Your 26/27 Board Candidates
Karen Lamphere, President; one-year term
My journey with this congregation began 25 years ago when my daughter started preschool here — and what began as the perfect place for her to grow and learn quickly became the spiritual home I didn't know I was looking for. I became a member about five years later and have never looked back.
Over the past 20 years, I've had the privilege of engaging in congregational life in a variety of ways. I've served as a Religious Education teacher and OWL facilitator, worked as an usher, was a member of the Generosity Team, and served on the Social Justice Executive Team. I also represent the church on the San Diego Coalition for Reproductive Justice, work that reflects the values at the heart of this community.
I currently serve as President of the Board of Trustees, a role that has given me a front-row seat to just how vital and dynamic this congregation truly is. We are in a season of tremendous growth, and I believe the best is still ahead of us. I am grateful for every year I've spent in this community and excited about all that we will build together.
My journey with this congregation began 25 years ago when my daughter started preschool here — and what began as the perfect place for her to grow and learn quickly became the spiritual home I didn't know I was looking for. I became a member about five years later and have never looked back.
Over the past 20 years, I've had the privilege of engaging in congregational life in a variety of ways. I've served as a Religious Education teacher and OWL facilitator, worked as an usher, was a member of the Generosity Team, and served on the Social Justice Executive Team. I also represent the church on the San Diego Coalition for Reproductive Justice, work that reflects the values at the heart of this community.
I currently serve as President of the Board of Trustees, a role that has given me a front-row seat to just how vital and dynamic this congregation truly is. We are in a season of tremendous growth, and I believe the best is still ahead of us. I am grateful for every year I've spent in this community and excited about all that we will build together.
Maren Outwater, Vice President/President elect; two-year term
My UU journey began in 1991 at the First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco when I learned dream work from Jeremy Taylor. I married my wife, Julie Forest, at the same church in 1993. We moved to East Shore Unitarian Universalist Church in the Seattle area in 1994 and I began serving in religious education at East Shore while my son, Jude, was young. I have also served on the green committee while at Unitarian Church North in the Milwaukee area and I have served on the Social Justice Executive Team (SJET) for the last 3 years at First UU in San Diego. I was nominated to the Board of Trustees in January to fill the open board position and am currently serving on the board as a trustee.
My professional life as a civil engineer and urban planner for 35 years has provided many leadership opportunities to me. I was a project manager and director of data systems, working for transportation planning agencies at the federal, state and local levels. I served on the board of my recent company, a consultancy, for 8 years, including serving on the governance and financial committees during that time. I am an editor of the Journal of Transportation. I have also co-founded a women-owned business for transportation policy and research in 2023 and continue to work part-time for diversity, equity and inclusion in transportation research.
My UU journey began in 1991 at the First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco when I learned dream work from Jeremy Taylor. I married my wife, Julie Forest, at the same church in 1993. We moved to East Shore Unitarian Universalist Church in the Seattle area in 1994 and I began serving in religious education at East Shore while my son, Jude, was young. I have also served on the green committee while at Unitarian Church North in the Milwaukee area and I have served on the Social Justice Executive Team (SJET) for the last 3 years at First UU in San Diego. I was nominated to the Board of Trustees in January to fill the open board position and am currently serving on the board as a trustee.
My professional life as a civil engineer and urban planner for 35 years has provided many leadership opportunities to me. I was a project manager and director of data systems, working for transportation planning agencies at the federal, state and local levels. I served on the board of my recent company, a consultancy, for 8 years, including serving on the governance and financial committees during that time. I am an editor of the Journal of Transportation. I have also co-founded a women-owned business for transportation policy and research in 2023 and continue to work part-time for diversity, equity and inclusion in transportation research.
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Armin Kuhlman, Treasurer; one-year term
I am currently serving a one-year term as Treasurer for the church. I have been a Unitarian Universalist for about 50 years and a member of our church since 1989. I was previously on the Budget committee and also Church Treasurer for 3 years. Current activities include the Finance committee, Climate Justice Team, Men’s Fellowship, South Bay Food Pantry volunteer and serving as an usher. Related professional experience includes accounting, financial and human resource management as well as a CPA. I have also served as a board member of the Institute of Management Accountants, President of the Friends of College Rolando Library, as Treasurer and board member with the San Diego Foundation for Change and currently the Villa Bayview HOA. I am looking forward to contributing to our sustainable future and renewing our church community. |
Barbara Davenport, Trustee at Large; two-year term
I’ve been a member of First Church since 2000. This year I was asked to fill an open board seat, and I was honored to be asked to serve.
The year has the most exciting era in the church’s life in the time I’ve been a member. We’ve found a way forward, a plan to stay on our beloved campus by partnering with another organization. The possibilities this opens for the church are inspiring. It’s too early to know what a shared campus will look like: what we will keep, what we must let go of, and what architectural and spiritual adaptations our transformation will ask of us. This much is guaranteed: We won’t get everything we want. We will face some hard choices. We will have to live with uncertainty and there will be times when our path will not be smooth.
The board faces some important tasks in the next several years. They must guide and support the congregation through a process that will have its ups and downs. It will involve by hearing the congregation’s individual and collective concerns, communicating clearly about the plans and upholding a vision of our future.
Much of my professional experience has been with managing change. I practiced psychotherapy for 30 years, work in which I developed an understanding of the stresses that navigating major changes for individuals and organizations, and the tools that can help them deal with those challenges. I’m also a writer, and Grit and Hope, my second book, told the story of Reality Changers, a San Diego organization that since 2001 has helped 3500 minority students become the first in their family to go to college. Researching and writing the book was an eight year project that became an education for me in helping disadvantaged youth and their families manage massive transformations in their lives.
At church I’ve planned and participated in Pride services, in the First UU contingent in the Pride parade and other Rainbow Outreach activities. At the food pantry I was one of the early volunteers. I’ve bagged food and distributed food on Saturday mornings, researched and written a grant proposal for the Pantry, and written portraits of the pantry’s monthly donors for the church’s blog. For UU Seniors I’ve made a presentation on decluttering—another kind of change—and have one in the works about managing anxiety. I’ve sung in the Chalice Choir since 2016, and I’m pleased to say that I’ve worked on a personal transformation from clueless beginner to okay choir member.
I’ve been glad to serve on the board as a fill-in, and I would welcome the opportunity to serve a full term to help with the work of the changes we are facing.
I’ve been a member of First Church since 2000. This year I was asked to fill an open board seat, and I was honored to be asked to serve.
The year has the most exciting era in the church’s life in the time I’ve been a member. We’ve found a way forward, a plan to stay on our beloved campus by partnering with another organization. The possibilities this opens for the church are inspiring. It’s too early to know what a shared campus will look like: what we will keep, what we must let go of, and what architectural and spiritual adaptations our transformation will ask of us. This much is guaranteed: We won’t get everything we want. We will face some hard choices. We will have to live with uncertainty and there will be times when our path will not be smooth.
The board faces some important tasks in the next several years. They must guide and support the congregation through a process that will have its ups and downs. It will involve by hearing the congregation’s individual and collective concerns, communicating clearly about the plans and upholding a vision of our future.
Much of my professional experience has been with managing change. I practiced psychotherapy for 30 years, work in which I developed an understanding of the stresses that navigating major changes for individuals and organizations, and the tools that can help them deal with those challenges. I’m also a writer, and Grit and Hope, my second book, told the story of Reality Changers, a San Diego organization that since 2001 has helped 3500 minority students become the first in their family to go to college. Researching and writing the book was an eight year project that became an education for me in helping disadvantaged youth and their families manage massive transformations in their lives.
At church I’ve planned and participated in Pride services, in the First UU contingent in the Pride parade and other Rainbow Outreach activities. At the food pantry I was one of the early volunteers. I’ve bagged food and distributed food on Saturday mornings, researched and written a grant proposal for the Pantry, and written portraits of the pantry’s monthly donors for the church’s blog. For UU Seniors I’ve made a presentation on decluttering—another kind of change—and have one in the works about managing anxiety. I’ve sung in the Chalice Choir since 2016, and I’m pleased to say that I’ve worked on a personal transformation from clueless beginner to okay choir member.
I’ve been glad to serve on the board as a fill-in, and I would welcome the opportunity to serve a full term to help with the work of the changes we are facing.
Ian Gill, Trustee at Large; three-year term
I’ve been a member of First Church since 2015 and have attended UU fellowships in seven other states throughout my life. I am excited for the future of FUUSD as we embark on the process to find a settled lead minister and continue to navigate the sustainable future of our beautiful campus.
Professionally, I am an active duty Naval Officer with 18 years of service. I find tremendous satisfaction in leading large teams of men and women that have voluntarily and nobly agreed to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. When I cannot attend First Church in person due to work commitments, I participate in service and board meetings virtually. Despite my travel, you will see my wife Lydia von Gohren and children Everett and Valentine in person and at RE regularly. The Church and its programming for young families has been a cornerstone of our San Diego community.
I’ve been a member of First Church since 2015 and have attended UU fellowships in seven other states throughout my life. I am excited for the future of FUUSD as we embark on the process to find a settled lead minister and continue to navigate the sustainable future of our beautiful campus.
Professionally, I am an active duty Naval Officer with 18 years of service. I find tremendous satisfaction in leading large teams of men and women that have voluntarily and nobly agreed to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. When I cannot attend First Church in person due to work commitments, I participate in service and board meetings virtually. Despite my travel, you will see my wife Lydia von Gohren and children Everett and Valentine in person and at RE regularly. The Church and its programming for young families has been a cornerstone of our San Diego community.
Nominating Committee Candidate Petition
If you are interested in adding yourself to the slate of candidates for the Nominating Committee, you can do so by a petition process.
View the Church's Constitution and the nominating committee petition process.
View the Church's Constitution and the nominating committee petition process.
Nominating Committee
Contact: [email protected]
Members of the Nominating Committee:
Members of the Nominating Committee:
- Randy Brinton, Chair
Gay Hybertson
Valerie Jaques
Mitch Mitchell
Tia Wallach
