The Moderator chairs the Board of Trustees and bears overall responsibility with the Board for the general welfare of the Church. Some of my duties are to propose agendas for the board meetings, to facilitate board discussions that are inclusive of all voices, to ensure that we are following church by-laws and policies, and to collaborate with other lay leaders as we support the congregation in living out our church’s mission and vision.

Lori McGee has been a member of the Board of Trustees since 2007. She started her Board career as the Secretary, and then was elected as the Trustee for Fellowship the following year. In the second year of that term, when the current Moderator had to step down, Lori was appointed by the Board to finish out the 2009/2010 year. Lori has been with the church since 2005 and has served or serves on various committees. She is also a Worship Associate and has lead several services for the church as a lay leader. Lori views her work for the church, whether on the Board or not, as a sacred duty that helps ensure the future life of this vibrant and wonderful congregation.

As Assistant Moderator, I actively assist the Moderator by providing advice, input, and support as needed. I also take the place of the Moderator in her absence. I serve as a member and convener of the Master Plan Committee and Lay leadership Development Committee.

As a member since 1996 and having attended before that, I think that it is about time that I pitched in to help around here! Being a UU speaks to me in a way that no religion has (grew up Methodist- lost touch with it about 7th grade, but enjoyed youth group anyway!). I find myself "living in the question" more comfortably each day.

My daily activities include keeping an architectural practice on target and growing 2 wineries (one local, one not so local). I am married to Evelyn and we have 1 son, a daughter-in-law, and 2 grandchildren. We live close to many in our families and value that immensely. Learning is very high on my list, and I hope to do a good job of doing do as I serve the congregation this year. Thank you for your lessons and I look forward to our continued growth together!

The secretary is responsible for keeping accurate minutes of each Board meeting including the annual meetings. The secretary also handles correspondence for the Moderator and Board and oversees the Communications Council which consists of the website, publicity, Library Committee, newsletter and archives. I am also a member of the Membership Committee and the Library Committee.

I was introduced to Unitarian Universalism through my children in the early 70's. Our daughter, Leslie, & I were part of the Cooperative Nursery School and I also helped at the Food Cooperative, both in the lower floor of the church. Our son, Andrew, followed in Leslie's footsteps. The first time we attended a church service we were hooked. I knew the members and I were like minded and the discussions were very lively with a wide variety of views.

I feel at home here because of the friendliness and caring of this community.

As Treasurer for the church, it is my responsibility to manage the church's money and pay our bills. I work closely with the Trustee for Finance on financial reports, monitoring our budget and the financial health of our congregation. I came into U-U through what was then the East Shore UU Fellowship in Mentor. Very active in Kent church in the '60's and '70's, the time of civil rights and Vietnam protests, and the Kent State shootings. I'm now in my "second life" with this church, enjoying it even more with my wife, Cheryl, who recently became a member. As Treasurer, I am glad to see the growth that the Church has enjoyed since the dark days of my early involvement.

I serve the congregation as your Trustee for Outreach to the Wider World. I coordinate the outreach and social justice activities of those groups who represent our congregation beyond the four walls of our beloved church. Specifically, I'm the liaison with the Denominational Affairs Coordinator (a position I currently hold), the Social Justice Committee (I'm a member) and any other groups or individuals who want to do outreach work. Additionally, I am a member of the anti-racist team, the adult exploration committee, and the finance committee.

I came to Kent in 1998 and before that I was a member of congregations in Lafayette, IN and El Paso, TX. And before that I was a member of The Church of the Larger Fellowship (UU church by mail).

Besides my Church activities I serve at the district/regional level. My spouse Susan and I are Regional Coordinators for the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee. Also, we founded Ohio UUs for Advocacy - a group uniting Ohio UUs around legislative action.

At the national level, I belong to UUs for Racial Equity. Also, I chair the Peace Ministry Network and am the Executive VP for UUs for Alternatives to the Death Penalty.

I have been a member since February 2007. Prior to this position, I was Chair of Music Committee, Assistant Moderator, and Moderator. I also chair the Sunday Program Committee. As Trustee for Finance I work with the Treasurer to manage the church's money, and with the Financial Secretary to take in and account for the money and properly record everyone's contributions. I also work with Social Justice and Hogwarts Treasurers and others on a variety of church accounts. My role is primarily being sure that these people have what they need and that the church financial operations operate within our bylaws policies and good practice. I also handle setting up accounts and transfers between accounts.

Marion has attended the UU Church of Kent since the late 1980's and been a member, with a short gap, since 1990. She has served as Children's RE teacher, Children's RE Chair, Membership Chair, Stewardship Campaign Chair, Small Group Ministry Facilitator, Worship Associate, and worship leader at vespers.

Marion's passion is making the UU Church of Kent as welcoming as possible to anyone who is interested in getting to know us better.

Marion has three grown children, two girls and a boy, a son-in-law, a daughter-in-law and two grandchildren. She works for AT&T.

I've been attending this church for about 2 and a half years, and have been a member for about a year. I became the Trustee for Programming as a way to give back to this church, which gives so much to me. Also, I wanted to get to know more of the people who go to this church and find out more about how we operate as an organization. I like the programming aspects in particular because they are a big part of the personal experience we share in this community.

The Trustee for Buildings and Grounds is responsible for the general maintenance and repair needs of church structures, accessibility and safety of church property, the upkeep of grounds and coordination of use. During my brief tenure I have had to deal with angry yellowjackets as well as help launch the Physical Facilities Expansion Steering Committee.

I have attended this church for 22 years, 18 as a member. I have been involved with Walden, Urban Hope and have written two plays as fundraisers. I am appreciative of the advice and goodwill offered by those who share my vision of a strong, viable and influential UU Church community.