Minutes of the Board Meeting of Durham Congregations In Action

February 21, 2006

First Chronicles Community Church

 

 

1.         Rev. Pebbles Lindsay-Lucas called the meeting to order.  She welcomed the assembly and offered an opening prayer.

 

2.         The DCIA Affirmation was read.

 

3.         The Minutes of the DCIA Meeting of December 13 were approved.

 

4.         Bill Youngblood, Treasurer, reviewed the Finance Report for January.  The report was accepted by the assembly.

 

5.         All present introduced themselves.  New guests were welcomed:

            April Joyner of Interfaith Hospitality Network and her husband Paul Joyner; 

            Shelley Bowers-Roghelia, Director of Development of Urban Ministries of Durham;

            Jessica Bracero, National Student Partnerships;

            Adam Rust, Community Reinvestment Association of NC;

            Rev. Marie Tapp, Mt. Gilead Baptist Church;

            Maryann Patterson, Victory in Christ Ministries.

 

6.         Bill Youngblood presented the proposed DCIA Budget for 2006.  He pointed out that the Budget is balanced, and does not call for a transfer from surplus.  He noted some small changes to office expenses, and some decreases in Direct Services Disbursements to supported agencies.

            A question was raised that DCIA should provide health insurance for its 2-person staff.  David Winer advised that both he and Priscilla already have satisfactory coverage; he appreciated the concern.  It is hoped that all member Congregations assure that their employees have decent health care insurance.

            The 2006 Budget was approved and is enclosed.

 

7.         Announcements:

            a.         Kaaren Johanson advised of a Workshop on Offering of Letters to Congress to advocate hunger-fighting legislation.  The Workshop is at St. Philip's Episcopal Church on February 23, 7 – 9 p.m.

            b.         Jim Wragge of the Workforce Development Board [WDB] advised of a federal grant opportunity for Faith-Based Organizations [FBO's] to work with underserved populations.  The WDB has a Grant Team seeking information on what FBO's need to serve these populations.  If interested, please email james.wragge@durhamnc.gov or call 560-4965 x247.

            c.         Rev. Mel Williams announced for Rev. Joe Harvard, whose voice was lost at last night's Duke game, that on February 26 at 7 p.m. First Presbyterian Church is hosting a Workshop on Living With Grief.  The Workshop leader is Nicholas Wolterstorff.  He is also addressing a meeting for pastors at this Church on February 27 at 11 a.m. on Love, Justice and Righteousness in Scripture.

            d.         Mel also advised of the 14th Annual Vigil Against Violence that will take place at 7:30 p.m. on February 23 at Trinity United Methodist  Church.

            e.         Lori Fernald Khamala advised that National Farm Worker Ministry is holding a reflection on justice on Cesar Chavez day, March 31.  Check the web site: www.nfwm.org

            f.          Jessica Bracero advised that National Student Partnerships has in Durham a drop-in resource center run by Duke student volunteers who work one-on-one with community members to provide intensive on-site and referral services.  For more information, check the web site at www.nspdurham.org or call 919-956-2824.    

            g.         Jenny Shafer advised that CROPWALK is at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 19 at Duke Chapel.

            h          Rev. Laurie Hays Coffman advised that Dr. Mel White will be speaking at 7:30 this evening at the Griffin Theater, Bryan Center at Duke on "To Be Gay & Christian in America."    

8.         Olive Joyner, Executive Director of Durham Interfaith Hospitality Network, addressed the group.  She related her journey of growing up in rural Duplin County as the youngest of 10 children in a family of sharecroppers; working in the aerospace industry in Calfornia; and graduating from Duke Divinity School.  She believes IHN has a history of success and can achieve even more in the future to provide housing, transportation, day care, meals and social activities.  IHN is also a source of social justice, and reconciliation across boundaries of race and class. 

            She hopes that the faith community can be as receptive to diversity as the business sector.  She takes to heart Romans 12:2 – "Be not conformed to this world, but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God."

            IHN presently has 12 Host Congregations and 19 Supporting Congregations.  Host Congregations typically host 3 families for one week every 12 weeks, and provide snacks/lunch and a financial pledge.  Support Congregations help with transportation, meals, and finances.  More than 90% of IHN clients are African-American.  Olive wants to increase the number of African-American churches participating, and gain more visibility in the community. 

 

9.         Maryann Crea reviewed the Summer of Opportunity [SoO] project for youth that Youth Work Team 1 has been developing.  This is a six-week summer program to develop interpersonal and workplace skills for 40 at-risk youths, followed by a 46 week part-time work experience to reinforce and augment this learning.  A detailed handout was provided.

            The Team and the Executive Committee propose that DCIA adopt this project as a main priority.  The objective is to complete the planning process and build partnerships with agencies serving youth, businesses, congregations and other resources; hire a director; and raise adequate funds to complete project development and begin operations in the summer of 2007.  DCIA would provide $20,000. 

            Kristine Herzog advised that the partnership of Pilgrim United UCC, Mt. Calvary UCC, Zion Temple UCC, and First Congregational UCC are directing its offering for Ash Wednesday to the SoO.  This is much appreciated.

            The Board enthusiastically adopted the proposed SoO project.

            Maryann thanked the following people who have been part of the lengthy project development process: Chuck Byrd, Kenny Dalsheimer, Rudy Henkel, Bob Newlin, Marcia Owen and David Winer.  Maryann is much appreciated by all for her leadership.

            Maryann passed out sign-up sheets for SoO Teams: Marketing, Corporate Sponsorship and Grants, Curriculum Development, Partners/Stakeholders, and Congregational Support.  PLEASE SIGN UP for one of these teams.

 

10.        Committee Reports.

            a.         Chuck Byrd, Chair of the Seed Money Committee {SMC], advised that members of the SMC include Beverley Francis, Triangle Community Foundation; Bill Lucas, Mt. Gilead Baptist Church; Imam Matthew Ramadan, Operation Breakthrough and Masjid Ar-Razzaq; Anita Smith, First Chronicles Community Church; Julia Webb-Bowden, Society of St. Andrew and Resurrection UMC; and David Winer.  He noted that April 15 is the deadline for applications for the Spring cycle.  A summary sheet was provided for Congregations to post in newsletters. 

            b.         Rev. Pebbles Lindsay-Lucas advised that a Youth Discussion Group is being formed between St. Stephen's Episcopal Church and First Chronicles Community Church.  DCIA would like to foster other youth partnerships.  If interested, please contact Pebbles or Kaaren Johanson.

            c.         Nick McCoy, Coordinator for the Interfaith Hurricane Task Force, advised that 130 families consisting of 330 individuals have been helped so far, and 40 Congregations have provided assistance.  Housing has been provided to all families who need it.  Winnie Breeden advised that victims need to be better connected with mental health, and grief support services.expanded.  Pamela Broom, who was a volunteer, is now employed by the Workforce Development Program to offer support for victims.

 

11.        David Winer, Executive Director, suggested that in order for DCIA to be successful in major new undertakings such as Summer of Opportunity and Youth Discussion Groups, Congregations need to come up with more effective methods to engage a broader segment of congregants in these opportunities.

           

12.        Prayers for Those in Need:

            Charlie Walker, Bob Newlin's son-in-law who is a Marine leaving for Iraq Sunday.

            Miners trapped in a mine in Mexico.

            The Villages in the Phillippines.

            People and Soldiers in Iraq.

            Wilhelmina Upchurch.

            Carolyn Bridges.

 

12.        Bishop Elroy Lewis offered a Closing Prayer.

 

                                                                                                Minutes by: David Winer           

 

 

 

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


2006 BUDGET FOR DCIA

 

            GENERAL FUND INCOME      2005                                       2006

 

Member Congregations                               $ 80,000                                 $ 82,200

Non-Member Congregations                            1,000                                      1,000

Others (Grants, DSS, R&R, Individuals)          6,500

Grants & Contracts                                                                                          11,000

Individual Donations                                                                                 500

Interest                                                                    500                                         750

                                                                           88,000                                    95,450

 

Transfer from Operating Funds                      10,000

 

Total General Fund Income              $ 98,000                                 $ 95,450

 

            GENERAL FUND DISBURSEMENTS

 

Support Services Disbursements

Executive Director Salary                            $ 38,300                                 $ 39,335

Travel                                                                      900                                         900

Continuing Education                                           200                                         200

Secretary Salary                                                9,400                                      9,700

FICA                                                                    3,640                                      3,790

Office Expense                                                   1,300                                         925

Postage                                                                 625                                         850

Telephone                                                              600                                         600

President's Fund                                                   100                                         100

Annual Dinner                                                        200                                         200

Youth Work Teams                                                                                               500

Public Relations                                                    350                                         350

Subtotal Support Services                           $ 55,500                                    57,450

 

Direct Services Disbursements

Seed Money for New Initiatives                   $ 12,000                                    12,000

Housing for New Hope                                      4,000                                      3,000

Urban Ministries of Durham                11,500                                    10,000

Interfaith Hospitality Network                            4,000                                      3,000

Genesis Home                                                  6,000                                      5,000

Alliance of AIDS Services - Carolina               1,000                                      1,000

Meals on Wheels                                                  500                                         500

Elder Neighbor Program                                   1,000                                      1,000

Emergency Energy Fund                                  2,500                                     2,500

Subtotal Direct Services                              $ 42,500                                 $ 38,000

 

Total General Fund Disbursements            $ 98,000                                 $ 95,450