Judy Gibson
Our 2019 Unsung UURMaPAn award goes to Judy Gibson, of Knoxville, Tennessee, “in recognition of vital contributions and generous service on behalf of the community of retired UU ministers and partners.”
Following her outstanding service on the Board as Secretary, from 2014-2018, Judy has continued to carry a portfolio with a “nameless job,” which included the task of announcing member deaths by email on behalf of the Board and coordinating the flow of information and actions by UURMaPA when a member dies. Judy developed a spreadsheet to track the multiple steps involved in notifying and publishing news of deaths, making for a more even and consistent follow-through by the many volunteers involved. We could call that nameless job the “Obituary Coordinator.” She has created a job description for these tasks, which she will hand off to Cathie Severance at the end of this calendar year.
Likewise, with our Bylaws and some other documents, Judy has continued to maintain and update them after her terms of service on the UURMaPA Board. She also maintained a Succession List of our Board and Nominating Committee positions as well as other off-Board volunteer functions, so we know who has served, when, and when their terms conclude. “Better to rotate volunteer leaders than to reinvent the wheel.”
Judy has a gift for clarity, and the skills required to notice details, to follow through, and to see what needs to be done. These talents have streamlined our operations, helping us to be better at giving our attention to each other.
Partnered with Gordon Gibson, Judy has a partner’s deep understanding of ministry and Unitarian Universalism.
In the old theological debate whether salvation is reached by works or by grace, Judy clearly has nailed it in the works department. She is a doer. And we so appreciate that in our voluntary association. Yet it is her grace that is salvific — Judy’s warmth, good humor, curiosity, brilliance, generosity, and graciousness to everyone that make such a difference to all of us who have the pleasure of knowing her.
And so we honor and thank Judy Gibson for her service among us as a leader, volunteer, and partner. As a token of our esteem, we present with this citation, a check for $500.
Congratulations and Thanks!