[UUA-L] UUA Leaders Issue Letter Re: GA 2008 following January Board of Trustees Meeting

[Unitarian Universalist Association]

At its January 2008 meeting, the UUA's Board of Trustees passed a motion
reaffirming its 2004 selection of Fort Lauderdale, Florida as site of
the 2008 General Assembly.  The motion also requested that Planning
Committee Chair Beth McGregor, Moderator Gini Courter, and President
William G. Sinkford communicate this decision to Unitarian Universalist
congregations and their members.  The full text of this communication
can be found at
http://www.uua.org/events/generalassembly/updatesannouncements/63328.sht
ml .

In the letter, McGregor, Courter, and Sinkford write, "We first want to
gratefully acknowledge the Unitarian Universalist (UU) organizations,
congregations, and individuals who have communicated their thoughts and
concerns regarding the security regulations at the Fort Lauderdale site.
None of us is happy about the regulations that govern access to the
Broward County Convention Center because of its location inside the
security perimeter of the Port of Fort Lauderdale. This situation raises
significant issues for us as a faith community. We are thus thankful for
the responsible and measured input we have received from groups such as
the Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association (UUMA), the Liberal
Religious Educators Association (LREDA), and the Diverse and
Revolutionary Unitarian Universalist Multicultural Ministries (DRUUMM),
from several congregations, and from numerous UUs."

The letter details steps taken to focus the attention of Unitarian
Universalists on matters of security during General Assembly.
"Significant programming at this GA and the Professional Days that
precede GA will be focused on what it means for us to live in a society
where many of our neighbors and their families lack government issued
identification. We will also focus GA programming on the erosion of
civil liberties in this country since September 11, 2001," write
McGregor, Courter, and Sinkford.

The letter further states, "The reasons Fort Lauderdale was selected in
2004 remain in effect: extremely favorable financial concessions;
physical accessibility; affordable lodgings; a diverse convention center
and hospitality staff; and a gay-friendly city."

An updated set of Frequently Asked Questions concerning GA 2008 and
security concerns can be found at
http://www.uua.org/events/generalassembly/updatesannouncements/61425.sht
ml .  Registration for General Assembly opens on March 1.  Registration
information can be found at
http://www.uua.org/events/generalassembly/registrationhousing/registrati
on/index.shtml.