Trustee Boardmember

New Thought Center for Spiritual Living is my church home ... and my “family.” I know this is true for most all of us, which is why it works!

I believe in tithing my time and energy back to the sources of the blessings I am receiving, and I am abundantly blessed by the people and programs at NTCSL. I also believe that of all the avenues of service to choose from at NTCSL, serving on the Board of Trustees seems the best “fit” for my experience and skill set. I am willing to serve in whatever capacity is needed, to the best of my ability. There is certainly much work to be done and much to learn along the way. I expect to grow in many ways spiritually from this avenue of service.

I am a lifelong New Thought student, having been raised in Unity since birth. Although fairly new to NTCSL, I have been almost continually in leadership roles in Unity from 1986 through 2004. Over those 18 years, these roles included: International Coordinator for Young Adults of Unity, Unity Regional Education Consultant serving 25 ministries in 7 states, Associate Editor/Manager of Unity’s flagship Daily Word Magazine, executive steering committee member and facilitator for the worldwide Unity movement. In 2004, I became a licensed financial services professional designing sound financial strategies for business owners and others. Through all of these experiences, I’ve been blessed with extensive training in group facilitation, conflict management strategies, effective communication for organizations, budgeting, problem-solving, visioning, and effectively facilitating organizational decision-making processes, all with prayer as the foundation. I now would like to use these skills in prayerful service to NTCSL.

In my past careers in New Thought organizations, I have worked in connection with many church boards of trustees, and watched how they worked together with one another and their communities. At NTCSL, I have observed firsthand the exemplary integrity and commitment to the highest ideals of prayer consciousness our Board of Trustees maintains, collectively and individually, in their service to this community. It would be a pleasure and a gift to serve within that prayerful energy.

Andrea was recently voted Vice President of the Board of Trustees and in that role she will abe co-facilitating the Vision Design Team. She is a founding member of NTCSL and has served as a former Trustee for 3 years, a count team lead, and a choir member. I serve because I value what the church means to me. It supplies so many things which provide balance in my life.
She is well-suited for her role in the emergent church model. My 40 years of management experience across various fields: (advertising, accounting (Ernst & Young), oil and chemical distribution, vocational education, finance and substance abuse treatment) has provided me with a breadth experience on which to draw. I have degrees in Journalism, Communications, Counseling, and Ministry. My current experience includes: Director of CODA’s eight substance abuse treatment programs in Washington County (focus is operational management); Degree in Ministry with doctoral work on the unifying principles of the 12 Steps of A.A. in the wisdom traditions (to be published in December 2011); (www.12wisdomsteps.com); ordained interfaith Minister 2003; Opened Stepping Stones in 2007 – a supported housing program for the reunification of children in foster care with their mothers who are in treatment for substance abuse. Just purchased new debt-free house with a $1 million capital campaign for 3 additional houses underway; Provider representative on Washington County Behavioral Health Council.

Two personal principles that have contributed to my experience in leadership and management throughout my life are service and gratitude. Any time I am involved in an organization or group and take home the benefits, I believe it is only right and just to give back and always intend it to be a greater contribution than the benefit I receive.

Jamie has been a member of the Board since 2010 and loves being in service to the New Thought community. She is passionate about children and outrEACH. Jamie holds a bachelors degree in Computer Animation and Photography and is currently getting her teaching certification in Elementary and Special Education. She volunteers in many areas of the NTCSL community including: Youth and Family program, Choir, Facilities Coordination, Database Management, the Board, and is our outrEACH coordinator. Jamie loves to be in service and is proud to call NTCSL her spiritual home.

I am called again to be of service to our Board of Trustees.  As we step into a greater space, the need to be grounded with definition of our policies and processes are fundamentally significant to our church and our ministry.  From a solid foundation we can move forward with the knowledge that we have the structure and means to make our dreams real and service to a greater good possible.

My background leading non-profit organizations as well as my paid working experience are an excellent match for being a member of the NTCSL Board of Trustees.  Having served as a founding member of the Board of Trustees and past president of the Board, I come prepared with the understanding  of the path that lead us to where we are today.  Currently I serve on the Finance and Circulation Committees, the Count Team, Greeter Team, and as a Community Table Host.  As my paying job, I manage IT projects for KinderCare Learning Centers who provide child care services and education at over 1,700 centers with over 40,000 employees, and manage project budgets exceeding $1M.

I look forward to being in service for our beloved Spiritual Community and our Ministry.  

Why I’d Like to Serve on the NTCSL Board of Trustees
The answer to that question is in two parts. The selfish part and the unselfish part. Although a former LEC’er and a founding member of NTMO/NTCSL, I have remained pretty much in the background, letting others assume leadership roles in the church’s administration and ministries. Yes, I’ve been a volunteer, but never in a capacity to REALLY help guide and support the organization I call my spiritual home. So, considering the Law of Circulation and the Rotary concept of “He benefits most by serving best,” I expect, by being a member of the Board of Trustees that I will grow spiritually and continue my quest for a closer relationship with my Higher Power at a more accelerated pace. Thus, the selfish part of wanting something for myself...spiritual growth.

“Service above Self” is the premier Rotary International motto. And the New Thought movement has advocated that service to others is one of the highest callings of mankind. Although not recognizing it early on, I have found this to be true my entire adult life. A military career of service, followed by another 19 years of “Exception Service in the National Interest”* at Sandia National Laboratories, coupled with my 25-year association with my 12-step program has proven to me that reaching out to others and supporting others’ efforts is indeed a rewarding and gratifying practice. Further, regarding the unselfish part, I feel that the Board of Trustees and NTCSL can benefit from my experience and knowledge in the areas of life experience leadership, project management and board involvement in prior non-profit organizations. *Motto of Sandia national Laboratories

Margaret Shoemaker joined the Board of Trustees in May of 2008. Margaret has been a member since January of 2005 and started attending services in September of 2004. Margaret is a Portland native surrounded by many family members. A giving, creative and willing volunteer whose service on the finance committee, offering count team, Santa's elf, lobby set-up at the Valley Cinema, and currently on the Stewardship Committee.

Jeannine Yancey has been on her spiritual path, consciously, since she was in her teen years. A defining moment was when she started asking a priest questions during class and was told, "Don't ask questions, believe what is written." She sensed at that moment that she had an inner knowing and that she would have to find the answers herself. Thus began her journey. When she lived in Tucson, Arizona and her three daughters were young, she taught religious education, was a parish council board member, and eventually a church staff member responsible for a 500 student elementary religious education. Upon moving to Oregon she sought the spiritual nourishment she had come to value. In 1987 she discovered The Living Enrichment Center and became an active member and subsequently became a Practitioner. She's been active in this spiritual community in many ways - always learning, growing, and encouraging others to do the same. Jeannine brings to her practitioner practice a grounded knowing that truly, all is well. Jeannine demonstrates spiritual practice in her every day life and is eager to share those principles with her spiritual community.

Jeannine's professional journey has focused on assisting individuals and organizations achieve results. She's worked in private, public, and non-profit organizations with a focus on facilitation, training, project management, conflict resolution, and coaching. She has an undergraduate degree from Marylurst University in Business Administration and Communications. Her graduate degree is from Antioch University in Whole Systems Design, with a certification in Organizational Systems Renewal (change management). Jeannine also has certifications in MBTI, Wilson's Learning Styles, Situational Leadership, and is a certified coach and licensed seminar leader with Maria Nemeth's Academy for Coaching Excellence.

Jeannine is a demonstration in the professional world of how showing up as spiritual principle can be rewarding and fun.