agenda of the 2016 annual meeting - uuchurch.org€¦ · last annual meeting. 5. a motion was made...
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University Unitarian Church • 6556 35th Avenue NE • Seattle, WA 98115 • (206) 525-8400 • [email protected]
CONTENTS
AGENDA OF THE 2016
ANNUAL MEETING ............ 1
MINUTES OF ANNUAL
CONGREGATIONAL
MEETING JUNE 14, 2015 .... 2
MINUTES OF SPECIAL
CONGREGATIONAL
MEETING NOVEMBER 15,
2015 ....................................... 3
2016-17 ANNUAL
OPERATING BUDGET ........ 4
CAPITAL SPENDING
REPORT ................................ 9
2016-17 NOMINEES FOR
ELECTION .......................... 10
ABSENTEE BALLOTS
ARE AVAILABLE FROM
SUNDAY MAY 29 AT THE
SUNDAY OFFICE
VOLUNTEER DESK OR
THE CHURCH OFFICE.
ABSENTEE BALLOTS
MUST BE RECEIVED
PRIOR TO THE MEETING
ON JUNE 12.
2016 ANNUAL MEETING Sunday June 12, 2016
AGENDA OF THE 2016 ANNUAL MEETING
Rosemary Daszkiewicz, Moderator
The following is the proposed agenda for the Annual Congregational Meeting
of University Unitarian Church, held Sunday, June 12, 2016.
1. Call to Order
2. Appointment of the Secretary and Tellers
3. Announcement of a quorum by the Tellers
4. Remembrance of members who have died since last Annual Meeting
5. Motion to approve the final agenda for the Annual Meeting
6. Motion to approve the minutes of the Annual Congregational Meeting
held June 14, 2015
7. Motion to approve the minutes of the Special Congregational Meeting
held November 15, 2015
8. Motion to approve the 2016-17 Annual Operating Budget
9. Motion to approve the 2015-16 Annual Report
10. Recognition of the outgoing members of the Board of Trustees and
Leadership Development Committee and outgoing Moderator
11. Election of new Trustees, LDC Members, and Moderator
12. Building Master Plan and Capital Campaign
13. New Business
14. Closing Words
15. Motion to Adjourn
Annual Meeting June 2016
p2 University Unitarian Church
MEETING MINUTES
REQUIRE A SIMPLE
MAJORITY VOTE FOR
APPROVAL
Note that these minutes
were not available to
approve during the special
congregational meeting on
November 15, 2015, and are
therefore presented for
approval at the 2016
Annual Meeting.
MINUTES OF ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING JUNE 14, 2015
Submitted June 19, 2015 by Cal Van Zee, Secretary of the Board of Trustees
1. The meeting was called to order by Rich Brooks, President of the
Board of Trustees. Rich Brooks introduced Rosemary Daszkiewicz,
the congregation’s elected moderator
2. The moderator appointed tellers and Cal Van Zee to be secretary for
this meeting
3. The tellers reported to the moderator that a quorum was present
(minimum 62).
4. Reverend Luopa read the names of members who had died since the
last Annual meeting.
5. A motion was made to approve the final agenda for the Annual
Meeting. The motion received a second and was approved on a voice
vote.
6. A motion was made to approve the minutes of the Annual
Congregational Meeting held June 8, 2014. The motion received a
second and was approved on a voice vote.
7. A motion was made to approve the minutes of the Special
Congregational Meeting held October 26, 2014. The motion received
a second and was approved on a voice vote.
8. A motion was made to approve the 2015-2016 Annual Operating
Budget. The motion received a second and a review of the budget
details was presented by Treasurer Andrew von Nordenflycht. The
Operating budget was approved on a voice vote
9. A motion was made to approve the 2015-2016 Capital Spending
Budget. The motion received a second and was approved on a voice
vote.
10. The Moderator called on the Leadership Development Committee
(LDC) who recognized the outgoing Board and LDC members with
special gratitude noted that Andrew von Nordenflycht served an
additional year as Treasurer.
11. A motion was made to approve the new Trustees and LDC members.
Trustees: Debbie Maranville and Deborah Houseworth. LDC
members: Justin Almeida, Kathleen Cromp, Frank Flannigan, Bill
Gilmore and Sissy Peterman. The motion received a second and was
approved on a voice vote.
12. The Moderator introduced the architects from THA who have been
hired to work with the Physical Space Implementation Team: Jonah
Cohen, Corey Martin and Amelie Raynaud. A few questions from
members were taken and answered by Jonah.
13. A motion was made to approve the 2014-2015 Annual Report which
was handed out to members prior to the meeting. The motion received
a second and was approved on a voice vote.
Annual Meeting June 2016
University Unitarian Church p3
MEETING MINUTES
REQUIRE A SIMPLE
MAJORITY VOTE FOR
APPROVAL
14. The Moderator called for any new business, of which there was none.
15. The Moderator called on Reverend Luopa for closing words. Rev.
Luopa thanked Rich Brooks, outgoing Board President for his service,
noted his 40 year membership since 1975, and his prior Board
Presidency in the mid-90s.
16. A motion was made to adjourn the meeting. The motion received a
second and was approved on a voice vote at 11:53am.
Submitted by Cal Van Zee, Secretary of the Board of Trustees
The full text of the 2014-2015 Annual Report is available online and upon
request from the church office.
MINUTES OF SPECIAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING NOVEMBER 15, 2015
Submitted November 19, 2015 by Margaret Nolen, Secretary of the Board of
Trustees
1. The meeting was called to order by Rosemary Daszkiewicz, the
congregation’s elected moderator, who appointed tellers,
parliamentarian, and Margaret Nolen to be secretary for this meeting.
2. The tellers reported to the moderator that a quorum was present
(minimum 58).
3. An announcement was made to entertain a motion to approve the final
agenda for the Congregational Meeting. The motion received a second
and was approved on a voice vote.
4. The Moderator invited Rev. Jon Luopa to speak to the members. His
remarks summarized the work of the Strategic Planning Team and then
the designated Physical Space Implementation Team (PSIT) at the
behest of the congregation. He noted that the Feasibility Study Phase
of their work ends today with a congregational vote to determine if the
congregation stays at the present site and proceeds to the Master
Planning Phase of the planning process. Jon also noted that the
Strategic Planning Team had designated a Stewardship Strategic Team
which recommended the creation of a Stewardship Committee of the
Board. The Board has created that committee and the Chair of the
Stewardship Committee is Steve Carlson who will speak to us later in
the meeting.
5. The Moderator invited Lee Anne Warner from the PSIT to the podium.
Lee Anne provided more background on the work of the team and the
selected architectural firm Hacker (previously THA) and framed the
recommendation by the team that has been approved by the UUC
Board of Trustees. The Feasibility Study Final Report dated 16
October 2015 had been posted to the church website since October 22
for congregation review. An Informational Meeting was held on
November 1 to respond to questions and concerns.
6. Lee Anne Warner then moved to entertain a motion to approve the
recommendation of the PSIT which was endorsed by the UUC Board
on October 22. The recommendation was described in the agenda
Annual Meeting June 2016
p4 University Unitarian Church
OPERATING BUDGET
REQUIRES A TWO-
THIRDS MAJORITY VOTE
FOR APPROVAL
handout as “Recommended Option 2: Remain, renovate and build
new”. The motion was seconded and an open period of comments
ensued.
7. A challenge from the floor which suggested that the congregational
vote was unnecessary was answered by the Moderator with the Board
decision to put this important decision to congregational vote, despite
the bylaws stipulation that this decision was within the purview of the
Board.
8. After a dozen comments and questions, the Moderator, responding to a
call, asked for a show of hands for those in the assembly who were
approving the recommendation. Of the 125 members present, a tally
showed 123 approved the recommendation, 2 rejections, and no
abstentions. The motion carried.
9. The Moderator called the Stewardship Committee Chair Steve Carlson
to the podium. Steve Carlson thanked the PSIT for their work and
introduced Scott and Katie Renschler who will co-chair the Capital
Campaign which will help guide the possibilities in the Master
Planning Phase of the Physical Space Implementation Plan. The
congregation recognized their call to service. Steve also introduced
Kate Banta-Green from the Collins Group who will be providing
professional consulting support for the Capital Campaign. Kate stood
to be recognized by the congregation. Steve recognized that the
mission of the Stewardship Committee is to adopt a sustainable
process for University Unitarian Church in moving forward.
10. The Moderator called for any new business, of which there was none.
11. The Moderator called on Reverend Luopa for closing words.
12. A motion was made to adjourn the meeting. The motion received a
second and was approved on a voice vote.
Submitted by Margaret Nolen, Secretary of the UUC Board of Trustees
2016-17 ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET
The annual operating budget of University Unitarian Church reflects the
ongoing costs of compensation, administration, and programming of the
church between July 1, 2016 and June 30, 2017.
The 2016-17 budget submitted for approval by the Board of Trustees appears
on page 6. For comparison, the 2015-16 budget approved June 14, 2015
appears on page 7. In addition, revenue and expense activities for the first
three quarters of the current fiscal year (July 2015 through March 2016) as
well as notable activities in the Capital Fund and Knatvold Legacy Fund begin
on page 8.
The following notes are included to explain Board-approved assumptions for
budgeted revenue, support, and expenses in the coming year, compared to the
current year.
Revenue and Support
Projected pledge revenues reflect pledges in hand as of May 20, 2016, of
$805,536 and matching gifts for doubled pledges of $9,775. On top of those
Annual Meeting June 2016
University Unitarian Church p5
pledges, $110,000 in pledges are expected to be developed by December 2016
from the active member households that have not yet participated in this
year’s campaign.
Other annual income sources (rent, tuition, program collections or fees)
specified by staff are included as well. In addition, a New England pilgrimage
is being planned with a fundraising component for an additional $25,000 in
operating income.
Compensation expenses related to Social Justice programming in 2016-17 will
be offset by a Board-authorized release of up to $30,000 from the restricted
Social Justice Program Fund. In addition, the Board authorized use of $35,000
from the restricted Seeds of Hope Fund to offset compensation costs for the
staffing of the new Director of Ministries position, an important and strategic
investment in the church’s future.
Finally, the Board of Trustees plans to use an allowed release of earnings from
the Knatvold Legacy Fund to support remaining unfunded expenses. The
Board approved a release of up to $15,000 in accumulated earnings, a little
more than 1% of the value of the investment fund.
Expenses
Salary and benefit expenses for the full year of paid staff is $952,801, and
represent 76% of all annual expenses. This is an 8% increase over salary and
benefit expenses for 2015-16. Aside from the addition of the Director of
Ministries position, increases in compensation expenses reflect a 1.0% cost of
living adjustment, an increase in UUC’s baseline “living wage” from $16.00
to $18.50 (the first adjustment of this figure in five years), and additional
payroll taxes related to compensation changes.
The following distribution of annual salary and benefit expenses for programs
shows their amounts and their associated percent of all program salary and
expenses. The number of full-time and part-time employees are also indicated
per program.
Program FT PT
Program
Compensation
% of
comp
Worship, Care, and Social Justice 2 231,981.33 32%
Religious Education 2 155,434.65 21%
Ministries and Congregational Life 2 2 179,355.39 24%
Music 8 168,593.20 23%
TOTAL 6 10 735,365
Administration total compensation for 2016-17 is $217,437, representing two
full-time and three part-time staff members, and accounting for 23% of all
compensation expenses of the church. Total operating expenses of the church
reflect a 4% decrease over 2015-16 operating expenses.
Program expenses shown in the budget are for services and materials directly
related to the activities of those programs.
The Board of Trustees approved contributions to the national and regional
arms of the Unitarian Universalist Association of $10,000 and $12,000,
respectively.
Annual Meeting June 2016
p6 University Unitarian Church
Fiscal Year 2016-17 Budget (Submitted for Approval June 12, 2016)
Unrestricted
Temporarily
Restricted Total
Revenues and Support
Pledge Donations 925,000 925,000
Other Donations 30,000 30,000
Special Events (NET) 25,000 25,000
Tuition Revenue 15,000 15,000
Rental Revenue 108,239 108,239
Program Revenue
Religious Education 16,000 16,000
Worship and Care - -
Music 15,300 15,300
Congregational Life 2,900 2,900
Investment Revenue - -
Other Revenue 1,500 1,500
Net Assets Released from Restriction* 65,000 65,000
Total Revenues and Support 1,138,939 65,000 1,203,939
Expenses
Salaries 605,383 65,000 670,383
Employee Benefits
Health Insurance 68,314 68,314
Pension 65,467 - 65,467
Elective Compensation 26,187 - 26,187
Payroll Tax 51,950 - 51,950
Staff Expense Accounts 25,500 - 25,500
Housing 45,000 45,000
General Operating Expenses
Tax, License, and Insurance 24,600 24,600
Financing Expenses - -
Denominational Dues 22,150 22,150
Office Expenses 36,000 36,000
Building Maintenance Expenses 72,300 72,300
Business Expenses 12,300 12,300
Fundraising Expenses 3,000 3,000
Program Expenses
Worship and Pastoral Care 5,900 5,900
Religious Education Program 33,700 33,700
Music Program 19,960 19,960
Congregational Life 9,550 9,550
Social Justice Expenses 18,300 18,300
Bank Expenses 8,350 8,350
Other Expenses - -
Total Expenses 1,153,911 65,000 1,218,911
Balance (14,972) - (14,972)
Knatvold Legacy Fund support 14,972
Net Balance -
* Net Assets Released from Restriction (detail)
Social Justice Program Fund (final balance to close fund) 30,000
Seeds of Hope Fund 35,000
Total Net Assets Released from Restriction 65,000
Annual Meeting June 2016
University Unitarian Church p7
Fiscal Year 2015-16 Budget (Approved June 14, 2015)
Unrestricted
Temporarily
Restricted Total
Revenues and Support
Pledge Donations 900,000 900,000
Other Donations 30,000 30,000
Special Events (NET) - -
Tuition Revenue 15,000 15,000
Rental Revenue 108,239 108,239
Program Revenue
Religious Education 16,000 16,000
Worship and Care - -
Music 15,300 15,300
Congregational Life 6,170 6,170
Investment Revenue - -
Other Revenue 1,500 1,500
Net Assets Released from Restriction* 20,038 20,038
Total Revenues and Support 1,092,209 20,038 1,112,247
Expenses
Salaries 594,924 10,136 605,060
Employee Benefits
Health Insurance 77,706 77,706
Pension 56,029 1,014 57,043
Elective Compensation 22,412 405 22,817
Payroll Tax 43,388 903 44,291
Staff Expense Accounts 26,350 900 27,250
Housing 45,000 45,000
General Operating Expenses
Tax, License, and Insurance 24,575 24,575
Financing Expenses 400 400
Denominational Dues 22,150 22,150
Office Expenses 33,050 33,050
Building Maintenance Expenses 76,000 76,000
Business Expenses 19,000 19,000
Fundraising Expenses 6,000 6,000
Program Expenses
Worship and Pastoral Care 5,900 5,900
Religious Education Program 33,700 33,700
Music Program 19,960 19,960
Congregational Life 11,050 11,050
Social Justice Expenses 10,020 6,680 16,700
Bank Expenses 10,350 10,350
Other Expenses - -
Total Expenses 1,137,963 20,038 1,158,001
Balance (45,754) - (45,754)
Knatvold Legacy Fund support 45,754
Net Balance -
* Net Assets Released from Restriction (detail)
Social Justice Program Fund (up to 40% of actual expenses) 20,038
Total Net Assets Released from Restriction 20,038
Annual Meeting June 2016
p8 University Unitarian Church
Note that as of June 2013,
the Annual Meeting
materials do not contain
balance sheets or
projections for year-end
closing of the current fiscal
year. The Director of
Operations will publish a
Fiscal Year Closing Report
in July 2015 to provide all
official statements for the
fiscal year ending June 30,
2016.Inquiries or questions
about the Fiscal Year
Closing Report may be
directed to Byron Krystad,
Director of Operations, at
the church office.
Fiscal Year 2015-16 Operating Activities (through March)
Budget
Revenue and Expense Budget Actual % Used
Revenues
Pledge Donations (including prepaid) 900,000 664,275 74%
Other Donations 30,000 28,516 95%
Special Event Revenue - -
Tuition Revenue 15,000 15,440 103%
Rental Revenue 108,239 85,758 79%
Program Revenue 37,470 25,350 68%
Investment Revenue - 437
Total Revenues 1,090,709 819,776 75%
Expenses
Salaries 605,060 439,016 73%
Employee Benefits 274,106 181,749 66%
General Operating Expenses 175,175 138,452 79%
Fundraising Expenses 6,000 19 0%
Program Expenses 87,310 59,841 69%
Investment Expense 10,350 4,671 45%
Total Expenses 1,158,001 823,747 71%
Additional Sources of Support Budget Actual
Social Justice Program Fund 20,038
Knatvold Legacy Fund Distribution 45,754 50,677
July 2015 to March 2016
Fiscal Year 2015-16 Capital Fund Activities (through March)
Fiscal year 2015-16 included the beginning of UUC’s work on designing and
funding the building suggested by the strategic plan developed from the Year
of Discernment in 2011-12. Funds were received to support this initial work,
including a feasibility study and master plan by an architectural firm and a
capital campaign capacity study by a fundraising consultant. Those activities
in the first three quarters are summarized in the following table.
Capital Activities for July 2015 - March 2016
Revenues
Capital Revenue 2,473
Investment Revenue (9,747)
Total Revenues (7,274)
Expenses
Capital Expenses 33,486
Investment Expense 5,436
Restricted Expenses 1,690
All Expenses 40,612
Capital revenues reflect 5% of rental income for the brick houses leased to
Community Psychiatric Clinic, and investment revenues reflect income and
market change during this time period.
Annual Meeting June 2016
University Unitarian Church p9
Note that there is no
motion to approve a
capital spending plan for
fiscal year 2016-17.
Expenses show fees paid toward UUC’s contract with the fundraising
consultant, the Collins Group; legal fees; and annual expenses related to
management of regulated materials (asbestos, lead). Investment expenses are
fees paid to banks and investment managers. Restricted expenses cover costs
of the Physical Space Implementation Team.
On top of these revenue and expense activities, other costs are recorded as
changes to fixed assets through an account called “Construction in Progress.”
All expenses related to the feasibility study and master plan are recorded here
to reflect total cost of construction over a period of multiple years.
Depreciation does not begin until the building is put in service.
Change in Fixed Assets July 2015 - March 2016
Construction in Progress
Feasibility Study 164,657
Master Plan 32,455
Miscellaneous 486
Total Construction in Progress 197,598
Note that feasibility study and master plan expenses are all funded through
donor-restricted gifts received in 2015-16. Additional gifts of $29,866
restricted to the strategic capital project were received in the first three
quarters, and will be added to the total of all restricted gifts at year end.
Fiscal Year 2015-16 Knatvold Legacy Fund Activities (through March)
The Knatvold Legacy Fund, which is an investment account to hold bequests
in perpetuity for the long-term benefit of the church, had additions in the first
three quarters of $205,922 from the estates of Fred Cox, Jean Wheeler,
Virginia Richmond, Johanna Metsker, and Eileen Allen. We can also
report that an additional bequest totaling $450,823 was received from the
estate of Ruth Little at the beginning of the fourth quarter.
The Knatvold Legacy Fund will have a board-approved distribution of
$15,000 in cumulative earnings since April 2015. This support is reflected in
the annual operating budget for fiscal year 2016-17.
CAPITAL SPENDING REPORT
At the 2015 Annual Meeting, a capital spending plan was presented with the
assumption that projects for improving the use and safety of the existing
church building was warranted, even with a major capital project under very
early development. However, during the last year and the development of
those major capital plans, three critical issues arose:
1. The feasibility study accepted by the congregation in November 2015
recommended that the congregation stay on the current site but
demolish the current social hall and administrative wing, and fully
renovate the original sanctuary. Many of the areas proposed for capital
improvement (NJ Hall floor refinishing, chancel woodwork
refinishing) would be at risk of damage, if in an area of renovation, or
lost, if in an area of demolition.
Annual Meeting June 2016
p10 University Unitarian Church
ELECTION OF
CANDIDATES TO BOARD
OF TRUSTEES,
LEADERSHIP
DEVELOPMENT
COMMITTEE, AND
MODERATOR REQUIRE A
SIMPLE MAJORITY VOTE
FOR APPROVAL
3. The feasibility study required a complete test of the building for
regulated materials (asbestos and lead). Discoveries from that testing
identified areas containing regulated materials requiring abatement.
Many of these areas that cannot be modified without initiating costly
abatement procedures coincided with areas proposed for capital
improvement at the last meeting (painting sanctuary, renovating treads
on church school stairs).
4. Major redesign of buildings and programming suggested by the
feasibility study and evolving master plan suggest that the purchase of
additional furnishings prior to completion of design details would be
the wrong order of operation (downstairs greeter’s desk, replacement
folding chairs).
For these reasons, the executive team decided not to pursue the projects listed
for capital spending at the last annual meeting. Instead, focus remained on the
critical items of completing the feasibility study and developing the
appropriate master plan based on those findings.
Given the direction of the master plan and the probability of major renovation
and demolition of current facilities, no interim building investments are being
proposed for 2016-17.
2016-17 NOMINEES FOR ELECTION
Listed below is the slate of candidates that the Leadership Development
Committee has nominated for the Board of Trustees, the Leadership
Development Committee, and Moderator for terms beginning in July 2016.
These candidates have indicated their willingness to serve our church
community, for which we are deeply grateful.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES 3-YEAR TERM BEGINNING JULY 2016
(One open seat)
Gayle Childers
Gayle moved to Seattle in 2000 with her wife, Rebecca, and twin boys Colin
and Caleb. Over the past 13 years, Gayle has been involved in UUC life
downstairs serving as a Sunday school teacher, Coming of Age Mentor, and
Greeter, and upstairs (though it really happens downstairs) as the chairperson
of the Leadership Development Committee and as a member of the
Governance Implementation Committee. Her family has been very engaged
in the church life and having raised her sons here, Gayle knows how important
UUC is and how much it can offer. In her professional life, Gayle has worked
with business and IT professionals to deliver solutions to business problems.
This experience lends itself well for serving on the Board of Trustees –
listening to different perspectives, helping to bridge understanding and
collaborating on solving problems to move forward.
Annual Meeting June 2016
University Unitarian Church p11
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE 2-YEAR TERM BEGINNING JULY 2016
(Four open seats)
Meta Thayer
I have been a member of UUC for more than 25 years, and feel grateful for
the opportunity to give back to the community that has so richly given to me. I
served on the Children and Youth Program committee in the distant past, have
been a mentor in the Coming of Age program twice, taught in the church
school, and worked on the Membership Team. More recently, I was fortunate
to be on the Strategic Implementation Team for Spiritual Awakening and
Development and subsequently participated in the Wellspring program in
2014-2015. I am a church office volunteer on Sundays, and have sung with
the Intergenerational Choir for nearly the entire time I have been coming to
this church. Outside of church, I have worked as a physical therapist at Group
Health for 28 years, as well as serving on the bargaining teams with SEIU-
1199NW. I have collaborated with many people on lots of projects over the
years, and want to help UUC at this exciting time of transition and promise. I
feel honored to have been asked to serve.
Mike Kippes
In seeking a community of spirit where human discourse is the essential
process of accessing that which is transcendent, Michael Kippes has been
attending UUC for four-and-a-half years and has been a member for three
years. This was a time of seeking a spiritual home after being widowed and
having not been in a faith community or church group for several decades. He
has been involved with men’s programming, particularly a Wednesday
evening men’s group and the series of men’s breakfasts. Michael has
participated as a member of a Covenant Group and is a Coming of Age
mentor for the first time during the current church year. He also traveled with
the group of UUC members on the pilgrimage to New England in October
2014 and represented UUC as a volunteer at the Yesler Terrace Youth Media
Project for two summers. In his vocational life, he is working part-time in his
psychology private practice in Redmond and is nearing retirement, which will
be at the end of calendar year 2016. Michael is particularly excited about the
extending of beloved community beyond our walls in efforts of social justice
and the physical transformation of our walls and sanctuary.
Hans Andersson
Hans Andersson joined UUC recently, after having moved to Seattle from
Northern California, where he had helped supervise the high-school youth
group and run the coffee hours at the UU Fellowship of Redwood City. Since
moving to Seattle and UUC, Hans has become involved in several UUC
groups and activities, primarily the Membership Committee and the up-and-
coming Writing Group. Through his service on the Leadership Development
Committee, Hans aims, in particular, to strengthen the connections of, and
increase the opportunities for, young adults in the UUC community.
Annual Meeting June 2016
p12 University Unitarian Church
Hans is a corporate attorney at the Seattle office of Fenwick & West LLP,
where he counsels technology companies and startups; he holds a Masters of
Science in Management Science and Engineering with a focus on corporate
strategy; and he is a former board member and president of the Downtown
Evening Soup Kitchen of New Haven, Connecticut. Hans looks forward to
putting his experience and training to work for UUC.
Ella Thompson
I started attending UUC regularly in 2013 with my husband (Tom) and two
kids (Evelyn and Tim). I have served on coffee crew since 2013 and assisted
with Center Table food prep. In 2014-2015 I was honored to be a Coming of
Age mentor. I work at Group Health Research Institute as a Project Manager.
Over the past 10 years my work has focused on growing and supporting a
research network made up of scientists based in health care systems. I was
raised Catholic but considered myself an atheist until my husband (raised UU)
convinced me to visit UUC. I was shocked. UUC opened my eyes to what a
church could be. Reverend Jon Luopa’s sermons brought me to tears time
after time as a part of me that had been shut away was allowed back into the
light again. While I don’t cry at services (as much) anymore, I am so grateful
to be a part of this church and community. I look forward to continuing to
deepen my connection to UUC and its beloved members, friends, and leaders.
MODERATOR 2-YEAR TERM BEGINNING JULY 2016
Sheila Capestany
Sheila Capestany has a broad range of experience and knowledge in the areas
of equity, social justice, and health and well-being. She has worked for the last
twenty-seven years in both the public and human services sectors in direct
service, community organizing, nonprofit leadership, strategic planning and
policy work. Sheila holds a Masters of Public Health and a Masters of Social
Work from the University of Washington. She currently serves as the
Strategic Advisor for Children and Youth for King County, providing
strategic direction and project management for Best Starts for Kids, an
initiative that King County Executive Constantine proposed and the voters
passed in November 2015. Prior to this recent move to the public sector,
Sheila served for seven years as the Executive Director of Open Arms
Perinatal Services, an organization she helped found in 1997. She is a frequent
public speaker on equity, and the health and the wellbeing of all women,
children and families in our country. Sheila and her husband Fred have three
children by birth and adoption.