Blog Extra: Kat's Korner Extras

Annual Program Fund (APF) dues to the Ohio-Meadville District ($21.50) and the Unitarian Universalist Association ($56) are based on our certified membership numbers each year (2010 FUUSM= 110), as are the number of delegates for each congregation. Rates are recommended by the boards and approved by congregational delegates at the District & General Assembly.

Acronyms and lingo can have a way of excluding people when they don't know what you're talking about. The language we use is part of our culture and it is a hot topic for reflection in our congregation, the UU World magazine and the wider Unitarian Universalist movement.

Words matter. They have power and meaning that is projected upon them, in addition to explicit definitions. I strive for consistent references in our guiding documents and common usage. I also refer to general UUA standards and programs in order to keep us in current conversation with the broader movement. For example, the UUA and Ohio Meadville District define youth as a specific age range as it relates to Youth Group. (It used to be 14-20, now we refer to 9-12th graders or the equivalent in home schooling.) *See Working Group recommendation noted below.

There has been continuing work toward being in right relationship with individuals and groups at all levels of our UU Association. Commitments to being anti-racist, anti-oppressive, and multi-cultural are an expression of both informal and formal agreements. Self-identification is an important aspect of respectful interaction, as in use of inclusive language and gender neutral pronouns. It marks the historical progression of culture as in the shifts through terms like negro, colored person, black, african-american and person of color. There is some variance in personal preferences, and so I have found it is better to ask, and also allow for mistakes with an attitude of humility.