Board News

October Board News

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The Board has called a special Congregational Meeting for Sunday, November 2, at 1 pm on authorizing use of the balance of the Calkins Trust funds for a portion of the five-year capital projects budget.  An Informational session and background materials will be provided in advance of the meeting.

The sale of our Freestone property in Sebastopol was finalized on September 30 for the asking price of $1.195 million. At its November 4 meeting, the Board will review ideas about use of proceeds that congregants expressed during the Freestone Discernment Task Force process earlier this year.

UUCB mission and purpose sessions facilitated by the True Purpose Institute on November 1, 8 and 15 have been endorsed by the Board. It follows the series of individual purpose sessions being offered by the True Purpose Institute Wednesday evenings in October.

The Safety Policy Task Force has drafted and updated Emergency Policy & Procedures section of the Safety Manual, along with an emergency response reference card.

Cultivate Community, Deepen Connections, and Link Arms with Others have been adopted by the Board as areas of focus in program year 2027-28. The Board is developing goals for each of these areas to guide budgeting as well as staff and committee objectives.

The relationship between the Board and committees working on Safety, Widening the Circle, and Buildings & Grounds is currently under discussion.

News from the Nominating Committee

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Hello all -  

The Nominating Committee is excited to begin our search to replace the positions on the Board of Trustees whose tenure is coming to an end in 2027. As several of us on the committee can attest, joining the Board of Trustees is a deeply rewarding and enlightening journey.  It’s an opportunity to channel your PASSION – while utilizing your skills of facilitation and discernment. It is an honor to represent the voice of the congregation, from which all decisions are made.  It unites all of us to the important work that UUCB supports. 

We are continuing our own journey of an updated search process that we began two years ago. Part of that journey is to educate potential Board Members about the experience of Board Membership.  Previous feedback reflects questions such as: 

  • What’s it like ?  I am not sure how I could contribute …  
  • How does the Board’s decision making process function? 
  • How much of a time commitment is it ? 
  • How do you choose candidates from year to year ? 

Our goal is to DEMYSTIFY the process and encourage individuals to consider becoming a Board Member – if not during this upcoming cycle perhaps in the future. It is such an exciting time on the Board as Reverend Marcus’ goal to expand UUCB to a destination congregation moves toward fruition.  YOU could be part of that effort !  

To that end, we will be holding an INFORMATIONAL MEETING after service on Sunday, October 25 in the Safir Room.  Please mark your calendars – and imagine your place in our evolving church life.   

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to any of us. 

The 2026-27 UUCB Nominating Committee

Suzette Anderson-Duggan, Michael Armstrong, Cynthia Asprodites, Kay Fairwell, Paul Hudson, Kristen Jensen, Sima Misra, Carisa Orwig.

UUCB Board Role As Listener

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Does the title “Listening Presence” sound a bit like an eavesdropper, or the ear of some higher being — or of a “trusted source”, the new term that UUCB is starting to learn about?
Well, it’s not!  As a Board member, one of my roles for the past year and a half has been to listen to — and solicit — any suggestions and concerns that congregants may have about happenings at UUCB. You may recall that Randall Hudson, in this same role several years ago, wore rabbit ears to invite conversations. Playboy “bunny ears” are not quite my thing, but you may have seen me walking around with a smallish sandwich board asking for input. I’m always happy to hear your thoughts.
People have offered many concerns and suggestions, in addition to praise, for the Board. Some messages have to do with church communications, decor, atrium questions, art displays, the roles of various committees and more. Many of these I’ve passed on to our staff, or to groups who oversee those matters.
The Board, particularly in the past few months, is working to separate operations questions, overseen by the minister and staff, from policy or governance issues, to be taken up by the Board. Your “Listener” will direct messages to the people who can address them, very often the staff or relevant committees. If the question is a matter of policy, however, it will be taken to and discussed at the following monthly Board meeting. Do feel free to let me know of any suggestions or questions you may have. Each will be taken seriously and directed to those who can address it. Thank you!
-Helen Toy