Present: Amalie Andrew, Joseph Priestley; Sienna Baskin, Ongoing YPS; Brian Beck, Southwest; Arnie Birren, Central Midwest; Chris Bosworth, Outgoing Steering Committee; Ann Buckmaster, Adult-At-Large; Melissa Cain, Transitional Age Range Representative; Rob Cavenaugh, Youth Council Moderator; Tom Cranston, Adult-At-Large; Candace Cross, Ohio Valley; Phyllis Daniel, Steering Committee and UUA Trustee; Doug D'Attilio, Saint Lawrence; Kathryn Deal, Pacific Soutwest District Youth Consultant/Guest; Robette Dias, Adult-At-Large; Emily Dornblazer, Thomas Jefferson; Jessie Eller-Isaacs, Outgoing Steering Committee; Gregor Faron, Metro New York; Jen Harrison, Youth Programs Director; Chris Helwig, Florida; Mandy Jacobson, Position on Appraisal, Steering Committee; Ben Kidder, Mountain; Stefanie Knipfer, Prairie Star; Aaron Kucharski, Central Mass; Connie LaFerriere, Pacific Southwest District Executive/Guest; Mimi LaValley, Ohio-Meadville; Evan Lehman-Baker, Desert; Jeff Liebman, Adult-At-Large; Tera Little, Adult-At-Large, Steering Committee; Joey Lyons, C*UUYAN Guest; Duncan Metcalfe, Outgoing Steering Committee; Matt Moore, Ballou Channing; Erica Nicols, Pacific Central; Sarah Pappas, Connecticut Valley; Danielle Picard, Western Canada; Austin Putman, Incoming YPS; Alison Purcell, Outgoing YPS; David Ramsey, Outgoing Steering Committee; Tracey Robinson-Harris, UUA Guest; Geoff Schwarz, Canadian At-Large; Meghan Springer, Pacific Northwest; Emily Stainer, C*SAC; Marki Sveen, Outgoing Steering Committee; Abbey Tennis, Mass. Bay; Chris Trace, Mid South; Laura Trumbull, Michigan; Katie Vercouteren, New Hampshire/Vermont; Dana Waichunas, Northeast; Evan White, Pacific Southwest; Geoff Woodman, GA Business Manager;

Absent: Rev. Carol Johnson, Adult-At-Large; Rev. Greg Stewart, Adult-At-Large

LOCATION: Whittier, CA
DATE: July 29th, 1998

Resolution for the Creation of a "Fund for a Better World" - Practice Resolution - YC 1998

BECAUSE the YRUU Programs Specialists who work in the Youth Office are honest, diligent, and hardworking employees of the UUA; and

WHEREAS they feel under-appreciated every now and then; and

WHEREAS Unitarian Universalists affirm the inherent worth and dignity of all people and, well, YPS's are people; and

WHEREAS the 80's hit song "She Works Hard for Her Money" is constantly in the back of their minds; and

WHEREAS the phrase "over-worked and under-paid" bears a lot of relevance for these fabulous youth workers; and

WHEREAS "wouldn't it be great to have ConCon 2000 on the beach?"; and

WHEREAS the world will benefit from the removal of all stress upon these two individuals;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that a "Fund for a Better World" be established for the eventual retirement for Sienna and Alison to Bermuda or any other tropical island for that matter; and

>BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that every UU between the ages of 14-20 make a minimum donation of $20.00 to the fund; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that several physically attractive personal attendants be hired to massage, feed, and bathe Sienna and Alison whenever they request; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Sienna and Alison be open to sporatic visits from any youth that want to come and have a daquiri (virgin, of course) on the beach with them;

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that all of these criteria be met by January 1, 1999 (we hear Bermuda is just splendid at that time of year!).

Resolution to Envision a New Structure for Youth Programs at General Assembly - YC 1998

BECAUSE youth attendance at GA has grown from an average of 60 youth to the current average of 300 youth as a result of the Youth Focus in '96; and

WHEREAS the size of Youth Caucus staff and the amount of funding for Youth Programs at GA has not increased sufficiently to reflect the growing needs of such a large community; and

WHEREAS grants and other outside sources have been crucial in funding a large portion of the Youth Caucus budget, requiring time and energy from the Youth Office staff to obtain and administer; and

WHEREAS althugh Youth Caucus at GA '98 was a success, it was clear to the staff that Youth Programs at GA need to be drastically re-worked;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Youth Office be charged to envision a new Youth Caucus structure that will address the aforementioned challenges; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Youth Office also research annual funding for this new structure; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Youth Office will present all of its findings to the '98-'99 Steering Committee at their fall meeting; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the '98-'99 Steering Committee review the findings of the Youth Office and revise the current job descriptions of the GA staff to fit within the new structure.

Resolution to Create Joint Youth/Young Adult Social Action Conference - YC 1998

BECAUSE Unitarian Universalists believe in putting their faith in action; and

BECAUSE we believe that youth and young adults can greatly benefit from acquiring skills in social action; and

WHEREAS there is a need to improve the difficult transition from YRUU to the young adult movement; and

WHEREAS there is currently a lack of social action leadership within the youth and young adult movements; and

WHEREAS we believe that youth and young adults working in partnership to change the world will dramatically benefit our entire religious movement;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the 1998 Youth Council begin the process of developing a youth/young adult social action leadership development conference; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the 1998-99 Steering Committee explore funding of this conference and build working partnerships with organizations such as Faith in Action, W.O., Young Adult Campus Ministries, YRUU, and UU granting sources; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the 1998-99 Steering Committee appoint a task force of both youth and young adults to formulate a clear mission statement and a plan of action who will then report back to Steering Committee; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the 1998-99 Steering Committee report back to Youth Council 1999 with information on funding possibilities and initial conference details.

Action on 2nd Year Proposed By-law Amendments - Resolution on the Removal of At-Large Youth Designations From the Bylaws - YC 1998

BECAUSE YRUU is a youth organization with constantly changing leadership and needs, and

BECAUSE these changing needs require that the Youth Council take swift action in order to best serve its constituencies, and

BECAUSE changing Youth Council Youth At-Large positions is one appropriate method of dealing with these changes, and

WHEREAS bylaw changes such as these takes two years and UUA Board Approval, and

WHEREAS it is not necessary to involve the UUA Board in minor YRUU policy matters, and

WHEREAS the YRUU Youth Council has historically changed the Youth At-Large designations on a regular basis, and

WHEREAS removing the Youth At-Large designations will make YRUU more flexible to meet its own needs,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Article V, Section 1b of the YRUU bylaws be amended to read: " Four At-Large youth whose roles and responsibilities will be determined by the Youth Council."

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the current Youth At-Large designations of Continental Social Action Coordinator, GA Business Manager, and Transitional Age Range Representative be kept until the Youth Council amends the designations with a two thirds vote;

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the deleted text from Article V, Section 1b of the YRUU bylaws be considered YRUU policy;

THEREFORE BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that future Youth Council and Steering Committees are encouraged to examine the Youth At-Large designations in relationship to the needs of continental YRUU.

Article V, Section 1
b) Four at-large youth whose roles and responsibilities will be determined by the Youth Council. [Three at-large youth: One shall represent Social Action concerns, also serving as the Continental Social Action Coordinator. One youth shall be a liason to the General Assembly of the UUA, also serving as Business Manager for Youth Caucus. One youth shall be the Transitional Age Range Representative, representing either post high or junior high, as previously determined by the Steering Committee.]

[Bracketed text to be deleted], to be replaced by underlined text

Motion that Steering Committee examine the method by which the Social Action Theme is chosen and make a recomendation to the 1999 Youth Council. - YC 1998

Resolution to Create Joint Youth/Young Adult Social Action Conference - YC 1998

BECAUSE Unitarian Universalists believe in putting their faith in action; and

BECAUSE we believe that youth and young adults can greatly benefit from acquiring skills in social action; and

WHEREAS there is a need to improve the difficult transition from YRUU to the young adult movement; and

WHEREAS there is currently a lack of social action leadership within the youth and young adult movements; and

WHEREAS we believe that youth and young adults working in partnership to change the world will dramatically benefit our entire religious movement;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the 1998 Youth Council begin the process of developing a youth/young adult social action leadership development conference; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the 1998-99 Steering Committee build working partnerships with organizations such as Faith in Action, W.O., YAC/M, YRUU, and UU granting sources; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the 1998-99 Steering Committee appoint a task force of both youth and young adults to explore funding of this conference and formulate a clear mission statement and a plan of action who will then report back to Steering Committee; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the 1998 Youth Council delegate $1000 from the LRY Endowment to reserve a site for the conference for the fall of 1999 with possibility for partial refund; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the 1998-99 Steering Committee report back to Youth Council 1999 with information on funding possibilities and initial conference details.

Resolution to Begin to Fund Programs Which Will Broaden Diversity in YRUU - YC 1998

BECAUSE YRUU has a responsibility to provide and manifest greater understanding of Unitarian Universalism to its youth; and

BECAUSE developing personal growth and leadership is a goal of YRUU; and

BECAUSE the current structure of YRUU is ineffective in serving the need of youth of color; and

WHEREAS establishing racial identity and living with racism impact youth of color and white youth differently; and

WHEREAS YRUU is composed primarily of white members; and

WHEREAS Youth Council desires that the LRY endowment fund be used for creating and supporting new youth programs; and

WHEREAS Diverse Revolutionary UU Multicultural Ministries (DRUUMM) is a grassroots organization dedicated to serving UUs of color, including youth;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that $2500 of the 1998-99 YRUU Program Fund be designated for programming for youth of color and that this money be made available to DRUUMM for this purpose; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that at least one youth be involved in the appropriations of this money; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that there be a liaison between Youth Council and DRUUMM; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that Youth Council make this a preliminary step to foster diversity and broaden the dialogue between youth of all cultures in YRUU.

Resolution for the Restructuring of the GA Business Manager and Transitional Age Range Representative (TARR) Positions - YC 1998

BECAUSE Youth Caucus and Youth Council both do important work for YRUU youth; and

BECAUSE the GA Business Manager is not guaranteed to have attended Youth Council before General Assembly; and

BECAUSE both junior high and post-high youth are important and valued parts of the YRUU movement; and

BECAUSE the TARR is currently charged with representing both junior and post-high, with one focus; and

WHEREAS Youth Caucus and Youth Council have the potential for an effective working relationship; and

WHEREAS this relationship would be greatly helped by the GA Business Manager reporting from Youth Council to GA and from GA to Youth Council; and

WHEREAS the interests of junior and post-high are quite different; and

WHEREAS neither group can get full representation if the TARR is charged with representing both;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that GA Business Manager will no longer be an At-Large position on Youth Council; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the GA Business Manager will be elected from the pool of first-year YCRs at Youth Council; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the At-Large positions currently filled by the TARR and the GA Business Manager will be changed to a Junior High Representative and a Post-high Representative.

Resolution to Allocate Funding for the SATUURDAY Conference - YC 1998

BECAUSE YRUU and Youth Council are advocates for GLBT youth issues; and

WHEREAS Youth Council is the executor of the YRUU program fund and may use it for activities which it deems to be important; and

WHEREAS Sexually Alternative Teenage Unitarian Universalists Respecting Diversity Among Youth (SATUURDAY) conference is a continental conference run by the New York Metro District which advocates for and provides leadership training to GLBT youth; and

WHEREAS SATUURDAY conference attendees are required to pay all transportation and registration costs; and

WHEREAS the cost of registration received from the applicants was not nearly enough to compensate the SATUURDAY conference planning committee for the expense of the conference;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the 1998 Youth Council officially endorses the SATUURDAY conference; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the YRUU Youth Council will allocate $2000 of the 1998-99 YRUU program fund to the New York Metro District to be used as a planning and scholarship fund in order to improve the quality of the conference and to allow more applicants to attend the 1999 SATUURDAY conference.

Resolution for a Social Action Resource Notebook - YC 1998

BECAUSE Unitarian Universalists believe in putting their beliefs and ideas into action; and

WHEREAS there is currently no resource notebook for district Social Action Coordinators; and

WHEREAS district Social Action Coordinators need more support in executing their positions; and

WHEREAS a comprehensive list of successful district social action projects would be helpful to the Continental Social Action Coordinator and to district Social Action Coordinators; and

WHEREAS a district Social Action Coordinator mailing list would facilitate support and networking between Social Action Coordinators, UUA Social Action organizations and the Continental Social Action Coordinator;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that district SACs will be charged with submitting material for a SACRIN (Social Action Coordinator Resource and Information Notebook)

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Continental Social Action Coordinator be charged with compiling and distributing this notebook to all district Social Action Coordinators;

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that district Social Action Coordinators and the Continental Social Action Coordinator be responsible for updating and passing on their notebooks to their successors.

Resolution to Explore Means of Diversifying YRUU Resources - YC 1998

BECAUSE young continental Unitarian Universalists depend primarily on the Youth Office for programming and resources; and

WHEREAS there are young Unitarian Universalists who are of different cultures and ethnic backgrounds; and

WHEREAS these young continental UUs communicate in non-English languages; and

WHEREAS there are young continental UUs who are vision impaired and cannot benefit from written resources;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the 1998 Youth Council states that they see a need to diversify resources to connect to people with the aforementioned communication barriers; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the 1998 Youth Council charges the 1998-99 Steering Committee with exploring the need for such diversification of resources; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the 1998-99 Steering Committee explore the means and fiscal impact of such action.

Resolution to send a Care Package to UU Youth in Transylvania - YC 1998

WHEREAS the Transylvanian youth specifically asked for a copy of all our resources, (e.g. the YRUU Songbook), to aid them in the development of their growing organization;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Youth Office be charged with compiling a care package with all our youth resources; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Youth Office sends the compilation to Transylvania, postage paid, from the kindness of our hearts.

Resolution to Define YRUU's Role as a Sponsored Organization with Workshops at General Assembly - YC 1998

BECAUSE YRUU has been designated a "sponsored organization" by the UUA Board of Trustees; and

WHEREAS the 1998 Youth Caucus at GA was composed of 322 members with only two programming spots;

WHEREAS this does not adequately serve the youth in attendance;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the GA Planning Committee be asked to provide a three programming spots with a youth/advisor focus to the Youth Office in future GA programming.

Resolution on having Youth Council Representatives Aid the Youth Advisor Task Force - YC 1998

Note: The following two resolutions were considered and voted on jointly

BECAUSE the 1997 Youth Council passed a resolution on YCR Accountability; and

WHEREAS from this resolution a YCR checklist was derived;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the task of gathering the names, addresses, e-mails, etc. of the youth advisors in each district becomes a responsibility of every YCR and added to the YCR checklist in order to aid the work of the Youth Advisor Task Force; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that this list is compiled and sent to the Youth Office by YCRs before the fall Steering Committee meeting where it can be put to use in a timely manner.

Resolution Recommending the Creation of a Continental Advisor Network - YC 1998

BECAUSE the development of a communications network is one of the goals of YRUU; and

WHEREAS adult advisors could potentially derive support, advice, and knowledge that they are not alone from such a network;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that 1998 Youth Council recommends that the Youth Advisor Task Force explore the creation of a Continental Advisor Network.

Resolution to Create a Junior High Programs Resource Book - YC 1998

BECAUSE developing educational resources and continuity between program levels from younger to older are goals of YRUU; and

BECAUSE YRUU needs to make a commitment to junior high programming; and

BECAUSE the transitional age range At-Large does not have specific duties outlined in his or her job description; and

WHEREAS clear and concise assignments for this At-Large position will potentially improve junior high programming; and

WHEREAS junior high aged youth transitioning into YRUU need to be supported an welcomed into the continental community;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the junior high TAR Representative be charged with compiling a junior high programming resource book; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resource book be composed of successful junior high programs from district and local programs in their regions; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the junior high TARR be responsible for networking with the YCRs to ensure the completion of the junior high programs resource book by Youth Council 1999.

Resolution on Creating a Bridging Ceremony for Youth Entering YRUU at General Assembly- YC 1998

BECAUSE one of YRUU's goals is to develop continuity between program levels, from younger to older; and

WHEREAS YRUU recognizes that there is a transition that takes place between junior and senior high; and

WHEREAS YRUU wants to welcome outgoing junior high youth into the greater continental YRUU community;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that a bridging ceremony be established to take place at General Assembly for incoming YRUU youth; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that those responsible for the restructuring of Youth Caucus at GA take this bridging ceremony as one of the tasks involved in this process.

Resolution to Fund a Canadian Publication - YC 1998

BECAUSE networking between the continental and local levels is a valued part of YRUU; and

WHEREAS communication between YRUU youth in Canada is not adequate; and

WHEREAS Canadian youth are not well informed of Continental events;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Youth Council support a publication for Canadian YRUU youth; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the financial support for the publication be investigated by the 1998-99 Steering Committee through such sources as the Youth Office and the LRY Endowment.

Resolution Urging YCRs to Attend General Assembly as Delegates - YC 1998

BECAUSE Youth Council supports and affirms leadership and delegation on the continental level; and

WHEREAS there is not a solid foundation of communication between YRUU Youth Council and Youth Caucus at General Assembly; and

WHEREAS there is not a strong support for representation of YCRs as delegates at Youth Caucus and General Assembly plenary; and

WHEREAS the position of YCR is a continental leadership position;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that YCRs make a conscious effort to attend GA as delegates from local churches in their districts; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that YCRs seek funding to attend GA from local churches, district YACs, district boards, etc.; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Youth Office write a UUA-endorsed letter to the YCRs' local churches supporting their request to be funded delegates at GA; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Steering Committee consider funding YCRs to attend GA, by providing scholarships from the LRY Endowment.

Resolution to Collect and Index Curricula and Other Resource Materials - YC 1998

BECAUSE incredible curricula and other resource materials are developed each year in our churches and districts; and

BECAUSE these resources include a wide range of presentation, such as formal curricula, workshops, training sessions, activities, plays, games, songs, readings, etc.; and

WHEREAS youth and advisors everywhere can benefit from exposure to the diverse resources already being developed; and

WHEREAS youth and advisors can benefit from ready access to already-prepared materials to enhance local and district youth programming; and

WHEREAS our current advisor training can be strengthened by the addition of already-developed materials on subjects such as substance abuse, suicide prevention, violence in the home and in relationships, UU history and philosophy;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Youth Council Representatives and At-Larges be alert to such materials developed within their districts and submit copies to the Youth Office; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Youth Office liaison with curriculum clearinghouses, such as REC Room Team, to ensure inclusion of electronic versions of such materials, when available, on the soon-to-be-activated Religious Education Curriculum website; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Youth Office maintain a master file of such materials, possibly in cooperation with the religious education department (however they see fit); and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the 1998 Youth Council recommends that the Youth Advisor Task Force review such materials with the specific goal of identifying subject areas where advisor training materials must still be developed and make the necessary recommendations to ensure their development.

Resolution to Provide GLBT Youth in the Greater Community with Relevant Information using the OWL Curriculum - YC 1998

BECAUSE UUs believe in the inherent worth and dignity of every person; and

WHEREAS there is very little comprehensive sexuality training for the GLBT youth within the greater community; and

WHEREAS the newly developed OWL curriculum provide comprehensive sexuality curriculum inclusive to all youth;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the district SACs be charged with contacting the leadership bodies of GLBT youth organizations within their own districts; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the SACs advertise the OWL curriculum using the OWL promotional materials and provide relevant contact information to these GLBT youth organizations.

Resolutions Considered at Youth Council 1998 which were not passed

Resolution to Encourage YRUU Involvement in the UUA Board of Trustees - YC 1998

BECAUSE the members of YRUU are a substantial and vital constituency which is vastly underrepresented in the UUA; and

WHEREAS the members of YRUU can bring new and powerful insight, perspective, and abilities to the Board of Trustees, the UUA, and Unitarian Universalism as a whole; and

WHEREAS YRUU is a UUA sponsored organization; and

WHEREAS in the wake of "Fulfilling the Promise", the ensuing redefinition of UUism will most directly affect the current members of YRUU; and

WHEREAS the members of YRUU desire to directly influence Unitarian Universalism as they will experience it as adults; and

WHEREAS youth empowerment and inclusion is important to the development of youth in our faith; and

WHEREAS the members of YRUU wish to better integrate themselves to foster communication with the UUA as well as the Unitarian Universalist faith; and

WHEREAS in almost every district at least one youth serves as a member of his or her District Board;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Youth Council strongly encourages the UUA Board of Trustees to create a separate position designated and reserved for a YRUU representative; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this person shall attend all meetings in order to advocate for and represent all business and concerns of YRUU, including specific business he/she has been charged to bring before the Board of Trustees by the Youth Council; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this person shall be nominated by the Steering Committee elected by Youth Council; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this person shall prepare a report of each Board meeting which shall be printed in the Spider, as well as an annual report which shall be presented to the Youth Council; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this person be considered a full voting member of the UUA Board of trustees and charged with all the duties and responsibilities which membership as an At-Large representative entails; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the General Assembly Business Manager work to introduce this resolution as a bylaw change to the floor of General Assembly in Salt Lake 1999; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that Youth Council charges Steering Committee and the Youth Office with the responsibility of working with the UUA Board of Trustees to ensure the perpetuation of this resolution and to establish the exact terms and responsibilities of this position.

FISCAL IMPACT: approx. $2,350

Resolution to Change the Name of the Youth Office - YC 1998

BECAUSE YRUU is a joint effort between youth and adults; and

BECAUSE the name of the Youth Office does not adequately express the range of responsibilities currently carried out by the Youth Office; and

BECAUSE we are a religious organization; and

WHEREAS the name Youth Office does not acknowledge the equal partnership between youth and adults in YRUU; and

WHEREAS many districts and churches acknowledge the important relationships between youth and adults in YRUU by having their committees called youth/adult committees; and

WHEREAS the work of the Youth Office is ministry by fostering leadership and development of materials that promote spiritual leadership (in worship, youth groups, and committee work), networking (local, district, and continental), personal growth (counselor, education, and support), and social justice work; and

WHEREAS the name of the Young Adult/Campus Ministry Office acknowledges that work with young adults is ministry; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the name of the Youth Office be changed to Youth Ministry Office by no later than July 1st, 1999.

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