The promise we recognized in Shari when we chose her as the Lavan Scholar was realized over and over again during her time with us. From her exceptional work with her internship congregation, to her initiative in starting a white allies group for our students, to her current effort to pilot a new spiritual program at Meadville, Shari has proven to be a natural leader. She listens deeply, thinks big, and has the ability to see the work all the way through: drawing people into a vision, gauging an appropriate pace, developing people and programs, motivating volunteers and donors, dancing nimbly with the inevitable organizational dynamics, and helping a group joyfully do more than it knew it could do.
~ Lee Barker, President and Professor of Ministry, Meadville Lombard Theological School
Leadership
As a leader, I partner with those I'm working with to develop a vision that reflects the identity and aspirations of the group, build a team to carry out that vision, and then inspire, support, and participate with all involved to bring the vision to life.
You can read a newspaper guest editorial I co-wrote about one collaborative community project, the Playscape, by clicking here. This photo is from the splash pad at this accessible playground.
|
My previous career as a non-profit executive has proven to be excellent preparation for leadership in ministry. Skills that have carried over include project development, facilitation, strategic planning, staff management, working with volunteers, operating within various governance models, budgeting, fundraising, serving as a spokesperson to the media, and developing community relationships.
I felt especially blessed to bring this skill set into ministry, since these are the kinds of things most ministers have to learn the hard way in the parish. Clergy often quip, "they don't teach you that in seminary!" Fortunately I had already honed many of these skills on-the-ground before beginning my first settlement. (I make no promises about plumbing, though... just sayin'.) |
Shari came to us from an earlier career in non-profit executive directorship, and it shows. She has a sense of the big picture and how the minister, the Board of Trustees, committees, and ministry teams of the congregation can be integrated to create a harmonious and successful community capable of achieving its goals. As a preacher, teacher, and group facilitator, she knows how to ask for volunteers in ways that make people eager to help… In particular, a congregation . . . will be delighted to find that Shari knows how to inspire a group and raise funds far better than average. ~ Intern Team, UU Congregation of Columbus, Indiana
I spent over a decade leading community foundations - organizations that exist to raise money for a community and steward it wisely - as well as doing fund development for several other non-profits. So stewardship is second nature to me. I have extensive experience in annual giving (the bread and butter of most non-profits); grants, from both the giving and receiving sides; and planned giving and endowments. I am no stranger to events and have some exposure to capital projects. While fundraising is not what pulled me into ministry, I understand how to support and participate in this vital aspect of our shared work. I do my part with skill and joy.
|
As community foundation CEO, presenting to a group of community agencies on a matching program for building their endowments. |
|
Working with a variety of organizations has also taught me that I am adaptable. I have fit into different cultures, from a feisty land trust, to network-driven community foundations, to a reclusive meditation center. What most of these organizations had in common was that they were small shops. The non-profits I served as an executive typically had 5 employees, a board, a bunch of committees and many more volunteers. It was my role to connect all these parts together and help them function smoothly to carry out the mission -- much like a minister does.
|
Our 110-member Congregation is about as different as it can be from the 500-member Congregation Shari is used to... she adapted to our different dynamics, more conservative community, and scarcer resources extremely well. . . and in my view, has a genuine gift for Parish leadership… I truly believe she can go about as far in this calling as she really wants to. ~ Rev. Dennis McCarty, Minister Emeritus, UU Congregation of Columbus, Indiana |
I feel blessed to partner with the congregation I serve, as we do the work that love calls us to do in our corner of the world.
|
I enjoy building relationships with others in the community, including forging interfaith ties. It was an honor to be invited by Mayor Kruzan to join a delegation from the City of Bloomington that met privately with the 14th Dalai Lama. This was at the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center during one of his visits to Bloomington in 2007. |