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:
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A Board that articulates mission and vision, evaluates results, and ensures responsible stewardship of resources.
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Ministry leaders, paid and unpaid, who create effective programs with the support of a structure that delegates authority and requires accountability.
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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.
Why are the Board photos out of date and poorly lit?
If you think herding cats is difficult, try UUSM board members. Thankfully we're better at governing than posing for pics.
Would you like to join us for the next board term? Reach out to any board member. 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 who 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.
Contact us individually with ideas or concerns or reach out to us as a group: board@uusanmateo.org.
Betsy Blosser, President
Betsy Blosser has been a member of UUSM since 1989, and her sons, Ben and Brendan, grew up in the congregation. Betsy recently retired from San Francisco State University, where she was a professor in the Broadcast & Electronic Communication Arts Department. What she misses about work are the annual international service trips with students to the Global South to make videos for NGOs. In retirement, she continues to travel and to pursue her fiber arts hobbies. It’s been 20 years since she last served on the board. She is looking forward to this opportunity to serve.
Sheila Sandow, Vice President
Sheila Sandow has been a member of UUSM since 1998, but started singing in our choir two years before then. Currently, she also sings with the Sacred Song Circle, serves as a Worship Associate, produces the lyrics slides for worship services, coordinates one of our Aging-to-Saging groups, and writes reflections on our monthly congregational themes. She previously served on the UUSM Board twice, first as a Trustee and more recently as Vice President. Her background includes many years as a public relations / communications professional, and subsequent careers in both high technology and non-profit administration. In her spare time, Sheila enjoys playing her ukulele with the Freedom Strummers at Indivisible San Mateo’s weekly pro-democracy rallies, and outdoor adventures with canine Hazel.
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Joe DeFelice, Treasurer
Joe DeFelice has been a member of UUSM since 2004. He currently serves on the finance committee, and in the past has also helped with religious education at times. His daughter, Dominique, lives in Salt Lake City and he’s grateful that she had the opportunity to grow up with UUSM as a strong influence. He currently works as the controller for a Bay Area transportation company and lives in San Mateo.
Lisa Stalteri, Secretary
Lisa became a member of UUSM in 2019. Lisa 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.
Conrad Carlen, Trustee
Conrad started his church life at a Unitarian church in Southwestern VA. Though it was the early 70s, there was no mention of UU. News of unification comes slowly to some parts of the South. After his parents separated, his mother brought the kids to an Episcopal church. He graduated from Rhode Island School of Design, majoring in Sculpture. He met his wife Hildur in NYC in the 90s. Eventually, they found themselves in the Bay Area, and began attending UUSM with their daughters, Tekla and Astrid. Conrad and Hildur became members in 2010.
John Farrow, Trustee
John has been a member for ten years or so and has been more active in the past couple of years. In his other life, he practices environmental and land use law, representing citizens' groups advocating affordable housing, preservation of agricultural land and open space land, and sustainable groundwater management. Although he still regrets it, his family is grateful that he abandoned the saxophone in the eighth grade.
Elisabeth Hendrickson, Trustee
Elisabeth Hendrickson is new to UU as an adult, but spent two years at the Unitarian Universalist church in Concord, New Hampshire as a child. Those years had a deep impact on her. She went in search of a local community in February in the wake of the widespread upheaval in our country, and that positive childhood experience led her to UUSM. She is grateful to have found such a warm, welcoming, and inclusive haven. Elisabeth has been married to her husband Kirk for 30 years. Together they have two children, both adults living in the Pacific Northwest, as well as 2 dogs.
Gabby Hartman, Trustee
Gabby became a member of UUSM in 2023 and is on the Connections team. She has been working as a school psychologist in Redwood City for 5 years. She enjoys going on walks to her favorite bakery with her dog, Oliver, spending time with her family and friends in San Diego and Portland, reading for her book club, and traveling to new places.
Iris Ceja, Trustee
Iris Ceja is a recent addition to UUSM. Her journey began in childhood during the late 1990s and early 2000s when she benefited from Homework Central. Years later, a fond recollection of UUSM led her back, and she has since found a welcoming space where she feels a deep resonance. Iris is a mother to two daughters and four beloved pets. Iris cherishes her time spent in nature, exploring culinary experiences, and discovering new horizons.
Colaine L.A. Roepke, Trustee
Colaine L.A. Roepke, Trustee, has been attending UU San Mateo with her family since 2004. Her daughters had their inner spirit nurtured while attending RE regularly during their childhood. During that time, Colaine found a lot of joy in the religious exploration program, teaching a variety of ages over the years and actively participating in the RE Council. During the pandemic, she was part of a caring team that helped navigate the transition from fully-Zoom worship services to our current hybrid services. Colaine served on the UUSM board during 2021‒2023.
David Kramer, President Ex-Officio
David Kramer has been a member of UUSM since 2019. He served on the board last as a Trustee for two years prior to becoming President. He has been a key leader on the Exploring Campus Options and Phase 1 Construction Task Forces, and the COVID Task Force, and as a mentor for Coming of Age. David recently launched UUSM's Open-Mic Night to much acclaim. Having retired recently from a career as a construction executive, David remains 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.