Annual Meeting and Board Candidate Petition
Voting for the candidates will be at the Annual Congregational Meeting on Sunday, June 8, 11:45 am, in the Meeting House. There will be no absentee voting. Voting will take place during the meeting for those attending in person or via livestream (not afterwards). Results will be announced during the meeting once votes are tallied.
If you are interested in adding yourself to the slate of candidates for the Board, you can do so by a petition process.
View the Church's Constitution, the board petition process, and the nominating committee petition process.
If you are interested in adding yourself to the slate of candidates for the Board, you can do so by a petition process.
View the Church's Constitution, the board petition process, and the nominating committee petition process.
Board Candidate Meet and Greet!
Meet your 2025 / 2026 Board Candidates!
Join them at Hillcrest after the service on Sunday, May 25!
Or on Zoom on Wednesday, May 28! Zoom: bit.ly/45hgpbw
Join them at Hillcrest after the service on Sunday, May 25!
Or on Zoom on Wednesday, May 28! Zoom: bit.ly/45hgpbw
Your 25/26 Board Candidates
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 Morton, Trustee at Large; two-year term
I’ve lived in San Diego for almost 50 years, started attending First UU in the late 80's, and joined in 1991. This was my first connection with a UU church, and it felt like home immediately. My wife (Mary Severine) and I were married in the First UU Chapel in 2008. I served on the Pledge Committee for a year in the 90's, and more recently assisted the Pledge Committee for several years by making phone calls to members to encourage them to renew their pledges. I've also participated in Rainbow Action activities and in many Adult Education programs. I have attended GA virtually every year since 2020, and have been a First UU Delegate several times.
Education and Work: B.A. in Religion, Minor in Psychology. M.Ed. in Community Leadership and Development. I worked for 20 years for the San Diego County Health Department, Alcohol and Drug Services. As Assistant Deputy Director, I developed and oversaw direct service contracts (total value $20,000,000) with private non-profit community agencies, and represented San Diego at statewide meetings. Before and after my County employment, I have a total of 24 years of work experience, mostly management-level, with private non-profit agencies.
I’ve lived in San Diego for almost 50 years, started attending First UU in the late 80's, and joined in 1991. This was my first connection with a UU church, and it felt like home immediately. My wife (Mary Severine) and I were married in the First UU Chapel in 2008. I served on the Pledge Committee for a year in the 90's, and more recently assisted the Pledge Committee for several years by making phone calls to members to encourage them to renew their pledges. I've also participated in Rainbow Action activities and in many Adult Education programs. I have attended GA virtually every year since 2020, and have been a First UU Delegate several times.
Education and Work: B.A. in Religion, Minor in Psychology. M.Ed. in Community Leadership and Development. I worked for 20 years for the San Diego County Health Department, Alcohol and Drug Services. As Assistant Deputy Director, I developed and oversaw direct service contracts (total value $20,000,000) with private non-profit community agencies, and represented San Diego at statewide meetings. Before and after my County employment, I have a total of 24 years of work experience, mostly management-level, with private non-profit agencies.
Brian Kougl, Trustee at Large; three-year term
I am honored to accept the nomination for Board of Trustees. After the first election of Trump, it became clear to me that I must do something to help save our country. After some research, I was led to the church. As I walked into the campus on a Sunday morning and saw the many tables on the patio showcasing the church’s activities, my first thought was “Wow, this is the place for me!”. I joined Solace and visited detainees at the Donovan prison. I then became involved with the South Bay Food Pantry and now volunteer there in one of the leadership roles every Saturday. What a meaningful and rewarding experience! Now I am a member of our Social Justice Executive Team. I also represent the church on SDOP (San Diego Organizing Project) which has given me many more opportunities to serve. Through my work with the ACLU and SDOP, we have organized grassroots Neighborhood Solidarity Committees throughout the county to serve and support the needs of immigrants, whether it be legal support, Know Your Rights trainings, or help with daily needs of those who may be fearful of leaving their homes. A few weeks ago, we went to Sacramento to lobby our representatives to support bills that reflect our UU values. It was exhilarating (see the article on the church website about the trip). I feel so blessed to be able to serve in these areas, to have the opportunity to live my values. The church has given me so much, a sense of community and purpose, and comfort during trying times. I am so blessed to be a member. I look forward to serving in this new capacity as we look to find our way in these challenging times.
I am honored to accept the nomination for Board of Trustees. After the first election of Trump, it became clear to me that I must do something to help save our country. After some research, I was led to the church. As I walked into the campus on a Sunday morning and saw the many tables on the patio showcasing the church’s activities, my first thought was “Wow, this is the place for me!”. I joined Solace and visited detainees at the Donovan prison. I then became involved with the South Bay Food Pantry and now volunteer there in one of the leadership roles every Saturday. What a meaningful and rewarding experience! Now I am a member of our Social Justice Executive Team. I also represent the church on SDOP (San Diego Organizing Project) which has given me many more opportunities to serve. Through my work with the ACLU and SDOP, we have organized grassroots Neighborhood Solidarity Committees throughout the county to serve and support the needs of immigrants, whether it be legal support, Know Your Rights trainings, or help with daily needs of those who may be fearful of leaving their homes. A few weeks ago, we went to Sacramento to lobby our representatives to support bills that reflect our UU values. It was exhilarating (see the article on the church website about the trip). I feel so blessed to be able to serve in these areas, to have the opportunity to live my values. The church has given me so much, a sense of community and purpose, and comfort during trying times. I am so blessed to be a member. I look forward to serving in this new capacity as we look to find our way in these challenging times.
Jack Soule, Trustee at Large; three-year term
I am a retired political science professor from San Diego State University, specializing in mediation and conflict resolution. During my academic career of teaching, I also made several documentary films for PBS, and have taught at other foreign universities; for example: Queens College, Belfast, Moscow State University, Rhodes university South Africa. I have been a Unitarian for many years starting as a Sunday school teacher in Tallahassee, Florida. We have been in San Diego for the past 40 years or so, and attended First Church regularly on Sunday. More recently I’ve been active in the men’s group, joined a men’s support group, worked at the Uptown Community Service Center, and the Food Pantry in Chula Vista.
My wife, three kids and grandkids divide time living in San Diego , la Manzanilla ,Mexico and British Columbia, Canada. I want to serve on the Board and join the team in order to be part of the important decisions coming up, such as selecting a new minister and deciding where to locate our church. This will be my first official church office.
I am a retired political science professor from San Diego State University, specializing in mediation and conflict resolution. During my academic career of teaching, I also made several documentary films for PBS, and have taught at other foreign universities; for example: Queens College, Belfast, Moscow State University, Rhodes university South Africa. I have been a Unitarian for many years starting as a Sunday school teacher in Tallahassee, Florida. We have been in San Diego for the past 40 years or so, and attended First Church regularly on Sunday. More recently I’ve been active in the men’s group, joined a men’s support group, worked at the Uptown Community Service Center, and the Food Pantry in Chula Vista.
My wife, three kids and grandkids divide time living in San Diego , la Manzanilla ,Mexico and British Columbia, Canada. I want to serve on the Board and join the team in order to be part of the important decisions coming up, such as selecting a new minister and deciding where to locate our church. This will be my first official church office.
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:
- Mitch Mitchell
- Randy Brinton
- Gay Hybertsen
- Everardo Aguilar
- Rhea Kuhlman
