The goal is to determine subject matter focus that allows UUSJ to engage the authentic passions of UUs and provide our denomination the best federal policy impact possible, while remaining engaged on the important debates of the period.  This is how UUSJ has been able to have impact above our “weight class,” showing we are “tiny but mighty” over the past two years.

To achieve this goal, UUSJ evaluates suggested topics (and opportunities) using four key criteria:

1. Is the issue GROUNDED in our UU principles?
2. Does it FIT for this organization?
3. Is it ACCOUNTABLE to the wider community?
4. Are there OPPORTUNITIES for action?

We also consider factors such as:

1. Intersectionality, does this issue help connect siloed policies or breakdown key barriers?
2. Actionable, does the issue present a means of moving us in a helpful direction?
3. Solidarity, does the issue help us be in solidarity with or flank in defense the impacted?
4. Impact, does the issue facilitate growth into our niche, highlight our capacity, or further our mission?

We choose topics based on our UU principles, Statements of Conscience, initiatives of the UUA, Actions of Immediate Witness from General Assembly, and current and upcoming issues before the U.S. Congress and Administration.  We also consider the work being done by partners, both UU affiliate and non-UU organizations.  The last time UUSJ developed its federal policy and advocacy priorities three main topics were chosen based on input from congregation partners; and these three priority areas have been our primary focus for the past several years:  Climate Change and the Environment, Escalating Economic Inequity, and Immigration Reform.

Please RETURN TO SURVEY, it will only take five minutes to complete the 2018-2020 Priority Policy Area Survey.

Please give us your input.