Right Relations Task Force at GA

The Right Relations Committee of Equual Access encourages constructive ways of dealing with institutional and interpersonal difficulties, which arise if people with a disability are excluded from participation in their local congregation or district. Right Relations at General Assembly is different because of the number and diversity of the people attending. Each concern brought to the Right Relations Team is unique and a variety of approaches to resolving problems is required by the team members. This year the Co-Chairs of the Right Relations Team (RRT) are Rev. Melissa Carvill-Ziemer and Tomoko Takano.

Whatever the response of the RRT at GA, all concerns shared with them are compiled into a report which is distributed to the Council on Cross Cultural Engagement and the GAPC after GA. One of the major goals of the RRT is to document every encounter the RRT has at GA in order to help future event planners learn from our collective experience.

Below is description of the role of the RRT and how to contact them if you need their assistance.

One of the resources available to all attendees throughout General Assembly is the Right Relationship Team. The Right Relationship Team exists to listen and engage with people who have experienced any form of oppression or identity based marginalization while at General Assembly. We know from experience at General Assemblies past that we are still learning how to avoid perpetuating the biases of the larger culture amongst ourselves. General Assembly is among the most diverse gatherings of Unitarian Universalists and in this setting we know we are going to make mistakes. People will make hurtful assumptions about other people based on their actual or perceived race, ethnicity, ability, age, gender, sexual orientation or other identities. When that happens, it our sincere hope that General Assembly attendees will take it as an opportunity for learning how to engage in ways that are not oppressive. Should you need assistance naming your experience, speaking with others involved or exploring how to make amends, we are here to help. We will make a daily report about our collective experience during plenary sessions. When we believe it may be helpful, we will respectfully and anonymously share stories of hurtful assumptions that have been made so that we might all learn together how to grow more fully into right relationship.


Members of the team will be wearing lime green Right Relationship Team t-shirts, ribbons and/or buttons throughout GA. The Right Relationship Team will be sharing an office with Youth Caucus Staff, which is located in room 228 A. We will be holding office hours there each day from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm. To reach a member of the team at any other time during GA, please feel free to stop one of us when you see us or call our number (617)9030-RRT or (617)903-0778.