Social Justice Awards
Inspiring Ideas, Sharing Resources, Working
and Celebrating Together
Flier

To celebrate the accomplishments of those working for social justice, Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice of the National Capital Region invites nominations for its  Social Justice Awards. The awards recognize those individuals and congregations who inspire, support and express effective social action – those deeply committed volunteers and ministers who are the heart of the social justice movement in the National Capital region.

Eligibility Requirements and Instructions for
Submitting a Nomination for Award

Submission Deadline: Noon, Tuesday, September 8, 2015.
Nomination Submissions: Submissions must be completed using our online submission form. Online nominations will be accepted beginning July 30. If you have any questions, or problems submitting online, contact UUSJ at 202-600-9132 or at info@uusj.org and in the subject line put “Awards Nomination Question.”
This year, the nominator must notify the congregation’s minister of the nomination being put forward.
Notification: A notification of receipt of the online nomination will be emailed upon initial review of the online nomination submission. The person making the nomination will be notified of the nomination status by September 15.  Awardees will be notified by September 18.
Awardees will be honored and presented awards at the UUSJ Social Justice Awards Benefit Gala on Sunday, October 18, 2015 at 5:30 p.m. at the UU Church of Arlington, 4444 Arlington Blvd., Arlington, VA.
Eligibility Requirements:
• Awardees may only receive one award annually.
• Individuals or groups that have been recognized with a UUSJ award are not eligible to receive the same award within two years.
• UUSJ Executive Committee Officers are not eligible for awards.

2015 UUSJ Social Justice Award Categories

Collaboration Award – effective congregational social action program reflecting and elevating UU values and principles that has involved cooperation with another UU congregation(s), other faith based groups, and/or non-religious organizations.

Beloved Community Award – work and witness that has built multicultural community and solidarity, confronting racism and oppression as barriers to change and healthy human relations where we live, work, and worship.

Innovative Social Justice Programming Award – creative, inventive congregational program or elements of a program that has made a significant contribution to social justice reflecting UU values and principles or was replicated as a model.

Congregational Social Justice Program Award – transformative and comprehensive congregational program of social action that can serve as a model involving service, education, witness, advocacy, and community organizing.

Economic Justice Award – effective work, witness and/or advocacy for the systemic changes needed to promote a more just economy and compassionate society.

Environmental Award – effective work, witness, and/or advocacy in response to environmental challenges and climate change.

LGBTQ Award – effective work and witness for the civil rights and social acceptance of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning persons.

Immigration Award – effective work, witness and/or advocacy by a congregation that can serve as a model for the ways it has transformed concern into action for justice for immigrants.

Minister’s Award – leading, inspiring, supporting and/or expressing effective social action reflecting UU values and principles.

Youth Activist Award – an individual 13-18 years of age who is inspiring, supporting and expressing effective social action reflecting UU values and principles.

Emerging Leader Award – an individual who is emerging as a lay leader inspiring, supporting and expressing effective social action reflecting UU values and principles.

Lifetime Achievement Award – an individual who has spent at least 20 years as a lay leader supporting and expressing effective social action reflecting UU values and principles.

These categories are the ones UUSJ makes awards for but may not make awards in all categories.

Here is a link to previous social justice award winners.

You can make a nomination using our online submission form.