What/ When/ Where
What is General Assembly?
General Assembly (GA) is the annual meeting of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). Its programming includes open business meetings in which delegates speak and vote; workshops that any registered attendee may attend; worship services scattered throughout the days and nights; a large exhibit hall with displays from congregations, departments of the UUA, and other Unitarian Universalist (UU) or UU-related organizations; and tons of other great events, meetings and fun programs! Thousands of UU children, youth and adults gather at GA. It has a contingent of youth, but it is not a youth con.
When & Where is General Assembly?
General Assembly in 2019 will be held from June 19-23 in Spokane, WA. For more information about GA, including information about the host city, visit General Assembly.
Which Registration Do I Use?
Youth Registration is open to all those who were in grades 9-12, or the equivalent for home-schooled youth, in the just-ended school year (Fall 2018-Spring 2019). Fourteen year-olds may register as youth if they will have completed 9th grade (or the equivalent for home schooled youth) before GA.
For those who have not yet entered high school (or the equivalent for home-schooled youth), use the Children’s Registration.
For those 18+ and out of high school, take note of the option to get information about Young Adults at General Assembly (YA@GA) on the registration form.
What Is "General Sessions?"
General Sessions are the times where the entire Assembly gathers for worshipful reflection as well as the business of the Association. (If you have been to GA before, these were called Plenary Sessions, but they were re-envisioned in 2014.) During these sessions representatives (delegates) from all UU congregations gather to do the business of the Unitarian Universalist Association. This includes changing the bylaws of the Association and doing social witness work as part of our faith. Youth Caucus plays an important and influential role in each session. Although only youth who are delegates may speak on the floor during debates and votes, any youth may take part in the Youth Caucus business meetings leading up to the sessions.
Yes, definitely! Being a delegate gives youth a chance to participate in the democratic process and help shape the face of Unitarian Universalism for the next year. To become delegates, youth must go through regular delegate election/selection processes (these vary from congregation to congregation). By sending youth as delegates, congregations send a powerful message that youth are a vital and important part of Unitarian Universalism.