Nominating Committee
Report to FCUCC Board
January 7, 2024
In October 2023, the Nominating Committee was convened by Chris Cain, Moderator, on behalf of the Board, to provide instruction for the work of this committee. The Nominating Committee, consisting of Spence Duin, Eric Lyons, Deb Morris, and Beaver Wyatt, was assigned the task of finding candidates for election to the Board for two three-year (2024-2026) terms.
Two Board positions expiring at the end of 2023 were held by Maggie Thomas and Chris Nealis, who completed a one-year interim term following the passing of Richard Jones (Oct. 2022). Chris was eligible for a second term but declined nomination.
Based on input from the congregation, it was desired the Committee provide a slate of nominees from which the congregation would elect two Board members. This year’s election will take place at the January 21, 2024 Annual Meeting. Nominations may still be made from the floor, provided permission has been received from the person being nominated and their biographical statement prepared.
Since October, the Committee solicited nominations from the congregation. The Committee reviewed the membership roll, considered nominating guidelines, including congregational diversity, and determined present skills needed on the Board. The Board “Covenants” were shared with all candidates for their review and acceptance as part of their nomination.
By December 15th, three qualified candidates were identified and accepted nomination. Since no further nominations were made by the congregation, the Committee recommended the following nominees with their biographical statements:
Two Board positions expiring at the end of 2023 were held by Maggie Thomas and Chris Nealis, who completed a one-year interim term following the passing of Richard Jones (Oct. 2022). Chris was eligible for a second term but declined nomination.
Based on input from the congregation, it was desired the Committee provide a slate of nominees from which the congregation would elect two Board members. This year’s election will take place at the January 21, 2024 Annual Meeting. Nominations may still be made from the floor, provided permission has been received from the person being nominated and their biographical statement prepared.
Since October, the Committee solicited nominations from the congregation. The Committee reviewed the membership roll, considered nominating guidelines, including congregational diversity, and determined present skills needed on the Board. The Board “Covenants” were shared with all candidates for their review and acceptance as part of their nomination.
By December 15th, three qualified candidates were identified and accepted nomination. Since no further nominations were made by the congregation, the Committee recommended the following nominees with their biographical statements:
3-Year Term (2024-2026)
Eric Barbour
I was raised in Bristol, TN and was a long-time member of the Baptist Church. I first came to Asheville in 1991 as an Electrical Engineer with BASF Corporation in Enka after graduating from NC State University. I’m in my 32nd year with BASF and currently working as an Energy Efficiency Specialist. I first joined FCUCC circa 2005 but moved away in 2007 when BASF shut down its Enka Operations. I moved back to Asheville in October 2022 and have been attending FCUCC since.
I have one daughter, Riley, who is an active 7th grader at Franklin School of Innovation. My hobbies include reading (particularly military history), gardening, walking, and maintaining the family farm in Moore County. I am an environmentalist at heart and believe community service is important. I volunteer at local recycling and litter clean-up events and support local farmers’ markets as well as FCUCC Laundry Love. In my previous time in Asheville, I served on the Bele Chere Board of Directors for many years and was an active member of the Asheville Downtown Association. My work in energy efficiency supports sustainable living since reducing our energy consumption helps to reduce our footprint on the environment.
Previously, I have served as the Treasurer for the United Church in Tallahassee, FL and on the Board of Trustees for First Congregational Church in Houston, TX. I want to become a Board member because I’m interested in volunteering as the church Treasurer, and this is a Board position.
I have one daughter, Riley, who is an active 7th grader at Franklin School of Innovation. My hobbies include reading (particularly military history), gardening, walking, and maintaining the family farm in Moore County. I am an environmentalist at heart and believe community service is important. I volunteer at local recycling and litter clean-up events and support local farmers’ markets as well as FCUCC Laundry Love. In my previous time in Asheville, I served on the Bele Chere Board of Directors for many years and was an active member of the Asheville Downtown Association. My work in energy efficiency supports sustainable living since reducing our energy consumption helps to reduce our footprint on the environment.
Previously, I have served as the Treasurer for the United Church in Tallahassee, FL and on the Board of Trustees for First Congregational Church in Houston, TX. I want to become a Board member because I’m interested in volunteering as the church Treasurer, and this is a Board position.
Mark Palinski
I am a native of Ohio where I discovered my passion for helping others on the shores of Lake Erie during my formative years. Residing in western North Carolina for the past three years, I work as a program director at a local non-profit that supports people who struggle with substance use and/or mental health issues. Additionally, I serve as a Peer Support Specialist, leveraging my invaluable lived experiences to assist others on their personal journeys of wellness through Harm Reduction education. I support other peer support specialists in their daily supervision of staff.
As a devoted father to my three sons, ages 11, 12, and 15, I find joy in family and understand the importance of fostering support, compassion, resiliency, and faith in my children. My interests beyond my professional life include reveling in the beauty of the outdoors, embracing a commitment to fitness, and finding solace at the beach. I consider myself a staunch advocate for destigmatizing mental health and substance use issues. I dedicate myself to promoting awareness and understanding in the community. I have been an active member of the UCC for the past decade, where I have built meaningful relationships and experienced genuine care and compassion from fellow members.
At First Congregational, I recently enjoyed the opportunity to be involved in church conversations around the Land Acknowledgement statement. Topics involving the marginalization of people are important to me, and I appreciate the church’s attention to social justice. For the foreseeable future, I look forward to serving First Congregational, where I can use my leadership and organizational skills to help meet the needs of the church. I like my life to reflect a commitment to fostering connection, promoting well-being, and advocating for those who may be marginalized.
As a devoted father to my three sons, ages 11, 12, and 15, I find joy in family and understand the importance of fostering support, compassion, resiliency, and faith in my children. My interests beyond my professional life include reveling in the beauty of the outdoors, embracing a commitment to fitness, and finding solace at the beach. I consider myself a staunch advocate for destigmatizing mental health and substance use issues. I dedicate myself to promoting awareness and understanding in the community. I have been an active member of the UCC for the past decade, where I have built meaningful relationships and experienced genuine care and compassion from fellow members.
At First Congregational, I recently enjoyed the opportunity to be involved in church conversations around the Land Acknowledgement statement. Topics involving the marginalization of people are important to me, and I appreciate the church’s attention to social justice. For the foreseeable future, I look forward to serving First Congregational, where I can use my leadership and organizational skills to help meet the needs of the church. I like my life to reflect a commitment to fostering connection, promoting well-being, and advocating for those who may be marginalized.
Cara Pollard
I'm Cara Pollard and I have been a member of First Congregational UCC since 2006. I have served as a member of the choir, the clerk of the Board, a deacon, been a member of 2 Transition Teams, been a liturgist and Joyful Voices reader, served communion, led Children's Time and even taught children's church.
My roots are not in the United Church of Christ. I grew up in a moderate Southern Baptist church in Louisville, Kentucky. My summers were spent at Camp Crestridge, in Ridgecrest, where I fell in love with these mountains. After I graduated from Samford University, a Baptist school in Birmingham, I moved to Asheville in 1995.
My days during the school year are spent in my 2nd grade classroom at Emma Elementary. This is my 27th year of teaching 1st, 2nd, or 3rd grade. I also served as a Curriculum Coach for a few years. I completed my Masters in Education in 2014 at Mars Hill University. I am a world traveler, photographer, singer, and Avett Brothers fan.
My roots are not in the United Church of Christ. I grew up in a moderate Southern Baptist church in Louisville, Kentucky. My summers were spent at Camp Crestridge, in Ridgecrest, where I fell in love with these mountains. After I graduated from Samford University, a Baptist school in Birmingham, I moved to Asheville in 1995.
My days during the school year are spent in my 2nd grade classroom at Emma Elementary. This is my 27th year of teaching 1st, 2nd, or 3rd grade. I also served as a Curriculum Coach for a few years. I completed my Masters in Education in 2014 at Mars Hill University. I am a world traveler, photographer, singer, and Avett Brothers fan.