Don Blanchard was born in VA and moved to NC at age 2, where he lived until he moved to Fort Myers with Susan in 2005. After college and the Army (Vietnam Vet) he spent most of his career owning two businesses: first insurance and then an assisted living facility. He "retired" to the dawn-to-dusk life of farming where he raised organic vegetables and chickens and was a regular volunteer with Habitat for Humanity. Here he volunteers with the Soup Kitchen and is presently involved as co-chair (with Susan) of our UUCFM Services Auction. He has been a UU since the 1970s.

 

Vice President of Ministerial Services - Patricia Vivier-Naidl

I was born in Brooklyn, New York and spent many years as an educator teaching from grades one through Graduate school. As a Herbert H. Lehman Fellow in International Studies, I had the opportunity to live in Africa where I founded an Elementary School in Selebi Pikwe, Botswana and served as a District Social Welfare Officer for the Rhodesian Government.After returning to America I taught Sociology and Human Development at Silver Lake College in Manitowoc, Wisconsin until my retirement . I've had the sorrow of being widowed twice but the great joy of having a biological son, Patrick, an adopted son and daughter-Andrew and Margaret, and a stepson and stepdaughter, Johnny and Catherine. Now in retirement, I enjoy reading, learning, music, singing, art, organic gardening and golf. I also very much enjoy being a Reiki Master practitioner. At this point in my life, I am very joyful and grateful to be able to call myself a Unitarian Universalist!

Vice President of Programming  - Jan Beemer

Vice President of Operations - Barbara Mannix

Barbara Mannix joined UUCFM in the spring of 1998.  By that fall she was organizing work parties and by spring of 2000 she was on the Board of Trustees serving as a Trustee.   When the  VP of Administration & Planning resigned, she stepped into that position.  As a member of the Finance Council, she worked on 3 pledge drives and also served as Treasurer and then V P of Finance.  She has chaired the rummage sale every year but one since 2002.  Barbara was a partner in a large custom cabinet shop in Michigan and functioned as the Business Manager.  She is the mother of 3 sons.  Her 5 sisters and brothers and various relatives live here in Ft. Myers.  Barbara started painting two and a half years ago and this year has joined the choir to learn how to sing.  Barbara has been a UU since 1995 and many of our members have heard her say " no matter how good I feel when I get here, I always feel better when I leave."   Being a UU is important to her and so are the friendships formed while working and playing with other members.

Member At Large - Barb Boynton

Barbara and her husband Dick have been members of UUCFM since 1985. One of their Florida move priorities was to locate near an active Unitarian Universalist Church. Since joining this religious home Barbara has served as  a Board Trustee,  Co Chair of Membership, Caring and Sharing committee, Wholly Wednesday, Mystery Friends organizer and Volunteer Coordinator. Currently she is a Worship Associate, on the Membership Committee  and a  participant in Connection Circles and Women’s potluck.

A Masters degree in Early Childhood gave Barb the opportunity to teach Kindergarten and to direct a non profit Preschool. Shortly after moving to Florida she taught “Childhood Development Credential Certification” at then Edison Community College

President Elect - Don Ehat