanted on the agenda.
  
• Volunteers to lead worships, and
  
• Any other pertinent information deemed necessary by the Youth Staff




• It is not necessary to include Steering Committee minutes from throughout the year in this packet due to the distribution of these minutes to YCRs at other times.




2. Packet (to be compiled in this order).




• Section I: Information




• Cover letter
  
• Purposes and Principles of both YRUU and the UUA
  
• Participants list -- returning SC members and second year reps should be indicated.
  
• Travel information, map of the site, etc.




• Section II: Handbook




• Proposed YC schedule
  
• Proposed YC agenda--background information and related issues for each item
  
• Job Description written by the 1985 Role and Job Description Commission, including specific dates reports are due
  
• Steering Committee--brief job description, election process and sample ballot
  
• Information on worship
  
• UUA model
  
• Current district map--including geographic corrections
  
• Bylaws and amendments
  
• Alphabet Soup
  
• Updated Consensus Process Guide
  
• Robert's Rules Translated




• Section III: Policies, Procedures, Rules, and Regulations




• A list of all resolutions currently in effect, including those from previous year's Youth Council. -- Perhaps send Policies & Procedures Manual?




• Section IV: YC Minutes




• Previous Year's minutes
  
• Task Group Reports




• Section V: Steering Committee Minutes




• October SC minutes
  
• January SC minutes(sic)
  
• April SC minutes




• Section VI: Reports




• Staff reports for current year-Youth Consultant's report should include budget
  
• Position of Appraisal Report
  
• UUA Board member report
  
• Steering Committee report




• Section VII: District Reports




• Current reports from all YCRs




• Section VIII: Programs, Opportunities, and Ideas




• Information to be included as it arises, as in previous packets




• Section IX: Information Needed by Youth Office

Resolution on Youth Council Meeting - YC 1986

Whereas the YRUU YC must review policy for the last year and make decisions as to the priorities, budget recommendations, and direction of the youth programs of the UUA for the coming year,

Whereas the purpose of the YRUU YC is to form a united body of dedicated, committed youth, to provide a support network for districts, to be a practical resource for the districts, and to provide a forum for voicing concerns of the districts, and

Whereas the YC responsibility toward YCR includes fostering spirituality, providing the opportunity to share district experience and providing opportunities for youth to develop leadership,

Therefore Be It Resolved that to better serve the purposes of YRUU YC and to better meet the needs of the YC members and the districts or constituencies they represent, the following YC processes be implemented:

1. Reports from the YRUU Youth Staff, the REAC liaison, the UUA Board rep, and the YRUU SC presented at YC will report what has happened over the past year and focus on identifying the issues that need YC action and on presenting these issues in a format which can be addressed by YC.
2. Rap groups consisting of 5-6 YC members from a certain region and at least one SC member will address the problems occurring within the districts. From these rap groups, issues of general YRUU concern would be identified in terms of questions requiring continental attention. YS would serve as "floating" resources to these rap groups.
3. The process of "Taking the Vision Home" will include a discussion about the repercussions of the resolutions passed at YC and how YCRs can put these into effect.

Be It Further Resolved that to build community within the Youth Council as a whole and any subgroup of YC, the following ideas be implemented:

1. Group exercises be designed to facilitate closeness and positive group functioning and used at the beginning of all groups.
2. Worship planning for Youth council will be delegated to YC members volunteering to each coordinate a worship.
3. The dorm room assignments for YC be such that YC staff share rooms with non-staff YC participants, unless otherwise requested by the staff members.

Resolution on Followthrough - YC 1986

Whereas YCRs invest a great deal of emotional and intellectual energy into Youth Council, and

Whereas this 1986 Youth Council has determined that certain YRUU programs and activities should be implemented in the coming year, and

Whereas this Youth Council has developed specific directives or resolutions to clarify how said programs and activities should be implemented, and

Whereas the tremendous collective effort to determine programs and develop directions is for naught if said directives are not effectively communicated and followed through during the year,

Therefore Be It Resolved that to enable better follow-through on YC directives by all responsible parties, the following procedures shall be implemented:

1. Youth Council minutes shall be sent to all attendees, and scheduled attendees, within one month of the completion of YC. A summary of activities to be performed, and responsibility therefore, shall be extracted from minutes, highlighted and communicated to those responsible in a separate format included with said mailing. In said mailing, job descriptions for YCRs would be reiterated, so that YCRs understand their year-round responsibilities.
2. The YCRs must maintain the vision of themselves as leaders within the continental movement and within their districts. They shall strive to foster leadership among their peers by sharing information, encouraging participation in YRUU activities at all levels, and recommending good candidates for volunteer and Youth Staff positions. It is the YCR's responsibility to seek the resources, moral support, and direction required to carry out his or her task; pats on the back are welcome in all forms and from all sources. As stated before, YCRs are expected to report regularly on the status of YRUU activities within their districts; they may be expected to make thorough reports at a future YC. Additionally, YCRs are encouraged to present, through their SC contact person, concerns for consideration at a meeting of the SC or YC. YCRs are to notify the YO promptly when a new YCR has been chosen.
3. The SC is responsible for establishing priorities among the several directives emanating from YC, making assignments to the YS, and monitoring their progress on same. Initiatives by staff on other projects should be cleared with SC before significant time or funds are committed.
4. To assist YCRs to be effective throughout the year, as well as to provide moral support and better connectedness to SC activities, each SC member shall be assigned 2-3 YCRs with whom to maintain contact during the year. These assignments should be made on a geographic basis as much as possible. Each SC member representing a district shall be assigned to be the communication link for that district. The SC members shall keep contact with his/her assigned YCRs or District and specifically shall call them after each SC meeting to give an informal report of actions taken and decisions made. This "telephone tree" mechanism can also be used during the year if there is a need to consult other YCRs about a proposed SC action. Communication with YCRs, should solicit and present nominees for the at-large youth and adult slots to be filled.