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

Board of Trustees and the Nominating Committee

The Board would like to extend sincerest thanks to Janet Lopes for shepherding UUSS through the process of hosting the Pacific Western Regional Assembly. From helping us secure a Chalice Lighter’s grant to recruiting volunteers – and everything in between – Janet figured out exactly what needed to be done and did it with grace. Thanks also to UUSS staff, volunteers, and attendees. The conference was a rousing success.

Save the Date – May 17th – for the Spring Annual Congregational Meeting, taking place after the Sunday service. Watch for further announcements about the Meeting, including the agenda and plan to attend one of two budget forums hosted by UUSS treasurer, Victoria Owens: in person on May 3rd, after Sunday service in the Fahs classroom, and on Zoom, Wednesday, May 13th at 6:30 PM.

The Spring Meeting is when we vote on candidates for Leadership positions. The Nominating Committee wants to thank everyone who expressed interest, and are delighted to present the following candidates:

Vice President of Board – Ted Scott-Femenella
Treasurer – Victoria Owens
Member at Large – Lue Bishop
Member at Large – Karen Smith
Member at Large – Mathew Espinosa-Castro

Program Council – Michael Feliciano
Program Council – Danielle Vickers
Program Council – Joyce Ownbey

Nominating Committee – Bobbie Keill
Nominating Committee – Linda Osborne
Nominating Committee – Michael O’Neil
Nominating Committee – Susan Davis-James

Endowment Trust – Randy Webb

To learn more about the candidates you can:

·        Starting April 26, see the poster board with photos and information about each candidate.
·        On May 3 after the service, engage in a low key “meet the candidates” event in the Welcome Hall.

Program Council

The Program Council will be implementing an Affinity Badge program for our Affinity groups, People of Color Caucus, Crone Connection, Young Adults, and Men’s Group.

The purpose of these badges, which allows members of these groups to display their membership on their name tags, is to further our efforts of welcome and inclusion based around identities. We encourage everyone to participate and support our various Affinity groups at UUSS. If you are moved to do so, we also encourage you to form a new Affinity group where any are missing.

Thank you for being part of the welcome in our community!

How to get in touch with your volunteer leaders:

Your elected Board of Trustees meets monthly. Our next meeting will be Thursday, April 23, 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 minutes and Treasurer’s report here http://www.uuss.org/board/.

To contact the Board, email board@uuss.org

UUSS 2025-2026 Board of Trustees: Andy Cramer – President, Janet Lopes-Vice President, Victoria Owens – Treasurer, Fred Pannek – Secretary, Members-at-Large:  Carl Crain, Dawn Huebner, Emily Moran-Vogt, Mathew Espinosa-Castro, Patty Innes

Your 2025/2026 Program Council members: Sean Fountain – Chair, Joyce Ownbey, Jim Glidden, Michael Feliciano, Dave Paul.

The Program Council will meet next via Zoom on Thursday, April 16 6:30 PM. Persons interested in attending a meeting or contacting the Program Council can email   programcouncil@uuss.org