The Unitarian Universalist Association Washington Office for Advocacy website contains many valuable resources and guidelines for congregations on advocacy including the following rules:
”The IRS regulations on the political activities of congregations can be summarized in three simple rules:
1. Without limits on time, effort and expense, congregations and their representatives may work publicly on moral and political issues by advocating positions in the media and to elected officials; educating and mobilizing congregants and the general public, and working in local coalitions or partnerships on issues of social justice. Congregations can also perform certain activities to educate and register voters if they are done in a non-partisan manner.
2. Within narrow limits on time, effort and expense, congregations and their representatives may engage in lobbying—defined by the IRS as advocating for or against specific pieces of legislation—as an "unsubstantial" portion of an organization's activities. The IRS has not provided a guideline for what is “unsubstantial,” but experts generally agree that up to 5% is acceptable. Since the definition of activities includes the total amount of money, staff, and volunteer time that goes into running the organization, most congregations will never come near the 5% line.
3. There is a total limit on partisan political activity. Congregations and their representatives can do nothing that advocates for or against candidates for public office or political parties. This includes fund-raising on behalf of candidates and donating meeting space, among other things. Election-related activities such as candidate questionnaires and forums are acceptable so long as all major candidates are invited to participate and they cover a broad range of issues.
Please Note:
The restrictions against partisanship described here apply only to a congregation as a legal entity, or to a person or group speaking in the name of the congregation. A minister or congregation member may freely make partisan statements as an individual. However, if they are identified by or likely to be associated with the congregation, they should make it clear that they are speaking only in their own name.”
Selecting the issue:
An issue brought to the full congregation for approval should be one that will “build the ethical integrity and moral identity of our congregations.” Many UUCR activists will have community issues that they want to support, but careful selection needs to be made of the issues that really matter to the identity of UUCR, residing in our seven principles. It is likely that the full congregation cannot do justice to decision-making about more than one or two important issues or controversial topics in any one year, using the appropriate processes.
Choosing the level of support sought
1. Individual members
Actions at the this level include:
(a) distributing, signing, and sending petitions and advocacy letters as an individual member of the congregation and
(b) collecting for and contributing to particular causes and needs, such as for survivors of natural disasters, which can be sent in the name of UUCR. Any fund-raising must have the approval of the Church Council or Board of Directors as appropriate.
2. Social justice group
A group that is part of the Social Justice Committee generally has latitude to pursue, within it own internal procedures, the issue for which it has been created, for example attending a peace march or a rally for rights, while taking care to make clear that the supporters of an issue are a subgroup of the congregation.
3. Committee Advocacy Policy and Procedures, (2006). The Committee may, after formal endorsement, use its name in letters, ads, public statements, demonstrations, and interfaith forums on the issue.
4. Full congregation.
The Committee may decide that the issue is of such importance that it should be considered by the congregation as a whole. (See Policy for Congregational Advocacy on Social Justice).
Issue Information, Education and Consultation Process:
For a full congregational decision, a significant period of consultation is usually needed. Deliberation by a variety of groups using multiple methods of communication is recommended.
- Open forums where the issue is framed and an exchange of views is sought, preferably scheduled before or after the Sunday service as well as one or two evenings;
- Sponsors’ attendance at key meetings of relevant church subgroups (in addition to the Board), such as the Social Justice Committee, Church Council, etc.
- Discussion at a staff meeting if the issue will affect staff or UUCR administration;
- Framing of the issue in Quest with an opportunity for readers to submit comments in writing, by email, by telephone, etc. if they are unable to attend meetings on the issue or are reluctant to speak out in meetings; those with opposing views may have articles printed in Quest
- Sermons on the issue or topic.
Whenever opinions are collected by phone, mail or email, these should be summarized by the collecting sponsor and shared, either through Quest, website, presentation at a forum, etc. Special care needs to be taken to reach those who teach religious education on Sunday morning; those who have small children that make attendance at post-service or evening forums difficult; as well as those members who because of health problems cannot attend discussions at UUCR. At all times, sponsors should use reason and facts to present and persuade, rather than emotion and accusation. Respect for all points of view is a key tenet of our UU principles.
The Congregational Vote:
UUCR’s annual meeting provides the most convenient setting for a congregational vote, since the logistics of assuring quorum attendance and member sign-in are in place, as well as a clear, announced agenda. However, given the other agenda items that the annual meetings must consider, time for final discussion of a controversial issue will be limited. At the Board’s discretion, a special meeting of the congregation can also be called. It is essential in either case to have the congregation aware of all aspects of the issue before a full congregational meeting, and prepared to take a decision, after final statements. If it is clear that conflicting views of the issue continue, the chairperson of the meeting should assure that those speaking represent the different views.
The Committee wanted to require a 75% majority for congregational resolutions however, the Board can only recommend a 75% majority be required. The 75% requirement must either be established by vote of the Congregation -- or it could be put into the By-laws (which requires a Congregational vote), but that method is not recommended by the Board. Therefore, a resolution to require a vote of 75% of the members present at the meeting will be presented prior to the substantive resolution.
Expression of Minority View:
Once a decision has been taken, either way, by the congregation, our democratic processes imply that this decision be the respected and represented one. It may nevertheless, from time to time, be helpful to congregational understanding and mutual respect, to allow a reasoned statement of the minority’s view to be documented and shared within the congregation, following the vote. The Board shall so determine and name a representative of that view to prepare such a statement.
April 2008