I've been attending Unity of Kanawha Valley since 1990. From the very
beginning, I found a wonderful, limitless and positive way of life that I
can life with and rely on every day. The lessons of tithing, using
affirmations and knowing that the spark of Divinity is within me has
transformed me and allowed me to create a great life.
I believe that the Unity message is so powerful and so needed in our
community right now. I believe that it is the responsibility of Unity of
Kanawha Valley to deliver our message to the most people possible.
I feel that I would bring a strong business sense to the board of UKV. I
would like to see an improved and consistent image of who we are from one
strong web site that is easy to navigate to a beautiful and well manicured
building (no matter where we are located) to a consistent look and feel in
all of our printed materials. I am in favor of continuing our visioning
process and developing Unity of Kanawha Valley into a bigger church that
will serve many more people as they continue on their spiritual paths.
Kathy Dent
304-545-5242
Karen Sylvester
Candidate for UKV Board of Trustees
Age 65, Mother of 4 children and 3 grandchildren
Resident of Winfield, WV
Retired Compliance Officer
Life-time Student
Current studies: The Course of Miracles, Master Naturalist Program, Master
Gardeners Program, the Artist's Way
Experience at UKV:
After years of searching, I found my spiritual home at UKV and became a
member on September 10, 2006. Since then I have served as:
• Alternate on the UKV Board of Trustees
• Volunteer for Ron Sowell's Open Stage
• Sojourner's committee member
• The Course of Miracles participant
• Visioning workshop participant
Vision and Leadership
As a Board Member I will guard UKV's commitment to our Purpose, Mission and
Values to ensure that anyone walking through the doors of UKV will
experience the gift of God's acceptance and unconditional love. As a Board
Member I will continue to promote and support the memberships' goals and
priorities including but not limited to:
• Making our current or future meeting space handicapped accessible
• Sojourners Project
• Plan for anticipated growth of membership
• Adequate programs and classrooms to encourage young families with children
Being a member of UKV has fulfilled a long sought-for need. Becoming an
active member has resulted in even greater rewards. I will encourage
members to share their talents with our UKV community in order that they too
may share in the full benefits of membership.
KLS
April 20, 2009
Ric Cochran
Many thanks and appreciation to the Unity Board for requesting a biref Bio
on me!
Nutshell Version of Ric Cochran as it relates to a Unity mission:
· I am a radio broadcaster, entertainer, public speaker (12 years)
· Audience Development Director for The Burt Reynolds Theatre in Palm Beach
Florida (2 years)
· I have worked professionally as "Outreach Director" for Marietta Memorial
Hospital (10 years).
· Area Sales and Marketing Director For Holiday Inss Inc. (6 years)
I have served on boards of The Charleston Ballet, Susan G. Komen, Charleston
Community Music Association, Past Chairman of United Way, and serve with
interest and passion a variety of charitable programs, including:
· Manna Meals
· Sojourner's Shelter
· St. Jude Children's Hospital
· Feed The Children
· Performing Arts promotion
I bring a strong desire to focus on an Outreach Mission for our church. I
really don't see any reason to pretend that I have any more passionate drive
than the one that allows me to put a little fire to ideas of reaching and
serving our community with Unity!
I would like to direct our Outreach Campaigns; developing a committee of
Unity volunteers to develop a yearly plan and execution schedule for
infiltrating our area with solid Unity involvement. These action plans
would include the already successful programs like, Kid's Open Stage, Open
Mic nights, Movie Nights, Course In Miracles, Sojourner's support, etc., but
would plan and define our yearly mission and intentions.
I think my best contribution is in a media, public relations capacity. I
hope I can be of service.
With respect and love.
Ric
Linda Austin
I was born in VA but was transplanted to WV at the age of 6. I am a
graduate of GWHS, WVU and Marshall ( which makes things interesting at
times).
I am a mother of one son. Lowell was diagnosed with Asperger's at an
early age. It was recommended that he be institutionalized at an early
age. The doctor's words were "put him in an institution and forget you
had him." Instead, he was mainstreamed and went on to become the pilot
student in Marshall' program for high-functioning autistics. He
graduated and, like many young people , is trying to find his way in
the world as an adult. (He's back at school while trying to decide.)
I moved back to WV upon the deaths of my mother and my marriage, about
4 years ago. By mistake, a friend who was going to drive me to the
Unitarian church took me to Unity. I've been here since.
I was raised a Baptist, married and transferred to the Presbyterian
church, became a Unitarian when I couldn't justify a god who loaded the
dice and consigned a majority of humanity to perdition,and have found a
home with Unity (much to my father's consternation).
My formal training is as a musician and a teacher, but again like many
people, my professional career was in other fields,some teaching in
American Samoa,but later as a paralegal in Boston, NYC and Washington
DC. I have volunteered on many committees, but most recently I have
been serving on the board of this church. It has been very enjoyable
and I hope I have made a positive contribution.
