This email provides updates from your UUSS volunteer leaders, and this month includes information from the Board of Trustees and the Program Council.

Board of Trustees

Fall Congregational Meeting: The Board welcomes all to the Fall Congregational Meeting, on Sunday, October 18, 2026. Voting members are encouraged to attend to make sure we have a quorum, in order to conduct business. The meeting starts 15 minutes after the service, in the sanctuary, giving you enough time for a cup of coffee and to introduce yourself to someone new! Attend in person, or by Zoom!

Facility Planning: The process of evaluating the buildings that house our meeting spaces, RE classrooms, nursery and the ministers’ and some staff offices is underway. The Board formed a Facilities Planning Task Force to guide this process. As a first task, over the next month or two, we will be gathering input from staff and users of the buildings. We will then communicate that information more broadly and solicit feedback. If you have questions or thoughts, please email us at board@uuss.org.

Finance Committee Charter: The Board approved revisions to the Finance Committee Charter to clarify that the Committee is responsible for enacting UUSS investment policy as approved by the Board of Trustees. Furthermore, the Finance Committee may create a sub-committee to monitor UUSS investments and make recommendations to the Committee.

Website Task Force: The Board has approved the Website Task Force recommendation to contract with Uptown Studios, a Sacramento firm, to build our new website. The Board extends its deep gratitude to Task Force chair, Mathew Espinosa-Castro and the committee members: Alicia Taylor, Dawnabelle Rodriguez, Janet Lopes, Jennifer Webb, Judy Lane, Marlaina Rodriquez, Michael O’Neil, Patty Purvis- Thielman, Peter Bishop, Sean Fountain and Victoria Owens, for their diligent efforts thus far!

Safety Committee: On Saturday, September 26th, our Safety Committee organized CPR/AID Training at UUSS. Twelve UU members eagerly participated in the informative training. This is one more way we are helping to keep the Congregation safe. For those who attended, you should have received your American Heart Association Card from eCards@heart.org. If not, please contact safety@uuss.org.

Program Council

Program Council is celebrating a successful Activity Fair last September. Thank you to everyone who staffed tables and everyone who attended!

We would like to announce that Sally Wilkins was appointed to a vacated position. Sally’s term will end June 30, 2027.

Don’t forget to attend the Congregational Meeting this Sunday, October 18. Program Council will be presenting the Unsung Hero Award for 2026.

How to Get in Touch with Your Volunteer Leaders

Your elected Board of Trustees meets monthly. Our next meeting will be Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 6:30 PM, on Zoom (by accessing the same Zoom link as the Sunday morning services) and in-person gathering in the library. You are welcome to join us! The Board’s role is to oversee issues of UUSS finances, facilities, personnel and long-range planning; it makes decisions on policies rather than management decisions. You can find more information about the Board and read the Board meeting minutes and Treasurer’s report here uuss.org/board. To contact the Board, email board@uuss.org.

UUSS 2026/2027 Board of Trustees: Andy Cramer – President, Ted Scott-Femenella – Vice President, Victoria Owens – Treasurer, Fred Pannek – Secretary, Members-at-Large: Emily Moran-Vogt, Karen Smith, Lue Bishop, Mathew Espinosa-Castro, Patty Innes. Also, our Co-Ministers are ex-officio members (without a vote) of the Board, Program Council and most committees.

Program Council: The Program Council will meet via Zoom on the third Thursday of each month at 6:30 pm. Persons interested in attending a meeting or contacting the Program Council can email programcouncil@uuss.org.

Your 2026/2027 Program Council members are: Sean Fountain, Joyce Ownbey, co-chairs; Danielle Vickers, Maria Espinosa-Castro, Michael Feliciano, Dave Paul, Sally Wilkins.