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The Metro Alliance and Communities Organized for Public Service (C.O.P.S.) are a coalition of congregations, schools, and unions coming together so that we can effectively act on behalf of families. C.O.P.S. and the Metro Alliance work within each of these institutions to identify a diverse, broad-based leadership that can connect to each other in new ways in order to act effectively on behalf of children, families, and neighborhoods. By learning to work together for the public good, C.O.P.S. and Metro Alliance leaders are able to work with the business community and elected officials to make San Antonio a better place for families.
As important as the issues that C.O.P.S. and Metro Alliance address are, the relationships that leaders develop and foster within their institutions and among leaders from the racially, ethnically, and religiously diverse institutions that comprise these organizations are the foundation of broad-based community organizing.
The Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF) began in Chicago in 1940 under the leadership of Saul Alinsky, author of Reveille for Radicals and Rules for Radicals. IAF Network organizations throughout the United States and England work on multiple issues and develop structures through which ordinary citizens can effectively negotiate with the government and private institutions that affect their lives. There are no individual members of IAF organizations; rather institutions make human and financial commitments to participate in these networks.
San Antonio has two IAF organizations. In 1974, Communities Organized for Public Service (C.O.P.S.) formed the first IAF organization in the Southwest Network. The Metro Alliance, which shares office space and many resources with C.O.P.S., formed in 1989 through a merger of the East Side Alliance, composed of African American and Hispanic low- and lower-middle income churches, and the Metropolitan Congregational Alliance. The latter organized in 1982 and included South, Central, and Northwest area Anglo and Hispanic Protestant lower-middle and middle-income churches. First UU was a member of this organization and has been a member of the Metro Alliance since its inception. The Metro Alliance, like other IAF organizations, is a broad-based citizens' organization comprised of churches and schools.
The Mission of First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Antonio is to: ...Engage in outreach and service to the wider community... (adopted by congregation May 20, 2001)
“The First Unitarian Universalist (UU) Church of San Antonio pursues a living tradition of free search for spiritual growth and life's truths. We practice our beliefs through our actions within our church and the larger community, inspired by our reverence for humanity and the spirit of life.”
Several of the seven Unitarian Universalist Purposes and Principles apply specifically to First Unitarian Universalist's membership and participation in the Metro Alliance. These principles include:
We the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote:
C.O.P.S. and Metro Alliance leaders work with elected officials to ensure that promised services are delivered through regular meetings and accountability sessions. The organizations also meet regularly with business leaders, city staff, and other decision makers throughout the city and state.
Every member of First Unitarian Universalist Church is a member of Metro Alliance. Since the foundation of Metro Alliance is relationship, we need active participation of individuals within our institutions to be an effective organization. In our congregational strategic plan, we commit to promote social justice in our larger community through increased participation in Metro Alliance.
To get involved with the Metro Alliance, watch the church announcements, newsletter, web site and email list for upcoming events. To join the Metro Alliance/C.O.P.S. email list, send a message to MetroAlliance-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. Or contact Mike Phillips or Vicki Tullius. Help make a lasting difference in our local community while adhering to our UU mission and principles!
Chambers, Edward T. and Michael A. Cowan. Roots for Radicals: Organizing for Power, Action, and Justice. New York: Continuum, 2003.
Gecan, Michael. Going Public. Boston: Beacon Press, 2002.
Greider, William B. Who Will Tell the People? The Betrayal of American Democracy. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1992.
Rogers, Mary Beth. Cold Anger: A Story of Faith and Power Politics. Denton: University of North Texas Press, 1990.
Warren, Mark R. Dry Bones Rattling: Community Building to Revitalize American Democracy. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2001.
Nearly 12% of Unitarian Universalist congregations nationwide are members of congregation-based community organizations, similar to the Metro Alliance. To learn more about Unitarian Universalist involvement in congregation-based community organizations throughout the United States, subscribe to the CBCO-L email list. To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://lists.uua.org/mailman/ listinfo/cbco-l or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to cbco-l-request@lists.uua.org
Last updated July 7, 2009