Unity Church of Tucson

By Jim Stremel

The Board of Directors had their Spring Training event on March 15, 2008, in the Annex. We do this every year to allow the Board to step back and look at where we have been and where we want to go. Our Agenda included, a) list of past year accomplishments, b) facilities tour, c) AED training/emergency policies and procedures, d) leadership training ideas, and e) update of the organizational chart.

The accomplishments we noted included but were not limited to classes in Unity principles held on a consistent basis, ongoing Unitics activities, SOFIA activities, Prayer Chaplains program, expanded Health Ministry offerings, increased use of the Annex, the entry “welcome” rock and sculpture decorations, site signage upgrade, Peace Festival, Team Unity, the Labyrinth use, and a new copy/fax/scanner for the office. Also of note is the school appears to be on track again and is in the black. Of course many people are responsible for whatever success we achieve and if I tried to list them I would unintentionally leave someone out and so I will not attempt it.

The facilities tour is conducted to familiarize Board members where power and water controls are in case of emergency, where things are stored, etc. It is a “back of house” tour that new Board members especially appreciate. The AED and emergency training is self-explanatory, e.g. how to use the AED machine, what procedures are used in case of fire, medical emergency, etc. The organizational chart is probably of no particular interest but is available from the CEO (Larry). We may even get it on the church’s web site.

The items that generated considerable interest was that of “Leadership Training.” We have long felt that leadership in the congregation needs to be supported with offering specific programs. Indeed the programs could be a source of leaders in the congregation that are needed to keep us progressive and growing. Some thoughts to date include: looking into community resources such as the Free University, sponsoring a Toastmasters club, a course in non-Violent Communication, and exploring self-awareness and the mind-body connection similar to the course Board member Gary Gottlieb offered in the past. We have the hope that these “courses” would translate into people’s everyday lives and assist them in their work as well as prepare them for leadership roles in whatever they do. We then agreed the better title for this endeavor, rather than Leadership Training, would be “Life Skills and Spirituality.”

If this sounds interesting to you, we are eager to hear from you and any thoughts you may have. Gary has agreed to be the Board liaison for this effort so please contact him at ggottlieb04@comcast.net or any Board member or the ministers with your thoughts.