DCIA Congregations in Action Lunch Meeting

11:45, February 20, 2007

 

Covenant Presbyterian Church

2620 Weaver Street, Durham

 

1.  Welcome and Opening Prayer was offered by host Pastor Jimmie Hawkins and followed by the reading of the DCIA affirmation.

2.  Announcements:  (Exact details will be available through the DCIA website, www.dcia.org)

·        Directories of Substance Abuse Treatment Service Providers available through Urban Ministries (Lloyd Schmeidler)

·        Saturday March 10th, Service of Shalom  - 

·        National Farm Worker Ministry  March 7th, Call to Action in Raleigh – location will be determined.  Contact Lori Kamala

·        Crop Walk Kick Off Rallies – Thursday, Feb 27th,, 7PM  and Saturday, Februrary 24th,  , 9AM  in Fellowship Hall of First Presbyterian.  Representatives of congregations urged to come.  Announced challenge posed by Greensboro Crop Walk, which Durham passed last year for 2nd place nationally.

·         Urban Ministries Fundraiser – potters donating handmade bowls – asking congregations to donate soup,    - $20  - March 29th ,5-7:30 PM to be held at Duke Memorial Methodist Church . Forms available for congregations to commit to soup donation and serving.  Tickets will be sold through congregations. 

·        Annual Vigil against Violence – March lst Trinity Methodist Church

·        Archbishop of Galilee, Palestinian Jewish/Christian Israeli, Elias Chacour – March 6, 2007 at 7PM

·        Lunch and Ash Wednesday Service at 12:30, First Presbyterian Church to usher in Lent.

·        Fran Alexander has started a school for high school dropouts, ages 16-18.  – offering culinary, and barber training along with high school diplomas.  Edge Training and Placement – invited student referrals

3. Guests and new representatives  from National Farmworkers and Genesis Home were welcomed

4.  Minutes of December 2006 minutes were reviewed and approved.

5.  DCIA Seed Committee Reported on Awards:

1.  SEEDS program awarded grant to program for N. E . Central Durham youth gardening program to expand vegetable growing project – will be adding flowers and developing sales partners to supplement selling at Durham Farmers Market..   Henceforth, the committee will seek applications once, rather that twice a year.

6.  New Director Search is proceeding with the appointment of a committee composed of Vic Moore,

7.  Youth Team Two needs donations for Hurricane Katrina families – collection of boxed donations will occur at First Presbyterian on April 7th, from 9 to 1.

8.  Interim Director’s Report

Announced changes in the office including retirement of Priscilla Shepherd.,. planning for her replacement, including development of an office procedures manual.   This will include organizing position to provide in-kind clerical support for the YO: Durham program.  At the March Meeting, Priscilla Shepherd will be honored and thanks.  Executive Committee has authorized Interim Director to work out a plan to reimburse DCIA employees for DCIA-related cellphone use.  Need for a member director with non-expense bearing phone numbers included. 

 

There is a need to raise substantial funding over the next 18 months for YO:Durham.  Each congregation will be urged to make an annual pledge to YO:Durham in addition to their membership commitment.  If we can say our member congregations have pledged to support YO:Durham, that unanimous show of support will be critical in gaining support from external partners. 

 

Pledge cards will be made available for this purpose.

 

9.  YO:Durham Report (Susan Blackmon):  - PowerPoint outlining objectives of program, target population and ways that DCIA members congregations can become involved.  Details related to the  three central components were provided, including team mentoring through member congregations, the Summer Career Academy housed at NC Mutual, and 36-week internships undertaken along with continued school attendance.   Volunteer opportunities were shared for individuals and groups to serve as part of mentor teams, liaisons for internships, and providers of workshops and career related activities during the Summer Career Academy.  

 

Additional assistance and resources will be needed in the following areas:

 

1.  Facilitation of career-related field trips

2.  Transportation or funding to cover transportation costs for students to attend summer program/ mentoring activities and internships.

3.  Donation of  professional clothing – this will be linked to a dress for success component of the summer program, including enforcement of a career-relevant dress code. 

 

Forms are available for volunteers and donors.

 

The meeting concluded with prayers for those in need and a closing program 

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Lucy Haagen

Secretary