Social Justice Action Council Charter

Created September 2017

Amended October 2020

Amended and Approved October 2026 

The Grounding of Our Work

Since the early days of Unitarianism and Universalism in this country, our faith has led us to take action to make the world better. In the long struggle to put our faith into action, we take heart and inspiration from the many activists who make up our history, who worked for the abolition of slavery, women’s suffrage, prison reform, humane treatment of mental illness, civil rights for African Americans, and in many other social change movements. With our institutional decisions, as well as these individual inspirations, we Unitarian Universalists have demonstrated that our religious principles call us to make our lives and our communities beacons of justice, peace, freedom, sustainability, tolerance, and love.

Our congregation stands proudly in this tradition.  Among our actions are the following: 

  • Resisted the demands of McCarthyism in the 1950s
  • Supported the Central American sanctuary movement in the 1980s, and continue today to support and protect local immigrants
  • Worked for equality for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities from the 1990s to the present 
  • Worked to create affordable housing and end homelessness, including
    • enabling the creation of Stevenson House
    • co-founding Hotel de Zink
    • partnering with Peninsula Interfaith Action
    • raising over $100,000 to build the Palo Alto Opportunity Center
    • working with the City of Palo Alto to establish a congregation-based safe parking program at UUCPA and other faith communities
  • Assisted in founding the Multifaith Voices for Peace and Justice organization after 9/11
  • installed multiple sets of solar panels and electric vehicle chargers, and undertook a major renovation project to electrify our campus
  • Actively supported public financing of elections in California, and other initiatives from the California Clean Money campaign.

Social Justice Action Council Mission

The mission of the UUCPA Social Justice Action Council is to empower the congregation to take action for social and environmental justice in the larger community, in accordance with our Unitarian Universalist principles and our congregational commitment to tending to our world. 

Social Justice Action Council Responsibilities

The primary responsibility of the Social Justice Action Council is to promote social justice action in the congregation through:

  • Proposing a slate of monthly Justice Partners for approval at the Annual Congregational Meeting
  • Communicating/Coordinating with people taking action in the congregation
  • Interfacing with the UUCPA Green Sanctuary Committee and the Welcoming Congregation Committee
  • Interfacing with social justice and interfaith groups outside the church, including Multifaith Voices for Peace and Justice
  • Researching and making endorsements on behalf of the congregation in accordance with the resolutions passed at the 2017 and 2018 Annual Meetings.  
  • Approving the use of the UUCPA banner at public events
  • Publicizing the social justice work of the congregation

NOTE: The Social Justice Action Council sometimes manages social justice activities, but more often supports congregants or committees to independently organize initiatives.

Social Justice Action Council Membership

The Social Justice Action Council may have from five to nine members, appointed by the Parish Minister and confirmed by the Board of Trustees.  Social Justice Action Council members must be members of UUCPA.  The Parish Minister and Board Social Justice Portfolio holder are members ex officio without vote.  The Board Portfolio holder for Social Justice may be among the voting members if so appointed.  The Parish Minister does not count as one of the five to nine Council members.

There is no specific term length for serving on the Social Justice Action Council.  The Council shall elect its Chair from among its membership.

The Social Justice Action Council will notify the Parish Minister and Board of resignation(s) from the Council and may request the appointment of a particular new member who has expressed a desire to serve.

ADDENDUM October 2020

Definition of Emeritus Member of the Social Justice Action Council

Social Justice Action Council Emeritus Member— one who has been a Member of the Social Justice Action Council for an extended period of time but is no longer able to participate actively, and who has been offered Emeritus Membership by the Social Justice Action Council and has accepted.  Emeritus Members may receive all Social Justice Action Council communications and meeting notices, if desired.  Emeritus Members may attend Social Justice Action Council meetings and vote on any issues put before the Council, if desired.  Emeritus Members are not included in the 5-9 active members allowed on the Social Justice Action Council.

Becoming an Emeritus Member is a two-step process.  First the Social Justice Action Council votes to approve an individual to be offered an Emeritus Membership.  The individual is then offered Emeritus Membership and may accept or decline.

APPENDIX

Five Types of Social Justice Action

(adapted from the Justice Ministries of the Mountain Desert District of the UUA)

Service:  The purpose of social service is to meet immediate needs of persons in distress, e.g., money, food or clothing donations, tutoring, childcare programs, homes for senior citizens, youth clubs, Girl/Boy scouts, shelter for the homeless, volunteering, etc.

Education:  The purpose of social education is to inform people about the importance of a social issue and to inform and interpret the issue within the context of our liberal religious values, e.g. public meetings, workshops, drama, worship services and sermons, forums, videos, publications, curriculum, etc.

Witness/Direct Action:  The purpose of social witness is to publicly act upon the convictions of an individual or organization regarding a particular issue, e.g. participating in demonstrations, vigils, and marches; communicating through letters to the editor, press releases, and petitions; voting on resolutions; and making lifestyle changes.

Advocacy:  Working through the legislative process to impact public policy e.g., visiting, writing, and/or telephoning elected officials, representatives, mayors, senators, etc.

Community Organizing:  Organization building and social activism that involves coalition work and often composed of existing community-based organizations (congregations, labor unions, etc.) who engage in specific campaigns to change public policy, institutional practices in particular arenas ranging from education, to income, to the environment. This approach recognizes that individuals have little chance of success without the empowerment of groups who know how to organize, build relationships, and influence systems. They do so by developing a strong organization, influencing policy/decisionmakers, and empowering people so they can achieve self-determination.