Social Action at First Unitarian Church of Dallas
May 5, 2008

Social action occurs within two separate groups:

1. The Community Service Committee, which works to address and alleviate the effects of social injustice
2. The Social Action Council, which works to eliminate the causes of social injustice

The Social Action Council’s by-laws outline its mission:  “Grounded in Unitarian Universalist principles that affirm the worth, dignity and human rights of every person, and the interdependence of all life, the Social Action Council is an autonomous, non-partisan volunteer organization that educates and motivates the members of First Unitarian Church of Dallas to take action for social justice.”

The Church’s Long Range Plan, Chart and Compass, includes Social Action as a key part of the Church’s strategy.  It states “we examine and respond to issues of social justice”, and calls us to identify areas of focus, educate ourselves in those areas, and take thoughtful action. 

Consistent with this strategic direction, the Social Action Council has identified four areas for focused effort:

1. Peace
2. Social Justice
3. Democracy
4. Environment

In pursuing these areas, we partner closely with other organizations.  Members of the Social Action Council have now or have in the past held leadership roles in the following organizations:

1. Dallas Peace Center
2. Housing Crisis Center of Dallas
3. Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office
4. Dallas Area Interfaith
5. Social Justice Committee of the North Texas Alliance of UU’s

In addition, a member of the Social Action Council is currently serving as the Executive Director of the International Convocation of UU Women to be held in Houston in February 2009.

We have also taken concrete action in these areas to educate ourselves and the congregation, and taken specific actions.  This builds on a long tradition of social action at First Unitarian that dates back for several decades, and includes visible opposition to the Viet Nam War and active support for women’s rights and racial equality. 

Recent examples of Social Action include:

Peace:

1. Conducted a “Season of Peace” in the Fall of 2007, which included sermons of peace, a presentation by a member of Iraq Veterans Against the War, and a series of training classes on the subject of Peace Building.  We also created a new section in our church library dedicated to Peace. 
2. Social Action Council members have participated in peace marches and demonstrations in partnership with the Dallas Peace Center and other organizations.  

Social Justice:

1. Members of the Social Action Council, as leaders in Dallas Area Interfaith, led meetings with the mayor of Dallas to discuss the need for increased police protection and improved health services for low income areas in Dallas.  As a result of this advocacy, Dallas has added over 200 additional police officers, and changed the criteria to make it easier for low income people to access health services at the county hospital.
2. We assisted Katrina survivors, both by providing needed emergency funds and supplies, and by working with Dallas Area Interfaith to improve long term housing for Katrina victims in Dallas. 

Democracy:

1. In advance of the 2004 elections, we registered new voters in ethnically diverse parts of Dallas, which tend to be underrepresented in elections.  Approximately 70 church members participated, over 400 new voters were registered, and voter information was provided to hundreds more.
2. In 2006, we partnered with the Dallas Chapter of the League of Women Voters to register new voters in light rail train stations in Dallas.  This program registered over 1000 new voters.

Environment:

1. In early 2007 a group of Social Action Council members went to Austin to participate in a demonstration to oppose “fast track” approval of new coal plants.  The effort contributed to the decision to greatly reduce the number of coal plants approved. 
2. The Social Action Council participated in a petition drive to raise awareness and concerns about environmental impact of plans for developing the Trinity River area near downtown Dallas.  The result was greater attention to the environmental aspects of the project.
3. We held a Green Fair in April 2008 to celebrate Earth Day and to provide members of the congregation with ways they can reduce their impact on the environment.