The VUU Board of Trustees is made up of seven members from the congregation. Each are elected for a two year term, with a maximum of six consecutive years.
Using a policy based governance model, the Board sets the overall vision for VUU, provides leadership in ensuring that VUU fulfills its mission, acting as responsible stewards of our resources. The Board facilitates progress toward our vision and mission through constant communication with our staff, committees, and the congregation.
Board of Trustees Members
2026 – 2027
Nancy Egly, Board Member
One of my major concerns for VUU is that we have to pay our expenses while weathering challenges created by wide-ranging ages and interests among us—not to mention a pandemic that fundamentally changed VUU, its people, and yes, even me. Those of us who are elders, need to mentor the youth, younger generations, and up-and-coming new leaders who are finding VUU attractive. We need to accept change, honor new energy, and explore new ways of doing and being. Newer participants need to honor VUU traditions, and long-timers need to acknowledge that some traditions no longer fit. When long-held VUU customs rub against current VUU needs, it is important that everyone work together to foster new traditions and the growth and change they can bring. Otherwise entropy will prevail and VUU will lose relevance and shrink! I refuse to watch.
A transplanted Iowan in AZ since1995, I joined VUU about ten years later. I have been thankful for my Ph.D. and regretful of it while in Arizona, where my areas of interest: Educational Research, Adult Ed/Training & Development seem under-appreciated. I found my niches in organizational development (of churches as some attempted to make themselves more relevant in the late 20th century), research, and computers. My career has also encompassed experience with the YWCA, community colleges, political polling, educational accreditation, and thirteen years at GoDaddy. Now retired, Most of the time, I enjoy helping VUU work! Sometimes, our differences and challenges are a lot to handle. Thanks to the congregation for the opportunity to serve VUU. In addition to “doing” VUU, I serve on an HOA board where I have spent four + years as president and soon twice that as vice president. It is much easier to do anyone’s board activity, even two boards, while retired than when gainfully employed!
David Sheh, Board Member
I have been a UU for 26 years and a member of VUU for 23 years. I have served as Personnel chair, head usher, and a total of 6 years on the Board: 3 as president, 1 as secretary. I have participated in 10 Stewardship drives (including the last Capital Campaign drive). I was elected 2 terms (4 years) on the
Leadership Development Committee (2014 – 18) and again in 2023. And I served 3 terms as Pacific Southwest District (PSWD) Secretary. I joined Finance in 2008 and was chosen Finance Chair in 2016, a position that I currently hold. I enjoy all the VUU activities I can attend, which is more limited these days as I spend time in our cabin in Pine. I have been exceptionally fortunate to be part of this VUU community that has given me an opportunity to learn, grow, and to be relevant in the larger world. The day job was software engineer, from which I retired in September of 2022.
I am asking for the honor of serving on the Board again because I believe my experience and history with the congregation can be helpful. My intentions if elected will be to restore a balanced budget, look for what can be done to renew attendance and pledging, and maintain democracy and independence that are at the heart of congregational polity.
As always, there are plenty of challenges to embrace. I will do whatever I can to continue supporting the mission of VUU.
Lisa Bonine, Board Member
Hello! I have been a member of VUU since August 2017. My family found Unitarian Universalism after we moved from Minnesota to Texas in 2001. We were drawn to the UU congregation because of the faith formation program. We were excited to give our children a view of many different faiths. When we moved to AZ we looked for a Unitarian Universalist congregation knowing it was a safe place for a family that didn’t consider themselves as relating to any main stream religion.
I loved being a mentor for the Our Whole Lives program and have facilitated two classes for Adult Faith Formation. I have led and facilitated Earth based services and rituals both in the Sanctuary during regular services and in the evenings for Solstice Celebrations. I have been a member of Voices Lifted and the One Hour Choir. I am honored to be an active participant on the Lay Pastoral Care team.
I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Speech Communication with an emphasis on Leadership and a Master’s Degree in Special Education. I have just retired from a 25 year career as a special education teacher. My teaching experiences have been in public schools, public charter schools and in private day treatment programs. Each new school provided a new experience and allowed me to learn as well as to teach. The last six years of my career I was the Special Education Team Lead and had the privilege of working with staff, both general education and special education, to assure students, families and staff were receiving the support they needed for a positive academic experience.
I have actively participated in the Spirituality of Conflict program and the recent TCC program to address some of the difficulties being faced by our beloved music program. These programs have been challenging and exciting as well as being a wonderful extension to my earlier training in Win/Win Negotiation. Participating in these programs has helped me to develop tools that assist with being able to really listen to others as well as to look at and solve problems in a way that supports relationships and connection. I am excited to serve VUU as a member of the Board. It is my hope to assist VUU by helping to develop structures that will support communication and care for all congregants and staff as we move forward together.
Brian Porter, Board Member
I first attended VUU while in town for a business trip in 2003. My wife Tina and I began attending after moving back here in October 2023. We both signed the Membership book April 6, 2025. I have been a Unitarian Universalist for over 28 years. In 1996, Tina and I moved to Indiana, my home state. We wanted a place where our values, and three children, would find a community where we could practice our beliefs in a community that shared our values.
I served as the Board of Trustee President, as well as several other committees, at our small congregation in Indiana, First Unitarian Church of Hobart, which celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2024. After moving back to Arizona, we were very excited to find VUU, as our next Unitarian Universalist home. Unitarian Universalism has helped me grow as a human being as a place for transforming hearts, nurturing our mind, and opening our spirits. Since joining VUU, I have become active in the Stewardship Committee, devoting time to last year’s Annual Campaign but also working with others to create a culture of generosity that lasts beyond an individual pledge drive. After this year’s pledge drive, I also joined the Finance Committee. I was a very active participant in seven UUA General Assemblies between 2006 – 2018. I truly enjoy working with fellow UUs to build community, work for social justice and continuing on this fantastic journey called life as Unitarian Universalist.