UUSC President Motivates General Assembly with Powerful Plenary Speech

UUSC President and CEO Bill Schulz is a powerful speaker. As I sat in the Plenary Hall at General Assembly, I could tangibly feel the motivation building as he went over the basics of UUSC. UUSC works to get everyone access to potable water. UUSC aims to put a stop to employers withholding fairly earned wages from workers. UUSC works to stop torture. UUSC gives people the chance to rebuild their lives after a disaster. These are simple, basic needs for which our modest resources can make the most difference.

Bill explained that we don't merely want to do things on people's behalves, but give everyone who wants it the opportunity to do hands-on work for justice. Our new College of Social Justice was designed to give all UUs that chance. We will help any congregation to be a more effective agent of social change, offer those preparing for the ministry the chance to be exposed to work in the Global South, and give every UU youth the opportunity to live out their religious values through an institution founded on UU values.

Each point was punctuated with applause as people shared their support from the audience. Together with the Unitarian Universalist Association, with whom we are becoming true partners, we struggle for a more just world. Bill closed with a quote from E. B. White: "As long as there is one upright man . . . [or] compassionate woman . . . the contagion may spread." He hopes that people hearing him this day are as proud of UUSC as he is and invited everyone to help spread that contagion.

Watch full video of Plenary IV (Bill's speech begins at approximately 01:10:00):