News from your Board of Trustees |
To keep you informed on actions and activities of your UUSP Board,
we'll feature highlights from the most recent Board meeting, Board member profiles, financial information, details on specific initiatives, and more.
To attend our monthly virtual meetings, every 2nd Thursday, 5:30-7:30pm, click this link and save it on your browser.
|
|
|
Highlights from the February meeting |
|
The Board identified priorities and goal for the coming fiscal year:
- Work toward contributing our fair share of UUA dues
- Transition and hiring of Interim Minister
- RE development
- Leadership training
- Incrementally increase Maintenance Reserves funds
- Support live-streamed Worship Services
Covid Update: Though it is premature to reopen the church, the Worship Committee is exploring software and technology for streaming services.
News from Rev. Jack: Several people who have watched our YouTube services have contacted Jack to learn more about our church. He continues his involvement with FAST and reminds us of the February 14 network meeting and the rally on March 8. Jack is working with Nic Filzen, our former Music Director, on organizing his ordination experience. Nic will be ordained at the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara on March 7 at 5pm EST. The Board approved a $1000 contribution to his ordination; included in this amount is the gift of a Minister’s stole.
Committee Reports:
The Facilities Task Force reported on kitchen progress and the hiring of a custodial service, Joy of Cleaning. The task force also brought to the Board’s attention the disrepair of the Arlington wall and gate.
Paul Craig reported that the Church is in good standing financially. Our new bookkeeper, Melanie Humlicek started on Feb. 9. -- Karen White
For the latest draft meeting minutes, click the button below for a pdf download.
|
|
Search for an Interim Minister
The Board unanimously approved both beginning the UUA Interim Search process and the Search Committee members: Sally Carville, Susan Burnore, and Michael Killoren. Each month the Board e-Newsletter will include a column devoted to the Transition process with links to documents; interim reports will be provided in the last InfoNet of each month.
FAQs on the Interim Minister Role and Search Process
|
|
Personnel Committee Chair:
A big thanks to Linda Paul, who's served for five years and needs to step aside as chair. Linda, Marcile Powers and Jane Fanning will remain on the committee but are looking for a new chairperson, ideally with Human Resources experience.
The committee creates job descriptions, performance standards and evaluation forms for non-professional employees and conducts the hiring of these staff. A full committee charter can be provided, please contact Linda Paul.
Nominating Committee, Board members and Officers:
In March, the Board will name members to the Nominating Committee, charged with nominating Board members and officers for the coming fiscal year. If you are interested in serving on the Nominating Committee, or as a Board member or officer as of July 1, please contact Susan Burnore.
|
|
Rev. Jack Donovan
ex officio board member
Rev. Jack Donovan came to UU St. Pete from Gainesville, where he served as minister of the UU congregation for 17 years, as a hospice chaplain for several years, and as a Gainesville City Commissioner for two terms. He has also served as pastor of two Presbyterian churches for a sum of eight years, and for a year and a half as director of the Alachua County Coalition for the Homeless.
Before entering the ministry, Jack served as a Peace Corps teacher in Micronesia, a USAID Refugee Officer in Vietnam, a staff member of Boston’s Community Action Agency, and a consultant on federal social programs. He also spent five years trying, but failing, to write the great American novel.
Jack’s educational background includes a BA in literature from Dartmouth College, a Masters of Public Policy from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, and a Master of Divinity from the Starr King School in the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA. He was trained in, but can no longer speak, Vietnamese and Trukese (a Pacific Island language). The same is true of Latin (despite three years of study in high school) and ancient Hebrew (despite an intensive on-line course from Dubuque University Seminary). Jack’s greatest interest is in contributing to spiritually healthy communities.
|
|
UUSP Mission: To be an inclusive, evolving religious community that inspires spiritual and intellectual growth to make our world a better place.
|
|
Quotes from Thich Nhat Hanh
People deal too much with the negative, with what is wrong. Why not try and see positive things, to just touch those things and make them bloom?
We have more possibilities available in each moment than we realize.
If in our daily life we can smile, if we can be peaceful and happy, not only we, but everyone will profit from it. This is the most basic kind of peace work.
We have to walk in a way that we only print peace and serenity on the Earth. Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.
~ Karen White
|
|
 |
Upcoming Virtual Board Meetings for 2021
Respond to this email for Board minutes prior to this month.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What do you want to hear about?
Send your comments and suggestions to Jeanay.
|
|
Co-Editors
RE & Communications Coordinator and ex officio Board Member
Board Member
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
