2007-2008 Annual Report

Social Justice Committee

The mission of the Social Justice Committee (SJC) is to inform and educate the congregation and the public about social concerns, to find ways and means to rectify social injustices and to take action for social change in accordance with UU principles.

To begin our new fiscal year the Social Justice Committee held a workshop and selected four primary areas of focus for this fiscal year. Selected were Peace, Darfur, GLBTQ issues and Election reform/issues. While we concentrated on these issues we continued our many other programs.

One of our main agendas this year has been to publicize the situation in Darfur. Our hope is that by educating our citizens about the genocide they will demand that our elected officials pressure the Sudanese government to bring about an immediate resolution. We supported “Two Mothers Walking for Others” by donating $1.00 per mile walked ($300.00) to their chosen charity, Save the Children – Darfur. We have put up a banner in front of UUC, distributed 30 lawn signs and almost 80 “Save Darfur” bumper stickers, sent several petitions and pushed for divestment. We continue to make phone calls, send e-mails, and letters regarding this tragedy.

Another area of focus was peace. To this end, we sponsored two presentations. First, the play “What I Heard About Iraq” and second a talk by Ann Wright, diplomat, veteran and peace activist. Both were well attended and received educating the public and gaining support. Peace cornering/picketing was started in September and continued weekly until April. In recognition of International Peace Day and Interfaith Witness for Peace Day the SJC sponsored a rededication of our Peace Pole and a special Saturday Peace Cornering. The Reverends Abhi and Mille shared reflections and Elly Kelly Baker and Fred Seidl provided music and songs. We will be participating in the Banner Project this June by displaying a banner stating that Unitarian Universalists say Torture is a Moral Issue and helping to educate the public and hopefully bring about discussion and action on this important topic.

Participation in the Pride in Paradise Parade in St. Pete was at an all time high with approximately 120 UUs (Many from UUC) marching and staffing the Cluster booth. Participation in Pride in the Park was planned but the festival was rained out. Many thanks go to Allison Snell for organizing support for these and other events. Reorganizing Interweave has started and plans on defeating the discriminatory Marriage “Protection” Amendment are in the making. Several members attended the Celebration of Faith and Diversity workshop and Human Rights Campaign Faith & Fairness Town Hall meeting presented at Trinity United Church of Christ in St. Pete. Many also attended the “Standing on the Side of Love Dinner” held at the UU of St. Pete and the Transgender Remembrance Day at Unity of Clearwater in support of GLBTQ rights.

The SJC has been actively supporting election reform and monitoring election issues. Plans are being made to become more involved as the election nears.

We presented the SJC Fourth Annual Free Film Festival. Six films, The Ground Truth, Who Killed The Electric Car?, America: Freedom to Fascism, When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts, part one & part two and Next Movement were shown during June 24^th through September 9^th, 2007 with the aid of Bill Loomis . These films covered a variety of social justice issues. Special thanks go to Bill Newton for his invaluable assistance with the films and publicity for these events.

For the fourth year the SJC continues to coordinate the Khasi Hills Project now under the direction of Catherine Conover with the assistance of Marlene Calderone. Eighty six students and eight teachers from the Margaret Barr Memorial School in India benefit from the sponsorship and generosity of our congregation. Letters are exchanged and friendships are developing. Abhi made another visit to the school and personally delivered knitted hats and scarves made by several members and friends of UUC under the guidance of Susan Hegner.

Molly Stevenson organized the Mitten Tree purchase of holiday presents for homeless children in cooperation with the Shepherd Center of Tarpon Springs. The demand to participate was so great we hope to expand this tradition next year.

Our UU Service Committee (UUSC) representative, Ann Myers, coordinated the sale of UUSC holiday cards and the distribution of “Guest at Your Table Boxes.” The total collected for “Guest at Your Table” contributions set a five year record at $1451.25.

We are very grateful to Linda Stoller for her continued management of the Fair Trade Coffee Project. In its third year this program is extremely successful. In addition to coffee, hot chocolate, chocolate bars and nuts are sold once a month. Members really enjoy the Fair Trade coffee served during the social hour. The UU Service Committee and UUC, as well as the growers benefit from this project. Our total sales allowed us to contribute $600.00 to UUC. Cora Kostka and Allison Snell assisted Linda as we tried twice monthly sales.

Religious Community Services (RCS) continues to receive our support. Food is collected for the Food Bank, toiletries for the shelters and support for RCS functions is on going. Donations from Split the Plate went to the Food Bank. We thank Jackie Brown, who recently resigned as our representative to RCS, for her many years of hard work and service. Our new representative, Ellen Morgan, will attend RCS council meetings and keeps us informed. Many members assisted with the letter carrier food drive and attended the Haven Fund raiser while others volunteer at the Food Bank through out the year.

Approximately 25 UUs marched in the MLK Parade and proudly carried the UUC and Social Justice Committee Banners in honor of the birthday of The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Membership to the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum was renewed.

Marilyn Toman, our representative to the Pinellas Farm Workers Support Committee continues to keep us up to date on the Farm Workers Ministry. We participated in a petition campaign to Burger King supporting an increase of one cent per pound of tomatoes picked. Marilyn organized the Strawberry Festival and meeting. We continue to support the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) and their fight for justice.

The WMNF – More Bang for Your Buck Campaign was implemented. Twice weekly announcements highlighting UUC were read during the “Democracy Now” program which is presented on WMNF 88.5 FM community radio. Financial support was given to this wonderful radio station and UUC was publicized. This was a great prelude to the UUA advertising campaign.

Through our own Better World Emergency Fund and an agreement with the Pinellas Opportunity Council funds were distributed to local people who needed help but “fell through the cracks” of available social service programs. We also donated funds to Save the Children – Darfur, the Kenya Crisis Fund, Pinellas Hope homeless project, Myanmar Cyclone Relief, the Margaret Barr Memorial School in the Khasi Hills of India, and Rev. Abhi’s discretionary fund. The BWEF allows us to respond immediately to a disaster or emergency. Our monthly Split the Plate program enables us to donate too many worthy charities and causes and continues to be a highlight responsibility and privilege for the Justice Committee.

In addition, after services most Sundays, Marlene and various committee members staffed the SJC table in the Social Hall enabling them to distribute information, answer questions, address concerns and educate. Letter writing campaigns, petitions and e-mails were initiated on a wide variety of important issues. Others attended Saturday meetings, contributed ideas and supported the projects. Maralyn Toman and Lori Eargle recorded the minutes. We thank them all. And as always a special thanks to Reverends Abhi and Millie for their support and commitment to social justice issues and the work of this committee.

Marlene Calderone, Chair

Social Justice Committee UUC