Board of Trustees – 2 Positions (3 Year Terms)
Steve Grathwohl
Steve Grathwohl has attended The Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport since 2011, and lives in Fairfield with his girlfriend Alice and his dog Cowboy. At the Unitarian Church, Steve has been involved in teaching RE, the Kiva Committee, UGNO, and the Men’s Group (A Better Man). Steve is currently on the Board of Directors of the Bridgeport Neighborhood Trust, a nonprofit developer of affordable housing, and is a member of the Affordable Housing Committee in Fairfield. Professionally, Steve works in commercial real estate in Wilton, and previously served on the Board of Directors of a commercial bank and a publicly-listed hotel company, both of which underwent lengthy strategic planning efforts. As a member of the board of TUCW, Steve hopes to combine his commitment to mission with his prior experience to help set a firm direction for growth, financial stability, and a more diverse congregation.
Doug Flam
Doug Flam’s folks brought him to this church when he was a child and he remembers them enjoying the sermons of Ed Lane as he took RE with the Bryces. Vicki Yarrow and he were married by Ed Thompson in the summer of 1999 as they were looking for a spiritual ceremony that represented their values. Doug and Vicki began attending regularly when their son DJ started asking questions about their faith. They were grateful to find a community that embodied their values and would be an example and moral foundation in which to raise kids and grow as a family.
Doug has been involved in running Soup Sales to raise money for Camp Jewell, UGNO, serves as a Worship Associate, and sings in the Men’s and Special Projects Choirs. Participation in each of these groups has helped him form close relationships and has given him a further understanding of the congregation.
By profession, Doug is a Quality Assurance software testing consultant currently working on a project in Hartford for the State Judicial system. His occupation requires attention to detail, being able to listen to the client, asking appropriate questions and affirming that the result of their vision meets their needs. He believes that these skills will guide him as he takes on the challenges of this position.
Bob Trefry
Bob Trefry has been a member of The Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport since 1991. He lives in Fairfield with his wife Mary. Bob is the retired President/CEO of Bridgeport Hospital. He is now an executive coach helping individuals and organizations reach their potential.
Bob is completing a two-year term on the church Board of Trustees. He has served as a volunteer on several annual pledge canvases. He has served as a member of the Endowment Committee and is a co-coordinator of the Fairfield/Bridgeport Neighborhood Circle and a volunteer tutor at Beardsley School.
Bob is active in the community, serving on the board of the United Way of Coastal Fairfield County. He also serves as the board chair of the Connecticut Technical High School System and an ex-officio member of the Connecticut State Board of Education.
Nominating Committee – (2 Year Terms)
Michelle Garvey
Michelle Garvey and her husband Luke have been members of The Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport since 2000, and have been active members throughout with many different activities over time. Michelle served on the Finance Committee for four years, including a year as chair, taught 7th grade RE, was a Visiting Steward, and served on the Board of Trustees for 5 years, including 2 as chair. Michelle and Luke are active in their neighborhood circle. The Garvey children grew up in the church all the way through RE and youth group, and the whole family appreciates the perspective and values that participating in Unitarianism has provided – both the denomination in general, and this congregation in particular. We appreciate the opportunities this community provides us to expand our awareness and live those values, through community outreach and awareness, and through direct service. Michelle looks forward to this new opportunity to help identify and bring forward emerging leaders for the congregation.
Sal Mollica
Sal Mollica is a graduate of Williams College, BA Economics, and the Harvard Business School, MBA. He has been a member of the Unitarian Church in Westport for over fifteen years and has served on the Social Justice Council and on the Board of Trustees. He has been a volunteer tutor at Beardsley School for ten years. As a member of the Nominating Committee, he hopes to use his experience at TUCW to help define the current leadership needs and find the best people to fulfill them.
Nominating Committee – (1 Year Term)
Sari Bodi
Sari Bodi began attending the Unitarian Church in Westport when she and her husband Eric Montgomery were seeking a welcoming congregation for their children. Ming and Luke, adopted from China and South Korea, participated in the religious education program, starting in the nursery and graduating from Youth Group, with many enjoyable hours spent in choir under Ed’s tutelage. During that time, Sari taught in RE.and was a member of the curriculum committee. She is currently a member of the Once & Again Folksingers, and participated in “Harvest the Power,” the leadership program led by Reverend John this year. In her professional life, her plays for children appear regularly in Scholastic magazines, and she published a middle-grade novel called The Ghost in Allie’s Pool. Previously she served as literary manager for the Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven and currently continues her education at Norwalk Community College. She’s enjoyed her year as a member of the Nominating Committee, which allowed her to utilize the contacts she’s made through the years at TUCW as well as meet new members. She looks forward to continuing on this committee.
Endowment Committee – (5 Year Term)
Mark Corcoran
Mark Corcoran found TUCW in 2009, and involved himself in singing, ushering, UGNO, United with Kenya, and the Finance Committee. As a retired CPA working both in public accounting and industry, he is interested in the financial security of our congregation going into the future. Mark looks forward to being part of the team monitoring our endowment investments and spending.
Committee on Ministries – (5 Year Term)
Jenna Jacobs
Jenna Jacobs has been attending services since 2012 and became a member in 2014. She immediately joined a choir and has sought greater involvement in TUCW, recently establishing a Food Ministry which will begin operations in the 2018-19 church year. In addition to committee work, Jenna enjoys potlucks, dances, Social Justice marches, movie nights, Camp Jewell, and any event that helps to bring our community together. She is an avid reader of UU literature. Jenna’s children attend the Lifespan Faith Development programs. .Jenna has recently become of professional chef, but her work as a stay-home-mom for the 16 years prior was all about volunteer committee work. After losing her husband on 9/11, Jenna founded and ran the non-profit September Smiles, which provided support to non-9/11 families facing tragic loss. The organization helped over 400 families, mostly military widows. She also founded and operated The Weston Park Project, which raised $250,000, designed, and built the only family play-space in Weston, which can be enjoyed by the public behind the ball fields at Bisceglie Pond. And, she was an active member of the Coleytown Elementary PTA for 15 years, serving as chairperson for a variety of committees as well as on the Executive Board as VP of Volunteers. Jenna is very excited about the opportunity to serve her TUCW community in ever-expanding ways. The Committee on Ministry will not only allow her to serve, but to learn as well, which will, in turn, allow for more service opportunities.
Committee on Ministries – 2 Year Term)
Sudha Sankar
Sudha and Ravi Sankar have been members of The Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport since 1995. They were seeking a spiritual community and felt right at home from when they walked in the door. They live in Ridgefield. Their two daughters Shrutika and Amrita grew up in TUCW and actively participated in the religious education program and in the youth and teen choirs. Sudha has been involved in various aspects of congregational life. She currently serves on the Leadership Development committee, the #MeToo task force and co-leads TUCWomen. She has served as chair of the Worship Associates, member of the Nominating Committee and as chair of Religious Education.
Sudha holds MBAs from the University of Madras, India and Case Western Reserve University, USA. She has occupied local, state, national and international level leadership positions at non-profit organizations focused on women’s issues or youth development. She was Program director at a cultural and education based international non-profit organization.
Sudha writes, “I am grateful to have been a member of this church and if called upon will be honored to serve in the Committee on Ministry bringing my organizational and leadership skills to the betterment of the congregation.”