Presbyterian Mission Agency



Teresa Bidart

Bilingual Administrative Assistant/ Meeting planner

September 2015

After the January National Committee meeting, I negotiated hotel arrangements for the Steering Committee, West, South, Northeast, Midwest Task Forces, and the International Task Force visit to Belize in February and August (just two persons). Also I have scheduled conferences calls such as the Establishing Community Partnerships conference call, OGHS Detroit Presbytery Neighborhood Redevelopment Conference Call, OGHS collaborative initiative in Detroit, SDOP Mid Council Committee Review Group, and Northeast, Midwest, and South Task Forces.

I worked closely with Cynthia and Lisa to develop the agenda for the International Task Force visit to Belize in February and August. Contacts were made with current and potential partners and we have been engaged in very good conversations in Belize. The International Task Force members will be working in a document with the Department of Cooperatives in Belize to compile all the learning experiences during this period where we have worked together. I am very pleased to mention that this department has awarded SDOP “In Appreciation of our distinguished contribution to the development of co-operative enterprises in Belize”. We could not make it to the award ceremony (very short notice) but Merlene Castillo, the Sandy Beach Women's Cooperative Society Limited Chairlady, received it on behalf of us.

As a part of the 45th Anniversary activities I participated with other staff members to send correspondence to current and former funded SDOP projects asking for their input, in quotes and pictures, to publish it at the Church and SDOP Webpages. Also, I sent this 45th Anniversary letters to the three intermediary partners.

I continue to send letters to international applicants informing them that because of changes in our funding focus we will not be processing new international applications for the next 6 years.

I have translated narrative reports, follow up letters, and project correspondences from Spanish-speaking countries and groups.

I continue to work closely with Clara to improve our website. We continue to look for good pictures and stories to keep the website up to date. I wrote two articles to be published in the website. The first one was about the 10 projects we have funded in Belize. This article has tons of pictures of Belize partners. I encouraged you to visit the website to see all the pictures that shows the work that been done so far. The second article is about 2 water projects that were funded in El Salvador 10 years ago and are still running and dong very well.

I worked with Margaret and the Church Communication department to develop the SDOP articles for the CPJ monthly newsletter and they were shown in the SDOP Website main page.

I also worked to upload on the website all Task Forces new applications, agendas, and reports for the upcoming meetings, updated list of Task Forces and Standing Committees, and the meeting dates list, etc.

I keep also the Task Force and Standing Committee meeting dates and related hotel information up to date in the SDOP database. All the information related with the international groups and intermediaries is entered in the database.

I continued to work will all the financial tasks of the International part of our ministry. I process payments using Web invoicing for international funded groups, intermediary partners, and processing payments for the Domestic Task Force and Standing Committees’ Hotels.

At the center, I have attended SDOP staff meetings, all staff meetings with Compassion, Peace and Justice, and all staff meeting building wide.

Mary J. Lewis

Administrative Assistant for Church-wide & Community Relations

September 2015

Please find listed below the many tasks I have accomplished during this reporting period:

Community Relations: One of my ongoing tasks have included: Preparing and mailing flyers to potential grant recipients inviting them to attend community workshops that Margaret was conducting, as well as any other SDOP staff and Task Force members. Some of the locations have included: Salt Lake City, UT; Lexington, KY; Chicago, IL; Phoenix, AZ. Additionally, I continue to mail the resources for each of the workshops and then follow up with a phone call to ensure that they have been received. I also maintain RSVP’S for prospective SDOP partners interested in attending a community workshop.

I prepared a mailing list; and sent out letter, both via email or mail regarding SDOP 45th Anniversary Celebration, which comprised of over 200 individuals.

I participated in conference call, along with other planning team members in regards to the OGHS Proposed Collaborative Initiative in New Orleans, LA on June 10, 2015. Also recorded, prepared and emailed copy of the minutes to the planning team and SDOP Staff. I also worked together with the OGHS New Orleans/Bayou collaborative initiative planning team on creating a joint OGHS application that can be used with potential partners from New Orleans and the Bayou.

I also participated in the conference call for the Detroit proposed collaborative initiative and although this collaboration has not occurred, each OGHS program continues to be actively engaged in Detroit and if a future opportunity arises, the program may work together.

Further, I continue to update the Community Relations Outreach Spreadsheet which tracks community workshops held throughout the year, groups that attend community workshops and groups that eventually submit a pre-application/draft application for review by Margaret or other SDOP staff.

Church-wide:

Following approval from SDOP Coordinator and Associate for Church-wide Committee, I prepared and mailed letters to all SDOP certified committees informing them of their 2015 Grant funding amounts.

After working closely with Associate for Church-wide and with help from staff of Research Services Department, I sent out a survey, via email, to all Mid Council SDOP Chairpersons and Staff persons, utilizing “Survey Monkey” application. This was sent out on behalf of the National Committee on Self-Development Review Committee. At the request of the Associate for Church-wide, I will also follow-up with the results and formulate a report on the outcome of the survey.

I continue to process certification applications as they are received in the office, forward them to the appropriate task force, along with the agenda, for review before the planned committee meetings. Once the applications are approved, I send an approval letter to the appropriate SDOP Committee Chair and MBG Staff person, and copy the Task Force Committee Chair for the particular region. Also, I continue to mail requested materials to those individuals conducting certification training workshops.

I continue to process payment request for all Presbytery & Synods and follow up with a letter to each of them once I receive final approval from the Accounting Department.

Additional Responsibilities/Activities:

I continue to log in and distribute all incoming mail within the SDOP department. Also, respond to any request both internal and external for SDOP Resources.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary L. McAdory

Senior Administrative Assistant

September 2015

The day to day tasks of answering telephones, emails, the SDOP emails, potential partners requesting applications, pre-applications, directions to our website; and presbyteries requesting their certification status and OGHS monies, or payment forms are ongoing.

I have attended All Mission, (CPJ) Compassion Peace and Justice Staff Day, CPJ Check-Ins and Self-Development of People staff meetings.

I processed numerous project, vendors, committee members and staff (reimbursements and advances) web invoices and cleared advances.

I have processed to the Regional Task Forces applications for their review: Midwest 10; Northeast 13; South 9 and West 7.

I have informed 38 presbyteries of community projects located in their area. I have emailed to 18 Presbyteries the Governing Body Application Information forms and applications to mid councils that informed them of community projects in their areas and requested mid councils to complete and return the enclosed forms; also the mid councils are invited to accompany the site visitors to the site visit. I have informed eight projects of their approved funding status.

I provided to Ruth Farrell for Collective goal eight summarized Self-Development of People Partnership with worker groups to ensure just labor practices that she sent to the worker justice group

I have contacted projects such as Phat Beets Produce of Oakland California and Providence Student Union group of Providence Rhode Island to submit balanced budgets and letters of recommendations before forwarding to the appropriate task force for review. Both groups were reviewed and have been assigned site visits.

I am working with Jennifer Evans, Hunger Mission Specialist II who has received an application from Phat Beets Produce. Lawrence Low, West Task Force member was assigned to complete site visit. Thus far Phat Beets Produce is still under consideration by Hunger; I will inform the West Task Force of Hunger’s decision following their review process.

Thank you Johnnie Monroe for I have connected with Pittsburgh Seminary and Metro Urban Institute for our September National meeting and with Eastminster Presbyterian Church for our transportation.

Invitations for the Presbyterian Committee of Self-Development of People have been sent to Pittsburgh Presbytery, Synod of the Trinity and projects to celebrate SDOP 45th anniversary.

I hope you all have had opportunities to relax and rejuvenate. I look forward to seeing everyone soon.

Take care and travel safely.

Troy Glover

Young Adult Community Liaison

September 2015

Community workshops

In the month of July I held two community workshops. The 1st workshop was held in conjunction with Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights. The workshop was held with about 30 young African American men who had been involved in the Criminal Justice System. The 2nd workshop was held July 17th at The Stalling Community Center. There were about 20 people in attendance from the neighborhood. I look forward to continual talks with the groups.

In the month of June I held one Community Workshop on June 5th. It was held across the river at Algiers Community Center in collaboration with the Algiers Neighborhood Association. Every month the group brings in a community partner to meet with local and poverty stricken neighborhoods. I was able to meet with about 30 of the community members.

In the month of May I held two community workshops. The 1st workshop was held on the west bank side of New Orleans in conjunction with Landry/Walker high school. There were about 30 people in attendance. The 2nd workshop was held May 26th at the New Orleans Convention Center in partnership with V.O.T.E. The workshop was held specifically to target youth that have been affected by the “school to prison” pipeline.

Groups or people I met with and worked with by providing technical assistance after a community workshop included:

July

Craig Baldwin to talk through a project that deals making the local playground safe and accessible to all

Julie Whitman to talk about her fitness project

Sam Smith to finalize the group’s budget

Jimmie Danks to finish up his group’s lawn care project

Deidra Decay to talk through the budget for the group’s youth lead project

Jason Robinson to talk through a project dealing with blighted property

Chiquita Jones to finish up her group’s application

Rick Nyeugen to work on the budget for the Vietnamese farmer’s cooperative project

Nora Winbush to talk through a project that deals with homeless people

Norris Henderson form Voice of the Ex-Offender to discuss the details of a potential youth project

Kellie Baldwin to talk through a project that deals with making the local playground safe and accessible to all

June

Mercy Team from Learning the Way Church to find out the needs of the congregation in order to potentially apply for a grant. The church is located in one of the poorest neighborhoods in the city.

The Sampson Park Supervisor about doing a workshop on the park.

Julie Whitman to talk about her fitness project

Deidra Decay to talk through the budget for the group’s youth lead project

I brought SDOP supplies out to outreach on St. Roch Park in collaboration with Cross Road.

Jimmie Danks to finish up his group’s lawn care project

Sam Smith to finish up the group’s budget

Denali Lander from Youth Run NOLA, to talk about finalizing a youth project

Chiquita Jones to talk through a project that deals with abuse and women

Kevin of Project Home Coming to talk about potential partnerships with the collaborative

effort

Cyndi Nyeugen to work on the budget for the Vietnamese farmers’ cooperative project

Youth Run NOLA with their monthly race and I was able to set up a SDOP table to welcome in the new members of the organization

May

Tyrone Walker to talk through a project dealing with blighted property

Danielle Buris to provide technical assistance on her fitness application

Denali Lander to talk through another youth lead project

I met with Le’kedra Robertson to explain why the group didn’t get funded

I met with Chiquita Jones to talk through a project that deals with abuse and women

I met with Cyndi Nyeugen to work on the budget for the Vietnamese farmers cooperative project.

I met with Nora Winbush to talk through a project that deals with homeless people.

Other meetings with community group “connectors”, groups that are not applying for a SDOP grant but could facilitate a connection with potential SDOP partners included:

July

Lunch with Ray Boulding of the Mayor’s office to discuss their race initiative

Helping with NORDC to promote the new community center and resources around the city.

I met with James Gathwright to talk through the steps of Launch NOLA

Lunch with Ben Davis to talk through the idea of hosting a workshop at the grand opening of their

new thrift store.

June

The Executive Director of Girls on the run; to talk through some youth led projects.

Helped to rebuild homes with Habitat For Humanity. The homes are for natives that were forced out of the

city due to Katrina and the rise of property taxes.

I partnered with the fifth district police station at their “stop the violence” campaign. The campaign came

after one of the officers was killed while transporting a suspect to central lock up.

I met with Molly Pucillo of FIT NOLA to talk through the possibility of doing workshops at the different

parks that the NORD baseball games are being held.

Terrinika Carter of Franklin Avenue Church to talk through partnerships with their community

development program.

Niamiah Johnson of Operation Reach to talk through programming and doing a workshop with

the youth.

I had the privilege of talking to a great group of guys part of a half-way house program. The halfway

house was designed to help convicted felonies who are about to be released from prison.

May

Lunch with Pastor Johnson of Journey church to talk about doing a workshop at their community center

Dan Carver from the New Orleans Advocate to talk about community organizing and the effect SDOP is having on the city

I helped out with Give NOLA Day to help raise money for non-profit organizations throughout the city

Hannah to talk through the steps of starting a local SDOP committee

I attended Youth Run Nola’s crawfish bowl to connect with some of the youth I’ve worked with

Lunch with Andrew Bartlett to talk through the collaborative initiative and next steps

Layne Brubaker and Andrew Bartlett to visit a local garden and to talk through potential partners for the collaborative initiative

I had coffee with Hannah to report back on findings that deal with the local SDOP committee

Meeting with Layne Brubaker to give her insight on the progress of SDOP in the city, a potential partnership with the YAV’s and to talk about potentially being on the board for the YAV program

I had dinner with Joseph Johnson to talk about the South Taskforce, the collaborative initiative and more.

Wayne A. Gnatuk

Associate for Church-Wide Relations

Since our last National Committee meeting in Houston, a lot has happened. Here’s a report of some of the highlights:

I’ve worked with a number of our Presbytery and Synod SDOP Committees, and have conducted certification trainings for the SDOP Committees of National Capital Presbytery, Pittsburgh Presbytery, and Synod of the Trinity.

I’ve spoken about Self-Development in four Presbyterian congregations (Colorado, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington DC).

I’m developing a series of five audio pieces about Self-Development which will be available for listening on our website. Rick Jones, one of the communicators here at the Presbyterian Center, will voice the pieces in English; Teresa Bidart will translate them and voice them in Spanish. We can add new audio pieces as time goes on.

I have worked with the Mid Council SDOP Committee Review Task Force, which is examining the ministry, policies, and procedures of our Presbytery and Synod SDOP Committees. The Task Force wanted to do a survey of our existing Mid Council SDOP Committees, and asked me to develop and distribute it; this turned out to be more difficult than it sounds. Mary Lewis and I tried to develop the questionnaire using Survey Monkey, but couldn’t come close to asking the detailed and layered questions to which we wanted answers. We ended up working with Research Services staff here in the building, who had access to the full version of Survey Monkey, and are now analyzing the results.

I participated in the SDOP Staff Meeting on February 5-6. I also attended various meetings here in the Presbyterian Center, including ones for Compassion, Peace and Justice (CPJ), as well as several meetings related to OGHS and the development of the 2016 One Great Hour of Sharing materials that are being prepared through the Office of Special Offerings.

I’ve continued to work with a contracted curriculum writer to develop two SDOP curricular pieces, one for youth, and a (very similar) one for young adults. It will be a web resource, and will be quite different from any of our other SDOP Resources. It should be finished by the end of this year.

During two weeks in July, I took my annual study leave at Chautauqua Institution in New York state, attending daily weekday lectures (two each day) on two topics (immigration and the problems of males who are youth and young adults). While there, I also read four books: So Rich, So Poor, ˆby Peter Edelman; The Christian Imagination: Theology and the Origins of Race, by Willie James Jennings; The Latehomecomer: A Hmong Family Memoir, by Kao Kalia Yang; and, Emergence Christianity, by Phyllis Tickle. I recommend all four, and found the Jennings title to be the best, but please note that it is a difficult read!

In my personal life, my dental problems (caused by an adverse interaction with my heart medication) resulted in the extraction of all my teeth on March 24; there were no workable alternatives. At the same time as the extractions, I was equipped with a set of twelve permanent implant posts, and a complete set of temporary acrylic teeth that are screwed into the implants. Sometime in the next sixty days, I will be receiving my permanent artificial teeth, made of titanium - non-breakable they tell me, which is a good thing, since some of the acrylic ones have snapped off in the middle of the night. It’s feeling very good to see the light at the end of the tunnel!

Margaret Mwale

Associate for Community Relations

September 2015

Community Outreach

--In the past few months I have planned and conducted approximately 7 community workshops/events in the presbyteries of Florida; Utah; Mid KY; Western CO; Capital and Grand Canyon. The Phoenix workshop was planned in collaboration with Betania Presbyterian Church (I planned the workshop, it was conducted by the Task Force), the Florida workshop in conjunction with the Presbytery SDOP Committee and the Louisville workshop in collaboration with Beechmont Presbyterian Church. I planned the Delta, CO workshop in collaboration with Presbyterian Church of Delta. SDOP partners Anti-Hunger Action Committee and Disabled Rights action Committee in Salt Lake City (UT) helped plan this workshop. Two proposals submitted and reviewed by the West Task Force were as a result of the Delta, CO workshop. One proposal reviewed by the South Task Force is a result of the Louisville workshop and one pre application was a result of the Florida workshop.

--Joseph Johnson, Troy Glover and I had an opportunity earlier in the year to visit with pastors from First Presbyterian Church, St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church and Lakeside Presbyterian Church to share on the work of SDOP and to promote/interpret the OGHS offering

--I am working with the PC (USA) Office of Immigration to plan network trainings on immigration advocacy to be held at Louisville Presbyterian Seminary.

--Selma Jackson, SDOP Community partners involved in incarceration issues and I held a workshop on the School to Prison Pipeline during the 2015 CPJ Days. The theme this year was Mass Incarceration.

--I am in conversation with the Office of Community Outreach at Montreat College, a PC (USA) affiliated college, Montreat Presbyterian Church and the nearby Montreat Conference Center on the possibility of:

• Setting up one or more speaking engagements for student forum or a class on how SDOP seeks to alleviate poverty by partnering with low-income community groups and how the students could become involved with SDOP

• Connecting students with SDOP partners in the area so they can learn visually about and or engage with these partners

• Providing information to students encouraging them to participate in the OGHS offering

Pre application Review

I had reviewed approximately 48 pre applications to-date , provided feedback and worked with groups that appear to meet criteria on their potential applications

In particular, I worked with all 6 groups that submitted applications reviewed at the August West Task Force meeting. The Task Force plans to conduct site visits with four out of the six groups. I also worked with/provided technical assistance to the following groups:

Midwest Region: La Conexion in OH, the task force approved a technical assistance grant

Northeast Region: JUNTOS in PA and Providence Student Union (approved for site visits)

South Region: African Food in Louisville (approved for a site visit)

Young Adult Community Liaison Program

I continued to provide leadership and overall guidance for the Young Adult Community Liaison program up until last month. As you may recall Troy Glover had indicated towards the end of 2014 he wanted to resign so as to focus on school then decided to stay on until the current contract ended in early August. By reaching out to prospective partners through community workshops; providing follow-up technical assistance to potential partners and engaging in relationship building with current and prospective SDOP partners, Troy has helped significantly to increase visibility of SDOP in New Orleans. He also helped to put SDOP in contact with some of the community partners the OGHS New Orleans Collaborative Initiative planning team met with during last week’s visits with potential partners. I am grateful for the wonderful level of energy and creativity Troy brought to SDOP and the many contacts he initiated during his tenure as SDOP Young Adult Community Liaison as you will read in his report.

OGHS Collaborative Initiatives

As a part of the OGHS US collaboration team together with Rick Turner (PDA) and Andrew Kang Bartlett (PHP) I am working on the following:

Creation of an online, interactive OGHS ministries map

The purpose of this visual piece would be to increase the engagement of Presbyterians in the work of SDOP, PDA and PHP and our partners by providing a one-stop map to inspire them to connect, volunteer, find internships, and advocate. We anticipate the 2016 General Assembly in Portland, OR as our roll-out date for this project. I am also working with SDOP staff Teresa Bidart on this initiative.

New Orleans and Bayou (Delta)

I participated in the March 25 to 27 meeting along with other members of the OGHS Collaborative Initiative team. We met with community groups in New Orleans and the Grand Bayou Indian Village (GBIV) in the Delta Wetlands. The New Orleans visit included Project Homecoming, the Filmore Gardens Neighborhood and the Bonniefriend Neighborhood Association. I am also working with SDOP staff Mary Lewis on this initiative.

Since the planning team did not identify potential partners after the March visits, I have been working on planning a meeting with Joseph Johnson, Troy Glover, Greater New Orleans Foundation and Foundation for Louisiana to identify groups working in New Orleans so that we can find the best fit for our collaborative work. The trip was August 27 to 29. Community groups we met with included Global Green New Orleans; Green Light; Compass Health Initiative; Voice of the Ex Offender SDOP partner); Veggie Farmers Cooperative; NOLA Mardi Gras Indian; Congress of Day Laborers; Oya Market; United Houma Nation. We conducted site visits with Center for Sustainable Engagement and Development Backyard Gardens

Detroit

I participated in conference calls together with other OGHS staff as well as Sharon Ware and Lisa Leverette. I was actively engaged in planning the meeting (although unable to attend) held in late April by the Presbytery of Detroit Hands on Mission Workgroup (a subcommittee of the Mission Interpretation Ministry Team). The meeting focused on exploring possible collaborative initiative ideas with SDOP, PDA and PHP.

PDA, PHP and SDOP are currently not working on a collaborative initiative, however each of the three programs will continue working simultaneously in Detroit within their respective mandates. It is possible that perhaps in future if an opportunity arose for a joint initiative, the three programs could work collaboratively. The SDOP work with community partners is strong and very impactful in Detroit. Detroit as a focus area for SDOP has been integral in partnership development along with the Presbytery and Synod SDOP Committees.

Resource Development

--I developed a questionnaire in collaboration with the OGHS New Orleans collaborative initiative planning team that was used with groups that we visited with in August

--I also worked with SDOP staff Mary Lewis, PHP and PDA to create a joint application/proposal that can be used by potential partners in New Orleans and the Bayou.

Relationship & Network Building/Conferences

I continue my involvement with both the Neighborhood Funders Group (NFG) and Grassroots Grantmakers. As a part of the NFG  Working Group on Place-Based Community Change I have participated in a series of 2015 webinars.  NFG's Working Group on Place Based Community Change operates through three primary strategies:

--Organizing foundations with an interest in strengthening their place-based grant making approaches

--Building a member-led working group for change through creating opportunities for professional growth 

--Planning events and activities that help explore new ideas and programs

Meetings- I have participated in several meetings some related to Compassion, Peace and Justice and some unrelated. I hope you have had a restful summer. See you in Pittsburgh!

Respectfully Submitted,

Margaret Mwale

Clara Nunez

Associate for Program Administration

September 2015

We had a great vacation in Ecuador, it was nice to visit family and travel my beautiful country. Girls are now in school. Emilia is in 5th grade and Eva in Kindergarten.

Since the January 2015 meeting, 41 Applications (10 Midwest, 14 Northeast, 10 South, and 7 West) have been received, reviewed and forwarded to the Task Forces for review for the January meeting. I have reviewed and approved narrative reports, travel reimbursements, payments to vendors, first payment documents, technical assistance requests and travel advances.

On September 9, 2015 SDOP staff will participate at the Compassion, Peace and Justice (CPJ) Staff days.

I staffed the South Task Force meeting in Lexington, KY on July 17-18, 2015. The Task Force had a community workshop on Saturday July 18.

I have been in conversation with the Share Care Bank in Mississippi. It was a nice to hear how well they are doing and how Self-Development has helped them. They have been able to partner with a Presbyterian Church. I will be putting a story together for the website.

The Communications office has started working on a new website. We have to go over the SDOP website pages, documents, stories and files. The SDOP staff is working together to review the current site. This is a large task and the deadline is September 30.

We have been working from some time now to prepare for the 45th year anniversary, contacting funded groups, National and Mid Council committee members, former committee members and other friends of SDOP. I have created banners with the quotes that we have received and pictures from groups. These are being posted on the Facebook and the website. Please share them with your family and friends. There is still time to send your quotes and pictures.

Working with Presbyterians Today, two of SDOP funded projects working with survivors of domestic violence were invited to present poems for the magazine.

Working with our Communicator Rick Jones from the office of Communications, we will have several stories for the 45th anniversary of SDOP featured in Presbyterians today and the Presbyterian News Service. Rick will add a feature of the articles on the main PCUSA website.

I have attended meetings for UNBOUND and for the Educate a Child Initiative. As a result, funded SDOP groups have been interviewed and featured on their websites.

All flights need to be booked and purchased using Azumano. The tickets purchased with Azumano are billed to a PCUSA credit card. Purchase your tickets 21 days in advance.

When for some reason you are not making your flight, please remember to call the airlines or the Azumano Travel Agency before your flight departure (even if the reason is bad weather).

Help SDOP to save from paying for tickets that aren’t used or cancelled. To use those tickets a $150 change fee is charged. The unused tickets need to be booked with a departure date and the trip be completed before the expiration date of the ticket. If your ticket isn’t cancelled the airline does not refund the cost of the ticket and it is worthless.

Please let us know, with enough time, to cancel your hotel room. SDOP is charged for unused rooms not cancelled before the meeting. Please let us know if you will be bringing a guest. (This will mean we will need to assign a room to the person who was assigned to room with you). Additional nights at the hotel will be your responsibility.

Coordinator’s Report

September 2015

It has been quite sometime between the last National Committee meeting and the upcoming meeting. I have been with most of you at Task Force, Steering and other gatherings. It will be good to be all together in Pittsburgh.

Highlights during this time include

• Northeast Task Force gathering in Baltimore (June 25-26) with mid-council SDOP Committee members, Presbytery staff persons and community partners. It was a time of frank discussion on the issues facing the economically poor and oppressed communities in this area and how the unrest has impacted the people. From this meeting communities that do not normally meet together agreed to come together on a basis regular. The staff person at the center that we met volunteered to organize the gatherings and the use of the community center.

• The piggybacking of the Steering Committee meeting and the Midwest Task Force meeting in Chicago (July 23-25) was very productive. Having members of the Chicago Presbytery SDOP Committee and staff members join both the Steering Committee and Task Force was a time of good fellowship and conversation in helping all in their understanding of the work on the local and national levels. Holding a community workshop and certification training at Sixth Grace Presbyterian Church, with the two overlapping at points, was really good. And having the lunch catered by a SDOP community partner was really effective.

• It was good being with the West Task Force with them having five good applications to review when earlier they had none that were good. A big thanks to Margaret for her focused outreach in the West. The workshop on Saturday reached primarily the Hispanic community in Phoenix. Joe Love did a great job translating as did two of the workshop participants.

Clara and other staff members have worked hard to have SDOP included in different communication venues. Check out the latest edition of Presbyterians Today, full article on SDOP. And if you keep up with the e-newsletter from Sara you’ll see the latest edition had a SDOP article, as does the upcoming issue. Clara and Teresa are working with a larger PC (USA) Team in re-designing websites. Hopefully the PC (USA) site will be much more user friendly in the near future. The SDOP site will be cleaner but not many changes will be made.

Wayne and Mary L. have been busy working with the Mid-Council Committee Review Task Force and in developing a survey of existing Mid-Council Committees. This survey was developed with the assistance of Research Services using Survey Monkey. The analysis from the survey will help in determining the most effective way to move forward with Mid-Council SDOP Committees.

As you read in Teresa’s report we are extremely proud to have received an award of appreciation from the Department of Cooperatives in Belize for SDOP’s distinguished contributions to the development of cooperative enterprises. Though we could not send a representative to receive the award Merlene Castillo a partner from Sandy Beach Women’s Cooperative received it on our behalf. A big thanks to Merlene! A part of the work being done by the International Task Force is working with the Department of Cooperatives to develop a report on lessons learned during this valuable partnership and exploring ways of further partnering together. Our collaborative partnership with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) and Presbyterian Hunger Program (PHP) continue in the West Africa Initiative (WAI). As you know this partnership is in Liberia and Sierra Leone. Both countries were rocked by the Ebola crisis earlier this year, fortunately at this point Liberia has been declared Ebola free, a few new cases have been reported in Sierra Leone but hopefully they are close to being declared Ebola free also. The crisis slowed down our work there but we are gearing back up. I am happy to report that because of their partnership with WAI and the planting of individual and community gardens none of our community partners suffered from lack of food as did many other communities during this very difficult time.

This has been a time of change at the national office with the departure of Linda Valentine as the Executive Director and the appointment of Earline Williams and Barry Creech as Co-Managers. It is anticipated that the Presbyterian Mission Agency (PMA) will announce an interim director at their September 23-25 meeting. It is with mixed emotions that we congratulate Toni Carver-Smith on her promotion to Finance and Accounting where she will serve as Financial & Compliance Strategist. We will really miss Troy Glover as he leaves his position as the Young Adult Community Liaison in New Orleans. Troy will continue to provide assistance and input to Margaret and the team working on the New Orleans/Bayou Collaboration. Margaret and Joseph will give an update on this collaborative effort with PDA and PHP.

Big thanks to Mary McAdory and Johnnie Monroe for all they have done in putting this meeting together. And thanks to the entire staff for their parts in making this celebration/meeting happen.

On a personal notes thanks to all of you for your thoughts and prayers for Dee as he has dealt with some health issues. He is now facing a full knee replacement (the Monday after I return from Pittsburgh!!) Please continue to keep us in your prayers.

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