ALLIED PARTNERS - January 9, 2008 Present: Mike Bodden, Fred Clark, Susan Corrado, Loree and Wynn Davies, Jenny Grether (and Abby), Linda Ketcham, Marge Lyford, Leslie McAllister, Shirley Robbins, Sue Sawyer, Alex Thornburg, Jack Tiffany. Facilitator Linda opened the meeting with introductions; then a short reading by Susan about a "cup of compassion" for all the suffering people in the world, as well as the earth's own suffering, reflecting that love is stronger than death and disaster. Minutes of the December meeting were approved, on motion by Alex and second by Fred. Financial Report: (Jack) His computer has been down, so the December and Annual Reports will be presented at our next meeting. Eviction Prevention: (Dianne, by way of Jack) December and Annual Reports presented in writing. An eloquent closing comment by Dianne noted that disbursements in 2007 soared to over $21,600, helping 123 families. She described the kinds of needs which were helped, and suggests that our E.P. work should be widely publicized, and she is willing to speak to groups about it. ALLIED PARTNERS COMMENDS DIANNE STEVENS FOR HER WORK, AND ALSO APPRECIATES RITA ADAIR'S SCREENING. Food Pantry: (Mike) December and Year-End financial reports given out in print; Mike's Annual Report covers space, sources of food and funds, staff and volunteers, families served and rules, operating costs. A small decrease in the number of families served is due to fewer people in the neighborhood at this time, and to the greater number of new Latino families who for various reasons do not use the pantry. This will change. Since the Boys and Girls Club needs our usual room, we will be meeting in the cafeteria space, and can at times meet in the churches. Noting that Eviction Prevention needs more money, while the Food Pantry is "showered" with funds, we discussed how to raise more money for E.P. It was suggested that a new Membership Committee could deal with this problem by recruiting more churches for the Partners, and that Undesignated Funds could be increased, with a greater percentage for E.P. No activity in Special Projects.
Wellness Center: (Susan) Annual Report presented. This lists programs and projects, plus outside partners with many of them; numbers of people who have consulted the Parish Nurse, and their needs; lists sources of funds and the achievement of financial stability; emphasizes the impact of the W.C. on the Allied neighborhood and its importance to the future health and safety of the community. Drug activity and dealing with conflict are two main issues.
Membership Committee: Purpose: To expand Allied Partners membership by reaching out to churches both inside and outside our "service area" who are not now members. To increase communications and participation of churches already "in". Possible - a Newsletter?
Other Business: NEXT MEETING: AT WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, February 13, 10 a.m. We will see the Allied Partners DVD. Facilitator: Alex; Thought for the Day: Marge. Shirley Robbins, Recorder |