11:45 a.m. on March 20, 2007
First Presbyterian Church
Welcome and Opening Prayer
Marilyn Hedgepath welcomed
attendees to First Presbyterian Church with a prayer and a sharing of her
church's new Giving Circles project that involves all the Sunday School classes, including adults and children.
President Pebbles Lindsay
Lucas opened the meeting with the reading of the DCIA Affirmation and then
proceeded to welcome guests.
Review of January 20, 2007 DCIA Board Meeting Minutes
The minutes of the January
20, 2007 Board Meeting were read and approved with the following
correction: addition of the names of all
members of the Executive Director Search Committee (not just Vic Moore).
Executive Committee Search
Update and Seed Money Announcement
Charles Byrd provided an
update on the Executive Director search. Applications have been coming in
response to advertisements posted in local newspapers and online at Career
Builder. The deadline is April lst. Charles
also announced the availability of applications for seed money grants, deadline
April 17th.
Community Announcements
Mr. Luce Johnson of NC Central
University shared concern about the drastic situation in the Darfur region of
Jenny Shafer provided an
update on Crop Walk planning and urged attendees to share newsworthy stories
about their congregations' plans with her to pass on to News and Observer editor Flo Johnston.
Mary Ann Cream announced an
upcoming bilingual education fair to be held at the
Representatives from the Farm
Workers Ministry announced a demonstration in support of opposition to the
firing of undocumented workers in
Kaaren Johansen appealed for
donations of soup for an upcoming “Empty Bowls
fundraiser for
Urban Ministry, March 29th at 7PM (Tickets $20) at
YO:
Susan Blackmon, Program
Director for YO:
In her report on the
activities of Youth Team II, Pebbles Lindsay Lucas announced a drive to collect
new or like new baby items for Katrina Victims -
donations should be brought to First Presbyterian Church before a planned April
7th service. For more
information call 560-8153.
Recognition of Contribution
of Priscilla Shepherd, Retiring DCIA Office Administrator
Pebbles Lindsay Lucas and
Bill Youngblood expressed DCIA's appreciation to Priscilla Shepherd, who has worked
as DCIA Office Manager for the past 14 years. We were reminded that DCIA
would not be where we are today if it weren't for Priscilla's commitment and
willingness to assist and serve DCIA with her
whole heart, mind and soul. Priscilla
was honored with a gift of flowers, a framed bible verse, and balloons, along
with a standing ovation.
DCIA Guest Speaker for March:
Sammy Haithcock, Director of
Sammy shared his agency’s mission
of partnering with families to help them succeed. He noted a changing
population that is composed of more Latino families and greater need for
partnership.
He then focused on the
important issue of Child Abuse prevention, an area where partnership with the
faith community is especially needed.
In his presentation he shared
a new publication on how to prevent child abuse, talked about the need for
foster parents and how congregations can play a positive role. He described an initiative through which
churches can provide support and resources to foster parents in their own
congregations. More information on this
“
Questions from attendees
focused on the unmet need to provide housing and support for homeless teens and
emancipated minors. It was agreed this
is an area where DSS and DCIA should explore further partnership.
Treasurer’s Report
Mary Ann Crea presented the
closing financial statement for 2006 and emphasized need for congregations to
up their regular financial contributions.
Reserves have been dipped
into for YO:
When staffing becomes
clearer, a budget for 2007 will be presented.
Prayers were offered for
those in need and the meeting ended with a closing prayer led by Marilyn Hedgepath.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lucy Haagen
Secretary