UU FA Office

Action Alert March 3, 2014: Immigration Task Force Letter Campaign

by UU FA Office

The Immigration Task Force is calling for a 1000 letter campaign to call attention to immigrant detention conditions in New Jersey. The Task Force has drafted a proposed letter. We are asking each congregation to collect signed copies of the letter every Sunday during March.  Please bring the letters to the Plenary on April 5 (or send them if you are unable to attend).  At that meeting, with letters from all around the state, we will take a photo of the pile of letters and write a press release saying what we’re trying to accomplish with the letter campaign.  Then we will mail off the letters in one package to Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson in Washington and issue the press release.  Please do everything you can to make this a success.  If you have any questions, call Immigration Task Force Chair Ted Fedder or me, or email me at the address below.

Thank you for your help.

Rev. Craig Hirshberg, Exec. Director
director@uulmnj.org

Registration is Open for the 2014 Annual Plenary

by UU FA Office

UULMNJ 5th Anniversary Celebration & Annual Plenary
Saturday, April 5, 8:30 am – 2:30 pm

                                                                                                                                   

Hosted by the UU Congregation of Princeton
50 Cherry Hill Road, Princeton, NJ 08540
(see www.uuprinceton.org for directions)

Featuring Keynote Speaker: Gordon MacInnes, President
New Jersey Policy Perspective

“How We Got Here:  New Jersey’s Crawl Out of the Great Recession”

                                                                                   

Please join us at the 2014 UULMNJ annual meeting:

  • UU Justice Leaders from all over New Jersey will be gathering to discuss past and future actions on key issues:  Immigration, Economic Justice, Health & Reproductive Justice, Criminal Justice Reform: New Jim Crow, Environmental Justice, Gun Violence Prevention
  • Delegates from Affiliated Congregations will be updated on UULMNJ latest events and vote on the new budget and members of the Board of Trustees.
  • Each attendee will receive a free copy of the 2014 League of Women Voters Legislative Guide in celebration of our 5th anniversary, made available through the generosity of the Princeton congregation
  • Liaison and Volunteer Training opportunity immediately following the conclusion of the meeting

Check-in starts at 8:30 am with coffee and bagels; the meeting will begin promptly at 9:00.

Lunch will be provided.  Registration is free, but we rely on your donations to cover the cost of food and materials for this event.

                                                                                                 

Register Now!

OR, contact us at 609-672-7331 or admin@uulmnj.org

Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) Action Alert Feb. 18, 2014

by UU FA Office

The UU Legislative Ministry is asking you to act now! In 2011, Governor Christie announced that he was pulling New Jersey from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a program with the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Environment New Jersey has been working exhaustively to ensure New Jersey’s participation in the program.

From Doug O’Malley, Environment New Jersey Director:

“We took the Christie administration to court to hold them accountable for their illegal removal from the rules setting up the landmark Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)–a program making our air safer to breathe and reducing carbon pollution.

A lot has happened since June of 2012 when we first filed the suit along with the Natural Resources Defense Council. Superstorm Sandy hit, fueled by warmer ocean waters. Every month has seen above average temperatures. And the RGGI program has gotten stronger–even without New Jersey.

It’s time to get New Jersey back into the program.”

Please stand up for the environment with Environment New Jersey, and tell Governor Christie that New Jersey belongs back in RGGI.  We urge you to follow the link provided and add your name to list of advocates for the environment: Sign Here

Sandy Aid Action Alert Update February 18, 2014

by UU FA Office
[hr]

Last week we sent you an email with information about New Jersey public hearings regarding the allocation of the next round of Sandy Relief Aid ($1.46 billion).  If you were unable to make it to the first two hearings, there’s good news: due to inclement weather, the third hearing (originally scheduled for Thursday, February 13) has been rescheduled.

Date: Friday, February 21 from 4:00 pm to 7:30 pm

Place:  Brookdale Community College, Robert J. Collins Arena and Recreation & Events Center, 65 Newman Springs Road, Middletown, NJ 07738

Please Note:  If you have already registered to speak at the originally scheduled hearing, you DO NOT need to re-register.  However, if you are interested in speaking and have not yet registered, you must do so here: Register Here

Again, we encourage anyone who can attend to do so, even if you do not wish to testify.

Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) Action Alert Feb. 18, 2014

by UU FA Office
[hr]

The UU Legislative Ministry is asking you to act now! In 2011, Governor Christie announced that he was pulling New Jersey from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a program with the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Environment New Jersey has been working exhaustively to ensure New Jersey’s participation in the program.
From Doug O’Malley, Environment New Jersey Director:

“We took the Christie administration to court to hold them accountable for their illegal removal from the rules setting up the landmark Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)–a program making our air safer to breathe and reducing carbon pollution.

A lot has happened since June of 2012 when we first filed the suit along with the Natural Resources Defense Council. Superstorm Sandy hit, fueled by warmer ocean waters. Every month has seen above average temperatures. And the RGGI program has gotten stronger–even without New Jersey.

It’s time to get New Jersey back into the program.”

Please stand up for the environment with Environment New Jersey, and tell Governor Christie that New Jersey belongs back in RGGI.  We urge you to follow the link provided and add your name to list of advocates for the environment: Sign Here

Sandy Bill of Rights Public Meetings

by UU FA Office

The Anti-Poverty Network, of which UULMNJ is a member, is working with Senate President Sweeney on legislation for a Sandy bill of rights.  As part of that effort we are coordinating visits of three communities.  All events are open to the public.  Please help us spread the word.

Residents who believe they have wrongly been denied Sandy aid and/or have failed to get answers from the administration as to why they were denied are encouraged to attend and share their stories with the media and Senate President Sweeney.

Wednesday, February 19 – 11:00 a.m.
Perth Amboy City Hall; 260 High Street in Perth Amboy
Press conference with the Senate President, Mayor and other officials to discuss Sandy aid problems

Friday, February 21 – 11:00 a.m.
Toms River Elks Lodge #1875; 600 Washington Street in Toms River
A town hall style meeting where residents will be able to share their stories on the difficulties of getting Sandy aid

Saturday, February 22 – 12:30 p.m.
Moonachie Borough Hall; 70 Moonachie Road, Moonachie
Press conference with the Senate President, Mayor and other officials to discuss Sandy aid problems

Two weeks ago, Senate President Sweeney introduced legislation that would establish a “Sandy Bill of Rights.” The bill of rights would do several things, including requiring a plain language explanation of what is needed to be eligible and to apply for Sandy recovery programs; the right to know where your relief application stands and what additional information is needed; the right to know why your application was rejected or why you were placed on a waiting list and the right to appeal a denial of funding.

Reproductive Justice Workshop – Plainfield, March 1

by UU FA Office

The First Unitarian Society of Plainfield (FUSP) I would like to invite you and members of your congregation to attend our 4th Annual Social Action Weekend.

On Saturday March 1st, 2014 we are planning a one day workshop on Reproductive Justice (RJ) called “From Rights to Justice” 9:30am-3:00pm.  The program is adapted from the six-week UUA curriculum “Reproductive Justice: Expanding our Social Justice Calling” concentrating on the human rights aspects of RJ.

It will be a wonderful opportunity to get a foundation in this UUA Congregational Study Issue (CSI), and to connect with other UUs in New Jersey. The program is free, but donations are welcome to help cover the cost of the workshop. Child-care is available for those who request in advance.

If members of your congregation have not had an opportunity to study this UUA CSI….. THIS IS THE OPPORTUNITY!

Please extend this invitation to members of your congregation. For your information we have attached a flyer. Please promote this event in your newsletter, order of service, on your community events board, and any other medium your congregation uses to promote neighboring UU congregation events.

Pre-registration is encouraged but not required.  Please encourage members to RSVP to assist with our planning. (Please see my contact information on the attached flyer).

“Ban the Box” Fact Sheet

by UU FA Office

 

What Are “Ban the Box” Laws?

Under a Ban the Box law, criminal background checks are delayed until later in the hiring process, encouraging employers to focus on the current skills and qualifications of a candidate, rather than on past mistakes. Ban the Box laws have been in effect since 1998, and have been adopted by 38 jurisdictions throughout the United States, including the District of Columbia and five states: Connecticut, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and New Mexico.

Ban The Box laws do not prevent employers from conducting background checks. They do not require an employer to hire an unqualified applicant. They do not eliminate an employer’s discretion to hire only people suitable for the position. They do not override any existing laws placing restrictions on eligibility for particular positions. They simply ask employers to consider an individual’s full application, providing a realistic opportunity for a person who has changed his or her life.

Read more here: “Ban the Box” Fact Sheet [tt_vector icon=”fa-file-pdf-o”]

Gun Violence Prevention: Request for Information

by UU FA Office

Dear Liaisons – The UULMNJ Gun violence Prevention Task force is proposing that NJ UU’s join in a campaign that has been initiated by a community organizing group called NJ Together.  This group is part of a national organization called Industrial Areas Foundation which originated with Saul Alinsky.  Here is a link to their web page regarding this issue:  http://metro-iaf.org/content/covenant

This current strategy is based on the idea that, since it is the gun manufacturers who profit from the unlimited sales of guns, the ability to hurt them financially  might be a way to get them to see their self-interest to work towards safer gun practices.  When one realizes that 40% of gun sales are by the government (25% federal government and 15% municipal governments for their police forces) then it becomes clear that government purchasing is a large and therefore influential slice of the market.

The NJ together strategy begins by simply requesting that municipal governments include in their gun procurement bidding process questions that ask the gun manufacturers whether:

  • They are working on developing ‘smart gun’ technology – i.e. guns that have owner recognition capabilities so that only the owner can fire them.
  • They are developing micro-stamping of bullet cartridges which makes them easier to trace to a specific gun if found at a crime scene.
  • They refuse to sell to gun dealers who have a record of allowing their guns to go to people known to be engaged in illegal activities/straw purchases.

At this point, the municipal governments are not being asked to be bound to purchase from any particular company but this is the first step in a process of sending a message to the gun manufacturers.  Once enough information and development occurs, then the next step would be to only purchase from responsible gun manufactures.

The GVP task force thinks this is a promising strategy.  The town of West Orange has already passed a resolution to engage in this campaign.  (See attached Resolution).  In this effort, UU Montclair’s Rev. Charlie Ortman worked with Rabbi Elliot Tepperman of B’Nai Keshet in Montclair (both men are W.O. residents) to get this through the W.O. town council, which happened on Jan. 28th.

We would like to explore if our statewide congregations would like to get involved in this effort, working with NJ Together to send delegations of residents to the towns in which they live to make this “Ask”.  If we can get together enough people who would want to be involved in this, then we can ask NJ Together to come and do a training for us (possibly via Skype or conference call) and work with them to funnel our people into places where they already are amassing some people to go to their municipal elected leaders.

Please reach out to your congregations and/or those you know to be interested in this issue to see if there is interest in taking on this campaign.  Please get back to Craig director@uulmnj.org  or Diane finnflynn@verizon.net with the response you get from your congregations.

Thanks so much.

Diane Finn, GVP TF co-chair

February 2014

by UU FA Office

[hr]

Wednesday, February 5th

Liaison Conference Call Minutes

 Attendance:
Sally Gellert (Paramus)
Frances Prestianni (Princeton)
Lorraine Wearley (Summit)
Cecilia Cosca (Montclair)
Diane Finn (Montclair)
Lynne Quinto (Washington Crossing)
Rev. Craig
Jim deBoer
Congregational Updates

Paramus (Sally) World Book Night is in April, and Central Unitarian Church is participating. This is a literacy campaign tied in with Shakespeare’s 450th birthday.

Princeton Frances is exploring possible collaboration with an organization that educates people about how to enroll under the Affordable Care Act.

Summit (Lorraine) The congregation is sending 15 people to the “Moral March” rally this weekend in Raleigh, N.C.

Montclair (Cecilia, Diane) Montclair organized a social justice themed Sunday service, and prepared a survey on UULMNJ and how people can get involved. As yet relatively few people have replied to this survey, and the social action committee is considering next steps.

Washington Crossing (Lynn) – The congregation has prepared a survey to solicit feedback about the UUA’s congregational study issue.

Issue / Task Force Updates
The New Jim Crow (Jim deBoer)

Work continues to move towards the creation of a separate task force for this issue. The position paper is almost complete and ready for submission for the Board’s consideration at its February meeting. Please let task force chair Al Stawsky know if anyone in your congregation might like to get involved with this (alynways@gmail.com).

Sandy Relief (Lorraine)

The state Department of Community Affairs has recently released its proposal for how it intends to spend the next round of federal Sandy relief funding. Its technical title is “substantive amendment #7”. Our partner organizations, the Housing Development Network of New Jersey and Fair Share Housing, are critical of this proposal, in that it doesn’t sufficiently address the needs of those who need replacement affordable housing, those who are renters, or those who are minorities.

There are three public hearings scheduled for next week on this proposal; those underlined havevolunteered to attend:

Tuesday, Feb. 11th: Stockton University, Atlantic County (101 Vera King Farris Drive, Galloway, NJ 08205; Performing Arts Center; 4–7 pm)

Wednesday, Feb. 12th: The NJ Institute of Technology, Newark (150 Bleeker Street, Newark, NJ 07102; Campus Center; 5:30–8:30 pm) Sally Gellert and Jim deBoer

Thursday, Feb. 13th: Brookdale Community College, Monmouth County (Robert J. Collins Arena; 765 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ 07738; 4–7 pm) Lorraine Wearley and Rev. Rosemary Newberry

As you can see, we need someone for the first session in Atlantic County! It is very important that we participate in this process because of the numerous problems in how the state expended the initial round of Sandy funding. In addition to the issues mentioned above, African-American and Latino applicants were turned down at substantially higher rates than Euro-Americans. And, of those whose initial requests were denied, 80% had their requests accepted upon appeal. This raises the question of how thorough the initial application review process was — presumably if uniform standards had been applied, we would not have seen such a disparity between initial determinations and subsequent post-appeal determinations.

The task force is preparing talking points for people willing to give testimony. If you are interested, please register online: http://bit.ly/SandyPublicHearings.  In addition to next week’s hearings, we have until March 5th to submit written comments by email: sandy.publiccomment@dca.state.nj.us  or by mail to Gabrielle Gallagher, NJ Department of Community Affairs, 101 South Broad Street, P.O. Box 800, Trenton, NJ 08625.

Minimum Wage (Lorraine)

A request has come in from the national level for us to contact Senator Menendez to encourage him to sign on as a co-sponsor of the federal minimum wage legislation, and also for us to send letters of support to local newspapers. We are unsure however what the timing is of this legislation. Please stay tuned for more details.

Gun Violence Prevention (Craig and Diane)

The winter agenda will include several bills that are being re-introduced in the state legislature, involving magazine limits, background checks, and safety training. We are hopeful that many of these bills will again find support among the legislature, and are considering how to encourage the governor to support these measures as well.

Meanwhile, New Jersey Together (a faith-based community organization) is asking mayors and town councils to evaluate their gun procurement policies. Of all guns sold in this country, 15% are bought by local law enforcement, and 25% are purchased federally. Our goal is that as municipalities put out bids, they ask gun manufacturers how/whether they are:

  • developing smart gun technologies that use biometrics to make sure that guns are only used by the people to whom they have been issued
  • microstamping of bullets
  • monitoring of the distribution of the guns they manufacture

At this point, the goal is to obtain some baseline information. Perhaps later on, we can think about beginning to make purchasing decisions based on the gathered information. West Orange recently passed such an ordinance, requesting the information from its suppliers.

How can UU’s get involved? There will be some upcoming training by New Jersey Together. We might also think in terms of a statewide conference call for people to learn more about how to do this in their communities. Diane will develop a list of where New Jersey Together is already active.

Upcoming Action Alerts

Jeh Johnson (pronounced ‘Jay’) is the new Secretary of Homeland Security. The Immigration Task Force would like to write letters to him expressing concern about the immigrant detention policies in Essex County. You’ll get this letter via Salsa, which will enable you to send it directly to him as an email.

The National Day Laborers’ Organizing Network has filed a petition to the government to reduce and halt deportations. There will be a mobilization on April 5th entitled “2 million, Too Many, Not 1 More”. (The figure of 2 million refers to recent deportations.) Sally will keep us posted.

The governor withdrew New Jersey from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative several years ago. A lawsuit is underway to reinstate REGGI, and we will be circulating a petition in support of REGGI.

Other Notes
Annual Plenary

Coming up soon on Saturday, April 5th, is our Annual Plenary. Please register early! We’re planning a liaison training to take place after the meeting; other details will be announced shortly.

Departure of Jim deBoer

UULMNJ Issues Organizer Jim deBoer is stepping down from the Legislative Ministry at the end of February in order to accept a call as pastor of the Federated Church of Livingston. Thank you very much for an excellent opportunity to learn more about advocacy in our state and to make a difference!

The Next Call – Wednesday, March 5th, 8:00pm

Thank you for your participation!