The Social Justice Council oversees the administration and operation of the Social Justice Program of First Unitarian Church of Portland, OR.  Responsibilities include setting policy, coordination activities, nurturing the growth of new groups and vision implementation.  The following is a step-by-step procedure designed specifically to assist people seeking to form a new social justice group at First Unitarian Church:

Step #1: Contact Social Justice Director

If you have an interest in establishing a new social justice group, please contact the Social Justice Director as soon as possible at 503-228-6389, x44.  You may also contact the Social Justice Council Chair.

Step#2: Assemble 5 church members who are willing to work with you on your project for an entire year

Once you have assembled 5 church members who are willing to work with you for an entire year, you should notify the Social Justice Director or Social Justice Council chair so that you can be included in the next Social Justice Council meeting agenda. 

Step#3: Present your group mission and vision to the Social Justice Council.

This will be the time for your group members to introduce Social Justice Council members to your new group.  After your presentation, Council members will vote to do one of three things:

1. decline your proposal to join the Social Justice Council
2. suggest that your group become a sub-group of a currently established action group
3. grant “probationary action group” status to your group;

If your group is declined, then process is over. 

If it is recommended that your group become a sub-group of a currently established action group, your next step would be to get on the agenda of said action group and to present your proposal to them.

If your group receive probationary status, your group would proceed with the steps listed on the backside of this page.

 Step #4: Select a group representative to the Social Justice Council.

A representative from your group will need to attend monthly Social Justice Council meetings for the following year.    The role of this representative is to keep the Social Justice Council apprised of the activities of your group.  The Social Justice Council will, in turn, nurture the growth of this new group, assisting--when asked-- to develop strategies for success. 

Step #5: Request an end-of-year review at the end of the year.

When your probationary group has been in existence for a full year, you will need to ask for your end-of-year review.  At this point, the Social Justice Council will vote to either discontinue your group or to welcome your group into full membership into the Social Justice Council.  If membership is granted, the work of your group will be included in the annual church budget.

Step #6: Congratulate yourself for a job well done and go out and celebrate!