Having Trouble with Good Trouble?: Criteria Clarification and 3 Biggest UU the Vote FAQs
The late Congressman John Lewis reminded us, “When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have to speak up. You have to say something; you have to do something.”
In that spirit, we are proud to continue the Good Trouble Congregations program. This initiative invites congregations to faithfully stretch their organizing and take bold action. Each year, we adjust the Good Trouble Congregations criteria to respond to the needs of the moment and to help us build skills, relationships, and power together. We know that some of this year’s criteria have been unclear, so we want to offer a few important clarifications.
But before we get into the criteria, we invite you to pause and reconnect with what grounds us in this work. What does a world where everyone is free and thriving look like? How does your work help move us toward that world?
Good Trouble is an invitation to deepen our purpose, not to win a prize.
Since launching this program, more and more individuals and congregations have faithfully built teams, taken on new roles, developed relationships, and organized actions toward our collective goals. That is the heart of Good Trouble: holding one another with care and intention while building the power we need through faithful action.
Thank you for your ceaseless commitment.
Criteria Clarification and 3 Biggest UU the Vote FAQs
Q1: How many Democracy Defense and Community Safety trainings do we need to attend?
More than 250 people across 154 congregations have joined us for the Democracy Defense and Community Safety training. We built this series understanding that this election season requires all of us to skill up in face of political violence.
Criteria Clarification: Any team with 5% of their congregation attending at least 4 trainings.
There are 5 training sessions left in the series! Register today!
August 19: Site & Event Safety: Defending Democracy Means Protecting the Commons
September 2: Democracy Defense and Community Safety Training
September 9: Democracy Defense and Community Safety Training
Q2: We are not hosting a Solidarity Summit, what do we do?
The Good Trouble criteria include either hosting your own Summit OR 5% of your congregation attending a Summit. Can’t join? You can still do Good Trouble by taking other actions. Review other good trouble actions here.
There are 9 Summits happening in the following cities. These events are open to everyone. Some congregations are carpooling to attend the one in their state. Some Summit organizers are organizing home stays for folks that are traveling to the Summit.
Find a Summit Near You:
September 5: Arizona Solidarity Summit
September 18 - 20: Tennessee Solidarity Summit
September 19: Camp Democracy in Washington, DC
September 26-27: Williamsburg Virginia Solidarity Summit
September 26: Solidarity Central: UU Advocacy Network of IL Springfield Summit
October 2 - 4: Texas Solidarity Summit
October 3: Northland Solidarity Summit in Duluth, MN
October 3: Colorado Solidarity Summit
October 17: Connecticut Solidarity Summit
Q3: What activity counts?
All non-partisan elections can be added to the UU the Vote form. From voter registration, poll workers, and community events, the work of our nation's community has a massive impact. Join the over 450 congregations active with UU the Vote to get counted in our national totals. We will be sharing your work on Sept 2 at our Fall GOTV event.
In faith and solidarity,
Nicole
Nicole Pressley, UUA Organizing Strategy Team Director
