Category: Liaison CC Minutes

November 2018

Liaison Call 11/1/18 Minutes

Liaisons on the Call:   Rob Gregson (ED), Clara Jenkins (Asst. to the ED/Outreach Coordinator), Eileen Bird (Princeton), Rev. Alison Miller (Morristown), Joe Houle (Lincroft), Georgianna Hart (Montclair), Liandra Pires (Palisades), Peggy Middaugh (Ocean County), Kristen Peck (Beacon)

Welcome and Introductions (7:00 – 7:05pm): Clara Jenkins for Rob Gregson

Information Given to Liaisons (7:05 – 7:30pm):

  • Development Chair is now Marty Rothfelder (Beacon)
  • Brief recap of this year’s Fall Issues Conference.  Energetic, informative and stimulating. Not as well-attended as in the past, but attendees agreed it was, in the words of one, “the best conference ever.”
  • Red Hot Minute was received by everyone.  It is hoped it will be printed and placed on a bulletin board/central location within their congregations.
  • The Board has revised the Congregation Affiliation Document, which is a formal agreement between each congregation and UU FaithAction.  Once finalized, it will be presented to each of the congregations to be signed.
  • Rob held a “Filling you Justice Tolbelt” workshop to promote social justice advocacy.  It was held in Philadelphia on Saturday, November 3rd.
  • UU FaithAction mentioned moving to text from e-blasts.  It was pointed out that emails are much less cumbersome to forward to others, as opposed to a text message.
  • As a reminder, our UU FaithAction Community Calendar is your Community Calendar!  If your congregation is hosting a film, a speaker, a meal, etc that is open to the public, let us know by sending the details to admin@uufaithaction.org

Liaisons Update (7:30 – 7:40pm):

  • Joe discussed the Virtual Solitary Confinement headsets, which will be tested out soon and Joe will provide us all with feedback.
  • It was asked that liaison call reminders be emailed at least a week prior to the call.
  • Rev Miller suggested that each congregation could include a UU FaithAction update either in a weekly or monthly congregational e-blast or once a month in the Order of Service.  
  • It was suggested that each congregations website should have a brief blurb on UU FaithAction and a hyperlink to the UU FaithAction website.  Clara will research.

November 9 UU FaithAction initiated Rally for Jorge Chajon (7:40 – 8:00pm):

UU FaithAction is leading and directing a rally on Friday, November 9 at 11:30 pm at the Federal Immigration Court located at 970 Broad Street, Newark.  This rally is in support of Jorge Chajon, who is facing what may be his final appeal that day.  We have sent email blasts highlighting this campaign and we hope to see many of you there. You can read more and sign-up at our FB page.  

Dr. Kristen Peck mentioned there will be a vigil following the rally.  Dr. Peck is being called as an expert witness on behalf of the Chajon family and will testify about the psychological and emotional damage incurred in separating a father from his wife and children.  

Press is expected to be there to cover this event.

Next Liaison call December 6, 7pm-8pm

 

December 2018

Liaison Call 12/6/18 Minutes

Liaisons on the Call:   Rob Gregson (ED), Clara Jenkins (Asst. to the ED/Outreach Coordinator), Eileen Bird (Princeton), Toby Tyler (Morristown), Joe Houle (Lincroft), Georgianna Hart (Montclair), Al Stawsky (Palisades), Sally Gellert (Paramus), Nick Mellis (Washington Crossing), Jamie Evanini (Washington Crossing)

Welcome and Introductions (7:00 – 7:05pm): Rev. Rob Gregson

Liaisons Update (7:05 – 7:30pm):

  • Toby Tyler said the Morristown Congregation has been quiet lately.  They have increased involvement in Immigration and Environmental Issues with RAMP, other churches and other non-profits.
  • Jamie Evanini spoke about their letter writing campaigns orchestrated from their Social Action Table.  All letters are printed and ready to go – congregants stop to sign and the SA team does the rest. People are excited about the SA table, which is stocked with calls to action, hot topics and information about other progressive organizations.  
  • Georgianna participated in the 11/9 Jorge Chajon rally and was happy to see so many UUs there.  Montclair has since rachetted their involvement – getting signatures and mentioning the case in both services.  Waiting to hear what happens next.
  • Joe Houle indicated an issue with connection congregants to the work of UU FAithAction NJ and feels like he is just moving info.  He asked for suggestions on making this a more direct, hands-on informative role.
  • Eileen Bird said Princeton is working with First Friends on a “Stamp Out Despair” campaign – they are making kits of stationary, phone cards and letters of encouragement given to 80 detainees.  First Friends indicated the most pressing need is money – the detainees are charged for everything, including 15 cents for a ketchup packet and that juveniles have been moved into areas housing adults.  On January 20, during their MLK service, they will collect socks, toiletries and money and assemble gift bags.
  • Al Stawsky said he would like to find more relevant, not widely publicized information on the UU FaithAction website regarding bills and their status, how to write effective advocacy letters.  He also mentioned that as part of the NJ Racial Justice Task Force, sponsored by the Essex County YMCA, they are looking to bring together other organizations to work on issues, community policing in particular.
  • Sally Gellert attended the anti-gerrymandering rally and is part of ClimateFest and is working on the NJ $15 minimum wage.

Legislation Update (7:30 – 7:55pm):

  • Ted Fetter informed us two bills have been introduced regarding the Driver’s License Initiative.  He indicated they are very elegant bills and is enthusiastic of their progression. They are A4743 and S3229.  We will be sending an Action Alert out on actions to take and will focus on the Assembly – Speaker Coughlin is a hold-out and we want to apply pressure to get this bill done.
  • UU FaithAction NJ has been invited to join the ACLU and Legal Services of New Jersey, among others, to determine how to get and best use money for indigent detainees – to aid them in getting legal counsel.  United, we will launch a program entitled “Universal Representation Campaign”.
  • The Jorge Chajon rally was incredibly moving – it was the first UU FaithAction led rally during Rob’s tenure.  Approximately 60 people as well as the press were in attendance. UU FaithAction will be sending out a holiday message with a special ask for a $10 donation to be given to the Chajon family.
  • Criminal Justice Reform is booming!  Susan MacDonnell has been busy testifying, working on op-ed’s and pushing legislation through.  The CJR Task Force is concentrating their efforts on the marijuana legalization bill and the reduction of use of solitary confinement in NJ prisons (pushed out until Jan 26).  We are committed to a racially and socially just bill. Currently the marijuana bill includes expungement, but not reparations. We want to be sensitive to medical and mental health workers and respectful to the wide-range of opinions on this issue.
  • On the Environmental Front, Nadine Saperman and Ann Perry are working on a coalition to get NJ Off Fossil Fuel.
  • Economic Injustice 101 Workshop is to be held January 5 at The Unitarian Society in New Brunswick.  Clara sent a flyer to you under separate cover.

Other News (7:55 – 8:00pm):

  • The UU FaithAction Office will be closed December 23rd – January 2.  Have a safe and peaceful holiday!!

The next Liaison Call is scheduled for Thursday, January 3rd.

Congregational Liaisons

Member congregations act, along with the task forces, as the action groups for UU FaithAction education and advocacy activities.

Our aim? For every congregation to have an active social justice liaison passing along essential information and serving as the key “point person” for UU FaithAction and their home congregation.

A congregational liaison will:

    • Attend monthly (one-hour) congregational liaison calls on Zoom.
    • Bring the work of UU FaithAction NJ to their home congregation, by relaying information and by coordinating a regular presence at coffee hour, Sunday morning worship, and/or congregational events.
    • Bring social action news from their home congregation to our statewide network.
    • Mobilize congregants by connecting them with our Task Forces, First Fridays Action Hour, and social action opportunities.
    • Collaborate with their congregation’s Social Action Team (or Social Justice Committee), minister(s) and others to coordinate efforts.
    • Notify our staff of changes in congregational leadership.
    • Attend key annual events—the Fall Issues Conference and the Spring Annual Meeting—in-person or on Zoom.

Current Congregational Liaisons:

Baptistown  First UU Fellowship of Hunterdon County
Liaison: Shane Weber

Bordentown  Dorothea Dix Unitarian Universalist Community
Liaison: John DeMasi

Cherry Hill  UU Church in Cherry Hill
Liaison: Rohn Hein

East Brunswick  The Unitarian Society: A UU Congregation
Liaison: Cheri Tibberts

Hackettstown  Skylands UU Fellowship
Liaison: Jen Palmer

Lanoka Harbor, Unitarian Universalist Ocean County Congregation
Liaisons: Barry Bendar

Lincroft  UU Congregation of Monmouth County
Liaisons: Judy Stevens

Montclair  The UU Congregation at Montclair
Liaison: Georgiana Hart

Morristown  Morristown Unitarian Fellowship
seeking liaison

Newton  UU Fellowship of Sussex County
Liaison: Christine Dunbar

Orange  First UU Church of Essex County
Liaisons: Bill Slezak

Paramus  Central Unitarian Church
Liaisons: Sally Gellert

Pomona  UU Congregation of the South Jersey Shore
Liaisons: Janet Longo

Princeton  UU Congregation of Princeton
Liaisons: Mike Loney

Ridgewood  The Unitarian Society of Ridgewood
Liaisons: Ira Mendelsberg, Anita Young

Somerville  UU Congregation of Somerset Hills
Liaison: Missy Staples

Summit  Beacon – Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Summit
Liaison: Carol Satchell

Titusville  Unitarian Universalist Church at Washington Crossing
Liaison: Michael Wilson

Wayne  Lakeland UU Fellowship
Liaisons: Carol Swift

November 2016

by UU FA Office

Monthly Liaison Conference Call Minutes

November 2, 2016, 7:30 PM

In Attendance:

Gene Whitney (Princeton)

Al Stawsky (Palisades)

Ira Mendelsberg (Ridgewood)

Sally Gellert (Paramus)

Toby Tyler (Morristown)

Diane Finn (Montclair)

Laurice Grae-Hauck, Outreach/Administrator

Rev. Rob Gregson, Exec. Dir.

 

AGENDA:

Congregations Check-in: 

  • Gena (Princeton): Voter registration drive with 15 UUs at events in the area. Gena and Elaine went to the “Making A Killing” screening. Hoping to do a screening at UUCP. Had 19 members from Princeton at IssuesCon16.
  • Ira Mendelsberg (Ridgewood): Black Lives Matter group is working on programs for the congregation. Action Alerts forwarded to interested members. Congregation polled to gauge interest in issues.
  • Sally Gellert (Paramus): “When Guns are Outlawed…” book discussion. Had a screening of “Making A Killing” but did not feel it was a good film for ideas and motivation.
  • Al Stawsky (Palisades): YMCA initiative for police/community development is sending a letter to country officials asking for luncheon meeting with coalition members. Al will be there representing the congregation and the MLK Birthday committee. Thursday Nov 17, post-election discussion: how, why, what? Two first time IssuesCon attendees.
  • Toby Tyler (Morristown): Chris Crass preached after the IssuesCon which was well received. Followed by a panel including Sen. Lesniak and young man who has experienced solitary. Low Attendance for the panel. MUUF doing a youth group environmental effort measuring tire pressure (which increases fuel efficiency).
  • Diane Finn (Montclair): URC had an event, march and rally with an original theatre piece about racial profiling. Putting a notice in the order of service to join the Salsa list.

 

News:

  • Issues Conference We had a record 101 people in attendance, including a handful of youth. Good attendance across all task forces.
  • Supreme Court case is set to be argued before the New Jersey Supreme Court on either Monday, November 7, or Wednesday, November 9. The case emerges out of the shooting death of Kashad Ashford by police in Lyndhurst in 2014. More info at https://www.aclu-nj.org/news/2016/03/01/police-shooting-records-cannot-be-secret-aclu-nj-argues
  • Nonpartisan conversations with gubernatorial candidates With 467 days left until Chris Christie leaves office many are looking to prime gubernatorial candidates to step into office and be prepared to take immediate action on progressive legislation. If you have connections, please let us know.
  • Rob at YouthCon last Saturday with about a dozen interested youth. We’d love to get more of our Youth on board.
  • Liaison Training in Montclair on December 3: “How to Lobby” workshop and other useful tips.

 

Task Force:

  • Environment:
  • Economic Justice:
  • Criminal Justice: Solitary confinement has moved to the governor’s desk. Special prosecutor passed the senate, is in the Assembly Appropriations committee (A1115). Racial Impact Statement bill in the Law & Public Safety committee, faith based group working to push this through.
  • Reproductive Justice: New time for monthly call to be announced soon.
  • Gun Violence Prevention : revitalized and having monthly calls again. A4126 (domestic violence firearm bill) moved to the floor last week.
  • Legal Advocacy Project: Learn more.

 Reminders

  • Email Signup page is available on the website. Bookmark this and your new supporters go right into our system. If you have taken information on paper and did not capture mailing addresses, type NA in required fields. As we do major fundraising the information on the new user signup page is all important. Thank you in advance. http://salsa4.salsalabs.com/o/51510/c/301/p/salsa/web/common/public/signup?signup_page_KEY=9501
  • ACTION ALERTS! If you are printing UULMNJ drafted letters to representatives and mailing them from your congregation it is important that we have the sender information. As we expand our organization we need to have the full breadth of supporter info and engagement for fundraising purposes and efficacy analysis. Please send names and addresses for any of these mailings.
  • The next meeting will be Thursday, December 1 at 7:30.

Adjourned at 8:34

Minutes submitted by Laurice Grae-Hauck, UULMNJ Outreach/Administrator

October 2016

by UU FA Office

Monthly Liaison Conference Call Minutes

October 5, 2016, 8 PM

In Attendance:

Gene Whitney (Princeton)

Nick Mellis (Washington Crossing)

Laurice Grae-Hauck, Administrator

Rev. Rob Gregson, Exec. Dir.

Congregations Check-in: 

  • Nick Mellis (Washington Crossing): Charles Stevens preaching this Sunday on the separation of Church and State. Regular FAQ groups on racial justice/Black Lives Matter. Members are split on whether or not to hang a banner on the church. Conversations continue. UUCWC is working with the local police department. Rev. Kim talked about UULMNJ from the pulpit on Sunday.
  • Gena (Princeton): Bill has made announcement from the pulpit regarding the Issues Conference. Mark your calendar postcards have been very helpful for tabling.

News:

  • Issues Conference We have 49 people currently registered. Please get congregation members to Morristown! Group discount available for groups of 15 or more and for students. There will be a table for congregational events. Please bring flyers or information on events, racial justice activity, etc. if you would like to spread the word.
  • Nonpartisan conversations with gubernatorial candidates With 467 days left until Chris Christie leaves office many are looking to prime gubernatorial candidates to step into office and be prepared to take immediate action on progressive legislation. If you have connections, please let us know.
  • Local Policing Initiative Looking for key acting members to be a part of the local policing initiative. With lots of initial interest, we are looking for the few committed members of this group to move this task forward.
  • Liaison Training November 12 Nick suggest civics 101 training for liaisons. Effective grassroots organizing in congregations. Helping the organization enrich our data landscape.

 Task Force:

  • Environment: Lead abatement, legal petition to force millions of dollars into action to replace piping in low income and urban communities.
  • Economic Justice:
  • Criminal Justice: Racial impact statements are at the top of the list. Similar to environmental impact statements, categorical legislation would require a statement of racial impact. Also lots of movement on solitary confinement restrictions.
  • Reproductive Justice: Promotion for LARC (Long-acting reversible contraceptives)
  • Legal Advocacy Project: Learn more. Previously we have filed amicus briefs in law suits. We are looking to do a pilot program to begin writing our own legislation. One possibility is with the criminal justice task force civilian oversight board for department of corrections. Reproductive Justice task force is looking at a “copy cat” law to protect the information of abortion patients in a manner similar to the contact information of domestic violence victims/survivors. Nick would like to see constitutional protection of abortion access.

 Reminders

  • Month of Resistance If your congregation is holding any events for the Month of Resistance to Mass Incarceration, please let Laurice know ASAP so your even can be included in the statewide notice.
  • Email Signup page is available on the website. Bookmark this and your new supporters go right into our system. If you have taken information on paper and did not capture mailing addresses, type NA in required fields. As we do major fundraising the information on the new user signup page is all important. Thank you in advance. http://salsa4.salsalabs.com/o/51510/c/301/p/salsa/web/common/public/signup?signup_page_KEY=9501
  • ACTION ALERTS! If you are printing UULMNJ drafted letters to representatives and mailing them from your congregation it is important that we have the sender information. As we expand our organization we need to have the full breadth of supporter info and engagement for fundraising purposes and efficacy analysis. Please send names and addresses (either street or email) for any of these mailings.
  • We will be keeping the 1st Wednesday of the month. We will be pushing the time up by half an hour. Next call will be November 2 at 7:30.

Adjourned at 9:03

Minutes submitted by Laurice Grae-Hauck, UULMNJ Administrator

July 2016

by UU FA Office

Monthly Liaison Conference Call Minutes

July 13, 2016, 7 PM

In Attendance:

Kim Mitchell (Plainfield)

Al Stawsky (Palisades)

Laurice Grae-Hauck, Administrator

Rev. Rob Gregson, Exec. Dir.

 

AGENDA:

Congregations Check-in: 

  • Kim Mitchell (Plainfield): 6 murders this year. The mayor has started a public safety initiative. FUSP has signed on to provide meeting space, per recommendation of BLofUU, and healing space for Black Lives organizations. (Kim is interested in database research.) Admin has taken on social justice work, Sharon Maguire. New minister beginning August 1.
  • Laurice (Montclair): June 12 solitary confinement event with Senator Lesniak. Standing room only. The solitary cell remained on the church yard and has gotten a lot of attention.
  • Al Stawsky (Palisades): Social justice groups form 3 Bergen Co congregations are working closer together. BLM rally/demonstration at Hackensack courthouse on Tuesday, July 12, first BLM event in Bergen Co. Carol Loscalzo, RJ task force chair, and Ilene Gilbert were there as well. 150 black youth from the area helped to make the event possible. Police brought water to the demonstrators. See link. 6th Juneteenth celebration on the 19th all 3 Bergen Co. congregations sponsored a booth and shared a lot of educational materials, BLM buttons, and wristbands.

News:

  • Moment of Silence Rob took 30 seconds at the beginning of the meeting to remember and honor all of the victims of last week’s shootings in LA, MN, and TX.
  • Issues Conference- Saturday, October 15, 2016 in Morristown from 3-9. Chris Crass will be our keynote speaker! Get it on your congregational calendars now! Registration will open in September.
  • 6th UU Black Lives Matter Summit: “Debriefing General Assembly – Where Do We Go From Here?” on Sunday, July 24th from 2:00 – 6:30 pm at Paint Branch UU Church in Adelphi (Prince George’s County, Maryland).
  • UU Congregations & Local Police Gregson sees any outreach to be clearly linked to our Dismantling Racism work–we reach out in order to “widen the circle” to both groups with special attention to the historic power of structural racism.
  • Trenton Rally Possibility Are considering coordinating a rally in Trenton to push legislators to consider and pass legislation pending that would force systemic change. Stay tuned.
  • Congregations Struggling to Make Sense of BLM Many congregations are struggling with their support of the Black Lives Matter movement. How can we help? Is there a way to provide a place for UUs statewide to talk? Al suggesting making available “11 Misconceptions About the BLM Movement”. How do we create a safe space for open conversation?

 

Task Force:

  • Criminal Justice: Lots of activity recently. Parole reform bill is before the Senate Judiciary Committee tomorrow. Rob will be presenting testimony. Solitary confinement bill S51/A547 passed senate and is in committee in the Assembly. Racial impact statement bill S677 passed the senate 36-0. Now in Assembly Law & Public Safety Committee. Phone rate bill S1880/A1419 passed both houses.

Reminders

  • Email Signup page is available on the website. Bookmark this and your new supporters go right into our system. If you have taken information on paper and did not capture mailing addresses, type NA in required fields. As we do major fundraising the information on the new user signup page is all important. Thank you in advance. http://salsa4.salsalabs.com/o/51510/c/301/p/salsa/web/common/public/signup?signup_page_KEY=9501
  • ACTION ALERTS! If you are printing UULMNJ drafted letters to representatives and mailing them from your congregation, it is important that we have the sender information. As we expand our organization we need to have the full breadth of supporter info and engagement for fundraising purposes and efficacy analysis. Please send names and addresses (either street or email) for any of these mailings.

Adjourned at 8:12

Minutes submitted by Laurice Grae-Hauck, UULMNJ Administrator

June 2015

by UU FA Office

Monthly Liaison Conference Call Minutes

June 3, 2015, 8 PM

In Attendance:
Nick Mellis (Washington Crossing)
Al Stawsky (Palisades)
Toby Tyler (Morristown)
Elaine Nigam (Princeton)
Cecilia Cosca (Montclair)
Sally Gellert (Paramus)
Laurice Grae-Hauck, Administrator
Rev. Craig Hirshberg, Exec. Dir.

AGENDA:

Congregations Check-in: 

  • Nick (Washington Crossing): been to Counsel for Faith and Action meeting, introduced a new marijuana legalization bill. Will be a long time before they take a vote on it.
  • Toby (Morristown): UULMNJ coffee hour a couple of weeks ago. Gathered some interest. Got some pushback on the affordable housing issue with questions about Morristown in particular and how they can justify asking the town to provide more affordable housing.
  • Cecelia (Montclair): Just One Thing email goes out weekly to cover social justice issues. Has recently urged writing to legislators and about the Exxon settlement. Montclair dedicated a “Black Lives Matter” banner that is now hanging on the front of the building. The Undoing Racism Committee will be marching in the African American Heritage Day parade on Saturday.
  • Elaine (Princeton): It’s been quiet since the plenary.
  • Sally (Paramus): The teens talking about racism event was a big success.

Task Force:

  • Al ( Justice): Million Peoples March is now being cosponsored by UULMNJ. Urge attendance in your congregations and communities. Still nothing active in the legislation. Expecting things to break in a month of two. Juneteenth is Friday June 19th, celebration in Bergen County on June 20. Al’s congregation will have a booth for educating and distributing at the celebration.

News:

  • Million Person March, Saturday, July 25 in Newark organized by the People’s Organization for Progress, cosponsored by UULMNJ, or racial and economic justice. Join the Facebook event so organizers have an idea of turn out.
  • Earned sick days legislation has been stalled but Assembly will vote before the end of the session. Senate will likely not vote until the fall.
  • Domestic violence gun seizure bill passed out of committee on Monday.
  • Driver’s license for undocumented legislation is in the works. Expect something to come down the pipeline.
  • UULMNJ has joined a bill tracking service called GovNetNJ which will streamline how quickly we are able to act on legislation that is moving forward.
  • Task Force/Liaison Training Saturday, September 12, 2015 at Washington Crossing.
  • The Board endorsed moving forward with the taxation and legalization of marijuana laws legalization and dismantaling racism work at the meeting last week.
  • UULMNJ is looking for good people to join a UULMNJ statewide committee looking at racial issues. Please send any recommendations to Rev. Craig director@uulmnj.org
  • If you are going to GA, CUUSAN (Coalition of UU State Action Networks of which UULMNJ is a member. Craig is on the steering committee.) will be offering “Building New Ways:  First Annual Leadership Program  for state action networks.  It will be held Wed. 1-5 at the Double Tree Hotel.  1000 Multnomah Street, Portland.   To register, contact kathjesch@earthlink.net with Building New Ways Registration in the subject line.
  • If you would like to be an offsite delegate for GA, registration closes on June 19.  Learn more here.
  • If you would like help with a “Black Lives Matter” banner for your congregation, the UULMNJ banner can be customized for your congregation.
  • Craig will be on vacation from June 22 to July 7, for her daughter’s wedding.

There will be no Liaison conference call in July unless there is important business breaking.  Please check email for an announcement.

Reminders

  • New website is LIVE! http://www.UULMNJ.org There is a calendar for statewide congregational events. Plan on submitting community events to be added to the statewide calendar to events@uulmnj.org!

Adjourned at 8:46 pm

May 2015

by UU FA Office

Monthly Liaison Conference Call Minutes

May 6, 2015, 8 PM

In Attendance:

Lorraine Wearley  (Summit)
Nick Mellis (Washington Crossing)
Al Stawsky (Palisades)
Edie Waill (Parmaus)
Sally Gellert (Paramus)
Laurice Grae-Hauck, Administrator
Rev. Craig Hirshberg, Exec. Dir.

AGENDA:

Congregations Check-in: 

  • Edie (Paramus): May 15 “Inequality for All” film, Gordon McGinnis president of NJ Policy Perspective leading discussion. Teens talk about racism May 28. Showing Inconvenient Truth about charter schools run by corporation. Hosted workshop organized by the YWCA “building a multi-racial community: what can white people do”. Plating more for Bountiful Harvest.
  • Lorraine (Summit): Speaker at UCS, two groups together, author of “Give Them a Chance”.
  • Nick (Washington Crossing): Participating in the Council for Faith on Action working on marijuana legalization.
  • Al (Palisades): Minister canceled regular sermon and instead had an open discussion on recent events in Baltimore, attended by about 30.

Task Force:

  • Al ( Justice): A lot of bills but not much action except for the medical treatment bill. Bill would allow convicted addicts to go into a non-prison treatment program and use recommended drug treatment medications, not currently allowed in prison settings. Drug Policy Alliance sent request asking to contact legislators about moving this bill to a vote and to write letters to editors. Many bills have begun the process but none are currently active.
    3 recent bills on police conduct in recent months. One on use of choke holds, one on mandatory prosecutor assigned to police killings, third requiring residency for policeman giving communities five years.
  • Lorraine (Economic Justice): A dozen bills we’re following but none have moved.  Some haven’t moved since 2014. The budget is holding things up.  Courts will reevaluate in June and if the administration hasn’t moved on the affordable housing moneys the administration could face law suit. Fair Share Housing offered to do an advocate training. 10 people interested at Plenary. Lorraine will send files and LTE template to Craig to send to congregations.

What can we do at the state level to address racism?

  • Paula Jones from Joseph Priestley attended plenary and suggested some trainings.
  • We hung a Black Lives Matter banner at plenary.
  • If your congregation would like to reproduce this banner, Laurice will do minimal redesign for your congregation. Name, logo, etc.
  • Join the “Are UU Awake?” group on Facebook
  • Al suggests a NJ wide conference that deals with the question in a way that is designed to challenge participants and congregations to face up to the questions of our faith principles and how they translate into how we react to the major moral crisis of racism. Lorraine agrees if there is an action item.
  • Sallie would like to see the “Standing on the Side of Love” webinar as a Sunday service.
  • Lorraine sent a NY Times article out about how where you leave affects your ability to get out of poverty.
  • We have to be careful and consistent with the needs of the black community. If people are not sensitive with the dynamics they can make matters worse when reaching out.

Marijuana Laws

  • Craig would like congregations to have educational discussions about this as an issue of mass incarceration.
  • Nick finds it surprising that people are squeamish talking about legalizing it. This is not being favor of marijuana use. It’s about getting people out of the shadows so we can solve problems.
  • Al suggests looking at educational materials from ACLU and NJ United for Marijuana Reform.
  • As the only UU state advocacy body, by supporting this it enables congregations to speak up. We need congregations to have a forum so we know where congregations stand.
  • If people study the issue there won’t be any issues.
  • Nick asks people to call the state Democratic Committee to endorse the effort of NJUMR.
  • Trying to make a video to use in congregations.

News:

  • Fair Share Housing training in Cherry Hill
  • Million Person March July 25 in Newark organized by the People’s Organization for Progress, for racial and economic justice.
  • Sallie brought up NJ Transit cutting service on train lines would like to see UULMNJ action.
  • Anti Poverty Network gala on
  • UULMNJ has just joined the newly formed New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice.

Reminders:

  • New website is LIVE! http://www.UULMNJ.org There is a calendar for statewide congregational events.  Plan on submitting community events to be added to the statewide calendar to events@uulmnj.org!

Adjourned at 9:12 p.m.

Minutes submitted by Laurice Grae-Hauck, UULMNJ Administrator

April 2015

by UU FA Office

Monthly Liaison Conference Call Minutes

April 1, 2015, 8 PM

In Attendance:

Toby Tyler (Morristown)
Lorraine Wearley  (Summit)
Diane Finn (Montclair)
Elaine Nigam (Princeton)
Al Stawsky (Palisades)
Edie Waill (Parmaus)
Sally Gellert (Paramus)
Bill Potter (Princeton)
Laurice Grae-Hauck, Administrator
Rev. Craig Hirshberg, Exec. Dir.

AGENDA:

Congregations Check-in: 

  • Sally (Paramus): “Escape Fire” film screening was snowed out. Community Garden raised $6,000 for Center for Food Action.  Lots of things coming up for Earth Day.
  • Lorraine (Summit): Has been taking emails and names from people during tabling and forwarding them the sick days action alert later in the day.
    Last fall effort, interfaith organization.  Minister Emilie is the chair.  Monthly discussion on race.  19 faith based organizations participating.  Claudia Cohen facilitating the discussion.  5 African-American churches in Summit involved.  Green Earth Ministry, chaired by Margaret Babcock, a new environmental group being formed with a mission statement in the process.  Group will focus on local issues.
  • Diane (Montclair): Not been very active with UULMNJ lately. A program on campaign finance reform this Monday and have a very active Green Sanctuary committee.
  • Elaine (Princeton): Tabling the last couple of weeks for paid sick days. 87 letters out to legislators, using the SALSA template that was sent out as an Action Alert.  Tabling for annual meetings and coordinating carpooling. Spring sale proceeds will go to social justice activities, $27,000. Various activities on the Campaign to end the New Jim Crow with other organization.
  • Al (Palisades): Topic “You, Me and Black History” service being led by Al this Sunday, snowed out in February.  Bergen County joint social justice event over the weekend. Film screening Friday, “The House I Live In” good attendance and discussion.  Dinner with a panel on Saturday night.  Service in Ridgewood on Sunday by a MUF member, Elias Ortega.  Well attended events.
  • Toby (Morristown): Morristown has not done a lot specifically with UULMNJ recently, but did host the MUUsic Festival.  A member started a discussion group on Justice, using a book, A Theory of Justice by Harriett Rawls.

Task Force:

  • Al ( Justice): No urgent activity at the moment as far as legislation. Only exception being some of the bills in the 21 bill package for treatment with opioid addiction. Medical Assisted Treatment bill is waiting for an Assembly vote, passed the senate last week. NJ Campaign Against Torture working on solitary confinement.  Dialogue likely in committee post hearing.  Call your legislators, especially those on the law and public safety committee.  We don’t know what behind the scenes discussion are happening. Presumptive Parole Act, parole reform bill in both assembly and senate committees.  Top bills the Drug Policy Alliance has been pushing. Marijuana decriminalization is becoming more and more an issue of interest, making an impact on mass incarceration in the United States.  8 states have decriminalize, with 4 legalizing. A coalition for marijuana reform has been formed in NJ, The New Jersey United for Marijuana Reform.  A change in marijuana criminalization would make a big dent on the number of people incarcerated in New Jersey.    A bill to defelonize 2oz or less of marijuana from last year has gone nowhere.  Alex Shalom from ACLU-NJ will be speaking in the task force meeting on April 18 in Montclair. Urging congregations to get their congregational activities on the event calendar on the new UULMNJ website. S2806 is being supported by Deb Ellis of NJ Coalition to End Homelessness removes restrictions on convicted drug offenders receiving general assistance benefits under Work First New Jersey program.  Could be a great opportunity for the Legal Advocacy Project.
  • Lorraine (Economic Justice): Have been thinking about ways to make it easier for people to contact legislators.  Want to start making EJTF action alerts more letter friendly.  Focused on two main issues. Active housing issue in the legislator, around 10 bills having to do with foreclosure.  The reason there are so many is NJ has one of the highest foreclosure rates in the country.  It took until now to work their way through the courts.  Many empty houses, sheriff sales, etc. causing whole neighborhoods to turn into slum zones.  Progressing at a reasonable pace.  New software developed for town to keep on top of these foreclosures, working with the banks. Earned sick days bill has had absolutely no action.  Disappointing because we were hoping to push it through before March because of election season.  If you have suggestions on how to condense info on the foreclosure laws Lorraine would love to hear your ideas.
  • Bill (Environment): NJ Free agenda began a year ago. Had a presentation about how to achieve 80% renewable energy in Princeton by Lyle Rawlings, president of MidAtlantic Energies. Legislation in both houses to achieve these goals. RETA renewable energy transition act, and another to modify an existing unnamed law.  These are enforceable goals with annual milestones.  Letter writing campaign starting soon to get support for the position in municipalities.  Odds of enacting this year are not great.  Don’t believe Gov. Christie will support the bipartisan legislation.  Very active on fracking.  Draft letter links fracking and renewable energy.
  • Diane (Gun Violence): Bill introduced about removing weapons from people with domestic violence restraining orders at the temporary restraining order (TRO) phase. Currently weapons are removed when a final restraining order is issued (FRO).

News:

  • Wind of the Spirit sponsored a march to the Governor’s mansion protesting his immigration policy.
  • UULMNJ has just joined the newly formed New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice.

Reminders:

  • New website will be launched in the coming weeks! There will be a calendar for statewide congregational events.  Plan on submitting community events to be added to the statewide calendar to events@uulmnj.org!
  • Registration is now open for the Spring Plenary in Montclair on April 18. Register at http://bit.ly/16hBBgl.  Stay up to date with information and attendees, invite friends or share the event at https://www.facebook.com/events/1543470649257947/  Keynote address is “The Inconvenience of Modern Racism”. Same numbers of delegates your congregation would have at district meeting at our annual meeting.  Get your delegates lined up!

Adjourned at 9:09 p.m.

Minutes submitted by Laurice Grae-Hauck, UULMNJ Administrator