The Unity of Vancouver Board of Directors nominating committee has identified and will be endorsing two nominees, Carollyne Conlinn and Brian Law, to replace outgoing board members Kerry VanDerGriend and Kathy Pomeroy. As always, during the AGM there will be a call for additional nominations from the floor.

Below are brief statements from/on the board’s nominees, for your consideration.

Carollyne Conlinn…

“Unity of Vancouver drew me like a spiritual magnet over 10 years ago where I found peace in this community of like-minded seekers. We are at a pivotal time in our history when serving on the Board is both a privilege and responsibility that I take to heart.

My most related experience includes chairing the national board of my professional association when it was being threatened with becoming irrelevant as a result of health legislation. We were able to re-invent our purpose to emerge as a vibrant organization that is still going strong 20 years later. That’s the vision I hold for Unity- re-defining our community as a beacon of faith and light in Vancouver.

I am excited to be part of this Board of Directors who definitely have “get-er-done” energy. In my work as the coach for teams of leaders in many organizations, I know that there can be some tricky moments between having a big vision and making it become reality. My training as a celebrant may come in handy as we celebrate our many milestones along the way.

On a good day, my colleagues refer to me as a visionary with my feet on the ground. What I think they mean is I know what it takes to bring dreams into reality, and am willing to go the distance to see them through. I also expect that this journey will grow my spiritual muscles like no other opportunity so far in my life, and I am humbled by the prospect.

Part of my preparation is a travel/mediation vacation in China and Tibet, which starts June 1 and ends on June 24, the day of our AGM. My plane is scheduled to land at 12:05 on Sunday, and I’m planning to come directly to the meeting from the airport. No guarantee about how coherent I’ll be, but I want to be present and will do my best to be with you. In the event that the airport gods have other plans for me, I am writing this message to be read by one of my colleagues.

Offered with deep love and gratitude, Carollyne ”

May 31, 2012

Brian Law…

Brian Law was raised in Windsor Ontario; studied Geological Technology at Sir Sandford Fleming college in Ontario. His work in the mining exploration field led him to British Columbia where he settled in 1981.In his first year in BC, through Janet Law (nee Davison) Brian was introduced to Unity Church of Vancouver and he  became a member that year. He has been happily married to Janet for 27 years, thanks largely to their commitment to the Unity principles and to each other. They have a 16 year old son, Brandon and he considers being a father his most important and fulfilling work thus far.

Brian volunteers on Sundays at Unity of Vancouver as an assistant sound engineer and has committed the past 1½ years as a volunteer with the Unity Outreach Team serving meals at a downtown Eastside shelter on the first Friday of every month. Previously, Brian was a volunteer Y.O.U. youth coordinator and has taken part in numerous retreats and rallies in the Pacific Northwest region. He has had experience as a small group facilitator in several Unity of Vancouver church programs and was one of the founding members of a Toastmasters International speakers group known as Toastmasters of Today that met weekly in our church fellowship hall.

Brian is clear that the priority of his relationships is key to living a happy and peaceful life. By putting God first and recognizing that God’s love for us is unconditional, he believes that we can transform our own lives simply by offering that same unconditional love to our significant other, our families and everyone we connect with in our daily lives. On running for the position of Board Director Brian says, “I have received many blessings through our church over the years and it is my sincere desire to help the church thrive.”

May 30, 2012