Minutes of the Board Meeting of Durham Congregations In Action

April 18, 2006

Lowes Grove Baptist Church

4430 S. Alston Avenue

1. President Rev. Pebbles Lindsay-Lucas welcomed the assembly. Rev. Forest Gale offered an opening prayer. He thanked Marshall and Carol Schipp for preparing the meal.

Rev. Gale said that Lowes Grove Baptist Church began in 1909 on the site across the street. The church has always supported education – many years ago the congregation imposed a tax on itself to support a local school. The current building was constructed in 1963.

2. The DCIA Affirmation was read.

3. Guests were welcomed:

Lloyd Schmeidler introduced Michael Solomonides, new Development Director for UMD. Lloyd also provided the UMD Newsletter, with a list of needs.

Millie Myers introduced Phyllis Noell, new representative for Pilgrim UCC.

Gladys Watters is a new representative from Epworth UMC.

David Winer introduced Mark Prokop, new Director for Meals on Wheels.

Jessica Bracero is with National Student Partnership.

Willie Patterson is with New Bethel Baptist Church.

4. Announcements:

Judy Kincaid is a volunteer with Clean Energy Durham, dedicated to promoting energy efficiency at home and worldwide. Energy conservation creates jobs. Judy is available for presentations at Congregations. Contact her by 560-0521 or www.cleanergydurham.org

Bob Newlin advised that CROPWALK had another great year and thanked all for participating. Deposits so far are 30% ahead of last year.

5. There was a brief discussion of the proposed DCIA Resolution previously provided, to support legislation to divest NC investments in Sudan in order to discourage genocide. The assembly unanimously approved this resolution, which is enclosed.

6. Committee Reports.

A. David Winer reported that the Year of Opportunity for Durham Youth [YODY] Team is seeking allies and had an encouraging meeting with Blue Cross/Blue Shield.

B. Rev. Pebbles Lindsay-Lucas advised of a Youth Discussion Meeting on May 6 at St. Philip's Episcopal Church that will involve young people from St. Stephens Episcopal Church and First Chronicles Community Church. Other Congregations are interested. The Youth Discussion Team is also looking into holding a DCIA meeting on a weekend in which adults would bring youths to speak their minds.

C. Charles Byrd advised that nine applications for Seed Money have been received. The Seed Money Committee will review them shortly.

7. Executive Director's Report.

a. David Winer shared his experience at a Passover Seder when the participants read about how Pharaoh feared the Israelites because they were becoming so numerous in his land, and wanted to deprive them of rights or status. The participants realized that this is how some people feel today about Latino immigrants.

b. In appearing on a Faith Panel at a local high school, David discovered that only 25% of students identified themselves as people of faith or affiliated with a congregation.

8. Presentation on the Duke-Durham partnership.

Sam Miglarese, Assistant Director of the Office of Community Affairs at Duke, introduced Willie Patterson and Leigh Bordley.

Willie is President of the Crest Street Council Neighborhood Association which has academic and job programs for youths. The academic program is led by Betty Johnson, and links young people with Duke student volunteers. The program yields a 98% passing rate.

Willie approached the City and got its support for jobs mowing lawns in the summer, which has had a positive impact on several youths.

Leigh Bordley is Executive Director of Partners for Youth. Each year 25 youths of 15-16 years of age are matched with five different mentors in several areas such as academics, jobs, budgeting. This helps prepare the youths for SAT's and college preparation. Almost all of the youths enter college. The program also funds summer jobs for youths, generally according to their interest in fields such as nursing or medical technology. Youths can usually find a way to transport themselves to and from a paying job, although transportation to RTP employers is problematical. Their website is at: www.partnersforyouth.org

9. The Minutes of the March 21 Board Meeting were approved.

10. Bill Youngblood, Treasurer, discussed the letter [enclosed] recently sent to DCIA representatives. Financial support from congregations will help make the Year of Opportunity for Durham Youth a reality.

Bill asked congregations to post the letter where congregants will see it; bring it to the attention of your pastor or Missions Committee; and make donations timely.

11. Prayers for Those in Need:

For our community and all those involved in the lacrosse team incident.

For young people, to pass EOG exams and have a productive summer.

For several ill people at Mt. Gilead Baptist Church.

12. Rev. Forest Gale offered the closing prayer.

Minutes by: David Winer

*** Check out the DCIA Web Site at: www.DCIA.org ***

DCIA Resolution

WHEREAS, the government of Sudan engages in arbitrary arrest, prolonged detention, extra judicial killings, and torture of its people;

WHEREAS, the government of Sudan is aware of and permits systematic rape and torture of women;

WHEREAS, the government of Sudan has failed to comply with requests to disarm those perpetrating crimes against humanity;

WHEREAS, the government of Sudan has failed to protect its people's basic human rights by impeding the efforts of foreign aid workers;

WHEREAS, in June 2005 President Bush declared the situation in Darfur to be genocide; therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the North Carolina General Assembly should pass legislation calling for the divestment of North Carolina Public funds from companies that do business with the Sudanese government.

The foregoing Resolution was adopted by unanimous vote at the Board Meeting of Durham Congregations In Action on April 18, 2006.

DURHAM CONGREGATIONS IN ACTION

504 W. Chapel Hill Street

Durham, NC 27701-3102

(919) 688-2036

David M. Winer

Executive Director

dwiner@)nc.rr.com

Home: (919) 942-8044

April 6, 2006

Dear DCIA Congregation Representative or Minister,

As you know, Durham Congregations in Action (DCIA) is committed to helping address issues that adversely impact upon Durham’s youth. DCIA’s efforts will focus upon initiatives that will promote educational advancement and diminish youth involvement in gangs, drugs and crime.

DCIA has already committed $20,000 needed as “seed money” for a promising initiative scheduled to start in January 2007. This program that will be modeled after Boston’s highly successful Summer of Opportunity program will train “at-risk” youth and place each in a mentorship that will prepare them for successful employment.

DCIA’s successes, past and future, depend upon financial and human resource support generously provided by its member congregations. Each congregation is asked to contribute an amount between one-half and one percent of its previous year’s budget. No congregation is refused membership for inability to donate at these levels. Congregations also agree to recruit at least five percent of their active adult members to be volunteers in DCIA-sponsored programs. These resources will also be critical for DCIA’s successful Year of Opportunity for Durham Youth (YODY) program.

This is an important time to both ensure that members of DCIA’s congregations are well informed on this initiative and affirm each congregation’s commitment to this important initiative’s success. Three timely responses will be welcome signals of your congregation’s commitment:

· Submitting timely and predictable contributions to DCIA will be especially important in 2006, either by submitting earlier in the year or by staying by current on a monthly basis;

· Making a sincere effort to comply with DCIA’s guideline by the congregations that do not presently contribute, or that contribute less than one- percent of their 2005 annual budget. DCIA greatly appreciates the gracious support from congregations already doing this.

· Educating and advocating YODY to members of your congregations by articles in your newsletters, posting information in appropriate places in your house of worship, and providing opportunity for interactive discussion of YODY by your members.

It is important that we recognize that robust and enthusiastic support for this program by DCIA’s own congregations is critical to DCIA’s success in establishing the Durham partnerships needed to ensure that this program is successful, and becomes as important to Durham as have DCIA’s previous initiatives.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Bill Youngblood Rev. Pebbles Lindsay-Lucas David Winer

Treasurer President Executive Director