Minutes of the Board Meeting of Durham Congregations In Action

November 21, 2006

Mt. Calvary United Church of Christ

1. In the absence of President Rev. Pebbles Lindsay-Lucas and Vice President Rev. Duke Lackey, the meeting was chaired by Bill Youngblood, Treasurer. Bill called the meeting to order and made an invocation. He introduced Rev. Cecil Cheek, pastoral leader at Mt. Calvary Church of Christ.

Rev. Cheek welcomed the assembly and gave a brief history of the church.

2. The DCIA Affirmation was read.

3. Treasurer Bill Youngblood reviewed the Finance Report. He pointed out that donations to the DCIA general fund are running ahead of 2005, and it is good news that they do not appear to be adversely affected by fundraising for YO:Durham.

DCIA needs $14,000 more in donations to leverage the full benefit of the BlueCross BlueShield [BCBS] match of $30,000 for $30,000 in donations. This match now extends to donations pledged by December 31 and paid by March 31.

Additionally, there is an anonymous pledge to match such pledges and donations by African-American Churches up to a total of $2000. So a donation for example of $250 by an African-American Church made by the end of December and paid by March 31 is matched by the anonymous donor, and then that total of $500 is matched by the BCBS grant. In effect, the church's donation is quadrupled.

4. Guests were welcomed:

Michael Keeler, with the City of Durham.

Amjad Sammuel, a Divinity School student who is with the United Methodist Church in Pakistan and who is studying Muslim-Christian relations.

5. Rev. Joe Harvard announced that as Chair of the Nominating Committee he is asking the assembly for suggestions for Officers of DCIA for 2007. Please contact Joe at First Presbyterian Church at 682-5511.

6. Rev. Joe Harvard also announced that David Winer is resigning as Executive Director of DCIA effective January 31. He expressed deep gratitude to David for his leadership, and the assembly did also.

David advised that his is leaving this position so that he and his wife Wendy can spend more time visiting their parents, children and grandchildren in Massachusetts and New Jersey. He is thankful for his time with DCIA and especially for the many wonderful people he has encountered. David believes that DCIA is in excellent shape, with great enthusiasm for YO:Durham and an active Executive Committee led by President Rev. Pebbles Lindsay-Lucas. He also believes that this change presents a great opportunity for DCIA.

7. Maryann Crea reported on YO:Durham. She thanked David for his leadership and support, and also Lucy Haagen who has been leading several functions for YO:Durham.

Maryann introduced Ms. Susan Blackmon, who has been hired as Program Director for YO:Durham. Susan has excellent experience including several years as a principal in public schools. Susan said she is thankful for her recent experience in learning about YO:Durham and appreciates the hard work and support already given by many volunteers as well as Maryann, Lucy and David.

Maryann announced that Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship has pledged $1000 to YO:Durham.

Rev. Haywood Holderness is pleased with the anonymous grant for donations by African-American Churches, and is meeting with Chancellor James Ammons at NCCU and others to explore possible collaboration in fundraising. Haywood also noted that Westminster Presbyterian Church is focusing on YO:Durham as one of its two major missions, which will bring to this ministry the benefits of many additional volunteers and a Christmas Offering.

Lucy Haagen advised of a good meeting with NC Mutual Life Insurance Company and Shaw University. YO:Durham is subleasing from Shaw excellent space at NC Mutual for the Summer Session, and there are other opportunities for collaboration with Shaw and NC Mutual. Lucy also said that Maryann and Pebbles did an excellent job in presenting on YO:Durham to the Triangle United Way, and responding to some challenging questions.

8. Kaaren Johanson advised of a meeting of a DCIA Team to consider a Leadership/Volunteer award at the Annual Meeting.

9. David Winer advised that the DCIA Annual Meeting will be Tuesday, January 16 beginning at 6:30 p.m. It will be at Blacknall Memorial Presbyterian Church, thanks to Vic Moore. Vic has also arranged for some entertaining music, led by a barbershop quartet. The keynote speaker will be James Speed, President and CEO of NC Mutual Life Insurance Company. David and others enjoyed meeting Mr. Speed recently; he is a dynamic speaker highly interested in helping youth.

10. Jenny Shafer introduced members of the Durham Cropwalk Committee present. The Durham Cropwalk has raised in 2006 so far more than $197,000. Durham hunger-fighting agencies will receive 25% of this total. Durham Cropwalk is now #2 in the nation out of thousands of walks; Charlotte and Greensboro are #1 and #3, a tribute to Joe Moran. In the last 22 years, Durham Cropwalk has raised almost $2.5 million.

Jenny gave a quiz to the group on water use locally and worldwide. Most people in the third world walk more than a mile to get water for their family and collect rainwater out of necessity. Every day, the average American family uses more than 100 gallons of water. The average African family uses 3 to 5 gallons – which is about one toilet flush for most Americans. People in other countries are amazed that Americans flush toilets with clean drinking water. Every day, 4000 children die from unclean water. One of every 6 people in the world lack access to clean drinking water. Church World Service has many activities to improve this. Joe Moran was not here today because he is leaving for Pakistan.

Jenny provided many awards for Cropwalk 2006 as outlined in the enclosure.

10. The Minutes of the DCIA Board Meeting of October 17 were approved.

11. The assembly gave thankful appreciation for the members of Mt. Calvary UCC who prepared an excellent meal.

12. Prayers for those in need

For all those traveling over the Thanksgiving Holiday.

For Shirley Cameron, a member of Mt. Calvary UCC who is very ill.

For those members of Russell Memorial CME Church who are sick and shut-in.

13. Rev. Cecil Cheek offered a Closing Prayer

The next DCIA Board Lunch Meeting is on December 12

at the new Senior Center downtown near the YMCA.

Minutes by David Winer

DURHAM CROPWALK 2006

Gold and Silver Sneaker Awards

Business

Silver Sneaker – Measurement Inc. ($500)

Gold Sneaker – Kelly Services ($600)

Non-Profits

Gold Sneaker – Housing for New Hope ($962.77)

Schools

Gold Sneaker –  Duke School for Children Middle School ($3,046)

Small Congregations

Silver – Parkwood United Methodist Church ($3,848)

Gold – Pilgrim United Church of Christ ($4,691)

Mid-Size Congregations

Silver – First Presbyterian Church ($8000.75)

Gold – McMannen United Methodist Church ($8018)

Large Congregations

Silver – Westminster Presbyterian Church ($15,595.50)

Gold – Immaculate Conception Catholic Church ($18,525)

Individuals that raised over $1000:

Daniel F. Read

The Hall Family

Pete and Shirley Massey

Betty Berghaus

Nancy Rozak

Mary Holderness

Betty Jane Upchurch

McKenzie Brannon

Katherine Williams

Allegra Midgette

Honored:

Helen Smith

Frances Turner

Recognition of Service:

Durham Police Department