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The 2019-20 UUAA Annual Meeting

Our 2020 Annual Meeting and election of officers took place on Sunday, May 31st at 11:30 am, via Zoom. The slate of officers was elected unanimously.

Meeting Materials

Agenda

Proposed Rules of Procedure

Minutes of the 2019 Annual Congregational Meeting

Congregational Vision (report to the congregation from the Vision 20/50 Leadership Team)

UUAA Mission, Vision and Purpose- draft

Board and Leadership Development Team Candidates

Laura Johnstone – Vice President

I’ve been a UUAA member for about two years. After coming “off the road” in my professional life, I am grateful that my wife of 40 years (Cynthia Dunitz) and I have found our home in this community. My involvement thus far includes the Friday Fun Night team, the Auction Committee, the Unity Group, Forum Ministries, New Member Welcome team, Vision 20/50 Leadership and Communications teams, and Chalice Circle Topics Writing team as well as active ongoing support with the Alpha House group. Professionally I’ve served as the Communications Director for two large companies, but found my true activist calling with the Service Employees International Union as communicator for many campaigns and then as International Representative serving in a variety of capacities in the Midwest, including Legislative Liaison for campaigns, Interim Chief of Staff, and Deputy Trustee, with Nursing Home Workers, Nurses, Janitors, Public School Employees and others. Our Principles and Covenant resonate powerfully with me. I’m committed to strengthening our beloved community, and to creating actions that move our principles from self, to community, to the greater world around us.

Rick Witten - Secretary

I joined UUAA along with my wife, Bobbi Coluni, shortly before we were married here by Ken Phifer in the summer of 1999. UUAA has been integral to our lives over the past two decades, as we’ve grown together and raised our daughter, Ellie, here.

Over the years I have been involved with our Men’s programs, and with our youth program. The men’s retreats and fellowship with my UU brothers provide inspiration, connection and many good memories. I deeply value our youth programs, such as OWL, Coming of Age and YRUU. Being on teacher teams and a mentor in COA have allowed me to contribute to our youth, as they have contributed to my life and personal growth. These programs have been very meaningful for my daughter as well, and I’m so grateful for the influence this community has had in nurturing her.

Music is front and center at UUAA, and I feel fortunate for the experience of being a member of our Chalice Singers under Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout. I’m also proud to have helped the Chalice Sparks children’s choir to flourish.

It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve as the Secretary of the Board for the past two years. I’ve enjoyed working with our Board members and Senior Minister, as we’ve addressed significant challenges together. With your approval, I look forward to helping navigate through these challenging times toward brighter days to come.

Katherine (Kathy) Edgren – Trustee At Large

This Congregation has been an integral part of my life since my husband, John, and I joined shortly after the move to the new building. Serving four years on the Leadership Development Team, singing in the choir, visiting a member from the age of 97-104, working with Farmer Bill, being a part of the Community of Writers and Examining Whiteness, getting petitions signed to enhance voting accessibility, Chalice Circles and more, are all experiences that provided chances to work for social justice, expand my skills and interests, and get to know more wonderful people.

Having been raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan in the Christian Reformed Church, I especially appreciate the warmth, openness, and sense of inclusion I experience at UUAA. I also like to be challenged intellectually, and to walk away from services with ideas to chew on.

Trained as a social worker in community organizing at U of M, I am currently enjoying retirement. In my work life I raised money for the ACLU, was a project manager on multi-million dollar research and intervention projects in Detroit, served as Division Director and managed a department at University Health Service, and served three terms as an Ann Arbor City Councilmember. I have worked with adults with serious mental illnesses, with families suffering with asthma, and with college students. I am also a poet with two chapbooks and one book. I have two grown children and three—soon to be four—grandchildren.

Glenn Harris – Trustee At Large

I’ve been a congregation member for five-plus years, after attending for some years prior to that; I’ve served as a mentor in the ‘Coming of Age’ program (3 years) and participated in Habitat work projects. I am currently a member of the Men’s Council as well as of the 12^th Men’s Circle, and I learned much from my work as a Vision 20/50 project ambassador.

I’m a husband (married in our building, July, 2012), a father, a grandfather; professionally, I’m an educator, a writing instructor, and since 2002 have been on the English faculty of Mott Community College in Flint.

After an early life as the son and brother, cousin and nephew, of ministers--low church, evangelical--and then after many years disconnected from religious community, I am now deeply grateful for this congregation, for its ministers, and for the spiritual home and centering it has provided for me. I will be honored to do what I can to serve this congregation and community, to promote the values of this faith, and to help this congregation thrive far into the future.

Gregg Peterson –Trustee At Large

I am honored to be considered for membership on the UAAA Board of Trustees. I’ve participated widely in the life of this congregation since moving to Ann Arbor with my wife and daughter over 11 years ago. We left many dear friends and family members in Chicago, including our UU friends at Second Unitarian Church, the congregation where we first discovered this amazing faith tradition 18 years ago. I was a trustee on the board at “2U” just before being recruited for a new job here in Michigan.

Since joining UUAA, my family and I have been nourished by all that this congregation has to offer -- warm friendships, inspiring services, an amazing community of musicians, small-group ministries (I’m a member of the 7th men’s circle), many opportunities for spiritual growth and development, and the chance to serve this congregation. In my time here I have been an SGD teacher, a member of the SGD Council, a coming-of-age mentor, a planner and leader in the activities of the men’s fellowship, including most recently, Chair of the Men’s Council, a member of the newly formed LOV (Living Our Values) team, and a proud member of the bass section in the Chalice Singers choir.

In my professional life, I’m an Associate Director in the Survey Research Operations unit at Michigan’s Institute for Social Research. When I’m not working or spending time with all of you, I love to make photographs and hand-crafted books, and have recently begun writing and telling my own stories.

Dawn Salo – Leadership Development Team, Elected Position

My name is Dawn M. Salo. I moved to Ann Arbor in September 2017 from Phoenix, AZ. I became a member of UUAA June 17, 2018. I have ushered first Sundays during the second service for the past two years. I've enjoyed being an usher, as I get to meet our congregants as they enter the sanctuary. I have participated in Chalice Circles, the Community of Writers, volunteered with our Habitat crew, worked with the Chalice Circle Curriculum Writing Team and enrolled in other spiritual development programs at UUAA. I love this church and the commitment to the Unitarian Universalist movement.

The 2019-20 Annual Report

First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ann Arbor

The annual report is electronic.

Use this link to view/ download the combined report that includes all of the reports show below.

Each of the links below display one PDF formatted section of the annual report. If a link is missing or not active the report was not submitted.

In Memoriam 2019-20

UUAA Staff and Leadership

Spiritual Life

Social Justice and Environmental Action

Community

Pastoral Care Report
Arts and Aesthetics (dormant)
Black Congregants@UUAA
Bridge Group
Community of Writers
Humanist Study Group
Ignite Young Adult Group (dormant)
Memorial Reception
Men's Fellowship
Multicultural Outreach
Northside UUs
Office Team
People of Color Gatherings
Room Team
Round Robin Dinners
Unity Group and Forum Advancement Ministry
Web Group
Wednesday Morning Readers
Welcome Ministries
Womyn's Council

Stewardship

Annual Auction (postponed due to the COVID-19 restrictions)
Annual Pledge Drive- Roots and Wings
Planned Giving
QUUest Book Store
Scrip Sales
Treasurer Assistants

Culture

January 2020 UUAA Winter Congregational Meeting and Vision Design

We will have our Winter Congregational Meeting on Sunday January 26, 2020, at 11:30 am in the Phifer Sanctuary.

This year there are two parts to the meeting. A short business meeting will be followed by a facilitated Vision 20/50 meeting.

Food will be available in the Social Hall starting at 10:45am. Child care is available for infants and toddlers. Children over 5 and youth are invited to take part in the all-ages meeting.

Important Note: Our Vision 20/50 facilitator has serious allergies that can trigger a trip to the Emergency Room. To help keep her safe, please:

-- don’t use any colognes, perfumes, or scented deodorants, lotions,or soaps (especially anything citrus or flower scented)

-- if you are in doubt as to whether you are wearing something that falls into these categories please do not get in close physical proximity to Elandria.

-- don't bring any snacks to the meeting, food will be provided in the Social Hall

Thank you!! We appreciate your understanding and cooperation with this important health issue

Agenda and Materials

Business Meeting ----

Welcome and Overview

Chalice Lighting

Approval of Agenda for Meeting

Vote to approve January 2019 Minutes

Download the Minutes of the January 13, 2019 Winter Congregational Meeting

Budget / Stone Soup update

Vote to become the sponsoring congregation for theresa rohlck's ordination

Download an Absentee ballot for ordination of theresa rohlck

Download the Absentee Voting Procedures

View a FAQ Sheet for theresa rohlck Ordination Vote

Suspend Robert's Rules

Continue with Vision 20/50 activities

Vision Design -----------

View the Theory of Change - for Vision Discussion and Prioritization Vote

Welcome and Overview

Welcome – Elandria Williams and Rev. Manish Mishra-Marzetti

Song – Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout

Review agenda together - Elandria Williams

How we got here and overall plan – 20/50 Leadership Team

Theory of Change

What is a Theory of Change? - Elandria Williams/ *Facilitation Team

Theory of Change overview – 20/50 Leadership Team

Theory of Change reflections - Facilitation Team

Affirmation of Current Theory of Change (will be ongoing) - Elandria Williams

Congregational Assessment

Different rooms in the building are set up to allow you to react to the Theory of Change and express your ideas for what impact you want the congregation to have practically-- what activities UUAA should be doing and what might get in the way. Choose a room with an activity that works best for you.

[Back in sanctuary ]

Pair and Group Reflections

Small group or pair sharing – Facilitation Team

Large group reflections – 30 seconds to 1 minute each – Facilitation Team

Next Steps and Closing

Next Steps– Facilitation Team

Closing song- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout

Closing words

[Download/ view/ print the agenda in PDF format]

*The facilitation team includes Rev. Dr. Lisa Presley, Congregational Life Consultant, MidAmerica Region and Rev. Carleton Smith, Congregational Life Staff, Southern Region

Vision Materials

During the meeting, we will all be interacting with the "Theory of Change" document and we will be voting on priorities for the sections called "UUAA Community Engagement" and "UUAA Inside the Congregation". It might help you to read those sections ahead of time to know how you wish to vote.

View the Theory of Change - for Vision Discussion and Prioritization Vote

If you would like to read more about our Vision 20/50 project and how data was collected and analyzed, follow this link.

Jump to the Annual Report

2020-21 UUAA Annual Meeting

The 2020-21 Annual Meeting was held June 6, 2021 at 11:30 via Zoom.

MEETING MATERIALS

Adopted agenda

Adopted Rules of Procedure

Minutes of the 2020 Annual Congregational Meeting

The slate of Board/ LDT members proposed by the Leadership Development Team was elected.

The proposed bylaw changes were adopted by a 78% in favor vote:

Proposed bylaw changes

Rationale for the changes

FAQ sheet

Elected Board of Trustees and Leadership Development Team Members

President: Laura Johnstone

I’ve been a UUAA member for more than three years, most recently serving as Vice President of the Board of Trustees. After coming “off the road” in my professional life, I am grateful that my wife of 40+ years (Cynthia Dunitz) and I have found our home in this community. My involvement thus far includes the Friday Fun Night team, the Auction Committee, the Unity Group, Forum Ministries, New Member Welcome team, the Vision 20/50 Leadership teams, and Chalice Circle Topics Writing team as well as active ongoing support with the Alpha House group. Professionally I’ve served as the Communications Director for two large companies, but found my true activist calling with the Service Employees International Union as communicator for many campaigns and then as International Representative serving in a variety of capacities throughout the Midwest, including Legislative Liaison for campaigns, Interim Chief of Staff, and Deputy Trustee, with Nursing Home Workers, Nurses, Janitors, Public School Employees and others. Our Principles and Covenant resonate powerfully with me. I’m committed to strengthening our beloved community, and to creating actions that move our principles from self, to community, to the greater world around us. I’m also committed to helping our community carry out our service through the framework of our Vision 20/50.

Appointment (filling Laura Johnstone's term) Vice President: Gregg Peterson

I’ve participated widely in the life of this congregation since moving from Chicago to Ann Arbor with my wife and daughter, over 12 years ago. We left many dear friends and family members in Chicago, including our UU friends at Second Unitarian Church, the congregation where we first discovered this amazing faith tradition 19 years ago. I was a trustee on the board at “2U” just before being recruited for a new job here in Michigan.

Since joining UUAA, my family and I have been nourished by all that this congregation has to offer—warm friendships, inspiring services, an amazing community of musicians, small-group ministries (I’m a member of the 7th Men’s Circle), many opportunities for spiritual growth and development, and the opportunity to serve this congregation. I have been an SGD teacher, a member of the SGD Council, a coming-of-age mentor, a planner and leader in the activities of the Men’s Fellowship, including two years as the Chair of the Men’s Council, a member of LOV (Living Our Values) team, and a proud member of the bass section in the Chalice Singers choir. Finally, for the last year, I've been a Trustee at Large on the UUAA Board.

In my professional life, I’m an Associate Director in the Survey Research Operations unit at Michigan’s Institute for Social Research. When I’m not working or in community with you, I love to make photographs and hand-crafted books, and have recently begun writing and telling my own stories.

Treasurer: Vanessa Campbell

Vanessa Campbell became a member of UUAA in 2009. She has been involved in Chalice Circles, the Chalice Singers (Choir), Welcome Ministries (usher), a financial reporting review, and the auction. With more than nine years as an entrepreneur of Sage Accounting, she works with small businesses and seniors, and formerly she worked with a telecommunications corporation during the early development of the Internet. She has extensive experience in process development, analysis, and project management. Vanessa has served as Treasurer on the UUAA BOT for the last two years. Vanessa looks forward to serving another term on the UUAA Board of Trustees.

Trustee-at-Large: David Kohn

I have lived in Ann Arbor for over 30 years and my family (Lisa, Sam and Tim) and I have been members of UUAA since 2004. I am currently a member and treasurer of the Social Justice Council, and have previously served as a coming of age mentor and helped teach in the SGD program. I have also volunteered at Alpha House and served on the newcomer’s welcome committee. We started coming to UUAA when our children were young and relished the SGD program that they grew up with. As an empty nester now, I am able to dedicate more time to UUAA, which has provided a beautiful home for us. I value the free-thinking and discourse provided by the Congregation and the environment that enables us to live our values. The most important element of my membership in UUAA has been the relationships that have been built. I have served on Boards and as President of professional (scientific) societies, so I have experience in activities, governance and financial aspects of non-profits and volunteer work. I am honored to have been nominated as a candidate for the Board and look forward to the opportunity to serve our Congregation.

Trustee-at-Large: Erin Krajcik

It is an honor to be selected for reelection to an At-Large position on the UUAA Board of Trustees. Thank you. I grew up with Unitarian Universalist values as a part of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Savannah. Since joining UUAA in 2014, it has been a privilege to serve during the Newcomer’s Welcome and Involvement Table and as a member of Friends of Restorative Justice. It is such a delight during the Newcomer’s Welcome to meet and engage with new people interested in the Congregation and Unitarian Universalism, and I get to talk about all of the amazing things this congregation does! I also have found such meaning through my involvement with Friends of Restorative Justice. With this group, we are able to put “faith into action” on so many levels by promoting a restorative approach criminal justice. I am proud to be a member of UUAA while engaging with these groups.

As a Clinical Social Worker, my professional values, experience, and training have been very helpful for my involvement with these groups. This skill set has also proven useful for continuing to engage with the congregation in the role of Board Member-At-Large. One of my favorite things on Sunday is not only seeing so many people I know but seeing how many people I have yet to meet. For me, this is the wonder of our Congregation. We are vast, and deep. We do so much and with such meaning. For that, I appreciate the UUAA Congregation, and the opportunity to serve as a Board Member-At-Large.

Appointment (filling Gregg Peterson's term): Trustee-at-Large: Henrike Florusbosch

I am excited about the opportunity to serve this congregation that has been so important to me. My husband and I signed the membership book in 2007, when our oldest daughter was in preschool (and the other children weren’t yet born). Moving along with our oldest daughter,

I have taught SGD classes from Kindergarten to 5th grade, when I started “commuting” to the Netherlands for a few years to teach at the University of Leiden; during that time & afterwards, I intermittently taught SGD classes alongside our second daughter, before joining the SGD committee in 2018.

The Vision 2050 process made me realize the many ways in which the congregation, and its covenantal approach to bringing about the beloved community together, had become a core part of my life. I thought the care everyone took in engaging others in the visioning process and our commitment to begin again in love, again and again as needed, were exemplary, and I’ve tried to bring some of these practices to home & work. Conversely, I now hope to bring some of my professional experience (I manage the African Studies Center at the University of Michigan) and my passion for creating community and transformative change to the board.

Leadership Development Team: Janet Callaway

I’ve lived in Ann Arbor since 1958. My formal education includes degrees in Music, Special Education, and, finally a Ph.D. Education Administration. I also participated in a year-long internship in planned change/organizational development.

Professionally, I spent a decade as a cellist, two decades in public education—one as an elementary teacher, language arts consultant, and one as a building administrator. Finally, I worked with corporate America for fifteen years, particularly in team development and process improvement.

Since retirement I’ve provided pro bono consultation with non-profit groups. I’ve also held leadership roles in several community groups, including Huron Services for Youth, Arbor Hospice, and UMS.

My first experience in our congregation began in the mid-1970s when I signed the membership book and was eventually Director of Religious Education. Then having been absent for a number of years, when Lou and I were married in 1994 we explored congregations and in that exploration began attending here regularly, re-signing the book in February, 2019.

Recently I’ve been a greeter, helped with our last auction and been part of the Wednesday Morning Readers. I was on the Leadership Team for the first phase of the “Vision 20/50” process, working on the sub-group that developed the data gathering process and supported the superb volunteer members who facilitated the sessions.

Why the Leadership Development Team? I intend to work with others to deepen our congregational understanding of the unique leadership and followership required to move closer to actualizing our Vision. In that way we will be able to develop future slates of Board and LDT candidates whose leadership continues to exemplify those understandings.

Appointed Position: Leadership Development Team: Kim Clugston

I signed the UUAA membership book on May 9, 2004. I served as the Treasurer of the Board of Trustees from 2009-2013. I also have served as a member of the Memorial Garden group, off and on, since 2009 to the present.

Rev. Gail Geisenhainer married my fellow gardener, Peter Russell, and me in our Dexter back yard on a beautiful September afternoon in 2013. I retired from the Bank of Ann Arbor last July and am happily adjusting to life without an alarm clock. Peter and I live in our home with my father, Bill, who is 94.

This congregation is important to me as it is a major part of my spiritual home, informing and supporting my personal political, ethical, and social relationships with the greater world. Our church home is a sanctuary of peace and beauty built on our past contributions and aspirations for the future. I appreciate the opportunity to serve on the Leadership Development Team as part of my contribution.

The 2020-21 Annual Report

First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ann Arbor

Banner for Annual Report 2021

In the 2020-21 program year, creativity abounded as we figured out how to gather virtually, keep up connections and remain a strong community during a pandemic. We added Zoom pastoral care, Zoom kids activities, outdoor Community Walks and found many other ways to stay connected. We kept our social justice programs going and kept working on Vision 20/50 priorities, including taking the first steps on a Green Sanctuary re-certification journey.

During our Sunday Service May 23, 2021, Rev. Cassandra Hartley gathered highlights of the many ways we managed to stay in community throughout this difficult pandemic year. Please watch this inspiring summary of UUAA's 2020-2021... perhaps our first video Annual Report.

Each of the links below display one UUAA Group 2020-21 Annual Report (PDF formatted).

-- Or read/download all of the reports gathered into one PDF document using this link.