The Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of Maryland (UULM-MD) envisions a Maryland free of oppression and injustice, where all are guaranteed their human rights. We address this vision by alerting, educating, activating, and facilitating our state-wide UU base to address several human rights issues before the Maryland General Assembly each year. In 2007, those issues were health care reform, civil rights of same sex couples, global warming, and Darfur.

>>Click here to download UULM-MD's 2007 Legislative Report.

In order to enhance the effectiveness of UU activism on human rights issues UULM-MD remains mindful of the strong UU traditions of independent thought and witnessing for human rights and civil liberties. Supported and inspired by these traditions, UULM-MD works to achieve consensus among its base, then mobilize and advocate on specific issues before the MD General Assembly. Supported by an informed and mobilized base, partnered with like-minded (often faith-based) coalitions, and working with legislators and their staffs, UULM-MD provides a voice for UU principles and traditions in the discussions on state human rights issues by:

• Identifying legislation and educating UUs about it through issue coordinators and task forces.
  
• Having an annual meeting for presentation, debate, and strategizing on issues to be addressed.
  
• Mobilizing and facilitating testimony, letter writing, witnessing, and speakers.
  
• Providing updates on the status of bills, hearings, and actions.
  
• Seeking additional ways to partner with and support other human rights groups.
  

UULM-MD grew out of a February 2005 UUs for Social Justice (UUSJ) advocacy workshop in which participants expressed a need for UUs to have a voice in Annapolis and do advocacy and coalition building. UULM-MD is building on the experiences of other groups, including the UULM of California and Legislative Committee of UUs of Maryland (LegiCUUM), which was founded in 1969.

UULM-MD held its first Annual Meeting in November 2005. At this meeting, participants learned effective lobbying techniques, engaged in discussions of priority issues, and voted to create the UULM-MD Board. Rev. William R. Murry gave an excellent talk entitled, "A Theological Basis for a UU Legislative Ministry in Maryland." >Please click here to read Rev. Murry's remarks.

The organization is composed of individual UUs. Congregations may become affiliate members and contributors. Click here to join UULM-MD.

UULM-MD is establishing a network of UUs matched with members of the Maryland General Assembly and the 23 UU congregations in Maryland. Public officials are approached in a systematic manner in the effort to educate them on UU principles and positions on issues. UUs are trained in advocacy and asked to make contact with their individual legislators.

UULM-MD Board of Directors

Jan Bird, M.D., Co-chair
Betty McGarvie Crowley, Co-Chair
Steve Buckingham, Vice Chair
Rev. William R. Murry, Treasurer
Rev. John Crestwell
Charlie Culbertson
Dave Hackett
Rev. Fred Muir
Virginia M. Richardson
Keith L. Smith
Rev. Lisa Ward

Maureen Harris, Coordinator
The 2007-2008 UULM-MD Board of Directors

UULM-MD is funded in part by the Fund for UU Social Responsibility and the UU Service Committee.

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Unitarian Univeralist Legislative Ministry of Maryland
c/o Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis
333 Dubois Road | Annapolis, MD 21401
410.353.5904 (phone) | info@uulmmd.org