The current cultural climate is an opportunity to deepen and grow Unitarian Universalism. Never has our message been more important. Never have there been so many who would join us if only they knew about us and if we transformed our faith community into one where all can thrive. Too many find our message appealing but our faith community a poor reflection of our message. That's the biggest challenge. Creating a movement where all can thrive, a movement worthy of our theology. In particular, we who embody white supremacy culture must understand our accountabilities and act upon them.

I will bring to the board optimism about our future, deep knowledge of our legacy (both appreciation and regret), and specific expertise in governance, finance, and strategy. All of those characteristics will add strength to the UUA board.

Focused and simplified governance. We need to make radical changes to how we make decisions as an association. We have created systems and processes that hold us back, rather than move us forward. Risk avoidance is valued more than vision and leadership. A system built for white supremacy needs to be rebuilt into one where all can make a difference. My first purpose as a new trustee will be to bring stronger board presence and leadership of the Bylaws Renewal Team, to change our governance processes. Our future depends on it.

Governance about mission and purpose. The UUA Board needs to focus more on deep conversation about the central challenges of our faith, what governance experts call “generative thinking.” The Board spends too much time listening to, and commenting upon, reports. The Board listens and comments, while opportunity slips away. It needs to ask “what should our future be"?” “are we moving sufficiently in that direction” and “how will we get there?” My own lens for decision making is “does it deepen the faith?” and “does it grow the faith?”

Financial vitality. We need to steward our financial resources with care and focus, and I bring the background to help with that stewardship. The UUA’s financial resources are declining when they should be growing. The pie should be getting bigger, with resources growing from the generosity of our congregations and donors, but that is not now the case. The UUA’s unrestricted net assets are declining and the amount of the decline is growing (down by $2K in FY23, by $2.8M in FY24, and by $4.3M in FY25). The administration and board have a plan for getting the fiscal house in order. I can bring additional perspective, and deep experience.

In addition to those themes, there are others that have always guided my own thinking and actions as a UU volunteer leader.

• Dismantling white supremacy culture, of which I am a part. That’s the most essential element of any future for Unitarian Universalism.

• Support for our religious professionals, both in their work and in their recognition. Adequate preparation, support for career success, and compensation that matches the challenge are all essential.

• Active recruitment of volunteer leaders who represent the diversity we seek to become and bring skills and perspectives most likely to move us forward. The opportunity to serve as a volunteer leader in the UUA is a ministry like few others.