Standing On The Side Of Love

The SSL@VUU Team is dedicated to creating a more just, loving, and peaceful world through outreach, advocacy, community building, and activism. We are deeply committed to the mission of the national Standing on the Side of Love Campaign; "Harnessing Loves Power to Stop Oppression".  We honor the inherent worth and dignity of every person and seek to eliminate identity-based discrimination and oppression of marginalized people within ourselves and in our communities through non-violent action, promoting love as a guiding value.  One of our most important initiatives this year will be growing the participation of the congregation as a whole, finding and developing opportunities for engagement that are accessible to everyone.

2013 International Anti-Bullying Day(s) (last Friday, February 22nd)
2013 Phoenix Pride Parade & Festival booth (April 6 & 7)
2013 Regional Assembly Delegation (April 26-28)
2013 May Day Immigration Rallies (May 1)
2013 UUA General Assembly (June 19-23)
2013 September 11th Interfaith Service (September 11)
2013 NAMI Walk (October 5th)
2013 Rainbows Festival (October 5-6)
2013 AIDS Walk (October 20)
2013 International Anti-Bullying Day(s) (3rd Friday, November 15th)
2013 Transgender Day of Remembrance (November 17 observed, November 20 actual)

In addition, SSL@VUU actively pursues relationships with organizations whose goals and missions are aligned with that of Standing on the Side of Love, including: Best Buddies, Phoenix Nonviolence Truthforce, Florence Restoration Project, No More Deaths, etc. The team consistently participates in public & policy-related advocacy and direct action that reflect VUU interests & values.

Our organizational structure is primarily "horizontal", in which we intentionally work toward having no hierarchies within our group. Horizontalism seeks to enable everyone to directly participate in decision-making about issues that affect them. It focuses on autonomous, voluntary participation that seeks to honor the diverse needs and skill-sets of those involved. In 2013, we added a Steering Council to our model to support efforts and improve group cohesion. Currently, Rob Smith serves as the primary communications liaison for our team.

Our open meetings are near the end of each month, sometimes offsite. We also have two super-fun retreats each year in September & March. Separate resource assessments, planning sessions, & in-person debriefs are provided for every event.

Next SSL Team Meeting: Sunday, April 21, 3pm at VUU
Workshop - "The Conversation": Where Communication, Culture, Class, & Community Collide (Ongoing)
Our next outreach event: May Day Immigration Rally (May 1)

UUA Moderator Gini Courter at Maricopa County Jail House Vigil
"The Border" Documentary Trailer
Getting Smart About ALEC by Tom Marcinko and the SSL@VUU Team
Why I Stand With Immigrant Families by SSL Cultural Diversity and Migrant Justice Chair, Carolina Krawarik-Graham
Arizonans Stand Against SB1070

For more information on the Standing on the Side of Love national campaign please visit their website at www.standingonthesideoflove.org