BOARD OF TRUSTEES CANDIDATE SLATE 2023
DAWN CARTER
Candidate for Vice President/President/Past President, Three-Year Term
I first visited The Community Church on my 50th birthday as a present to myself, and it has turned out to be an unending gift. I believe I officially became a member the following year, but in essence have been a part of the community since 2017. I grew up in a fairly conservative Southern Baptist family in Greenville, South Carolina. Similar to John Denver’s Rocky Mountain High, I was “born” in the summer of my 27th year, with a coming home to my true self and leaving all that behind. I am a single mom by choice to my 9-year old son, Dylan. I have served on the Children’s Ministry for the last couple of years and have appreciated the opportunity to become more involved as a result. I am the founding partner of a healthcare strategy consulting firm, with experience in organizational leadership, strategic planning, business planning, and financial feasibility. Most of my clients are nonprofit health systems. I work extensively with healthcare boards and executive teams, so I understand the unique roles of each. I welcome the chance to contribute to this vibrant community as a Board Member.
Candidate for Vice President/President/Past President, Three-Year Term
I first visited The Community Church on my 50th birthday as a present to myself, and it has turned out to be an unending gift. I believe I officially became a member the following year, but in essence have been a part of the community since 2017. I grew up in a fairly conservative Southern Baptist family in Greenville, South Carolina. Similar to John Denver’s Rocky Mountain High, I was “born” in the summer of my 27th year, with a coming home to my true self and leaving all that behind. I am a single mom by choice to my 9-year old son, Dylan. I have served on the Children’s Ministry for the last couple of years and have appreciated the opportunity to become more involved as a result. I am the founding partner of a healthcare strategy consulting firm, with experience in organizational leadership, strategic planning, business planning, and financial feasibility. Most of my clients are nonprofit health systems. I work extensively with healthcare boards and executive teams, so I understand the unique roles of each. I welcome the chance to contribute to this vibrant community as a Board Member.
DEBORAH DAY
Candidate for At-Large Position, Three-Year Term
I have been a Member of The Community Church and a Unitarian Universalist for more than twenty years. My husband Steve and I joined the congregation to give our children a spiritual education that emphasized tolerance, compassion, and meaning. Over the years, The Community Church has provided me a place to feel centered and connected in a way that inspires my actions in the outside world. I am an active participant in Wellspring and Outdoor Connections and have volunteered in the children’s Religious Education program and Welcoming Ministry. I have experience serving on, facilitating, and leading many different committees and boards in both a personal and professional capacity. My social work career in government and non-profit agencies focuses on supporting and empowering families to nurture children, while preventing violence and abuse. This work requires empathy to understand other people’s situations, organization to analyze data and understand the issues, and creativity to identify resources and solve challenging problems. In addition to a deep commitment to the mission of The Community Church and its members, I would bring these skills to serve on the Board of Trustees.
Candidate for At-Large Position, Three-Year Term
I have been a Member of The Community Church and a Unitarian Universalist for more than twenty years. My husband Steve and I joined the congregation to give our children a spiritual education that emphasized tolerance, compassion, and meaning. Over the years, The Community Church has provided me a place to feel centered and connected in a way that inspires my actions in the outside world. I am an active participant in Wellspring and Outdoor Connections and have volunteered in the children’s Religious Education program and Welcoming Ministry. I have experience serving on, facilitating, and leading many different committees and boards in both a personal and professional capacity. My social work career in government and non-profit agencies focuses on supporting and empowering families to nurture children, while preventing violence and abuse. This work requires empathy to understand other people’s situations, organization to analyze data and understand the issues, and creativity to identify resources and solve challenging problems. In addition to a deep commitment to the mission of The Community Church and its members, I would bring these skills to serve on the Board of Trustees.
BRITON BIEZE
Candidate for At-Large Position, Three-Year Term
I’m originally from Wisconsin (Go Packers!) and attended our UU church as a teenager. I have lived in Chapel Hill since 2011 with my husband and two sons. I’ve been a member of The Community Church since 2018. Both of my sons have participated in OWL, RE, and working as RE staff. I currently serve as a member of the Youth Ministry Team and have volunteered at various events over the years. I love to travel, hike, do yoga, and go to movies. I’m currently an interior designer and opened my own residential design company a year ago after going back to school for a degree in interior design. Before that I worked in public health for non-profit organizations that served women globally with reproductive health care. Throughout my careers I developed strong communication skills with people from many different backgrounds, solid organizational and budgeting skills, and working on teams. I have some Board experience by serving on my neighborhood HOA Board for three years. I hope to serve on the church Board because I care so much about this church and its community. I’d like to be able to contribute to the church in a larger way and hope to get to know more people over the next three years.
Candidate for At-Large Position, Three-Year Term
I’m originally from Wisconsin (Go Packers!) and attended our UU church as a teenager. I have lived in Chapel Hill since 2011 with my husband and two sons. I’ve been a member of The Community Church since 2018. Both of my sons have participated in OWL, RE, and working as RE staff. I currently serve as a member of the Youth Ministry Team and have volunteered at various events over the years. I love to travel, hike, do yoga, and go to movies. I’m currently an interior designer and opened my own residential design company a year ago after going back to school for a degree in interior design. Before that I worked in public health for non-profit organizations that served women globally with reproductive health care. Throughout my careers I developed strong communication skills with people from many different backgrounds, solid organizational and budgeting skills, and working on teams. I have some Board experience by serving on my neighborhood HOA Board for three years. I hope to serve on the church Board because I care so much about this church and its community. I’d like to be able to contribute to the church in a larger way and hope to get to know more people over the next three years.
DEEDEE LAVINDER
Candidate for a Board Vacancy, 2024
We joined The Community Church in September of 2005. Our daughter Avis was eight months old, and charlie kast was the minister. We signed the Membership Book after our second Sunday -- the process was different then! Our family expanded and now includes Rina (15) and Hogan (13). In the past 18 years, I served on several committees, including the Stewardship Committee, Maj-Britt's Committee on Ministry, the Children's Ministry, and the Membership Committee, among others. I have also been an OWL facilitator since 2009. Additionally, I organize the All-Church Picnic and help cook for large group functions when the opportunities arise.
Professionally, my path has been eclectic, and I've worked in several industries, including construction, trucking, and retail. Currently, I work as a Software Engineering Manager. My hobbies include reading, sewing, and gardening, time permitting. I am always glad to talk about book recommendations, sewing projects underway, and what is growing in my garden.
I bring a mix of skills to the Board of Trustees, including organizational strategy, creative problem-solving, and an action-oriented approach. I'm grateful for the opportunity to serve in this way.
Candidate for a Board Vacancy, 2024
We joined The Community Church in September of 2005. Our daughter Avis was eight months old, and charlie kast was the minister. We signed the Membership Book after our second Sunday -- the process was different then! Our family expanded and now includes Rina (15) and Hogan (13). In the past 18 years, I served on several committees, including the Stewardship Committee, Maj-Britt's Committee on Ministry, the Children's Ministry, and the Membership Committee, among others. I have also been an OWL facilitator since 2009. Additionally, I organize the All-Church Picnic and help cook for large group functions when the opportunities arise.
Professionally, my path has been eclectic, and I've worked in several industries, including construction, trucking, and retail. Currently, I work as a Software Engineering Manager. My hobbies include reading, sewing, and gardening, time permitting. I am always glad to talk about book recommendations, sewing projects underway, and what is growing in my garden.
I bring a mix of skills to the Board of Trustees, including organizational strategy, creative problem-solving, and an action-oriented approach. I'm grateful for the opportunity to serve in this way.