The MidAmerica Region made history at this year’s General Assembly by becoming the UUA’s first region. On the morning of Saturday, June 22, delegates approved the proposed amendments to the UUA Bylaws which will recognize regions alongside districts as part of the UUA’s structure. The same set of proposed Bylaws amendments also added MidAmerica to the list of named UUA districts, and phased out the Central Midwest, Heartland, and Prairie Star Districts as they complete their process of dissolving and merging into the MidAmerica Region.

There was some, but not much, dissension. A few delegates did not understand why we needed to amend the Bylaws to add regions, in addition to districts. David Jackoway, Heartland District UUA Trustee, District Presidents Rev. Bill Sasso, Kathy Burek, Amy Taylor, and Heartland Vice President Kathy Silver all spoke to our vision of an entity which would be a new way of serving congregations, that our region is not just a larger district. We spoke of the overwhelming support the MidAmerica Region received at our spring assemblies. The final vote was overwhelmingly in favor of our proposal.

The establishment of regions in addition to districts is a two-year process, since it amends the so-called “C” Bylaws. This amendment process requires a majority vote the first year an amendment is proposed, and a two-thirds vote in the second year. The final vote will take place at GA 2014 in Providence, Rhode Island. Make plans now to be there as a voting delegate to help ensure the completion of our work!