Message from the Nominating Committee

The Nominating Committee is charged with selecting board candidates having a commitment to leadership that helps the congregation progress in its adopted strategic direction. Candidates should bring diverse talents and life experiences and have a willingness to share the work of the UUFoM Board.

The Nominating Committee is in the unique position of having three candidates for the one open 2025 Member-at-Large position. Electronic voting was chosen as the best means to allow all UUFoM members to vote before the Annual Meeting. Once the Member-at-Large has been determined, the Board will present the complete slate of 2025 candidates at the Annual Meeting on October 20, 2024, for final approval. We believe this action supports the democratic process at the UUFOM. Members who are not able to vote electronically should contact our Fellowship office professional, Wendy Altmeier, for a paper ballot. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact a member of the Nominating Committee.

Ballot Process

Sunday Worship Service: A Nominating Committee member will review the ballot process during the upcoming worship service.
Post-Service Availability: Committee member(s) will be available after the service to answer any questions.
Ballot Distribution: An email containing the ballot link will be sent to all members by the end of the day on Sunday.
Voting Instructions: You will vote once for one candidate and submit your ballot. Your name must be included on the ballot to ensure that only members vote, and each member votes only once. This will not affect couples sharing an email address. Ballots are confidential, and your information will not be stored or shared.
Paper Ballot: If you prefer a paper ballot, please contact Wendy Altmeier and return it directly to her or one of the Nominating Committee members (Roy Wedge, Shannon Sonoras, or Michaele Malecki.)
Voting Deadline: Voting will close on Sunday, October 13, at 1:00 PM—no exceptions.
Vote Counting: The name of the candidate receiving the majority of the votes will be sent to the UUFoM Board President prior to the Board meeting on October 15.
Board Approval: The Board of Directors will meet on Tuesday, October 15, to officially vote on and add the winning candidate to the previously published Slate of Nominees.
Publication of Results: The full Slate of Nominees will be published on Wednesday, October 16.

At the Annual Meeting, members will vote on the Slate of Nominees, the 2025 Budget, and the new Mission/Vision statements, following the usual procedures.

Candidates for the Board Member-at-Large Position

Since then, she has been an active member, participating in various Ministry Teams, including the Worship Team and the Committee on Ministry. She also contributed to a previous Mission and Vision team and served on the UUFoM Board in 2015, completing a one-year term after a resignation.

Cathy brings a unique historical perspective as a lifelong UU, which she believes benefits the fellowship. She is especially excited about UUFoM’s future and the congregation’s evolving vision and mission. Despite relocating to New England, Cathy remains actively engaged with UUFoM, primarily through multi-platform (Zoom) connections. She sees this as a powerful way to meet the needs of current members and extend outreach to individuals and groups that could benefit from UUFoM and the UU community.

Cathy is enthusiastic about the opportunity to serve on the UUFoM Board of Trustees, confident that her experience and perspective will contribute meaningfully to the congregation’s future.

Fred has been actively involved in leadership roles at UUFoM. He has served on the Finance Committee since 2019 and became its Chair in 2021. Now ready to take on new responsibilities, he has also been a member of the Stewardship Committee since 2021 and participated in several Social Justice Team activities. Additionally, Fred helps coordinate ushers and was a representative of the Fellowship at the 2024 General Assembly.

Fred’s journey to Unitarian Universalism stemmed from his deep commitment to ethical and religious principles. However, in his late teens, he became disillusioned with the actions and statements of the churches he encountered. His marriage to Estella, who comes from a different culture, further complicated their search for a spiritual home that could accommodate both of their beliefs. Unitarian Universalism provided them with a space to grow alongside others, build upon their existing values, and work toward making a positive impact in the world.

Fred grew up in Richmond, Indiana, a town he describes as a blend of the Bible Belt, Rust Belt, and modern Quakerism. His personal growth continued when he spent two years teaching high school in Ghana, a formative experience in his life. His family background is also diverse, with his father working as a plumber and his mother as an elementary school teacher. Estella and Fred share a home in Freeland, Michigan, near their younger son, his second wife, and their two grandsons.

Looking to the future of UUFoM, Fred envisions a Fellowship that continues to grow and thrive as a diverse community. He dreams of a congregation where members learn from, support, and challenge one another to become better versions of themselves. Fred also hopes that UUFoM will become more widely recognized within the Great Lakes Bay community for living out its liberal values.

Fred describes himself as someone who processes information thoughtfully and prefers to take his time to listen and reflect before speaking. He tends to favor writing over speaking, which allows him to fully articulate his ideas and insights.

Christina VanPoucker first attended UUFoM in 2012 during Rev. Jeff’s time at the Fellowship, then left for a period before returning in 2017 under Rev. Connie’s leadership. That same year, Christina became an official member of UUFoM.

Throughout her time with the Fellowship, Christina has taken on numerous leadership roles. She has led two covenant groups, a women’s group, and the Covenant of the Unitarian Universalist Pagans, while also serving on the Engagement Team and chairing the Committee on Ministry. Currently, she leads the Greek Mythology Book Club, continuing her active engagement within the UUFoM community.

Christina’s journey to Unitarian Universalism was driven by her search for a community of like-minded, progressive individuals who shared her values. She quickly found fulfillment through her involvement in various roles within UUFoM.

Born in Detroit and raised in Warren until the 7th grade, Christina moved to Midland, where she has lived ever since. Despite her Catholic family background, she was not raised attending church regularly, and her parents allowed her to explore and choose her own beliefs.

Christina holds a degree in Professional and Technical Writing, and her passion for writing spans across technical documents, creative writing, and grant writing. She enjoys helping friends with resumes and is particularly fond of style guides. A voracious reader, Christina sets a yearly goal of reading 100 books and has read 55 books so far in 2024.