Minutes of the Board Meeting of Durham Congregations In Action

May 18, 2004

Judea Reform Congregation

 

1.      Rev. Nancy Ferree-Clark welcomed the assembly.  Rabbi John Friedman offered an opening prayer.  He pointed out various works of art from different historical periods which are displayed in the luncheon room.

 

2.      Imam Waheed led the group in a prayer for Jackie McNeill, recently deceased, who served for many years as Chief of the Durham Police Department.

 

3.      The DCIA Affirmation was read in unison.

 

4.      The Minutes of the April 20 Board Meeting were accepted.                           

 

5.      Maryann Crea, Treasurer, presented the Finance Report.  A Finance Committee has been formed to consider policies such as how much money should be kept in Reserves.  Policy recommendations will be brought to the Board.

 

6.      Guests were welcomed:

          Andrew Bently, a student at Duke interning with the National Farm Worker Ministry of NC;  Precious Umunna, a Duke Divinity student interning at Covenant Presbyterian Church; Bill Murray, a consultant and executive coach; Julie Gruber, with the Refugee Resettlement Ministry of Lutheran Family Services; Matthew Pierce, with Asbury Temple UMC; Brooke Burris, a Duke Divinity student interning at Calvary UMC; Donna Rewalt, Coordinator for closing the achievement gap for the Durham Public Education Network; Sina Stith, a Duke Divinity student interning at Urban Ministries of Durham; and Ken Langer, Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.

 

7.      Rev. Ben Rouse is preparing for retirement from Epworth UMC. The assembly thanked Ben for his many contributions to the community and DCIA.

 

8.      Committee Reports.

A.      Seed Money Committee: Rev. Laura  Benson, Chair, has formed a diverse and capable Committee: Maryann Crea; Beverly Francis, Director of Philanthropic Services for the Triangle Community Foundation; Rev. Jimmie Hawkins; William Lucas; Yvonne Schaefer, Community Involvement Specialist for Mission Tree; and David Winer, ex officio.  The group will meet within the next few weeks to develop policies and procedures to encourage appropriate applications in several grant cycles.  Publicity will be used.  People are encouraged to advise this Committee of agencies in their first five years of operations who can use funding, and have a mission consistent with DCIA's, and are accountable.

 

B.      Strategic Planning Committee: Bob Newlin, Chair advised that this Committee had a productive first meeting, completing an analysis of DCIA's Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats under the guidance of Facilitator Henry Gest.  The strategic planning process is exciting and invigorating.  The Committee could use another member or two; if interested please contact Bob [bob.newlin@duke.edu or 970-7197].

 

9.      Presentations – David Winer introduced from the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce: Beth Payne, Vice President for Workforce Development and Nick Vaughn, who works with Beth; and from the Durham Literacy Center: Lucy Haagen, Director.

A.      Beth advised the Chamber's activities to develop skills and enhance education of youth to prepare them for the workplace, and to engage local businesses to help in those efforts and hire youth.  The Chamber's programs include Careers in Construction; Internships with local businesses for rising 8th graders; the Mayor's Task Force for summer employment for youth; and Northgate Mall Training Center for Retail Careers, which promotes entry level jobs with good career advancement potential.  The Chamber places about 400-500 youngsters each year in internships or employment. 

          The Chamber also has a program to help ex-offenders returning to Durham.  Jim Stella helps them write resumes  and identify employment opportunities.

          While the need for youth internships and employment is greater than the current capacity, Congregations can become involved by linking interested youths with the Chamber.  Congregations may also be able to provide a stimulating internship for a youngster.

B.      Lucy Haagen noted that the Durham Literacy Center has recently expanded its efforts from teaching adults to read to helping youth who have dropped out of school and are not working.  The Center has learned that the key to success is not simply a good program, but the consistent presence of a responsible, caring adult.  Congregations can provide tutors and mentors, and traditionally have done well in providing volunteers to form a 1:1 relationship.

          One good program is GED, which has a 5-exam sequence.  A tutor can work 20 hours with a student to pass one exam.

          Another opportunity is to be a Career Mentor, and help a student make a Career and Education Plan, a book about her/himself that sets out assets and deficits and possible pathways that can lead to an internship or job.  This can be completed in meetings at lunchtime during one week.  The Center has funding to train Career Mentors.

          Anyone interested in these opportunities to help youths, please contact Lucy [durhamlit@aol.com or 489-8383] or Beth [bpayne@durhamchamber.org or 682-2133].

 

10.    Executive Director's Report:

A.      David expressed his personal thanks to Ben for his leadership and guidance for two years as President of DCIA, and as a person who always made a gathering better by his presence.

B.      David also expressed thanks to the Chamber for its support of non-profit agencies in Durham.  Tom White, President of the Chamber has created partnerships with government and non-profit agencies to help disadvantaged youth.  Tom also volunteers regularly for Meals on Wheels. 

C.      Rev. Betty Grant received an award of high distinction from Duke: the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award.  This award selects one adult from all faculty and staff at Duke for qualities of service, character and spirituality reflected in daily life and devoted to the interests of all humanity.  Betty was noted for her pastoral care and peace-making.  The ceremony included kind words by Nan Keohane, the Provost and others. 

D.      Urban Ministries of Durham is an important ministry to DCIA.  David serves on its Board.  UMD is expected to show a shortfall in funding this year, and Congregations are urged to give generously.  The UMD Board can also use additional members from the faith community.  Meetings are about once a month.  Anyone interested in serving on this Board, please contact David.

E.      Durham Literacy Center is having a fundraising auction on Ebay the week of June 6.  Please consider donating items, services or money.  And tune into Ebay during that week and make a bid.

 

11.    Announcements:

A.      Gove Elder of Lutheran Family Services advised that about 50-80 refugees are now coming from Burma to our area.  LFS is seeking more Congregations to train to help with resettlement.

B.      Lori Khamala of the National Farm Workers Ministry advised: The United Methodist Church endorsed the boycott against Mt. Olive Pickle Company until they reach a collective bargaining agreement with the Farm Labor Organizing Committee; Please donate caps, rubber gloves, shirts and bedsheets in decent condition for the influx of summer workers; Project Solidarity offers the opportunity for a Congregation to link with a labor camp (orientation on June 16); You can help lobby for fairer governmental regulation of farm workers and their employers, such as the meeting on April 26 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Raleigh. For further information contact Lori at 489-4485.

 

12.     Prayer Requests were asked for the Alstin family, grieving for a drive-by victim; the Thorp family, who had a recent loss; Bonnie Jones, hit by a van and now in rehabilitation; all those helping ex-offenders returning from prison; and Jesse Smith and those incarcerated.

 

13.    Ms. Mamie Alston offered the Closing Prayer.

 

 

Minutes by: David Winer