One Church, One Child of Florida, Inc.

Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

April 16, 2004

Tallahassee, Florida

Members Present:

Elder Elliott SheppardReverend Lawrence E. Gant

Rev. Dr. Arthur ChandlerBishop R. L. Dixon

Rev. Renita Allen DixonReverend Freddie Fillmore, Sr.

Rev. David OutingRev. Wylie Howard, Sr.

Rev. Beverly LaneReverend Eustace Douglas

Others Present:

Arie SailorVera Jones

  • Opening prayer by Reverend Dr. Arthur Chandler
  • Roll call by Pastor Renita Allen Dixon
  • Opening Remarks by President, Pastor Elliott Sheppard
  • Review and approval of the agenda by the board members
  • Reading and approval of the Minutes by the board

The floor was opened for discussion

Rev. Douglas began by discussing D9 indicating that the CBC had sent him a contract requiring far more deliverables than funding to support the proposal. The contract was only $50,000 yet required certified staff, delivery of all families recruited by OCOC foster and adoptive – giving no consideration to all expenses tied to administering an office. At this point D9 OCOC will continue its current efforts with the radio show, church presentations, and local programs and activities in recruiting, training and approving adoptive families, making them available for children in D9 and other districts under the adoption purchase of service agreements.

Rev. Howard indicated that in D10 the CBC, Childnet, has 7 case management agencies and Calvery Chapel and Bethel Churches were working locally to provide service. At this point there needs to be determined what gaps in service delivery exist.

President Shepard indicated that we need the input of the Board on what works and what OCOC needs to do to ensure continuous quality improvement and operations across the state.

Reverend Douglas shared that OCOC has a great leader in Central Office with Arie and her staff. There was a roar of Amen in the room. He said that the Board should pray and seek God for the next level, pull resources together and be strong. He said that he is confident and God will help us move the vision forward; the vision is alive and well. This work by no means is an easy road. It takes commitment in order to work. He indicated that there are challenges in District 9, but he will continue to work because of the children and their needs to have families of their own and forever homes.

Reverend Dr. Chandler indicated that OCOC should have been one of the lead agencies from the beginning for adoptions since it was a program of the Department of Children and Families with a history of finding and approving families. This was not done because the Board was not in effect when privatization rolled out.

Reverend Howard asked if the contract that the CBC’s had with DCF indicated that the CBCs were to work with OCOC. Arie stated it was in the original contract Attachment I, but she will check to see if it is in the latest contract.

Reverend Chandler stated the districts needed to let the CBC’s know what OCOC’s position was.

Reverend Outing shared that at the local level we need to work with the CBC’s negotiate contracts and look at ways to help raise money to support our efforts in the districts to help find homes for children. What happened in District 7 – you cannot come with victim mentality. Find out what their vision is and how we can help them accomplish their vision. It all had to do with the favor of God. The preachers are the Gate keepers to the community. They need the black churches. You have to go with no other agenda other than that you are there to represent OCOC.

Reverend Lane – She need some help from the Board of Directors. She voiced her concern about board members who are not actively participating and asked if consideration be given to their replacement on the board.

The President asked Arie to clarify steps for an immediate solution to recommending replacements. She explained that Board Member could resign of their own volition and/or the Board could recommend that they be replaced with members who have the time to commit to the work, but maintain the support of the members at the local level, recognizing the tremendous added value of these resources.

Pastor Lane agreed that there are a few members that we need to give some serious thought to.

She would like to have a Board retreat and training meeting in Tampa in September. She would like to have the Wonder Walk at that time to raise funds, perhaps the third weekend in September. She also wants to use this time to have a ribbon cutting ceremony for their new office donated by the City of Tampa, Friday at 3:00 pm.

It was moved by Pastor Dixon and 2nd – Pastor Howard that this be used as a Board and Staff Retreat on September 16-18th. The board members voted yes.

Pastor Outing announced that he had given much prayer and consideration to addressing his family and needs for financial compensation as such, he is thinking about resigning as a board member but continuing to work to assist the board and work at the local level.

Reverend Howard – The Board should look at how we work with Pastor Outing and how he is able to assist the Board outside of being a board member.

Reverend Gantt – The best thing we did was hire Ms. Sailor, Pastor Outing has said he is moving to the next level. Let us not lose him.

Reverend Howard – We just need to make a decision. Have we taken a survey of the Board? We need to decide today on someone who can get this thing done.

Reverend Douglas – Have to start packaging our service. We have a great service. We need someone/ a fund developer who can help with the fund development efforts. If we do not have the person in our organization we need to look outside of the organization.

President – Need an Ad Hoc Committee to design a business plan on what the Fund Raiser position should look like. The committee will consist of Rev. Douglas, Rev. Fillmore, Rev. Howard and Rev. Chandler. Rev. Howard will serve as chairperson.

Reverend Douglas – We need to go ahead and move on the plan and report on it during the next telephone conference call which is May 11, 2004. Te committee will work with the currently approved strategic plan for fund raising. The report should be put together as a document. The Board members can review prior to the conference call.

Consideration could be given to a public auction and other major fund raiser projects that would put us in the position that will help the project move on. Need to put forth a business plan.

Pastor Dixon suggested a Capital Campaign. The Board should have an eagle eye to fund raising.

The need of the organization is somewhat different. We need to focus more on the older children.

Pastor Outing said that Sally and Pastor Fillmore are meeting with the Edyth Bush Foundation next Tuesday

The November 2004 Meeting will be in Jacksonville and the April 2005 Meeting will be 7th, 8th, and 9th in San Destin and the November 2005 Meeting will be in West Palm Beach.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:00 p.m. with prayer by Pastor Fillmore.

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