Meet Our Board of Trustees

What does the UUSM Board of Trustees do?

Dan Hotchkiss, a UU minister an expert on governance, describes the governance of a congregation as consisting of:

A Board that articulates mission and vision, evaluates results, and ensures responsible stewardship of resources.
Ministry leaders, paid and unpaid, who create effective programs with the support of a structure that delegates authority and requires accountability.
Members and others who enjoy many opportunities to learn and grow and serve in an atmosphere of trust and creativity where structure, goals, and purposes are clear.

At present, UUSM is in search of a minister and a director of religious education. That means that today's Board is covering the functions of both the Board and the ministry leaders.

Would you like to join us for the 2023-2024 term? Reach out to any board member or the leadership development committee lead, Julianna Rees. You will learn a lot, build relationships, develop your leadership skills and get to know your congregation from the inside out. It's a rewarding--and challenging--job. We welcome newcomers to the congregation and those whose faces we know well but haven't served before. You bring diversity of thought and new energy to the longer-serving, experienced Board members.

Board meetings are typically the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM. Check your Friday bulletin or click here for details. Meetings are by Zoom and open to all friends and members; however, only Board members may vote.

Becky Howland, President

Becky has been a member of UUSM for twelve years, having served on the board of trustees, as chair of the music director search committee, (paper!) newsletter editor, choir member, and most recently as co-chair of the All Together Now online auction with Tricia Dell. Three of her children participated in religious education in the early 2000s. A strong proponent of actively soliciting and integrating diverse thought, Becky has a three-decade career history of building and leading teams through challenging situations, primarily in corporate marketing, integration of corporate acquisitions, and communications. She believes in and practices warm, respectful, open communication among all interested parties, and pledges to bring this practice to UUSM’s leaders, staff and congregation. Through their work as co-chairs in last year’s and this year’s auctions, Becky and Tricia together have built a strong working relationship and friendship. Becky’s corporate experience is balanced by Tricia’s extensive experience in the non-profit sector. Together they plan to bring energetic, upbeat, steady, thoughtful leadership to UUSM as board president and vice-president.

Tricia Dell, Vice President

Tricia has been a member of UUSM for 25 years and has served in leadership capacities including fundraising, the ATN auction, strategic planning, and a Ministerial Search. She is currently VP of the Board of Trustees. Tricia is grateful for the religious education and OWL programs that were available for her two now adult daughters. And for being held by this community in countless experiences of joy, sorrow, and learning resulting in growth and friendships of all kinds. Tricia completed Beloved Conversations Virtual in Fall ‘21 and continues the work in her life. As a Coastsider, she's proud to have completed the Shared Pulpit class offered at UU Coastside Community in 2021 which led to the delivery of her first sermon at UUCC. Like Becky, Tricia values diverse thought and perspectives and plans to bring energetic, thoughtful leadership to UUSM as a board president/vice president team.

Tom Newman, Treasurer

Tom and his wife, Johannah, have been members of UUSM for about 27 years. Tom is currently serving on the board for the third time and has served on multiple committees. He also has taught many times in the OWL program and sings with Johannah in the choir. He is also Professor Emeritus of Epidemiology & Biostatistics and Pediatrics at UCSF. He currently serves as UUSM Treasurer and Chair of the Facilities Team.

Kathy Kinner, Secretary

Kathy has been a long time member of UUSM. In previous years while raising her children, she devoted much of her time to teaching in the RE program. After retiring from nursing, Kathy decided she could be of service to UUSM. In 2021, she began her Board service as a Trustee and has for the last 2 years been the Board secretary. She also chairs the Governance Task Force. She has found her time on the Board to be a period of personal growth, challenge, and change. Her experience has led to a better understanding of the inner workings of UUSM. She is grateful for the support of staff and the fellowship found among Board members. When Kathy is not taking minutes, she is serving as a Pastoral Care associate, attending an Aging to Saging group, or spending time with her family and friends.

Laura Bull, Trustee

Laura has been an active member of UUSM for 15 years and has volunteered in many areas including 5 years on the finance committee, 3 of those serving on the board as Treasurer (2016-2019). She currently serves on the Benefits and Compensation Committee, and sings in the choir; when her now-adult son was growing up, she volunteered in religious education. Laura is a transplant from the Midwest living in Northern California since 1987. She is a scientist and has a research laboratory located at UCSF, where she studies genetic factors contributing to liver disease. She recently also became qualified as a dietitian. She enjoys gardening and day hiking.

Hildur Carlen, Trustee

Hildur and her husband, Conrad, have been members of UUSM since 2010. She is a proud third generation Unitarian Universalist! UUSM was a big part of the growing up years of her daughters, now a young adult and a teenager. Hildur has taught RE, OWL, supported COA and UU youth involvement in the Peninsula Multifaith Coalition. She has served on the RE Committee for years and twice on RE hiring committees. Her background is in Early Childhood Education and she has been a mother for 20 years, so she seems to be naturally drawn to all things RE…. She also has recently served as Co-Leader of the Covid Task Force. Now that the kids have grown up, and she has too, she's decided to spread her wings and her faith a bit and has joined the UUSM Board of Trustees. As of this fall, she is supporting the Religious Exploration transition with Colaine. She is also leading our youth in the Coming of Age program this church year. She has served on multiple Boards in the past (all education related). It seems to be impossible for her to stay away from work with children, youth and families! After all, they are the future of our faith.

Bryan Klech, Trustee

Bryan joined UUSM in 2016 seeking youth focused programs for his now adult children, and subsequently staying for the community. In addition to his role as a Trustee, Bryan serves on the Committee on Ministry and the Governance Task Force, and in the past as a mentor in our Coming of Age program. Bryan invests most of his volunteer attention in the local Scouting community.

David Kramer, Trustee

David has been a member of UUSM since 2019. He has been part of tech support for Sundays services as it has evolved from running the sound board to virtual to hybrid. David serves on the COVID Task Force, and is just starting as a mentor for Coming of Age. David works as a construction executive. He is a Planning Commissioner for the city of Belmont. David is married and has two sons. For fun, he plays bass in a garage band, and podcasts light hearted advice with his college roommate

Steve Latner, Trustee

Steve has been a member of UUSM since 2013. He was chairman of the Pastoral Care Committee for three years. He has also worked in the RE program and served on various UUSM committees. Steve has lived in San Mateo most of my life. His hobbies include fiction writing and following the San Francisco Giants.

Colaine L.A. Roepke, Trustee

Colaine has two daughters and all three started attending UU San Mateo in 2004. She was immediately excited to be part of religious exploration and had the opportunity to teach various age groups. Colaine enjoyed working with others on the RE Council which she found deeply rewarding and fun. She currently enjoys working with other dynamic adults on the Covid Task Force (formerly Moving Forward Together) and RE Team. Colaine is very inspired to serve a second year working with the current Board of Trustees.

Lisa Stalteri, Trustee

Lisa became a member of UUSM in 2019. She grew up in San Mateo and Belmont. She is an environmental attorney and mother to 3 young adults. Lisa has volunteered with Religious Education for children, is the Social Justice Activities Coordinator and serves on the Anti-Racist Coalition.

Betsy Taub, Ex-Officio

Betsy rejoined UUSM in 2017, following a 9-year hiatus, living in Wichita, KS. Betsy was also a member of UUSM 2004-2007, prior to moving to Wichita. Over time, she has been involved as a Worship Associate, occasionally providing Sunday sermons, and has been an active participant in Pastoral Care, Benefits & Compensation and the CDTF for several years. She's currently tremendously enjoying her participation in Kathy van Leuwen's twice a month, Monday night, Open Circle. Want to get to know people better? Join a smaller UUSM group! Betsy and her partner of 2 1/2 years, Joy Miley, recently moved to Chico, CA, to live closer to Joy's brother and sister, and to escape the very high cost of housing in Silicon Valley. She is an LVN, about to accept a job offer as a Home Healthcare Nurse. Betsy loves to laugh and not take herself or life too seriously. She has adopted a tag line for herself of "Ambassador of Joy, Love & Laughter."