Sabbatical Communication

As many of you have heard, our indefatigable Director of Operations and Finance, Christina Fulton, is going on sabbatical for three months this fall.  Because Christina plays such a central role in our Society’s operations, a Sabbatical Planning Team, consisting of Brian Haas, Alana Shaw, Tracy Titchner, and Eileen Blackwood, has been working with Christina and Rev. Karen to prepare for her absence.  Here are some answers to some frequently asked questions:

FAQs:

When is Christina’s sabbatical?  Christina’s sabbatical begins on Sept. 20, 2024 (after the Board’s Sept. 17 meeting), and she will return to work on January 2, 2025. 

Why is she having a sabbatical now?  Our personnel policies provide that beginning after six years of service, full-time director-level positions are eligible for one month of sabbatical leave for each year of service up to a maximum of six months. Christina’s last sabbatical was seven years ago and was only for two months, so it is high time she gets to take her promised time off.

Who will be handling the Society’s finances in her absence?  In addition to Rev. Karen and our Bookkeeper, Anne, our existing Finance Team, which consists of Brian Haas (our Society Treasurer), Tom Porter, Tom Hyde, and Phil Brentwood,  will continue reviewing and overseeing the Society’s financial situation.  Specific tasks that Christina normally handles have been distributed to different individuals. Everyone has been trained and is ready to go! 

Who will be handling Christina’s management duties?  Christina directly supervises four employees, and Rev. Karen will take over those management duties while Christina is out. 

What if I have a question about Realm or Community Messenger?  Contact our Program Administrator, Töve Johnson at [email protected] .  

What if I want to schedule use of a space at the Meetinghouse?  If you need to schedule space or a zoom call, please use the forms on our website: www.uusociety.org under the Members section click on Forms.  Or you may speak directly with our Events Coordinator, Erin Barbot, at [email protected].    

Can I contact Christina during her sabbatical?  Please do not contact Christina during her sabbatical, as this is her time to have a break from work. If you see her at an event or the grocery store, please say hi, but do not talk about Society business with her.  Rev. Karen will contact Christina if there is something particularly urgent that Christina should know.  

Is Christina’s husband Woody working during her sabbatical?  As many of you know, Woody is a very active volunteer for our Society and is involved in many activities.  To allow Christina to fully disengage, Woody will also be taking a break from Society business.  He will, however, continue to be in the choir.  Liam Hart and Michael Wright will be handling technological matters for services and other activities.  

What if I have other questions?  Tove can probably answer, or refer you to someone who can answer, questions about administrative matters.  You can also contact the Sabbatical Planning Team by emailing [email protected] and one of us will help to connect you with the right person to assist you.