LEADERSHIP
Board of Directors
Staff
Carla Couret
Administrator
Carla Couret, the Fairhope Unitarian Fellowship Administrator, is a Florida State Graduate in Psychology, with a minor in Philosophy and Spanish. After graduate school, she managed three group homes for mentally disabled individuals: a girl's home, boy's home, and co-ed home. Following that experience, she entered nursing school and completed her Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing. In the future, Carla endeavors to combine her Psychology and Nursing background as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. Along with being a registered nurse, Carla is also a human rights advocate, a lover of all things beautiful and macabre (as you can't have one without the other), and a wife and mother.
Allyson Russell
Children's Fellowship Coordinator
Allyson Russell has been working with children since her first job in high school as a summer camp counselor. Since then she has taught various subjects including art, handicrafts, Taekwondo, and German language, in school, after school, and in a homeschool cooperative, and even taught Unitarian Sunday School. She currently works as a programming librarian for children aged 9 - 18 at the Fairhope Public Library.
President
“You are welcome,” is Carl’s message for visitors to the Fairhope Unitarian Fellowship, “regardless of age, religious or political beliefs, or gender identification.” The Fellowship is, he says, “a safe place for inquiry and learning.” Carl should know. He has been finding community in the Fairhope Unitarian Fellowship for over 30 years. As a field biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, before settling in Fairhope in the late-80s, Carl lived all over the world—from nearby Louisiana and Florida, to far afield in New Mexico, Hawaii, and even Japan. These days, in addition to extensive work for the Fellowship, Carl devotes his energies to the Eastern Shore Ukulele Club, the Fairhope and Spanish Fort Libraries, various Senior Centers, and the Eastern Shore Institute of Lifelong Learning. He also delights in spending time with his daughter and growing grandson, playing his ukulele, woodworking, kayaking, and traveling.
First Vice-President (Membership)
Irene Wegner is a wonderful addition to the Fellowship Board. She brings her knowlege and experience of running multiple non-profit organizastions in the past.
Corresponding Secretary
Mary Matthews brings and extensive knowlege of human relations to the table, as well as a smile to all those around her.
Treasurer
Chair of the Board
Don Joffe is a member of the Fairhope Unitarian Fellowship. He is a monumanetal contributor to the organization.
Second Vice President (Programs)
Recording Secretary
Nick hails from England but has spent almost 30 years in Fairhope helped by Unitarians learning to be American.
Member at Large (Past President)
“Fairhope Unitarian Fellowship is a place of goodwill and good friends with opportunities for intellectual and spiritual growth.” Michael speaks from experience: he has been a Unitarian for 60+ years and a member of FUF for over 25 years. If asked, he will impart his thorough knowledge of the history of the Fellowship with the same grace he used with students at the University of Missouri, Rolla where he served as Associate Professor. His gentle, easy-going manner are much admired and appreciated. His interests are varied, and his knowledge is deep. He has held virtually every position in the Fellowship. FUF’s College Scholarship Fund is a particular priority of his as are lively discussions. “Intellectual stimulation and grand people” are what Michael finds meaningful about being a part of FUF. He sees “making people socially aware” as the Fellowship’s role in the community. He and his wife Sheena have two daughters, Kathy and Shannon; son-in-law, Gary Finch; and two grandchildren, Katelyn Finch and Christopher Finch. When not engaged with family or FUF, you likely will find Michael swimming.