There has been talk about making changes at GA for several years now. What if the planning committee, and the Board of Trustee were listening? And what if they were to propose to make some changes? We have seen how rapidly the reform of bringing congregational presidents to G.A. and giving them lots of interface time has become institutionalized.
I expect these changes to be instituted in the next few years. I suspect we will hear something of these ideas soon.
1) Plenary sessions where substantial business was brought before the delegates for discussion and decision will become the norm.
2. That means in the future the plenary agenda will see less reports (which we could read), awards, recognitions of local dignitaries, promotional films, and international delegates. And did I mention that this might mean no sing a longs, exercise breaks, and snake dances!You asked for reform, and you get reformed.
3. The General Assembly will ask congregations to discuss the substantial business coming before the GA and elect delegates that will represent the congregations discussions. There will be an expectation that congregations make efforts to fund their delegates.
4. I expect to hear a proposal that we (ministerial delegates) should be expected to attend plenary. We should model associational participation as we together work to renew our polity.
While I applaud the effort, I am know that I am part of the problem. I attended my first GA in the sixties, and have attended about 16 since then. Lately its getting to be a habit. Over the years, I have adjusted to what went on at GA, and found ways to make it a very productive time. I look forward to GA, and these proposals will require me adjusting my time.
That is the problem with reforms, it means that not only "they" have to change, but "we" do as well. It means Associational governance will be added to my "to do list." And the idea of being expected to go to plenary while I am at GA is going to take some attitude adjustment. I have used that time to good purposes for years, my date book for St. Louis is already full. In years past, I have gone to DRUUM meetings, had appointments with staff about Anti racism initiatives, met with delegates of Native American descent who wanted to connect, done UUMA business, and even had a soulful reunion with an old friend or two.
What is my response to this idea that ministerial delegates be a good example. First, It will take some time to make the adjustments, maybe I can be a model participant by 2008. Second, I want to negotiate the expectations! Our contracts need to be amended, we should not be expected to take money out of our professional expenses to "do the business of the association." Maybe the next generation will enjoy plenary and look forward to debating strategic plans, but I need a little incentive. And I am a boy scout compared to some of my colleagues.
I was a delegate last year at my first GA, and I went to EVERY plenary. I found them quite interesting and inspiring, actually, though I found myself mystified that many other delegates didn't take them as seriously as I wanted to.
Heading into this GA, I'm not so sure about what good was really done in those plenary sessions last year, and if I'm a delegate again, if it will be just as interesting and inspiring in the moment and then fizzle right out again. And that makes me sad, because the people who put their time and energy into the issues presented in plenary are trying to do the best they can for this movement. I hate to see that effort wasted, and wish GA could live up to that passion in such a way to carry it back to our congregations and do some real, nuts and bolts good with it.
I hope to meet you at this year's GA, Clyde!
I look forward to meeting you at GA as well.
I guess you mean "international guests", not delegates. And if there are less of them (of us), I think that the GA experience will be poorer. Quite a different thing is that international guests should have a more interactive role with congregational delegates so that there is increasing awareness that we are a global faith and not an American exception.