Category: UUFANJ News

Let YUUr Voice BE HEARD  in Trenton in 2014-15!

Time for the UULMNJ 2014 Fall Issues Workshop!

Saturday, September 27, 2014
9:00am-2:30pm
Hosted by the Central Unitarian Church
156 Forest Park Avenue, Paramus, NJ

This will be a working session to:

• Listen to informed speakers and get up to date information on our task forces
• Determine and discuss UULMNJ task force focus issues for the coming year
• Learn how to MOBILIZE UULMNJ action in your home congregation
• Meet with justice leaders from other congregations

Be INSPIRED by keynote speaker, Udi Ofer, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey. In his first year and a half at ACLU-NJ, Mr. Ofer has co-founded an unprecedented campaign to win the freedom to marry for same-sex couples in New Jersey, and also played a leading role in the passage of the New Jersey Dream Act.

Let this year’s workshop be a congregational TEAM BUILDER.  Bring 6 people from your congregation, enough for each task force to have a representative from your home congregation.  This way your congregation gets first hand information on ways to move our Unitarian Universalist principles into key legislation!

Should I come to this workshop? Are you:

• a person who wants to make a difference by putting their faith into action
• interested in the work of UULMNJ or the state legislative process
• a congregational liaison, action team member, social action chair, minister or staff
• a UULMNJ Task Force member?

If you identify with any of these statements then YES!  You should join others like you in Paramus!

A working lunch will be provided.  A donation is asked to cover this cost.

Register NOW through September 22.

Join UULMNJ Executive Director, Rev. Craig Hirshberg, for a round table discussion after the day’s programming.  Learn more about our new cable access series, currently in production!

Don’t forget to follow UULMNJ on Facebook and Twitter!

Environmental Justice: The prime focus of the Environmental Task force through June, 2014 is the bill to ban the transportation of fracking wastes in New Jersey. The bill (S-252) was voted out of the Senate Environmental Committee by a 4-1 vote and was passed by the full Senate on May 12 by a vote of 32-5. The bill (A-2108) has yet to be heard in the Assembly Environmental Committee. All of the major environmental groups will be sponsoring a Lobby Day on Monday, June 12th when it is possible that the committee will meet. The full Assembly meets on June 15th when a final vote is also possible.

Criminal Justice Reform: Ending the New Jim Crow: The priority of the Task Force at the present time and foreseeably through June 2014 is activity supporting the passage of two current NJ legislative actions.  These are a real and meaningful Bail Reform Bill and an effective Opportunity to Compete Act.  Both of these are expected to make some measurable improvement in the NJ criminal justice system and its effects.

Economic Justice: Economic Justice continues to monitor the disbursement of Sandy Relief funding and support the Sandy Bill of Rights, with letters to our State Representatives and local newspapers. We will make comments on the new COAH Rules by the deadline of July 2nd. We will advocate for the preservation of the Realty Transfer Tax, which helps to fund affordable housing. At the Federal level, we will consider how best to support a proposed Constitutional Amendment to counteract the Supreme Court’s “Citizens United” decision.

Immigration:The Immigration Task Force priorities over the next several months extend into the fall.  At the state level, we are participating in a coalition’s determination to push legislation that would allow undocumented persons the legal ability to drive, either through drivers licenses or a driving privilege card.  We support other efforts as they arise — especially access to state aid for undocumented students and improved legal options to pursue wage theft.  At the national level, we are re-strengthening efforts to get the House of Representatives to pass some form of comprehensive immigration reform.

Gun Violence Prevention:The gun violence task force’s top priority at this time is working with New Jersey Together to get New Jersey municipalities to use their buying power to get gun manufacturers to stop selling to rogue dealers and invest in smart gun technology.  We are also conducting public education, primarily by showing the documentary Shell-Shocked, and supporting legislation that would limit the size of magazines to 10 rounds.

Reproductive Justice: The Reproductive Justice and Healthcare Task Force is focused on gathering continued support of buffer zones and clinic escorts, as well as planning congregation trainings in reproductive justice. We are also actively seeking support for exploration into New Jersey’s healthcare system and access to health services.

Join Us for Upcoming Coalition Lobbying Days:

June 5: Affordable Housing, 9-4, State House
            contact Lorraine Wearley or Rev. Craig Hirshberg for more information

June 12: Environment and Fracking 9-4 State House
            contact Rohn Hein or Rev. Craig Hirshberg for more information

Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry
of New Jersey

UULMNJ Administrator Job Description

The Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of New Jersey (UULMNJ) is seeking a part-time Administrator to begin work as soon as possible and no later than June 1.  Duties of the position include but are not limited to:

• Administrative support for Executive Director
• Assist with Board, plenary and issues workshop preparation
• Organizational data keeping
• Maintaining organization files
• Assume responsibility for electronic advocacy postings, data base, membership, communications, event registration, and reporting
• Development of some electronic communications
• Some financial responsibilities
• Social media maintenance (Facebook, Twitter)

Qualifications:  Previous office administration experience; good office organizing skills; knowledge of Facebook and social media; strong computer skills; basic computer graphics is helpful.  Knowledge of Salsa electronic advocacy program helpful. This person needs to be able to work independently.  Required to meet weekly with Executive Director.

Compensation:   $18 – $20 hr.  18-20 hours/wk.

Applications should be submitted to Rev. Craig Hirshberg, Exec. Director, director@uulmnj.org   Contact:  609.672.7331.

Application Deadline: Applications may be submitted until May 10, 2014.
The Unitarian Universalist Ministry of New Jersey, A Public Policy Network of New Jersey’s 21 UU congregations, provides a comprehensive structure, network and resources to empower the moral voice and actions of our Unitarian Universalist principles and values in the public arena.  UULMNJ engages in social justice and public policy issues important to our state through Education, Research, Advocacy, Witness, and Service. UULMNJ works to facilitate communications among the NJ UU congregations and aims to be a resource to encourage and strengthen their social justice programs.  UULMNJ is an equal opportunity employer.  www.uulmnj.org.

Supported in part by a grant from the UU Funding Program Social Responsibility Fund.

Please help us publicize this position by downloading the job description (pdf) and posting it and/or forwarding it to people who might be interested. Thank you.

UULMNJ 5TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION & ANNUAL PLENARY – RECAP

About 80 UUs gathered at the UU Congregation of Princeton to for UULMNJ’s Annual Plenary.  “We are getting good at these meetings” sums up attendees’ feelings about the event.  One participant noted that these meeting allow us to create thoughtful positions on many complex issues, a task which is too large for individual congregations. And it is always important to have an opportunity to connect and energize one another in addition to our usual teleconferences. We even had a cake to celebrate our fifth anniversary.  Thank you for all who helped the day run smoothly.

Meeting business included electing new board members and adopting a 2014 – 2015 budget.  New board members elected to serve on the UULMNJ Board of Trustees, effective July 1, 2014:

• Andrea Lerner (Metro NY District Executive)
• Rev. Bill Neely (Princeton)
• Roni Taylor (Plainfield)

Continuing to serve on the board are Nick Lewis (Montclair), Frances Prestianni (Princeton), Missy Staples (Somerset Hills), and Judy Strachan (Montclair).   Gail Marsh Saxer (Ocean County) and Rev. Virginia Jarocha-Ernst (Monmouth County) will be ending their terms on the board. And our youth representative, Adam Green (Ridgewood) has let us know that he has to leave the board.

The past year’s highlights and accomplishments were reviewed, and attendees were treated to an informative and entertaining keynote address, How We Got Here:  New Jersey’s Crawl Out of the Great Recession, by Gordon MacInnes, President of New Jersey Policy Perspective.

At the conclusion of the plenary, there was a liaison and congregation volunteer training covering actions as a moral imperative, congregational resources and Salsa, our advocacy system.

Meeting materials are posted here:

Annual Meeting Recap

Plenary Agenda

Executive Director’s Report

President’s Report

Legal Advocacy Project

Task Forces – Annual Reports

• Criminal Justice Reform/New Jim Crow
• Economic Justice
• Environment
• Gun Violence Prevention
• Health Care
• Immigration
• Marriage Equality

Issue Briefs/Position Papers

• NJ Free: Renewable Energy Policy
• Fracking Waste
• Criminal Justice Reform/The New Jim Crow
• Make Sure Renters Get Their Fair Share – Post Sandy Recovery Assistance
• Gun Violence Prevention

UULMNJ Partnerships

Volunteer Sign-Up Sheet

 

 

 

 

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

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.