Message from the Board President

From the President Tony Guerrero

First note as President

I am humbled, honored and excited to be the new President of our Fellowship. Certainly, Darlene is a hard act to follow, yet I can’t think of a better role model for this position. This is my first time as president of any organization. I’ve learned a lot from seeing Darlene in action in meetings, and also from the Board and Program Council members over the past year that I’ve been President Elect. It’s been a year of observation, learning, and doing my best to work with others and fulfill my role. Time has also been a great teacher.

My perception of the Fellowship, its Minister, Director of Religious Education, its Sunday Services, the Board, Program Council, and its dedicated members and staff, has changed from being one of appreciation, certainly, but also with a sense of I’m going to go in and change some things around here! That was last year when I became President Elect. Now my stance is one of sincere appreciation and gratitude for our vital spiritual community. Can some things be improved? Of course, but not at the expense of that which is good at the UUFCC, which is a lot!

From where I stand now, I think of being President as a sort of NOLS (Nature Outdoor Leadership School) experience. That rugged, total immersion, get involved, or miss out on an extraordinary experience of a lifetime, seems analogous, somehow, to becoming President.

The analogy of NOLS is used here, because it really feels like that sort of commitment in the best sense, akin to the experience of backpacking, crossing ravines, rivers and mountains, making fires, choosing good trails and camping sites, and testing yourself within a group, only instead of those extreme physical challenges, there are vital social, moral and spiritual challenges at our UUFCC. And, as with NOLS, I think that one may come out stronger, more able and more alive for it.

That's my take on the situation. Wish me luck! Or, rather, please join me- us! I think that we all need to climb our own mountains, to use the NOLS analogy one more time, but I also believe that we can sort of yell and greet each other across the valleys of our lives, and then descend, act in mutual support, play and work together effectively for good, within our community and outside our walls.

Finally, besides the above reflections, a quote helped me decide to accept the challenge of this position, which I’d like to share with you.

"You commit yourself and you see!" Julius Cesar

 Tony Guerrero