The OMD Committees & Teams planning programming, trainings and conferences for our district congregations and members. Volunteers are always welcome to these committees. If you are interested in serving on an OMD Committee please contact a district staff member. If you are looking for professional organization chapters, please see their page.
Commissioned Lay Leader Committee
The purpose of the Commissioned Lay Leadership Program is to strengthen local congregations in the Ohio Meadville District by strengthening their lay leadership. To this end, selected and qualified lay individuals are given special training and mentored experiences so that they may learn to serve their own societies more effectively. Individuals who satisfactorily complete the study requirements and are approved by the Ohio Meadville District Board of Trustees upon the recommendation of the Commissioned Lay Leader Committee are entitled "Commissioned Lay Leader" (CLL). The current chair of the committee is Rev. Chris Neilson. Staff Liaison is Rev. Joan VanBecelaere, District Executive. You can contact her at cll at ohiomeadville.org. To learn more about the CLL program, visit the CLL page.
Nominating Committee
The is committee is elected by the District Assembly and charged with finding volunteers to run for open positions on the OMD Board and Nominating Committee each year. The nominating committee members for 2011-12 are: Kathie Slater, LD Moore, Kim Marfy, Beverly Rodeheffer and Gerry Blomgren. You can contact the nominating committee at nominating at ohiomeadville.org Liaision is President, Phil Reed.
Resource Development Team
The Resource Development Team of the OMD oversees the fundraising of the district. They oversee the Chalice Lighter program, recommending to the board one applicant each quarter. They also oversee the Friends of the OMD program and other grant programs as they come up. In addition, they educate congregations about the need to be fair share to the UUA Annual Program Fund and OMD District Fund and provide for congregations who meet this goal to be recognized. Committee chairs are Jack Hickok and Gerry Blomgren. You can contact them at resourcedev at ohiomeadville.org. To learn more about the programs that this team oversees, see the Chalice Lighter, Friends of the OMD and Fair Share pages. Staff Liaison is Rev. Joan VanBecelaere, District Executive.
Summer Institute Planning Committee
The Summer Institute Committee plans and runs the yearly Summer Institute in July. Current chair is Diana Van Winkle and jr chair is Alison Reed. You can contact the committee at sicommittee at ohiomeadville.org. Staff Liaison is Rev. Joan VanBecelaere, District Executive. Learn about Summer Institute at www.omdsi.org.
Winter Institute Committee
This committee plans and runs the yearly Winter Institute in February. Current chair is Jane Dirks. You can contact the committee at wicommittee at ohiomeadville.org. Staff Liaison is Beth Casebolt, District Administrator. Learn about Winter Institute at their page.
Young Adult Ministry Team
Created to evaluate young adult and campus ministry outreach in the district, the Young Adult Ministry Team is now completing that assessment and will move on to its next task. The team will be working on creating resources for congregations to help them create vibrant young adult and campus ministry programs in their areas. The chair of the team is Jolinda Stephens. You can contact the team at yaministry at ohiomeadville.org. Staff Liaison is Michelle Buhite, Youth, Young Adult and Campus Ministry Intern.
Young Adult Network (OMDUUYAN)
The Ohio-Meadville District Unitarian Universalist Young Adult Network is a group of young adults (ages 18 to 35) who create programming and support group for other young adults in the Ohio-Meadville District. The group sponsors conferences and other activities such as poetry readings and hymn sings for young adults in the district to attend. For the latest information on their calendar, visit omduuyan.ohiomeadville.org Staff Liaison is Michelle Buhite, Youth, Young Adult and Campus Ministry Intern. To find campus ministry and young adult groups in the district check our YACM page.
Youth Adult Committee
The Youth Adult Committee is made up of mostly youth and youth-friendly adults who plan and organized youth conferences for youth ages 12 to 19 in the district. Each year at least four conferences are planned - one for senior high youth, one for junior high youth, a conference focused on social justice issues and the all age spring conference. To stay on top of all of what YAC is doing, youth and advisors should join the OMD YAC Facebook Page and advisors should join the OMD YAC Sponsors Facebook group. YAC's website can be found at www.omdyac.org. YAC has three youth and three adult co-chairs. A full list of their executive committee is available at their website. Staff Liaison is Michelle Buhite, Youth, Young Adult and Campus Ministry Intern. The schedule of YAC conferences and meetings can be found here.
Committees Under Development
Leadership Development Team
The Leadership Development Team is responsible for hosting events that promote the development of lay leaders in our congregations and district. This team sponsors and organizes Leadership Day, as well as other leadership oriented conferences and workshops at District Assembly or other events. This committee is currently being re-visioned. Staff Liaison is Rev. Joan VanBecelaere, District Executive.
Lifespan Faith Development Committee
The Lifespan Faith Development Committee is responsible for assisting the district's congregations in supporting and growing their religious education programs. The committee does this by sponsoring Renaissance Modules, Our Whole Lives Teacher Trainings, the Annual Curriculum Fair, workshops on religious education topics at the District Assembly and an email discussion list for religious education leaders in our district churches. This committee is currently revisioning their mission and purpose and all LFD related trainings are being handled by OMD Staff. Staff Liaison is Karen LoBracco, OMD Lifespan Faith Development Consultant
