Foundation Purposes

To promote the principles and values of the Unitarian-Universalism by providing support to Unitarian Churches, Unitarian Fellowships and Unitarian Societies on Vancouver Island and at Powell River for growth and development, education, training, organization, fellowship, artistic and cultural activities.

1. With a view to strengthening the expression of Unitarian principles and values, support projects that develop organizational skills in growth and development including such areas as:
2. effective administration in development of policy and procedure, financial management, and conflict resolution,
3. lay leadership training, and
4. communication networks between the First Unitarian Church of Victoria and other Fellowships and Unitarian Societies on Vancouver Island and at Powell River, or with inter denominational or community groups in jointly addressing selected charitable projects.
5. Provide assistance to projects operated by First Unitarian Church of Victoria or other Fellowships and Unitarian Societies on Vancouver Island and at Powell River and jointly shared with inter denominational or other community groups designed to improve administrative skills in such areas as data sharing, communication, office and project management.

To support the growth and development of Unitarian religion by facilitating educational, artistic, and cultural activities on Vancouver Island.

Education
Assist members of Unitarian Churches. Unitarian Fellowships and Unitarian Societies on Vancouver Island and at Powell River, members of other religious denominations and members of the community at large to develop their education in areas such as:

1. lay chaplaincy;
2. religious ministry at schools of theology;
3. lay leadership;
4. adult religious education;
5. communication and public relations and
6. organizational management and development,

By providing bursaries, grants, or prizes based on the criteria of:

1. financial need;
2. scholastic ability; and
3. capacity for contribution to the larger community.

Cultural Activities
Promote intercultural, interdenominational training in music, art, architecture and literature for members of Unitarian Churches, Unitarian Fellowships and Unitarian Societies on Vancouver Island and at Powell River, members of other religious denominations and members of the community at large with a view to understanding:

1. common religious themes, concepts or expression;
2. threads or themes that have changed over time in reflection of changing social or other conditions; and
3. a unity of insight or understanding in all religious expression, regardless of faith or creed.

Award bursaries, grants, or prizes to members of Unitarian Churches, Unitarian Fellowships and Unitarian Societies on Vancouver Island and at Powell River, members of other religious denominations and members of the community at large to:

1. recognize and promote the creative expression of Unitarian religious perspectives in music, art, architecture or writing, and
2. recognize significant Unitarian contributions in promoting Unitarian beliefs through such cultural expression.

Promote opportunities for individuals and families to celebrate Unitarian values and beliefs in worship and fellowship through such activities as:

1. summer camps where children and families can share in the enjoyment and learn about the natural world;
2. religious retreats where people can explore major religious themes and develop their personal theology;
3. family oriented events that present unique aspects of food, music, art and apparel from different world religions and cultures;
4. venues presenting music, art and literature highlighting the work of artists from such communities as first nations, gay, lesbian and transsexual.

To provide assistance to Unitarian Churches, Unitarian Fellowships and Unitarian Societies on Vancouver Island and at Powell River for:

i. Relief of Poverty
In keeping with the fourth principle from the Mission Statement of the First Unitarian Church of Victoria; to ” … provide a caring community in which to comfort the troubled, sick and lonely and to celebrate our fellowship and rites of passage. ”
Provide financial support to registered charitable Unitarian Churches, Fellowships and Societies for the training and development of members in the field of recognizing and responding to the impact of poverty on members of society in general.
Provide financial support to charitable Unitarian Churches, Fellowships and Societies for the delivery of services such as the provision of food, clothing, and household materials to those suffering the impact of poverty
Provide financial support to charitable Unitarian Churches, Fellowships and Societies for assistance with the planning, development and management of affordable housing for the elderly and those other members of society who are suffering the impact of poverty.

ii. Promotion of Human Rights
In support of the value of each individual in the eyes of our Creator, and with a view to the promotion and protection of human rights and the prevention of discrimination based on color, race, gender, affectional or sexual orientation, physical or mental challenge, religion, age, or ethnicity, and including the human rights of First Nations peoples, provide leadership training for members of Unitarian Churches, Unitarian Fellowships and Unitarian Societies on Vancouver Island and at Powell River, members of other religious denominations and members of the community at large in:

1. early recognition of discriminatory stereotypes, discriminatory practices and communications, and other signs or evidence of abuse or discrimination, and
2. skills training reflecting the inherent worth and dignity of all people in dealing with discrimination and/or human rights abuses within Unitarian Churches, Fellowships and Societies and in the larger community.

Develop and supply materials for use in general education classrooms and in religious education training that promote respect for human rights and assist in the prevention of discrimination.
Support experiential projects or activities such as cross cultural family exchanges that provide opportunities for members of Unitarian Churches, Unitarian Fellowships and Unitarian Societies on Vancouver Island and at Powell River, members of other religious denominations and members of the community at large to gain perspective and experience in understanding and in promoting attitudes conducive to respect for human rights and the prevention of discrimination.
Assist members of Unitarian Churches, Unitarian Fellowships and Unitarian Societies on Vancouver Island and at Powell River, members of other religious denominations and members of the community at large in securing training in human rights and to recognize significant contributions in the field of protecting and promoting human rights by providing bursaries, grants, or prizes based on the criteria of:

1. financial need,
2. scholastic ability, and
3. capacity for contribution to the larger community;

iii. The Preservation of a Sustainable Environment
In keeping with the ninth principle from the Mission Statement ofthe First Unitarian Church of Victoria, ” … to honour our personal and collective responsibility as part of the inter-connected web of life in this our fragile and endangered planet.”
Provide financial support to Unitarian Churches, Fellowships and Societies for the training and development of members in the field of environmental studies.
Provide financial support to Unitarian Churches, Fellowships and Societies for the development of training and educational materials for use in the Children’s Religious Education programs.
Provide financial support to Unitarian Churches, Fellowships and Societies to encourage the education, planning and implementation of activities that:

1. Emulate nature’s design;
2. Make efficient use of energy and as much as possible use solar energy and reuse and recycles materials;
3. Do not introduce and use human made compounds such as toxic chemicals and fertilizers which are new to nature; and
4. Promote holistic forest and agricultural practices that work with natural processes to produce high quality goods and services for human use.

Evaluate proposals based on the following criteria:

1. Respect the interdependent web oflife;
2. Adapted to local conditions;
3. Favour quality over quantity;
4. Maintain and improve ecological integrity;
5. Do not enrich one part of the natural world while impoverishing another;
6. Solve more than one problem at a time;
7. Is simultaneously ecologically, economically and socially sound;
8. Can be effectively implemented;
9. Has a positive environmental impact.