Leadership
OVERVIEW
Leadership
Officer Roles of the Board of Trustees:
- Sara Murray (2023), Moderator
- John Ehrmann (2024), Vice Moderator
- Cheryll Paull (2024), Treasurer
- Morti Longsdorf* (2024), Secretary
Contact Emails:
Board of Trustees – board@fistuniversalist.org
Moderator – moderator@firstuniversalist.org
Vice Moderator – vicemoderator@firstuniversalist.org
Board of Trustees:
- Sara Murray (2023)
- Jan Ormes (2023)
- Mary Raynard (2023)
- John Ehrmann (2024)
- Morti Longsdorf* (2024)
- Cheryll Paull (2024)
- Jo Hehnke (2025)
- Paul Hoskins (2025)
- Christian Onsager (2025)
- Rev. Eric Banner, ex officio non-voting member*
Morti Longsdorf was elected at a Special Congregational Meeting on 9/27/20 for a term ending 6/30/24. Due to the extraordinary circumstances surrounding the pandemic, this extended term was a departure from the process yet is also covered under the bylaws, Article VI Section 6 of the bylaws in effect in September 2020. Contact us at board@firstuniversalist.org
Latest News
We are Forging Our Future! In the midst of a multi-year, multi-faceted Developmental Ministry, we are evaluating our mission and vision statements, revising/restructuring our governance model, and planning for a future settled minister. You can read more about the various aspects of our Developmental Ministry on our Forging Our Future blog.
Conversations with the Board
On the second Sunday of each month, we offer a breakout discussion as part of our weekly Virtual Coffee Hour. This is an informal venue for information sharing or questions you may have about Board-related topics (governance, oversight, discernment, strategy, or management). The Coffee Hour opens at 11:00am, and the breakout sessions start around 11:15am. Get instructions on joining here.
Board Meetings & Minutes
The Board meets monthly on the first Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. and members of the congregation are welcome to attend. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the meetings have been moved online. To attend, please send an email to board@firstuniversalist.org, and we will reply with instructions.
Minutes from Board meetings for the current and prior church year are available here. To request access to minutes from past years, please email us at board@firstuniversalist.org.
The Board of Trustees (BoT) is elected by the congregation at the spring congregational meeting. There are typically nine members on the Board serving staggered three-year terms. Officers for the coming year are elected by the Board to a one-year term at the first Board meeting after the beginning of the new fiscal year which starts July 1 every year.
Nominations & Committee on Shared Ministry
Church Leadership
At each Spring Congregational Meeting, the membership of our congregation elects new leaders for three elected committees: the Board of Trustees, the Nominations Committee, and the Committee on Shared Ministry. The leaders serve staggered terms for stability and continuity of leadership. The current members of each elected committee are listed below with the end of their term listed in parenthesis.
Committee on Shared Ministry – email
- Cindy Kreek (2024)
- Gary Reser (2024)
- Margaret Griffes (2023)
- Maryalice Jordan-Marsh (2023)
- Betsy Rogers
- Kay Stevenson
Committee on Shared Ministry (COSM) typically has six lay members. The professional ministers are ex officio (non-voting) members. Lay members are elected for three-year terms with the election of two new members to the committee each year. The committee works with the ministerial staff and lay leaders to evaluate and promote the overall effectiveness of the ministry of the congregation.
Click here to read the Charter.
Nominations Committee – email
- Mark Schneider (2024)
- Dee Sweeney (2024)
- Rhoda Whitney (2023)
- Jean James (2025)
- Kennon Cohen (2023)
- Jim Paull (2025)
Nominations Committee (NC) is composed of nine members when possible. Members are elected to three-year terms, with an annual election of three new members. The Nominations Committee publicizes, solicits, and submits the names of all qualified candidates for vacant positions on the Board of Trustees, the Committee on Shared Ministry, and the Nominations Committee.
Click here to read the Charter.
Councils
Care and Support Council
Chair: Barbara Snook
careleaders@firstuniversalist.org
Lifespan Learning
Chair: Hilary Morland
lifespanlearning@firstuniversalist.org
Membership Council
Chair: Mary Emlen
membership@firstuniversalist.org
Operations
Chair: TBA
operations@firstuniversalist.org
Social Justice Council
Chair: Toni Nading
sjcouncil@firstuniversalist.org
Worship + Arts Council
Chair: Jim Paull
worship@firstuniversalist.org
Click here for the Charter
Standing Board Committees
Please find below the names and contact information of our five Standing Board Committees, who report directly to the Board of Trustees:
Standing Committee on Human Resources
Members:
- Rick Granquist – Chair
- Ed Durso
- John Ehrmann
- Mary Raynard
Standing Committee on Finance
Members:
- Cheryll Paull (chair)
- Josie Faix
- Ida Merritt
- Alica Green
- Nancy Oberg
Standing Committee on Governance
governance@firstuniversalist.org
Members:
- Doug Griffes – Chair
- Nancy Bolt
- John Ehrmann
- Ruth Hellman
- Barry Mahoney
- Ed Durso
Click here for the Charter
Standing Committee on the Endowment
endowment@firstuniversalist.org
Members:
- Tom Abood – Chair
- Emily Beckman
- Charlie Lyons
Standing Committee on Archives
archives@firstuniversalist.org
Members:
- Kitty Comstock – Chair
- Larry Bohning
- Evan Johnson
- Rev. Stephan Papa
- Rev. Bill Robinson
- Ann Westerberg
Click here for the Charter
Financial Reports
Financial Reports
The Finance Committee of First Universalist Church meets monthly with church staff and works closely with the Board of Trustees and the Operations Council.
- Click Here for the Fiscal Year 2022/2023 Second Quarter Financial Report
- Click Here for the Fiscal Year 2022/2023 First Quarter Financial Report
- Click here for the Fiscal Year 2021/2022 Fourth Quarter Financial Report
- Click here for the Fiscal Year 2021/2022 Third Quarter Financial Report
- Click here for the Fiscal Year 2021/2022 Second Quarter Financial Report
- Click here for the Fiscal Year 2021/2022 First Quarter Financial Report