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GROWING RELATIONSHIPS�BUILDING POWER

XX UU Congregation

DATE

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Opening Song - The People Will Rise by Nelini Stamp

Why are we in this situation�In this situation, in this situation, that brings us down

Can’t you see we are losing patience, � We are losing patience with oppression now

The people will rise

We have come to raise our voices for the broken down

You and me, we will stand together, we will stand together, on common ground

The people will rise

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Chalice Lighting

As we light this chalice today, may it serve to give us clarity of purpose and illumine our way as we set about doing the work of this congregation, in commitment, in cooperation, and in love.

Rev. Viola Abbitt

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What can we do as a Congregation?

Non-Partisan

No work for or coordinated with candidates or parties
We CAN promote voting based on issues, including ballot measures
Provide civic education

Targeted

We can focus on populations that are under-represented in the electorate
These are the voices that need to be heard in the public square

Ground the work in spirituality / UU values

Our faith holds democratic processes as a core value

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Why do Voter Engagement Work as a Congregation?

Build community (commit to and support each other)
Build power together
Build relationships that support future organizing work
Shift the actual conditions of our communities
Inspire others to work with us
Raise the profile of the congregation

With partners
In the community
In the cluster / region

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How could we UU the Vote?

There is no one way to UU the Vote. It includes:

Voter Registration and Voter Contact (letters, phones, doors)
Values-based Issue Conversations
Relational Organizing - talking to our friends, families, neighbors
Election Protection and Poll Working
Public Events including showing up for partners around democracy and combating voter suppression
Open Door Congregation

Sharing our Spaces
Partnering with Movement Groups
Sharing time, skills and money with Movement Groups

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Personal and small group reflection

Spend about 5 minutes completing the Individual Planning Guide worksheet

Then, in share in dyads or triads for about 10 minutes.

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What could we do as a group?

Register voters (consider as well your plan to grow engagement from now through the election)

Where are our people? PRIDE, Farmers Markets, Community Events?
March to the Polls
League of Women Voters

Phone, Text Banking, Canvassing

Partner with local organizations, join UU the Vote National virtual events

Write letters / postcards

Postcard parties: after worship or other times
Individuals take packets home

Election day

Poll workers (inside polls) Election monitoring and defense (outside polls)
Provide rides to the polls

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Doing Balanced Work Collectively

Challenge: show up to vote our values in 2024
Building a multi-racial democracy
Example - 2024 Good Trouble designation
Assist in goal-setting

Meet four of 11 criteria
Criteria relate to organizing and voter contact
Some are based on membership

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Good Trouble Congregation - Organizing

Based on our membership (100), our goals could be (meet 2):

Turn out 5 members at a partner public action / witness (5%)
Turn out 10 members at a UUTV political education event (10%)
Good Trouble (GT) team table or canvasses at 3+ public events
2+ people are pollworkers, poll monitors, line warmers
20 members volunteer in GT programming (20% volunteer engagement)
Act as a Ballot Initiative hub or other ballot-related site

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Good Trouble Congregation - Voter Contact

For example, based on our membership (100), our goals could be:

Send 2,000 postcards or letters (20 / member)
Send 200,000 text messages (200 / member)
Make 2,000 phone calls (20 / member)
Knock on 2,000 doors (20 / member)
Average 1,000 ballot petition signatures per member (10 / member)

While this may not be achievable for us, we can think now about goals that do make sense for our capacity!

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Doing Balanced Work Collectively

Whole Group Discussion: Which criteria make sense for our congregation?

Straw Poll Voting: Each person has four stickers, which can be used in any combination on each type of criteria

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Bringing it Together

Based on straw poll and congregational discussion, complete the congregational planning tool

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Closing Song: This is What Democracy Looks Like by Elizabeth Alexander

ONE: We see that there’s a wrong to be righted.

TWO: We know that we are stronger when united

THREE: We exercise our right to assemble.

FOUR: That’s when the proud and mighty start to tremble.

Just in case you’re wonderin’, Just in case you’re wonderin’, Just in case you’re wonderin’,

Hey, hey, look this way! This is what democracy looks like.

SHOW ME WHAT DEMOCRACY LOOKS LIKE! This is what democracy looks like.

SHOW ME WHAT DEMOCRACY LOOKS LIKE! This is what democracy looks like. ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR!