The 2022 General Assembly recordings library of over 80 workshops, worship services, and other events is now available to the public. Some recordings are no longer available due to copyright or agreements with the presenters.

Interested in working with the General Assembly team this year? We are currently recruiting for these positions:

If you are interested in any of these positions, please contact LaTonya Richardson for more information.

I am beginning my second year consulting with General Assembly and Conference Services as a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging, and Accessibility Consultant. Last year, we facilitated workshops centered around DEI&B, as well as held “office” hours via zoom to have open and honest conversations about related experiences, answer questions and consider ways in which we can actively and/or passively promote and participate in DEI&B efforts at General Assembly.

 

While accessibility has always been at the forefront of GA planning, it is also a bridge to inclusivity. Therefore, moving forward, DEIB&A is the acronym you will see on all GA related materials. By providing a multi-platform event with robust virtual programming and opportunities for engagement, we retain our dedication to community and make our experience more accessible and more environmentally sustainable.

Using available resources, we strive to ever-improve on the accommodations and assistive equipment available to those in need. Beyond the physical accessibility of the facilities, we use—ramps, ASL captioning, seating cut-outs, etc. We endeavor to create a community where everyone experiences a sense of belonging. Whether you are participating in person or virtually, a representative from the GA Accessibility Services Care Team is available before and during GA to provide information and coordinate assistance to individuals with accessibility needs. Economic accessibility continues to be a primary consideration. The General Assembly and Conference Services staff continue to improve the scope of financial support available to those with need. In 2023, the window of time for registering for GA has been expanded, payment plans for registration fees has been instituted, as well as optional tiers for financial support and housing assistance. Volunteer and consulting positions have been re-evaluated along with the scope of work, compensation, and financial support offered for each. 

 

I look forward to promoting DEIB&A during the planning stages and ultimately at General Assembly 2023.

 

In Spirit,

DEIB&A Consultant

General Assembly planners are committed to acting with kindness and compassion to create an environment which provides psychological safety and actively welcomes and values all attendees. We acknowledge that discrimination and bias, even when unconscious or unintentional, negatively impact our environment and we are aware that we must first recognize where we lack in diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and accessibility. We also recognize that long-lasting, meaningful change requires acknowledgement, conversation and education in order to actively remove barriers that exist in our community and, ultimately, General Assembly.

DIVERSITY

Diversity is the spectrum of difference. Diversity can refer to a range of identities such as – but not limited to – race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, nationality, socioeconomic status, language, (dis)ability, age, religion, body size, parental status, veteran status, education, values and beliefs, and/or other social identities.

Equity recognizes that advantages and barriers exist, and that, as a result, we do not all start from the same place. Equity is a process that begins by acknowledging this unequal starting place and making a commitment to correct and address the imbalance.

Inclusion is an action that ensures that everyone, including those with historically excluded identities, are welcomed, psychologically safe, supported, valued, and that their voices are heard.

BELONGING

Belonging is being able to bring your authentic self to General Assembly, make meaningful contributions and connections, and own all of your identities without fear or risk of negative consequences.

The General Assembly Accessibilities Services Team works with the GA staff, GA planning teams, UUA administration, and GA attendees to coordinate services and accommodations for members of the GA Community, and to seek out opportunities to raise awareness around inclusion and accessibility.

Advancing justice and human rights for immigrants and refugees through legal representation, support, education, and organizing; and workshops, consultations, and technical assistance for UU congregations.