by Linda Lane-Hamilton, outgoing Board Co-president
New WUU board terms begin May 1. Thank you to the board members whose terms have expired and who are happily looking forward to other activities, WUU and otherwise—Katrina Landon (who served on the board six years, one as president), Kerry Mellette, Pat Russo, and Melissa Stump. A special thank you goes to Vice-President Pat Russo, who served as co-president and immersed herself in WUU governance work.
And thank you to board committee chairs over the busy past year: Annual Giving—Lola Warren and Allen Cooke (with Kerry Mellette as Board liaison); Bylaws—Chris Faia (and Lola Warren); Finance—Franz Gross; Personnel—Pat Russo (with Ariel BenYishay, Phoebe Kent and Angela Surber); and Safety—Les Solomon. Board task forces guided both board and congregational decisions—Phoebe Kent and Kerry Mellette for safety; Franz Gross and Linda Lane-Hamilton for worship start times; Franz Gross and Angela Surber for much work with Montessori and the Montessori contracts; Linda Lane-Hamilton, Pat Russo, Phoebe Kent and Les Solomon for the board bylaws task force; and Pat Russo and Les Solomon for the policies task force.
We can’t forget the considerable work done by our treasurer, Vicki Hall, and assistant treasurer Susan Fournier. And we thank Vicki and Franz for their hour-long Zoom session on what our financial volunteers do for WUU.
In a final major decision in April, the Board voted unanimously for developmental ministry, with the new board to determine the timeline and process for the coming year.
We also give a heartfelt thank you to the congregation for your active involvement in governance this past year—giving input on worship time, bylaws revisions, developmental ministry, and more. You attended board listening sessions and special Zoom events led by board members and by Rev. Michelle. You sent us emails and spoke with us at meetings and after services. And you participated in a longer-than-usual congregational meeting to approve new by-laws. Rev. Michelle has noted that our congregation is one that wants to be involved, and you have shown that abundantly this past year.
Finally, a thank you to our interim minister, Rev. Michelle, whose energy and experience have helped guide the Board, Program Council, committees, and staff through this transition year. WUU is in a good place, and Rev. Michelle is one of many reasons why.