Welcome, Dana!
I am delighted to announce that Dana Buhl has agreed to accept the position as our permanent Social Justice Director!
When the final results of this year’s Annual Fund Drive were clear at the end of January, we were able to shape a permanent position at ¾ time and a fair compensation level. Financial realities did not allow a commitment to a full-time role. The position description drew heavily on work defining roles and responsibilities that the Social Justice Council completed last year. We determined that both lay and ordained persons would be welcome to apply.
As Senior Minister, this is my hire to make, but I named a Search Committee of 5 members to advise me. I included both individuals “close-in” to our justice work and individuals, like most congregants, who are supportive but not intimately involved. The members of the Search Committee are: Christine Cha, Ken Hill (who agreed to convene), Keith Iding, Helena Lee and Kathryn Scotten.
Throughout this year, Dana has served exceptionally well as our Acting Social Justice Director and she indicated her intention to apply for the permanent position.
I asked the Search Committee, after sharing the position description and the parameters of the search with them, to address first the question of whether to treat Dana as an “insider” candidate, with an up/down vote on her prior to a national search, or simply to welcome her to apply with other candidates. I promised the Committee that I would follow their recommendation.
The Committee decided to evaluate Dana’s application first, but only after having her complete all the steps that outside candidates would be required to complete. This was a kind of “both/and” approach that provided the Committee with extensive information about Dana’s background and her work in and outside the church, as well as conversations with 5 references from the church and the community.
After careful reflection, the Search Committee unanimously and enthusiastically recommended offering Dana the permanent position. Last Sunday, the Search Committee reviewed their process with the Social Justice Council and I was delighted to announce that Dana has accepted the permanent position.
Many of you know Dana and more of you will have the opportunity of working with her in the future. I do not need to review her CV with you. I do want to tell you how pleased I am with the work of the Search Committee and how pleased I am to be working with Dana into the future. Remember the success of the church-wide events on immigration, gun violence, white supremacy and environmental justice…all this year. Dana has not placed herself in the spotlight for any of those events, but her work and the spirit of partnership and collaboration she brings is infusing our justice ministry. And she makes a real contribution to our staff as we move to build greater collaboration in the service of our mission.
So, please join me in welcoming Dana as our new Social Justice Director and join me in promising to allow her leadership to help us move toward the Beloved Community.
Blessings,
Bill