About Us
Next Service
Spiritual Survival
Sunday, April 2, 2023
10 a.m. In-Person and Online
Service Leaders:
Lisa Bovee-Kemper, Minister
Dave Warren, Lay Service Leader
John Herrick, Director of Music
UUCC Board of Trustees
Our Board of Trustees is made up of nine members elected by the membership who serve staggered three-year terms. Staying in close touch with the congregation, the board articulates the UUCC vision through our Mission Statement, Ends Statements and Governing Policies and, referring to those policies, monitors the work of the Coordinating Team and other professional staff.
The Coordinating Team is the leadership group responsible for day-to-day operations. It includes Minister Lisa Bovee-Kemper, Director of Administration Alesia Hutto, and Director of Member Relations Kelly Greene.
The Board speaks primarily through its written policies, which are decided by discussion and voting. Each trustee is involved in other activities at the church, out of personal interest and as one way to connect with other members.
Policy Governance
The UUCC has been operating under a form of Policy Governance since 2004. Under Policy Governance the Board of Trustees focuses on the congregation’s vision and goals rather than the details of managing the organization. The Board sets broad policies and then gives staff the freedom and authority to make day-to-day decisions as long as they are operating within the constraints set by those policies. Scroll down the page to see minutes of Board meetings.
Exploration & Discovery: An Inspiring UUCC for the 21st Century
Over the past ten years, our Board has led the congregation through several rounds of “envisioning our future,” each one an effort to discern what this spiritual community is collectively called to be as we pursue our Mission and Ends in the greater Charlotte area. In June of 2016, we adopted our new Vision. Click here to view the document.
Meet Our Board of Trustees
Our board is made up of long-time members of the congregation who have a history of deep involvement with and support for the UUCC. Current members of our nine-member Board of Trustees:
Ben Baxter, his wife Gillian and daughters Anna and Connolly have been UUCC members since 2011. Ben served on and chaired the Stewardship Committee (2017-20) and has been a member of the Safety Patrol team since its inception. Board Term 2021-2024
Michael Amy Rodriguez Cira came to UUCC about 10 years ago with her daughter, Tallulah. Since then she has served in a variety of leadership and volunteer roles, including Worship Team, Environmental Justice and Transformation, discovery group, Room In The Inn, solstice events and Luna Rising. She has been a lay service leader many times and filled numerous roles in Children and Youth Religious Education, most recently as middle and high school facilitator. Michael is currently a member of DRUUMM (Diverse & Revolutionary UU Multicultural Ministries) and The UU Church of the Larger Fellowship. She has attended the UUA General Assembly in New Orleans and Kansas City. She has worked in the healing arts, theater and children’s education in many positions across the country. In 2020 and 2021 Michael served as a consultant with Mosaic Thought Partners leading conversations about race, diversity and inclusion. Board Term 2022-2025
Lisa Hagen has been coming to UUCC since 2008. She says, “My first ever service was Mardi Gras, and I remember leaving thinking, these are my people. I’m finally at my spiritual home. The UUCC has been invaluable to me, my husband, and our daughters. It is truly our second home.” Board Term 2020-2023
Jolena James-Szanton
Shannon Maples has been a member of the UUCC for nearly 11 years. She spent much of that time in the CYRE wing teaching youth in both CYRE (ages K-5) and OWL (grades K-6). Along with Kurt Merkle and Melissa Jackson, Shannon also co-facilitated a sexuality education curriculum for parents during Covid. Shannon served on the ARESD team for three years in both planning and facilitating capacities, and she participated in the most recent Economic Justice Core Group. She is beginning her second year on the Intersectional Justice and Luna Rising teams. Her family has participated in volunteer opportunities such as Room In The Inn and Operation Sandwich when possible. Board Term 2022 – 2025
Kurt Merkle (Board Co-Chair) joined the UUCC in the spring of 1996. He met his wife, Catherine O’Grady, in Freeman Hall about a year later. Kurt and Catherine were married at the UUCC three years later and have been fortunate to raise three young men in a wonderful CYRE program. Kurt has enjoyed being involved in teaching CYRE, chaperoning Habitat trips to Hartsville, hamming it up in the Follies, mentoring in the Coming of Age program, teaching in the OWL program, and other activities. Kurt says, “The UUCC has been so important to me and my family and I’m honored to be a board candidate.” Board Term 2021-2024
Laurie Reed is a life-long UU and has been active at the UUCC since moving to Charlotte in 1984. She and her late husband, Tim Lemmond, raised their now-grown children with the love and support of the UUCC faith community. Long ago Laurie and Tim were high school OWL facilitators and helped develop the Coming of Age program. Laurie has chaired the CYRE Team, been a COA mentor, Board of Trustee member and Chair, a Memorial Endowment Trustee and most recently participated in the Racial Justice and Environmental Justice classes. Laurie is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in private practice, loves many outdoor activities and will be very glad to tell you about anything she has growing in her small urban garden. Board Term 2022 – 2025
Samantha Visco is a life-long Unitarian Universalist and has been attending the UUCC with her family since moving to the Charlotte area eleven years ago. She has been deeply involved in religious education, including serving as a dean for our high school youth con and participating in youth-led services. While in high school she attended three General Assemblies as a delegate on behalf of our community. Also, during high school, she was a member of the MeckMin Interfaith Youth Council for three years and served on its leadership team. She currently serves on the Family Ministry Team and is working toward her undergraduate degree and then plans to attend seminary in the future.
Paul Wilson (Board Co-Chair) and his wife, Jean, have been members of UUCC for eight years, during which time Paul has been deeply involved with the Music Program (Adult Choir, Chamber Choir, Handbell Ensemble) and has served with Room in the Inn as a volunteer (two years, plus a year as deputy coordinator with Rocky Hendrick) and as the coordinator (three years). Paul says, “UUCC is my spiritual home, and I hope to serve it faithfully during my years on the Board.” Board Term 2020-2023
Minutes of Board Meetings
Our Board meets monthly, usually on the third Tuesday, to conduct congregational business. Minutes of meetings conducted during the current congregational year are accessible below. For minutes of meetings going further back in time, please contact the UUCC office. To reach a member of our Board of Trustees please email board@uuccharlotte.org.