River of Grass Board of Trustees - 2014-2015
Marjorie Loring, President
A charter member of River of Grass, Marjie has chaired the Service and Social Justice Committee, taught Faith Development classes, co-led a Covenant Group, served on the Membership Committee, is currently a Lay Leader and a member of the Community Awareness and the Caring Committees, the Full Moon Daughters, and the bUUkies Book Group. Marjie also designed and co-manages our website. Her career in academia affords her the opportunity to follow two of her passions - teaching and traveling. Marjie and her life partner, Esther, had their Commitment Ceremony 13 years ago at the UU Church of Berkeley. During the summer months, she and Esther can be found on the road, enjoying UU B&Bs along the way. They have three grown children and three grandchildren (Matthew, Cordelia, and Emilie). Marjie can be reached at: president@riverofgrassuu.org
Leana Bresnahan, Vice President
Leana and her husband Ken are charter members of River of Grass. They lived in three foreign countries and four different U.S. cities before landing in South Florida in 1997. They were married in 1980 at Tulsa All Souls UU and joined their first UU church in Monterey in 1984. Leana has been a long-time, enthusiastic chair of the Membership Committee, with a love for meeting new people and introducing them to Unitarian Universalism. She is a former chair of the Service and Social Justice Committee, a former Religious Education teacher and a former Covenant Group leader. Ken and Leana have three daughters of whom they are very proud -- Merritt, Lauren, and Kailyn. Leana loves music and singing in the choir, travel and languages, human rights and yoga. She is a Unitarian Universalist because UU principles strengthen her to help create a more just and loving world.
Zena Tucker, Secretary
Zena Tucker joyfully found River of Grass in 2011 and since joining has volunteered for Service and Social Justice, the Hospitality team, choir, and congregational work-days. Native of a small town in northwest Alabama, she joined the Air Force to see the world and get an education. And she did just that: living on our West and East coasts, in the Midwest, Germany and the Azores. Since retiring from the Air Force, she has continued working as a civilian meteorologist for the government, peering at computer screens and creating briefings. She and her husband of 30 years, Rick, have two lovely grown daughters, Nicole and Lorraine. Besides River of Grass activities and work, Zena enjoys yoga, walking, reading, singing and tackling a good question.
Scott May, Treasurer
Scott is a lifelong UU and a charter member of River of Grass. He has served in several
capacities at River of Grass including Faith Development teacher, Youth Advisor, Capital
Fund Task Force Chair and Capital Fund Board of Trustees (President and Trustee), Finance ommittee Chair, Annual Giving Committee (Chair & Member), and Space Exploration Research Team Chair. He has also served on the Auction and Service and Social Justice Committees. Scott is excited to finally have the time to serve on the Board of Trustees.
capacities at River of Grass including Faith Development teacher, Youth Advisor, Capital
Fund Task Force Chair and Capital Fund Board of Trustees (President and Trustee), Finance ommittee Chair, Annual Giving Committee (Chair & Member), and Space Exploration Research Team Chair. He has also served on the Auction and Service and Social Justice Committees. Scott is excited to finally have the time to serve on the Board of Trustees.
Lynn O'Brien, Trustee
Lynn was born in Petaluma, California to an Air Force family which moved frequently through her childhood but later settled in Tampa, Florida. She moved to Fort Lauderdale in 2008 and became a member of River of Grass. Since joining she became actively involved in several committees, including Nominating and Membership. She recently has served by teaching middle school children in our Faith Development program. Lynn is also a member of the Women’s Group and the Full Moon Daughters. She enjoys her career in the real estate industry and practices Pilates and positive thinking, enjoys the Arts, and regularly plays Mahjong.
Gary Gonzalez, Trustee
Gary was co-chair of the original steering committee responsible for the formation of River of Grass. His wife, Karen, sat on that committee as well, and was instrumental in setting the direction of our wonderful faith development program. Originally members of the UU Church of Fort Lauderdale, Gary and Karen have been active Unitarian Universalists since 1992, and raised both their children in the faith. Both of their amazing daughterswere recently married, and both of their husbands are lifelong UUs. Gary can frequently be seen behind a microphone and/or a musical instrument on Sunday mornings during services. He has been regularly providing music for River of Grass since the very first service. He has also served as board treasurer and member, co-chair of the right relations committee, and has chaired the annual budget drive in the past.
Audrey Stang, Trustee
Audrey and her husband Aaron met at college in Fredonia, New York, then fled the cold north to settle in Broward. Married for 30 years, they have one beautiful daughter, Kelsey, a recent FGCU grad. After several years of hanging out with their UU friends and attending fun River of Grass events, they joined the congregation in 2008. Audrey‘s River of Grass involvement has included membership on the Religious Education, Nominating, Auction, Right Relations and ROG Café Committees. She is a Full Moon Daughter and has also enjoyed assisting the Music Team with Sunday services. Her employment in social services for the past 25 years has led to her current work with the Children’s Services Council of Broward, which she loves. She also amuses herself practicing yoga and meditation, “watercizing”, making jewelry and other artsy stuff.
Natalie Hutton-Corp, Trustee
Natalie, a native South Floridian, is a true “South Florida Girl”. She was born in Plantation, raised in Coral Springs, and is a two time graduate of Florida Atlantic University. Natalie and her partner, Jennifer, and their two sons, Lavonte and Xavier, joined the River of Grass community in 2011. A Licensed Clinical Social Worker by trade, Natalie remains committed to issues of social justice in her personal life, too. Natalie and Jenn are actively involved in the Full Moon Daughters and the entire family contributes to Social Justice work through volunteer efforts provided by our congregation. Natalie attended both SUUSI (Southeast UU Summer Institute)and SUULI (Southern UU Leadership Experience) last year, has enjoyed learning more about the greater Unitarian Universalist movement, and is excited to be able to use her talents and skills for the benefit of our River of Grass family.