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News from your
Board of Trustees
17 May 2021
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.

Monthly virtual meetings are every 2nd Thursday, 5:30-7:30pm.
To receive the agenda or link in advance, contact Communications.
Message from our Board President
Please Attend our
Annual Congregational Meeting

When: 11:15am, Sunday, May 23, 2021
What we'll cover: We’ll vote on the 2021-2022 budget; nominations for Board Members, Officers and Endowment Board members; and be updated on key topics for our church.
We need all members to attend!  

Dear UUSP Member,
I hope you've received your information packet for the Annual Meeting this Sunday, which was sent out on May 12th. Please review it to be ready to vote on our budget and nominees.

Here's a little more information about the Annual Meeting this Sunday. You have three ways to participate:

1. Join the Zoom meeting at 11:15 am from your own computer or phone. Here's the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8277994105  We will vote by show of hands or voice on Zoom.

2. Come to the church that morning.  You can view the YouTube service on the church television at 10:30, then several people will have their laptops available for shared Zoom viewing of the meeting at 11:15. To do this you must register with the office to let us know you're coming. Contact Office Manager Sharon Wood at 727-898-3294 or OfficeAdmin@uustpete.org. Come to the back patio area or look for signs indicating where to meet. We will use masks and social distancing as needed.

3. Designate someone to vote on your behalf, if you want to vote but can't join the meeting at all. To use this method, you must notify the office via email - OfficeAdmin@uustpete.org - no later than Friday, May 21st, 5:00 pm. Use this wording for your email:
GENERAL PROXY - This is to certify that I, ____________________, a voting member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of St. Petersburg (UUSP), have designated ______________________, another voting member, as my personal representative to cast all votes and express all approvals or disapprovals that I may be entitled to cast or express at the annual meeting of UUSP on May 23, 2021.
(No one can hold more than three proxies for absent members.)

Your participation is so important! With COVID and other pressures, we're doing things a little differently, but we are doing the best we can to give everyone a chance to take part. Please contact me or Chris Pedersen if you have not received your packet, or if you have questions. Thank you!
-- Susan Burnore, President, UUSP Board of Trustees

Highlights from the May 13th Meeting
Announcements 
Dani Skrzpek and her merry group are organizing a farewell celebration for Pastor Jack on June 27.  The festivities will begin with a viewing of that Sunday’s service in the church picnic area at 4 p.m.   We can look forward to sharing memories, a theatrical performance, and catering by Mazzaro’s.  COVID safety guidance will be forthcoming.  Save the date!
The Re-Group get togethers, sponsored by the Annual Giving Team, have been enjoyable occasions for people to re-unite, share their pandemic experiences, and learn about the happenings at the church.  

Treasurer’s Report
The 2021-2022 fiscal year for the church begins on July 1. We’re on solid financial ground this year but next year brings some special challenges with the expense of bringing in a new interim minister. 

Nominating Committee
Sarah Craig, John Motter, and Karen White recruited excellent nominees for all open Board of Trustee, Board of Endowment, and Officer positions.  The slate of candidates will be presented at the Annual Meeting.

Reopening Our Buildings
We are beginning to see our way to open our church and education buildings now that more people are vaccinated.   We continue to follow CDC guidelines and the guidelines from UUA as well as remaining mindful of the risk level in our community.  During the summer we’ll focus on getting the new technologies in place for a flexible, multi-platform combination of in-person and online services.   A September opening is planned.   There is good news:  due to rising temperatures, the Sunday 4 p.m. service will be inside!  COVID precautions will be followed.  Contact Sarah Craig to reserve a place. 
-- Karen White
Search for an Interim Minister

This is a competitive year for hiring with a 1:1 ratio of congregations seeking interim ministers to ministers looking for positions. The Interim Search Committee was pleased to receive five applications for our position. After eliminating two unqualified candidates, the Committee completed interviews with three experienced female ministers last week. The team spent a great deal of time preparing for the interviews, reflecting on what we heard, and checking references with UUA staff and member of congregations where the candidates formerly worked.

After consulting with the Board, the Committee submitted our rank choice list to UUA on Monday, the 17th. Once the top choices of congregations are matched with the top choices of ministers, UUA expects to notify us of a match on the 18th. If we are successful, we expect to make a job offer on the 19th, so things are happening quickly. If we aren't successful in this first round, we will enter a second round of reviewing applications and interviewing candidates. If successful, we expect a new interim minister to start in August.

We'll announce our new interim minister to the congregation after a contract / agreement is in place and a successful background check has been completed. We may be able to make this announcement at the Annual Congregational Meeting, but stay tuned. Thanks to Committee members Sally Carville, Susan Burnore, Paul Craig and Sharon Winters for their time, diligence and thoughtful work.

For more information about the role of an Interim Minister, click here: 
-- Sharon Winters

Meet Your Board Members
Karen White

Born in Buffalo, Karen lived most of her life in various upstate NY locales and moved to Florida in late 2018.  The sub zero temperatures of the Adirondack Mountain winters finally took their toll and the siren call of St. Petersburg proved irresistible. 
Karen’s career as a psychologist was an important focus of her life for nearly 40 years, during which she held the position of Clinical Director at two non profit clinics, one in the Chicago area and the other in Buffalo, before engaging fully in private practice.  Karen became a member at UUSP in 2019 and served as clerk for one year prior to being nominated to a board position.  
Karen’s passions include nature, animal welfare, reading, cycling, hiking, and occasionally dabbling in art projects.   She lives in downtown St. Pete with her soul mate and husband, David, and one very sweet black cat named Minnie. 

Upcoming Virtual Board Meetings for 2021

  • June 10
  • July 8
  • Aug 12


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