Tip O' the Month from the Sustainability Committee:

Shopping for Corporate Responsibility

Article submitted by Jeannie Holford

Worried that your consumer dollars are rewarding bad corporations with problem practices? Wish there was a way to get information on America's biggest companies before you buy something? Looking for a way to pressure consumer companies you patronize to become more responsible? Many of us want to make a difference - to feel that when we shop for food and other goods and services we are supporting those companies and corporations whose values we respect - and conversely, that we are not supporting those with whose practices we disagree.

Years ago there was a small book called Shopping for Corporate Responsibility, which evaluated companies on ten criteria, including support for women's rights, advancement of minority employees, animal rights awareness, preservation of the environment, corporate openness (now called "transparency"), and so on. On the basis of information from the book, one could change brands of products to support those companies with which one agreed - and boycott companies whose practices or policies were seen as detrimental. (Those old enough may remember the worldwide Nestle boycott, organized because the Nestle Company's fraudulent marketing practices in third-world countries led to the deaths of many infants.)

Alas, that book is no longer in print. However, there is now an even more effective way of getting out the word - the internet. http://responsibleshopper.org, among many other web sites, informs concerned consumers about problem corporate practices, action campaigns, and ways to live greener in relation to more than 150 major consumer companies. Instead of ten criteria, as in the book thirty years ago, 27 categories are now evaluated - from best to worst based on research focusing on such key issues as human rights, social justice and environmental sustainability. Walmart, Exxon, McDonalds, Toyota, Coca Cola, Disney, Hanes and General Electric, among numerous companies, are listed and ranked in the following categories: agribusiness; appliances; athletic wear; automobiles; banking/financial; beauty and body care; beverage/water; big box retailers; booksellers; chemicals; cleaning products; clothing; coffee; computer/electronics; department stores; electric utilities; fast food; food; gas/oil; home inprovement/building; internet; mass media (TV, radio, film); supermarkets; tires; tobacco; and toys/games.

Evaluating and disseminating information like this has been effective in calling attention to Toyota's violation of Clean Air Act violations; McDonald's violations of labor laws and a carcinogenic chemical in its french fries; Coca Cola's union busting, discrimination against women and minorities in its US bottling plants, and $2 billion in accounting fraud under investigation by the Security and Exchange Commission; as well as dozens of other actions.

Here are two additional web sites for further information - there are many more:

http://greenbiz.com

http://coopamerica.org/programs/boycotts

And in case you think, "I'm only one person - how much can I accomplish?" - here's something worth considering:

You say the little efforts that I make will do no good;

They never will prevail

To tip the hovering scale where justice hangs in the balance.

I don't think I ever thought they would.

But I am prejudiced beyond debate

In favor of my right to choose which side shall feel

The stubborn ounces of my weight.

--Anonymous

UUMAN's "Graduating Class": Four Stories
article submitted by McPatti Langston

UUMAN recently celebrated the passage of our graduating Seniors. We'd like to consider all they've brought to our congregation, and extend our best wishes to their continued success.

Kelsey Bogue is a Roswell High School graduate. To her credits are many accolades and accomplishments. Kelsey has served as Secretary of the RHS chapter of National Honor Society and President of Beta Club. She served as a student mentor for two years in the Hornet Advisory Program. Kelsey was the 2007 Poetry Out Loud State Champion earning her the opportunity to compete in the National Competition in Washington DC. She was also selected to be a 2008 participant in the Georgia Governor's Honors Program which entered her in a six-week summer program in Communicative Arts. She has received grade-level awards for Honors French and AP Calculus. Kelsey has been a four-year member of the RHS band program and band captain for two years. She has been selected for All-State Band and Fulton County Honor Band. Currently, she is recognized as a Roswell High School Outstanding Senior. Kelsey will be attending University of Pennsylvania in the fall.

Outside of school activities, Kelsey has been a UUMAN Worship Associate for the last three years. She has had a part-time job at the Roswell Bicycle Shop, and will begin working for Roswell Parks and Recreation after graduationUMAN HS graduates Kelsey Bouge, Martin Jones, and Annie Wheeler (no relation to Lindsay) Lindsay Wheeler

Martin Jones hails from Chattahoochee High School, and has been in the North Fulton County School System since the third grade, finishing at Barnwell Elementary and Autrey Mill Middle School earlier. In the fall, Martin plans to attend Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia.

While attending high school, Martin was honored with the Chattahoochee Cougar Pride Award in Career Technology twice, in 2007 and 2009. The teachers within each curriculum vote to award this honor to only one student in each department.

Martin has been very active in the Boy Scouts of America since moving to Alpharetta in 2000. He became an Eagle Scout in November, 2007; about 4 percent of all Boy Scouts achieve the rank of Eagle. He is a member of the Order of the Arrow, and received his Triple Crown award last September for completing more than three High Adventure trips, which were Schooner Fishing for ten days in the Florida Keys, Sailing for ten days in the Bahamas (our own Cliff Brown was one of his adult scout leaders on this excursion), hiking at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico and canoeing in the Northern Tier of Canada. This summer, Martin will be an adult leader for another group of scouts from his troop on a trip to Philmont. Martin has enjoyed making new friends through the UUMAN MCY program!

Annie Wheeler, like Kelsey, is from Roswell High. Annie has been attending UUMAN since November 1992, when she was just a baby. With a father who is a Cradle UU (John Wheeler) and a mom who comes from a Baptist background (Tina Forrester), Annie was destined to be a thoughtful and serious young woman. For a time Annie was the Chaplain in the UUMAN Youth Group, where her natural empathy and compassion were revealed and utilized.

She picked up the violin in middle school and found a musical passion that has followed her ever since. Annie has won several awards for violin performance and has also been a successful conductor.

Annie plans to attend the University of South Carolina, and intends to major in International Studies. But she won't be putting away her violin! Music will always be one of the key ways Annie Wheeler communicates with the world.

Lindsey Anne Wheeler has been attending UUMAN since she was in the first grade, and appreciates all the kind, generous members who helped shape her RE experiences and have cared for her and supported her through the years at UUMAN.

Lindsey is graduating from Lassiter high School in Marietta.While in high school, Lindsey participated in the National Honor Society, Chorus, Beta Club, Interact Club and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes as well as earning a letter on the Lassiter Swim & Dive team. Outside of school she participated in Stingrays Year round USA swimming and now works as a lifeguard and pool manager for Swim Atlanta.

She plans to attend the University of Georgia in the fall, and will become the lone Bulldog in a house of Yellow Jackets!

Circle Seven Dinners Committee Forming

article submitted by Sue Bell

A few good volunteers are needed to re-establish the Circle Seven Dinners. The dinners involve members getting together, in groups of seven or so, at different member homes for dinner and conversation. This activity was started several years ago but has been dormant for the past few years.

Many of us enjoyed those dinners for the opportunities they gave us to get to know one another better in informal, non-work related settings. We need about three people to organize the process and many more to implement it and get the dinners rolling again. The Committee on Ministry will be available to provide guidance as needed. To volunteer or get more information, please contact Dave Hudson at 770-578-1425, or Janet Lacy at 770-587-3279, .

June Worship Services

June 7, 2009
4/4 Time - Randy Blasch

June 14, 2009
Remodeling Salvation - Julie Lepp (worship associate: Suzanne Rezelman)

June 21, 2009
Father's Day - Jim Saunders (worship associate: Kelsey Bogue)

June 28, 2009
When You Walk From Here: An Elevator Speech - Tom Warth
Being Present as a UU

Ever Feel Like Beatin' on Something?

Pamela Reich and Bev Jordan invite all others in the UUMAN community to join them in the ongoing drum class that is now being held at the Grimes Bridge Adult Recreation Center.

For anyone wanting to gain a better understanding of the basics of West African drumming. Appropriate drums for the class are djembe, ashiko and dunun. Basic approach to the drum, including sound technique, warmups and hand balance, are covered. There will be some simple rhythmic stepping, chanting and clapping in some of the classes, to help us be in our bodies, connect in the energy of group rhythm and transcend the thinking mind. Some rental drums are available to help you get started. Ages 50 & up, age on date of class. Held at Adult Recreation Center.

Tuesdays 6/02 - 7/14 5:30 - 7 p.m. 0514-1
Tuesdays 7/21 - 8/25 5:30 - 7 p.m. 0514-2
Fee: $70, residents $105, non-residents

Check with Pamela or Bev for more details.

UUMAN Church Retreat at The Mountain

article submitted by Susan Wilson
Mark your calendars, UUMAN is planning a weekend congregational retreat this fall at The Mountain. It is scheduled for September 25-27 and will cost $150 per person. There is a choice of accommodations in either the Lodge or one of the surrounding cabins. The fall color should be beautiful that time of the year and there will be time for hiking, walking the labyrinth, window shopping in Highlands, reading a book, hanging out with friends and family, and extreme napping.

For those of you who are not familiar with The Mountain, it is year-round UU retreat just over the border in North Carolina on top of Little Scaly Mountain near Highlands. It is only about a two hour drive from UUMAN; the views are incredible, the food is great, and the fellowship is not to be missed.

More information to follow, contact Susan at . Sign-up sheets are on the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall.

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UUMANTimes is the newsletter of the Unitarian Universalist Metro Atlanta North congregation. We heartily welcome all types of newsletter submissions, and manage to publish a majority of them as well.

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