Social Justice
The Social Justice Committee (SJC) at UUCOV is currently undergoing a reorganization process. In the past our activities and programs have emerged from the personal interests of committee members. We want to become a strong, healthy committee that truly represents the interests of the congregation and the needs of the community. We will revisit the process by which we choose projects and will elicit the input of congregation members and friends throughout the coming year.
Meanwhile the SJC continues to pursue its Mission: The SJC advocates Unitarian Universalist principles through social service, social witness, social education, and social action.
- Social service provides charitable assistance to those in need.
- Social witness publicly addresses particular social issues.
- Social education involves discussion, study, and reflection to inform people of social issues.
- Social action focuses on addressing causes of injustice rather than symptoms through organized group action.
UUCOV at Venice Interfaith Peace Celebration
Browse our web pages for more information on our program.
Marian Fox and Barbara Griffin, Social Justice for Community Outreach (Local concerns)
Kindra Muntz and Pat Wellington Social Justice for Common Good (State, National and International concerns)
Social Justice News
A Worthy Volunteer Opportunity
At the UUCOV forum on April 29, Jill Collum of the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida spoke about the Community Troops that meet at Laurel Community Center. Whereas most Girl Scout troops are financed and lead by the girls' parents, Community Troops are funded by the Girl Scouts organization to serve girls from low socioeconomic communities. They are ideally lead by volunteers from the community. The troops at Laurel were formed in collaboration with Sandra Terry of the Laurel Civic Association to serve girls from first grade through middle school from that neighborhood. This year the Laurel troops were lead mostly by staff members. They are looking for dedicated volunteers to become troop leaders and assistants. Hours are flexible, ranging from assisting occasionally with field trips or special projects to leading weekly troop meetings. To learn more or to volunteer, contact Jill Collum at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Community Radio Opportunity
UUCOV has a unique opportunity to apply for a license for a community radio station. The last low power FM broadcast frequencies (LPFM) will be available from the Federal Communications Commission, with applications due in late 2012 or early 2013. Unitarian Universalist congregations all over the country are being encouraged to apply for these licenses, and explore the possibilities for strengthening their connections in their communities and partnering with like-minded organizations to share costs, tasks, and benefits.
Upon the recommendation of the Social Justice Committee, the UUCOV Board is forming a radio task force to explore the possibilities. Outside engineering help is already available. UUCOVers should contact Bev Morrison, UUCOV President at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if they are interested in serving on the task force.
Social Justice for the Common Good April 2012
The UU Legislative Ministry of Florida is offering partial scholarships to attend the "Justice General Assembly 2012" in Phoenix, Arizona, June 20-24. Applications may be sent to Kindra Muntz or Steve Segner, Co-Chairs at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
As the UUA website says, "This is a historic moment. Be part of the story. General Assembly 2012 will be a gathering with multiple ways of engaging in justice work for people of all ages." For full details about this unique General Assembly, see http://uua.org/ga/.
Common Good
Early in 2012 UUCOV's Social Justice Committee reorganized into two main parts:
- Community Outreach--local issues
- Common Good--state, national and international issues
As co-chairs of the Common Good committee, we want to expand our committee and invite more UUCOVers to join us. The "upstream work" is critical to solving the "downstream" problems. Please ask either of us how you can get involved.
Thank You for Your Support!
On March 4 the Social Justice Committee held a forum on the Backpack Kids Program administered by All Faiths Food Bank and financially supported by various faith or community organizations. Currently all elementary students in Venice on reduced or free lunch wanting to take home a backpack with nutritious snacks and meals for the weekend are able to do so. Next fall students at Venice Middle School will also benefit from the program due to another faith community's participation in the program. The last school in Venice to participate in the program next fall will be Venice High School. UUCOV is joining with the Jewish Congregation of Venice to support students who qualify for the Backpack Program at the high school. During the service following the forum Steve Batchelor and Phil Veach invited the children in our congregation to learn about this program through the Words for All Ages. Then after the service many "children at heart " in our congregation donated most generously to the program. The amount collected was $1479!
