Meet the Candidates!
The UnityCR Nominating Team is excited to place the following names in nomination for the Board of Trustees at the Annual Meeting. Please read all about them, ask them questions, and share with them your dreams for UCR.
Meet the 2023 Board Candidates
Candidate for 2 year term:
Paula Land
Candidates for 3 year terms (we’ll elect two):
Kevin Krumvieda
Karen Kurt
Pam Richardson
Board Nominating Team
- Jim Greene, chair
- Lynda Black-Smith, Board Representative
- Laura Meade, member
- Rev. Debra Carter Williams, minister
Paula Land
Nominee for 2-year Term
Serving on the UCR board is my way of supporting and giving back to the spiritual community that has given me so much. I enjoy being able to give of my gifts as it allows me to express my highest Christ consciousness. As a dedicated thirty-three year member of Unity Center of Cedar Rapids, I have served on the UCR Board for 9 years. My first two terms from 2010-2015, I served as President for two years and Treasurer for two years, currently on the board since 2020, serving as board president.
In addition to my experience, I believe I am approachable and available to congregants. Having established a strong relationship of trust with the Minister and the board, I look forward to continuing and strengthening these relationships. From my professional experience I understand organizational structures, culture, and best practices. I enjoy developing and
implementing new systems and processes. I strive to have integrity, be intentional and always act in the best interest of the organization I am serving.
My intention for service on the UCR board is to help guide us through the growth and development of our spiritual community in the new “post” pandemic reality. Unity Worldwide Ministries is calling on Unity ministries to adopt a future vision for the Unity Movement which invites us to establish our unique ministry focus and identity. Unity Center of Cedar Rapids is steeped in a rich history and as we approach our 100 th year in 2024, I am excited to help UCR realize our amazing assets and potential for our next decade of serving this community and those who come here to explore their spiritual path.
Pam Richardson
Nominee for 3-year Term
I returned to Cedar Rapids a year ago after spending several years as a (semi)permanent resident in the Phoenix area, and about 8 years as a “snowbird”, but previously I had been a lifelong Cedar Rapidian.
I have been semi-retired since 2012. Prior to this, I worked as a physical rehabilitation professional in various capacities, providing physical rehabilitation, and also in several managerial positions in NE and SE Iowa, and as an adjunct instructor at Kirkwood Community College. Kirkwood is also where I graduated with my AAS. I have three grown children and three grandchildren all in this general area. I have been single for 18 years.
I have attended UnityCR and Unity of Phoenix since 1998. Over those years, I’ve taken quite a few classes, including the 4T’s Prosperity Class, many book and community home classes with the Unity Centers, and with Verne and Audrey Eggleston. I also taught middle school Sunday school in the past. I studied A Course in Miracles for decades, and read New Age authors voraciously. I’ve also sang in the choir in both places, and I’m a new volunteer for the Elayne Fisher Community Cupboard.
I find myself with some available time in retirement, and want to serve in a greater capacity than I was previously able to do. I believe my previous management skills and years of
motivational and coaching experience will allow me to serve our center in varied capacities as allowed.
Karen Kurt
Nominee for 3-year Term
I relocated to Cedar Rapids in 2019 to be closer to my family. Recognizing that I need to engage in my new community and build a new network, I looked for a spiritual community to join. I had
never heard of Unity but was intrigued by what I read and viewed online. That initial intrigue led to reading books and more regular attendance, and I am grateful to the Unity community for making me feel welcome and for providing excellent resources. I attribute some recent my personal and professional growth to Unity and recently commented to a friend “this is the first time that a religion has ever made sense to me”
My professional background is in local government and I love all things related to cities! After serving as an Assistant City Manager in Edina, Minnesota and a City Manager in Platteville, WI, I
began a new role as the Executive Director of the East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG) when I relocated. I lead a team of 15 individuals who support local governments in Benton, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn and Washington counties with planning services and grant writing/administration.
Kevin Krumvieda
Nominee for 3-year Term
My spiritual journey began back in 1971 when I met my partner if life, Barbara. She invited me to attend church with her. I asked her if she would continue to date me if I declined, and she said yes. This act of acceptance piqued my curiosity, and I agreed to attend. At my inaugrial Sunday service at the Imperial Beach United Methodist Church I met the Rev. Michael Cooney, a quite advanced spiritual being. Rev. Cooney trained at Garret Seminary in Chicago, IL and was a student of the great humanistic psychologist Carl Rogers. Barb’s acceptance, Rev. Cooney’s spiritual guidance, and the wonderfully welcoming and warm congregation led me to a new path, one that I’ve followed to this day. I served this religious community as a youth minister.
Barb, Corrine and I moved to Montana, where we were told about a Unity center in Great Falls. We attended that center until we returned to San Diego and attended the Unity Center San Diego where the Rev. Wendy Craig-Purcell was (and still is) the minister. When we came to Iowa we first attended the Unity Center of Des Moines, then Unity of Fairfield (where I worked on the grounds and served on the ministerial search committee). We were drawn to the Unity Center of Cedar Rapids in January of 2007 and joined in April of 2008. Since joining this wonderful, warm, open and talented community, Barb and I have contributed our time, treasure and talents in many ways. Barb sings in the choir. She served on the Board of Trustees from 2015 to 2018. She has served on several ministries (e.g., Youth, Brunch).
Together we served several meals to the congregation and participated in several activities (e.g., cleaning, grounds). I currently serve on the Audio/Visual and Grounds Ministries. I serve on the Property Improvement Task Force. I recently served on the Ministerial Search Committee. I’ve also volunteered my time on several occasions (e.g., help clean, paint, minor repairs). I’ve participated in several Unity classes and discussions.
I’m a long-time member of Lions International and have held leadership roles in that organization. I held leadership positions in the Iowa Psychological Association (Executive Council for seven years) and currently serve on the Board of Directors of the Iowa Psychological Foundation.
I would be honored to serve on the UCR Board of Trustees. If elected my intention would be to bring my spiritual and leadership experience to the service of this loving community.