PRESBYTERIAN COMMITTEE ON THE
SELF-DEVELOPMENT OF PEOPLE
January 22-24, 2015
Houston, TX
MINUTES
Thursday January 22, 2015 the Finance Committee convened at 2:00 p.m.The Self-Development of People National meeting convened at 3:00 p.m.
Selma Jackson opened the meeting with prayer.
The following Committee members were present:
Mark Downs Shavon Starling-Louis
John Etheredge Johnnie Monroe
Oscar Heyward Sarah Jane Moore
Bernadette Hightower-Hughes Joe Love Nelson
Jimeka Holloway John (Pat) Osoinach
Selma Jackson, Chairperson Cathryn Surgenor
Joseph Johnson Sharon L. Ware
Lisa Leverette Wesley Woo
Lawrence (Larry) Low
The following staff members were present:
Wayne Gnatuk, Clara Nunez, Mary McAdory, Margaret Mwale and Cynthia White
Excused Absence:
Jonas Georges, Cynthia Hayes, Laura Krauss and Rebecca Reyes.
The Committee VOTED TO APPROVE the Proposed Agenda.
The Committee VOTED TO APPROVE the National Committee September 17-20, 2014 minutes with the addendum to add Shavon Starling-Louis as present.
The National Committee thanked Mark Downs and Kristi Click for arranging the meeting at Spring Branch Presbyterian Church. Mark Downs and Sarah Jane Moore were thanked for the Minute for Mission church contacts for Sunday January 25, 2015.
The plenary adjourned at 4:00 p.m. and recessed into Standing Committees and Task Force meetings.
4:00 – 5:30 p.m. Community Relations Committee
Church-wide Relations Committee
International Task Force
Thursday January 22, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. Mark Downs welcomed our guests and began our time together with prayer by James Brown of ‘Jay The Caterer’. Dinner followed immediately.
Following dinner members of the Self-Development of People Committee and staff engaged in conversation with Maru and Charles Stogner of John Knox Presbyterian Church; Wanda Boyd, Kristi Click, Rebecca Fairchild, Laurey Murphy and Larry Murphy of Spring Branch Presbyterian Church; Jim Luther and Sherri Verdone of Clear Lake Presbyterian Church; Mauricio Chacon of Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church; Rachel Wells and Nathaniel Potts of Atascoeiter Presbyterian and Tonacecisco Teraeew.
Selma Jackson, Chairperson told our guest about the Committee on the Self-Development of People.
Cynthia White, Cooridnator of SDOP informed our guest about the One Great Hour of Sharing programs.
Share the Blessing video was shared with guest, committee members and staff.
Conversation continued on how SDOP can be better know in the Presbyterian Church:
Following are several suggestions:
- Have a nid-council Committee
- Website (more connection with Presbyterian Churches)
- News Letter
- Tie the SDOP Sunday resources with Lent.
Selma Jackson and Cynthia White updated the Committee on the Office of Special Offering Resources.
The Pleanary broke out into three groups to discuss Maintaining the Integrity of the SDOP Ministry In the Face of Shrinking Funds.
The questions were:
- Being consistent with the SDOP criteria, processes and procedures identify three ways in which the functions could be organized and/or carried out differently still enabling the ministry to fulfill its mission of engaging in partnership with economically poor, oppressed and disadvantaged communities.
- For the three ways listed give the pros and cons for each and how they would impact the ministry financially, the practicality of the suggestions, and how they would impact the make-up of the Committee.
- Looking beyond how the work is currently carried organizationally and administratively identify three ways in which we can live into the financial realities and still function at an optimum level.
The Plenary reconvened at 2:00 p.m.
The discussions continued by listing the pros and cons for each question and the following is the outcome on Maintaining the Integrity of the SDOP Ministry In the Face of Shrinking Funds:
- Each National Committee members to contact three churches and promote SDOP Sunday
- Connect receipents’ stories with current events, illustrate systemic issues and long-term impact and change.
- Youth Trienium (Jimeka Holloway and Shavon Starling-Louis will attend.)
- An advertisement in Presbyterian’s Today magazine for the 2015 OGHS to read as follows: “Let Justice Roll down Like” – Amos 5:24
S – Supporting Our Neighbors
D – Diminishing Barriers
O – Overcoming Oppression and Injustice
P – Promoting Social and Economic Equality
The Committee VOTED TO APPROVE the magazine ad.
The plenary adjourned at 4:00 p.m. and recessed into the Domestic Task Forces:
- Midwest
- Northeast
- South
- West
Saturday January 24, 2015 the Steering Committee convened at 8:30 a.m.
The National Committee reconvened at 9:30 a.m.
Mark Downs opened the meeting with bible study followed by prayer.
The Committee VOTED TO RECEIVE the Steering Committee report presented by Selma Jackson.
Selma presented four recommendations from the Steering Committee:
- After an in-depth review of the budget the Steering committee recommends that the chair and treasurer meet with Sara Lisherness, Toni Carver-Smith and accounting to better understand the reserve fund.
- The Steering Committee recommends that the National Committee cancel its face-to-face May meeting.
- May is the time when new officers are installed, because it is being recommended that this meeting be cancelled, the Steering Committee recommend that the term of current officers be extended for one year.
- So that possible community partners do not have to wait until the September meeting for funding consideration it is recommended that staff set up an on-line voting process for any précis submitted to the National Committee in May. A process will be developed whereby Committee members can review and vote on-line.
Selma Jackson appointed Shavon Starling-Louis to be the point person for the Office of Special Offering Ambassador program.
The March 12-14, 2015 Steering Committee meeting in Portland, OR will be attended by Oscar Heyward, Selma Jackson, Joseph Johnson, Rebecca Reyes and Cynthia White-staff, in joint collaboration with Presbyterian Hunger Program and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.
The Committee VOTED TO APPROVE
The Committee VOTED TO RECEIVE the Staff report presented by Cynthia White.
Staff thanked the Committee for their hardwork and energy and new ideas.
As requested, staff will look into the accessiblility of GoTo meeting, skpye, and conference calls and other means of having meetings beside face-to-face.
Cynthia will check with legal for Committee members sending their ad donations to Evergreen Presbyterian Church.
The Committee VOTED TO RECEIVE the Financial report presented by Oscar Heyward.
Oscar informed the Committee of the 2015 budget and its budget cuts. He and Selma will contact Toni Carver-Smith to look into SDOP’s financial process and how it works. Their findings are to be reported to the plenary at its September meeting.
The Committee VOTED TO RECEIVE the International Task Force report.
Three précis funded by the Task Force were presented for validation and funding by the entire Committee.
Sandy Beach Women’s Cooperative, Stann Creek District, Belize
Validation/Funding: $22,500
Payment Schedule: Quarterly
The Committee VOTED TO APPROVE
Trio Farmers in Development Cooperative, Toledo District, Belize
Validation/Funding: $20,042.50
Payment Schedule: Quaterly
The Committee VOTED TO APPROVE
Seine Bight Village Council, Seine Bight Village, Belize
Validation/Funding: $19,910.20
Payment Schedule: quarterly
The Committee VOTED TO APPROVE
Lisa Leverette shared that Ms. Froyla Tzalm, a colleague in Belize, is currently assisting two groups with possible applications for SDOP.
If budget constrants prevent meeting in Belize in 2016 the International Task Force recommend either the Bronx or Brooklyn, NY where there is a large Garifuna population.
The next International Task Force meeting is Feburary 18-24, 2015 in Belize.
The Committee VOTED TO RECEIVE the Midwest Task Force report.
Three précis were presented for validation and funding.
Calumet Laurium Holistice Senior Center, Inc, Calumet, MI
Validation/Funding: $15,000
Payment Schedule: Quaterly
The Committee VOTED TO APPROVE
We the People of Detroit, Detroit, MI
Validation/Funding: $15,000
Payment Schedule: Quarterly
The Committee VOTED TO APPROVE
Unity in our Community Time Bank, Detroit, MI
Validation/Funding: $12,701
Payment Schedule: Quarterly
The Committee VOTED TO APPROVE
The Task Force cancelled its March meeting. The Task Force will explore alternative meetings within the budget.
September 17-19, 2015 (In conjunction with the National Committee meeting) Pittsburgh, PA
The Committee VOTED TO RECEIVE the Northeast Task Force report
One précis was presented for validation and funding.
Asbury Park-Statewide Organizing Committee, Asbury Park, NJ
Validation/Funding: $15,000
Payment Schedule: Quarterly
The Committee VOTED TO APPROVE
The next Northeast Task Force meeting is March 5, 2015 – Meeting through Google Hang Out
July 10-11, 2015 in Morgantown, WV; the Task Force may decide to do a conference call instead of face-to-face
September 17-20, 2015 (In conjunction with National Committee meeting) in Pittsburgh, PA
The Committee VOTED TO RECEIVE the South Task Force report.
One précis was presented for validation and funding.
Bonded Women, Claxton, GA
Validation/Funding: $15,000
Payment Schedule: Quarterly
The Committee VOTED TO APPROVE
The South Task Force canceled their March, July and November face-to-face meeting but will visit churches to promote SDOP.
The next South Task Force meeting is September 17-20, 2015 (In conjuction with the National Committee meeting) in Philadelphia, PA
The Committee VOTED TO RECEIVE the West Task Force report.
Three précis were presented for validation and funding.
Northern Cheyenne Utilities Commission, Lame Deer, MT
Validation/Funding: $15,000
Payment Schedule: Quarterly
The Committee VOTED TO APPROVE
Nuestra Comunidad Sana, Hood River, OR
Validation/Funding: $15,000
Payment Schedule: Quarterly
The Committee VOTED TO APPROVE
African Immigrant Support Group, San Jose, CA
Validation/Funding: $15,000
Payment Schedule: One payment
The Committee VOTED TO APPROVE
The next West Task Force meetings will be electronically, preferably using GoTo Meeting.
The GoTo meeting schedules (EST) are:
March 6, 2015 at 3:00 p.m.
July 17, 2015 at 3:00 p.m.
November 13, 2015 at 3:00 p.m.
The Committee recessed for lunch at 12 noon.
The National committee reconvened at 1:00 p.m.
The Committee VOTED TO RECEIVE the Church-wide Relations Committee report.
Sarah Jane Moore shared that Rachel Wells and Nathaniel Poots will speak at Associata where she is Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries on March 15, 2015.
Sarah Jane reported that 11 churches were scheduled for Minute for Mission, Sunday School or preaching in Houston.
For the Congregational Outreach Project (COP) that members call at least three churches and tell them about SDOP, ask how they can help and tell them about the worship resources on the web site.
For the Seminary Outreach Project (SOP) the Northeast Task Force is assisting in setting up the September National Committee meeting at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. The West Task Force will meet at San Francisco Seminary.
A young adult follow-up form is being developed for young adults who attend young adult forums at National Committee meetings. Through SDOP’s Associate for Churchwide Relations, a directory of young Aaults who have attended National meetings will be kept.
The Mid-Council review team will have their third meeting January 28, 2015, by conference call.
The discussion of possible new ideas for the Churchwide Committee is working with Presbyterian Women and how to interface with Mid-Councils.
The Committee VOTED TO RECEIVE the Community Relations Committee report.
John Etheredge reported that the Committee will stay on track to keep communications with groups. They will work with young adults but will be checking with Church-Wide so as not to overlap.
Community will work with having a presence at events and with groups that have a relationship with young adults.
John is asking for a representative from the Northeast to serve on Community Relations.
Cathy Surgenor closed the meeting with prayer.
Meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary L McAdory
Senior Administrative Assistant / CONVENED
ROLL CALL
ACTION: 01-0115
Approved Agenda
ACTION: 02-0115
Approved September 17-20, 2014 National Committee Minutes with amendment
RECONVENED
RECONVENED
RECONVENED
ACTION: 03-0115
Received the Steering Committee Report
ACTION: 04-0115
Approved the Chair and Treasuerer meeting with Sara Lisherness, Toni Carver-Smith and accounting.
ACTION: 05-0115
Approved the canceling of the May National meeting
ACTION: 06-0115
Approved the extended term of the current officers
ACTION: 07-0115
Approved that staff set up an on-line voting process for May precis
ACTION: 08-0115
Approved Oscar Heyward, Selma Jackson, Joesph Johnson, Rebecca Reyes and Cynthia White attending the Steering Committee and joint OGHS meeting in Portland,OR
ACTION: 09-0115
Received the Staff Report
ACTION: 10-0115
Received the Financial Report
TASK FORCE REPORTS
INTERNATIONAL
ACTION: 11-0115
Received the International Task Force Report
ACTION: 12-0115
VALIDATION/FUNDING
SI11003
ACTION: 13-0115
VALIDATION/FUNDING
SI14001
ACTION: 14-0115
VALIDATION/FUNDING
SI14005
MIDWEST
ACTION: 15-0115
Received the Midwest Task Force Report
ACTION: 16-0115
VALIDATION/FUNDING
SM14010
ACTION: 17-0115
VALIDATION/FUNDING
SM14014
ACTION: 18-0115
VALIDATION/FUNDING
SM14017
NORTHEAST
ACTION: 19-0115
Received the Northeast Task Force Report
ACTION: 20-0115
VALIDATION/FUNDING
SN14010
SOUTH
ACTION: 21-0115
Received the South Task Force Report
ACTION: 22-0115
VALIDATION/FUNDING
SS14014
WEST
ACTION: 23-0115
Received the West Task Force Report
ACTION: 24-0115
VALIDATION/FUNDING
SW14001
ACTION: 25-0115
VALIDATION/FUNDING
SW14010
ACTION: 26-0115
VALIDATION/FUNDING
SW14012
RECONVENED
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS
ACTION: 27-0115
Received Church-wide Relations Committee Report
ACTION: 28-011527-0115
Received Community Relations Report
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