Question about GA

Why were there like, 300 workshops at General Assembly? Seriously - why? There were only 6000 UUs there - a large number of UUs, to be sure, but 300 workshops seems ridonkulous. This doesn’t even include the multitude of private receptions, organizational meetings and daily “check-ins” among various committees.

The amount of energy that goes into planning for GA programming is HUGE and taps the resources of organizations and individuals. So why is there so much of it? Has it always been like this? Does it need to be like this? Does the need for plenary have something to do with it?

Once again, I’ll look at the Islamic Society of North America conference for comparison. They have about 30,000 attendees - and about half the programming of General Assembly. Granted, it is a shorter convention by two days, but at five times the number of attendees … it is not even close to approaching the low workshop to attendee ratio of GA.

Also, the fact that Muslims pray five times a day means there are some built in breaks -two 2-hour blocks of zero-programming at lunch time and in the evening. Doesn’t that sound so … humane?

But really, it’s not the hurrying from one thing to another that bothers me (one can always choose to not attend back to back to back events); it’s the fact that a single organization might be coordinating half a dozen events, which means that they’re expending a lot of resources and staff (or volunteer) time to something that will happen … once. Can’t we cure ourselves of AAS - Academy Awards Syndrome? Plus, if we didn’t have so many friggin workshops, maybe GA could be held over a long weekend, instead of over five days, thereby making it more affordable for all.

I’m sure this conversation has taken place many times before. What don’t I know? Can someone explain to me what the thought process is behind this?

Popularity: 7% [?]

Jun

26

Ahead of the Last Thing

Filed Under ga, uuism, workshops | 3 Comments

Not-so-fast forward to Atlanta, Georgia, where I’ve come to participate in the 1st United States Social Forum (USSF). General Assembly flew by after Day 2, and I didn’t find myself with enough alone time to write entries I’d consider post-worthy. But what a shame … there were several experiences I really wanted to share with you all, but I’m a very, very slow writer.

I do want to make note of a few highlights, however:

The Bloggers’ Dinner, where I met a bunch of good people (Big hello to Mrs. Uupdater, 7th Day, and Finding My UU Soul!), and had a very enjoyable conversation with Philocrites about writing and drama. Also highly memorable were the drinks afterward at Apotheke (a low-key bar decorated mostly in white that looked like it belonged from 2001: A Space Odyssey), with Peacebang, ChaliceChick, Linguist Friend, Rev Ricky and Making Chutney (plus Philocrites, who joined us later). Our server, Caleb, was a real pleasure, too.
I almost missed the Sankofa Women’s gathering because I was so tired and wanted simply to sleep. Thank heavens I forced myself to go. This is an annual gathering of women of color at GA, especially those who are seminarians and ministers. This is an occasion when we come together to tell and learn the stories of sisters in the faith who have broken through and are breaking down barriers, and when we pray for those among us who are needing strength as they begin their ministries. I loved the prayers offered by the women there … for the second year in a row, this was the most spiritual event at GA for me. At one point, while standing in the circle looking at my sisters’ faces, I felt a real ache in my heart - I wanted each of the seminarians and ministers there to have a congregation that they could do this with. I just prayed and prayed that they would all be blessed with congregations that would appreciate them and help them fulfill their life’s mission.
Over 65 people attended the DRUUMM Annual Meeting - and it was great! Dr. Denise Hall led us in several songs; an award was presented to Dr. Jim Brown, an incredible elder in the community who has had a profound influence on the lives of many UU ministers of color; and someone (hmm; wonder who?) even succeeded in bringing fried chicken into the event! Not to reinforce stereotypes or anything - I mean, who doesn’t like fried chicken? (note: I actually didn’t eat any that night.)
I was very impressed by the Jorge Zeballos workshops I attended. I’d like to see about getting him out to Portland again for another event. His presentations on the understandings of race and ethnic identity within the Latino/a communities were fantastic. When he explained to his mostly-white audiences that only 7% of the African slaves were sent to the US (37% were sent to Brazil; the rest to all the rest of Central and S. America and the Caribbean), the shock they expressed confirmed for me the need for more education on race as it relates to cultures not seen as “black.” As a person of Cuban descent, it disturbs me when people talk about hispanic people as if they have no race - especially if those people are hispanic themselves! In Cuba, I heard fair and brown skinned people say “here, every one is equal - we are all Cuban.” But also in Cuba, I met a dark skinned, “black” Cuban man who saw things very differently. Colonization still lives with us today, and like the devil, I think it is most insidious where it is not believed to exist.
The Anti Oppression Game Show I coordinated for the Young Adult Caucus went very well. There was good participation - especially considering that none of the anti oppression programming for young adult caucus was listed in the GA schedule - and I have to say … I have never seen AR/AO programming where, as people poked their heads in the room, those already in attendance enthusiastically beckoned them to join in. It was an experiment, and I’m pleased with the response to it. Most importantly, there are some clear steps I can take to improve and develop the format further. I look forward to sharing it with the rest of the Groundwork collective for use by other members in future workshops.
I was confused about the location of the memorial service for the late Rev. Marjorie Bowens-Wheatley, but it’s probably a good thing I didn’t show up any earlier than I did. It turned out to be hugely emotional for me, and I embarrassed myself by crying uncontrollably, at which point, Elandria hugged and sang for me, which made me feel comforted, but sheepish, too.
And lastly, the musical workshop by the incomparable Dr. Ysaye Maria Barnwell, of Sweet Honey in the Rock. This DRUUMM-sponsored event was a marvelous ending to a hectic GA. Dr. Barnwell sang with us for 90 minutes - we sang songs about a guy named Jeremiah, and building walls, and chariots swinging down and continuing on. What a joyous event - I would love it if we sang like this even just once a month at my church! And there we were - over 350 people of different races and sizes, genders and ages - I haven’t seen that many UUs exuberant and delighted to that degree since Dr. Barnwell visited my large congregation to lead an all music worship for Mother’s Day several years ago. While she is indeed a fantastic lady, I don’t think she has to be with us in order for us to have experiences like that. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

And that is that - my GA experience wrapped up in a nutshell. There’s plenty more - especially related to personal interactions with folk, but there just isn’t time right now.

Popularity: 16% [?]

Jun

22

Blogging at the Bloggers’ Workshop

Filed Under blogging itself | Leave a Comment

This is pretty fun. There are a lot of people here, so the interest must be high. I suspect that in 3 to 6 months there will be a big increase in the number of blogs run by UU churches and organizations. As I said in my first day GA review, for DRUUMM it’s been a real boon. Also, I think I’m the only brown person here. The few people of color I’ve spoken to about blogging have expressed a total lack of interest because they are already swamped. But I’m not alone - you can find other blogs of by UUs of color in the sidebar of the DRUUMM.org website.

Popularity: 9% [?]

Jun

22

My Blog is Rated G!

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I discovered this from Liberal Faith Development’s site*! My blog is rated “G” - even though I used the word “pooped” (once).

Mingle² - Online Dating

*I can’t attach a link because of where I’m blogging from right now - technical difficulties. The link is: http://liberalfaith.blogspot.com/2007/06/my-blog-is-rated-r.html

Popularity: 29% [?]

Jun

21

Bloggers’ Reception

Filed Under blogging itself | 1 Comment

Attended this last night. Chris Walton (Philocrites), and Deb Weiner, Dir. of Electronic Communications for the UUA organized it. It felt very different from last year, and I felt the absence of a lot of bloggers I read. No ArbitraryMarks, Peacebang, Rev Sean, A People so Bold!, Elizabeth, or Radical Hapa. It also felt strange that Shawn Anthony wasn’t there because I so enjoyed meeting him last year, and boy - did that remind me of how much can change in one year!

Dan Harper (Yet Another UU) is a real trip! He is so funny, and straightforward. Chance (Making Chutney) looks surprisingly sweet and innocent - but that could just be the fact that he has the longest eyelashes ever! (So. Not. Fair.) ChaliceChick was there again with Linguist Friend; I’d met them both last year. Rev Christine Robinson of iMinister seems serious and looks just like her photo, while Rev Fred Wooden looked like he was ready to dance in his soft, black shoes (it works for him). And Miss Kitty was there, too! Other folks were there, but because I missed half of introductions, I didn’t catch their names.

I was running on empty by the end of the meeting, so I didn’t even talk to anyone much except Michael (my ride) about the Belief-O-Matic quiz (which introduced me to UUism when I scored 100% on it - it labeled him 100% secular humanist), and Chris. I was feeling a little too pooped to start up a genuine conversation with folks, but I hope to see everyone again at the Bloggers’ Dinner.

One thing I didn’t talk about during the reception was how much easier managing the website for DRUUMM is using the blog format. I used to dread going into the files and creating new content, but now I actually look forward to it. When you’re talking about a small, volunteer-run organization looking to communicate with its constituents and the wider world for little to zero money, a blog format has got to be the way to go. I still need to add more content (such as by-laws and documents) to the DRUUMM website (druumm.org), but I’ll soon be able to hand the reigns (and passwords) over to the next DRUUMM Communications Coordinator. Also, traffic is good - in two weeks, it’s had nearly 1000 hits.

At the reception, Deb mentioned to me that she read my blog and really enjoyed it, and earlier in the evening, Barbara Preuninger approached me and told me the same thing. These are two very pleasant and friendly women, and yet I felt so overwhelmed. Apart from “thank you” I couldn’t think of what to say! It feels good to know that a person is listening and that your words mean something to someone, but how does one respond? Once every few months I’ll get a direct email from a reader and it’s the same dilemma. I don’t feel that having a blog is me doing something, nor do I view my posts in the same way I would a paper or article (which I do know how to receive feedback on). I mean, what does it mean when someone likes reading your blog? It doesn’t mean they necessarily agree with you (esp. since controversial blogs seem to be among the most popular). I’m having a hard time wrapping my mind around that one.

Popularity: 11% [?]

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