Board Meetings
The River of Grass Board will be meeting on the 4th Wednesday at 6:30 pm every month.
Our meetings are open to members and friends. If you would like to attend our meeting as a visitor, contact Kathy Jens-Rochow at president@riverofgrassuu.org.
Our meetings are open to members and friends. If you would like to attend our meeting as a visitor, contact Kathy Jens-Rochow at president@riverofgrassuu.org.
River of Grass Board of Trustees
2023-2024
Kathy Jens-Rochow, President
Kathy has been a UU for over 25 years. She first discovered UU as a teenager, when her mother joined the Unitarian church in Hobart, IN. When she returned to the faith as an adult and parent, she realized that Unitarian Universalism was the way she thought the world should be. She was happy to find a religious home where she didn’t have to recite things she didn’t believe in in order to belong.
After moving to Florida, she joined the UU Church of Ft. Lauderdale (where she met and married her husband, Steve) and then ultimately moved to the River, finding not just a religious home, but an extended family of caring people who actively live the covenant of our faith.
Kathy has served in many roles at the River, as Treasurer, Worship Chair, Membership Co-chair, Annual Prosperity Drive/Capital Campaign Co-chair, member of SSJGT (Service and Social Justice Green Team) and the Welcoming Congregation Renewal Team. She has been a member of the Capital Foundation Board. She also participates in the choir, bUUkies and a covenant group. Oh, and she is also active in our SE Florida UU Cluster.
Kathy and Steve have been members of River of Grass over 17 years. She has two adult children and 5 grandchildren and a great-grandchild on the way. Kathy has been retired for 6 years. Before retiring she was a Family Mediator at the Broward County Courthouse. She has a Bachelor’s in Psychology and Master’s in Conflict Analysis and Resolution, both from Nova Southeastern.
Contact Kathy at: president@riverofgrassuu.org.
Kathy has been a UU for over 25 years. She first discovered UU as a teenager, when her mother joined the Unitarian church in Hobart, IN. When she returned to the faith as an adult and parent, she realized that Unitarian Universalism was the way she thought the world should be. She was happy to find a religious home where she didn’t have to recite things she didn’t believe in in order to belong.
After moving to Florida, she joined the UU Church of Ft. Lauderdale (where she met and married her husband, Steve) and then ultimately moved to the River, finding not just a religious home, but an extended family of caring people who actively live the covenant of our faith.
Kathy has served in many roles at the River, as Treasurer, Worship Chair, Membership Co-chair, Annual Prosperity Drive/Capital Campaign Co-chair, member of SSJGT (Service and Social Justice Green Team) and the Welcoming Congregation Renewal Team. She has been a member of the Capital Foundation Board. She also participates in the choir, bUUkies and a covenant group. Oh, and she is also active in our SE Florida UU Cluster.
Kathy and Steve have been members of River of Grass over 17 years. She has two adult children and 5 grandchildren and a great-grandchild on the way. Kathy has been retired for 6 years. Before retiring she was a Family Mediator at the Broward County Courthouse. She has a Bachelor’s in Psychology and Master’s in Conflict Analysis and Resolution, both from Nova Southeastern.
Contact Kathy at: president@riverofgrassuu.org.
Maureen Lundell, Vice President
The search for a liberal, progressive church with great children's religious education led Maureen to River of Grass 17 years ago. Maureen, her husband, Brit and their four children have enjoyed many, many great classes, events and services at River of Grass - both in real life and online at this point.
Maureen has co-chaired Membership, Caring and Worship Committees and has volunteered on Facilities, Capital Campaign, Auction, New Home Team, Annual Budget Drive, Reflections newsletter, internal financial review, and anything related to a/v, decorating or food preparation.
A Registered Dietitian, Maureen has worked in food service and clinical dietetics for hospitals and long term care facilities, as well as for the Broward School District in the Health Education Department. As a UU, Maureen believes that River of Grass provides nourishment for minds and souls with all that the congregation offers.
Contact Maureen at vicepresident@riverofgrassuu.org.
The search for a liberal, progressive church with great children's religious education led Maureen to River of Grass 17 years ago. Maureen, her husband, Brit and their four children have enjoyed many, many great classes, events and services at River of Grass - both in real life and online at this point.
Maureen has co-chaired Membership, Caring and Worship Committees and has volunteered on Facilities, Capital Campaign, Auction, New Home Team, Annual Budget Drive, Reflections newsletter, internal financial review, and anything related to a/v, decorating or food preparation.
A Registered Dietitian, Maureen has worked in food service and clinical dietetics for hospitals and long term care facilities, as well as for the Broward School District in the Health Education Department. As a UU, Maureen believes that River of Grass provides nourishment for minds and souls with all that the congregation offers.
Contact Maureen at vicepresident@riverofgrassuu.org.
Ahysa Boutron, Treasurer
Ahysa Boutron, our dedicated Treasurer, brings a wealth of experience and passion to our congregation. With a Master's degree in Education from Nova Southeastern University, Ahysa is deeply committed to education and community.
Her journey in education has been diverse, from serving as the Clinical Experiences Coordinator at the Fischler School of Education to owning and operating an Engineering For Kids franchise, where she nurtured a love for STEM subjects in young minds. In 2017, Ahysa founded Alta Career Academy, showcasing her leadership and commitment to empowering future generations.
Within our congregation, Ahysa has shared her talents as a Faith Development teacher and usher. Her role as Treasurer reflects her attention to detail and responsible financial stewardship.
Contact Ahysa at treasurer@riverofgrassuu.org.
Ahysa Boutron, our dedicated Treasurer, brings a wealth of experience and passion to our congregation. With a Master's degree in Education from Nova Southeastern University, Ahysa is deeply committed to education and community.
Her journey in education has been diverse, from serving as the Clinical Experiences Coordinator at the Fischler School of Education to owning and operating an Engineering For Kids franchise, where she nurtured a love for STEM subjects in young minds. In 2017, Ahysa founded Alta Career Academy, showcasing her leadership and commitment to empowering future generations.
Within our congregation, Ahysa has shared her talents as a Faith Development teacher and usher. Her role as Treasurer reflects her attention to detail and responsible financial stewardship.
Contact Ahysa at treasurer@riverofgrassuu.org.
Bev Kaufman, Trustee
"Over half century ago, my mind threw off the shackles of the fundamentalist religion I was born into, and the rest of me followed as soon as I could move out of my father's home. Twenty years ago, the planes flew into the towers and I was shocked into the realization that I still needed something.
"So I put on a dress--which was what church always expected of me--and walked into the River of Grass U.U. Congregation. At the last minute, I pulled back. "I don't belong here," I said, and how could I when I didn't even know if God exists? But someone answered, "Of course you do," and she turned out to be right. River of Grass and our Unitarian Universalist following is a place where they don't care what you believe but how you behave. We have principals, not creeds.
"Besides being a dedicated UU, I am a writer, with two published books under my belt, an avid cyclist, and the neighborhood cat lady. I am semi-retired, working from home part-time for my old boss, as well as doing free-lance editing and script-writing. I also do voter registration three or four times a month. And now I'm on the Board of Trustees. I keep busy.
"Since I no longer need to drive to work, I've been able to reduce my carbon footprint by living without a car. My tricycle is my station wagon, my bicycle is my sports coupe, and of course, there's always the bus. It's occasionally inconvenient, but mostly a good way to live."
Contact: board@riverofgrassuu.org
"Over half century ago, my mind threw off the shackles of the fundamentalist religion I was born into, and the rest of me followed as soon as I could move out of my father's home. Twenty years ago, the planes flew into the towers and I was shocked into the realization that I still needed something.
"So I put on a dress--which was what church always expected of me--and walked into the River of Grass U.U. Congregation. At the last minute, I pulled back. "I don't belong here," I said, and how could I when I didn't even know if God exists? But someone answered, "Of course you do," and she turned out to be right. River of Grass and our Unitarian Universalist following is a place where they don't care what you believe but how you behave. We have principals, not creeds.
"Besides being a dedicated UU, I am a writer, with two published books under my belt, an avid cyclist, and the neighborhood cat lady. I am semi-retired, working from home part-time for my old boss, as well as doing free-lance editing and script-writing. I also do voter registration three or four times a month. And now I'm on the Board of Trustees. I keep busy.
"Since I no longer need to drive to work, I've been able to reduce my carbon footprint by living without a car. My tricycle is my station wagon, my bicycle is my sports coupe, and of course, there's always the bus. It's occasionally inconvenient, but mostly a good way to live."
Contact: board@riverofgrassuu.org
Geri Mikulski, Trustee
Geri Mikulski is a white-skinned, increasingly gray haired, cis-gender woman, pronouns she/her/hers, who has been a UU for over 30 years. She was delighted to be asked a question at the end of her first thought provoking UU service, led by Rev. Kit Howell (may he rest in peace), instead of being told the answer, as she had expected from her Catholic childhood. Since that first question, the UU community has enabled her to ask better and better questions, and provided a supportive community where we seek answers together! She found a religious community for her four children, who all attended OWL, and were eventually sent forth to be adults asking good questions. Now retired from both her brief career as a mechanical engineer, and her longer career as a high school math teacher, she has more time to learn at the River of Grass UU Congregation than ever before!
Geri has been on the Worship Committee, the Religious Education Committee, and the Hospitality team, and taught many children’s faith development classes. Her favorite services are the 3rd Sunday Intergenerational services, where we all get up out of our chairs! She is currently chair of Hospitality, so see her if you would like to contribute to our social time after service, when we are meeting in person. She brings a current interest in mental health peer support groups, and appreciation for all the support of this beloved community.
Contact: board@riverofgrassuu.org
Geri Mikulski is a white-skinned, increasingly gray haired, cis-gender woman, pronouns she/her/hers, who has been a UU for over 30 years. She was delighted to be asked a question at the end of her first thought provoking UU service, led by Rev. Kit Howell (may he rest in peace), instead of being told the answer, as she had expected from her Catholic childhood. Since that first question, the UU community has enabled her to ask better and better questions, and provided a supportive community where we seek answers together! She found a religious community for her four children, who all attended OWL, and were eventually sent forth to be adults asking good questions. Now retired from both her brief career as a mechanical engineer, and her longer career as a high school math teacher, she has more time to learn at the River of Grass UU Congregation than ever before!
Geri has been on the Worship Committee, the Religious Education Committee, and the Hospitality team, and taught many children’s faith development classes. Her favorite services are the 3rd Sunday Intergenerational services, where we all get up out of our chairs! She is currently chair of Hospitality, so see her if you would like to contribute to our social time after service, when we are meeting in person. She brings a current interest in mental health peer support groups, and appreciation for all the support of this beloved community.
Contact: board@riverofgrassuu.org
Kechi Mourer, Trustee
When Kechi Mourer was 17 years old, she found “A Course in Miracles” and that would set off a journey toward spiritual growth that continues today. She believes that we do not find “a faith”, rather we grow in faith and today she is growing and flowing with the River.
Though deeply spiritual, Kechi never felt “at home” with a church community. She learned about many faiths, and attended various churches, but did not feel the sense of radical acceptance that she was looking for until she found River of Grass. Kechi feels a deep and abiding connection to the River of Grass community. She found a home with eclectic members who embraced the interconnectedness of all people. She feels blessed to be a part of a community that puts into action a radical and unconditional acceptance of all people, regardless of faith, race, color, class, or orientation.
She lives with her two teenage children, Zach and Isabella, and her dog, Romeo in Davie Florida. Kechi is a college professor and the Director of Online Learning for a local College. She enjoys intellectual pursuits, writing, physical fitness, and spiritual growth.
Contact: board@riverofgrassuu.org
When Kechi Mourer was 17 years old, she found “A Course in Miracles” and that would set off a journey toward spiritual growth that continues today. She believes that we do not find “a faith”, rather we grow in faith and today she is growing and flowing with the River.
Though deeply spiritual, Kechi never felt “at home” with a church community. She learned about many faiths, and attended various churches, but did not feel the sense of radical acceptance that she was looking for until she found River of Grass. Kechi feels a deep and abiding connection to the River of Grass community. She found a home with eclectic members who embraced the interconnectedness of all people. She feels blessed to be a part of a community that puts into action a radical and unconditional acceptance of all people, regardless of faith, race, color, class, or orientation.
She lives with her two teenage children, Zach and Isabella, and her dog, Romeo in Davie Florida. Kechi is a college professor and the Director of Online Learning for a local College. She enjoys intellectual pursuits, writing, physical fitness, and spiritual growth.
Contact: board@riverofgrassuu.org