EAIC First Annual Meeting | New Board of Directors

Nearly 50 guests attended the Eden Area Interfaith Council first annual meeting on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2017. During the meeting, we formally ratified the group’s new bylaws and introduced the new officers and Board of Directors. One of our next steps is to incorporate as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

The program began with a welcome and a blessing by Reverend Dr. Arlene K. Nehring (Eden United Church of Christ – Hayward, which was also the gracious host for the meeting). Julie Greenfield (Congregation Shir Ami – Castro Valley) provided a history and a list of accomplishments for the one-year-old Council. Munir Safi (Masjid Abu Bakr – Hayward) spoke about the importance of interfaith and inter-religious dialogue and understanding to bridge the gulfs of misunderstanding as our country faces an evolving and sometimes uncertain political landscape. He appreciated the work of the Council to make concerted efforts through programming and public statements to get to know their American-Muslim neighbors. 

Penelope Hughes (Spiritually Independent) introduced the group’s new Representative Council and its Officers and Board of Directors. The nominated members were ratified (names and positions below). Penelope also presented the dues structure proposal and Munir Safi presented the proposed first-year budget.

These musicians also provided musical interludes: Pastor Paul Keim (First Presbyterian Church – Hayward) performed an original song medley, Bob Myerson (Star King Unitarian Universalist Church – Hayward) performed “Somos el Barco,” and the Badarikashrama Hindu Spiritual Center – San Leandro performed sacred Hindu music. Those performers were Rita Sahai, accompanied by Professor Dr. Daniel Kennedy, Vivek Anand, and Rajneesh Kanat.