Family Promise of Anoka County Board meeting 11/30/20090
Board members present: Rhonda Steele, Mike Nelson, Suzy Schultz, Sue Baysden, Jane Krepela, Bonnie Hugeback. Guests: Mona Glesne, Lorene Palm, Judy Hunter, Cindy Huberty.
Mike presented a DVD slide/audio version of the “voices” audio that he put together for a FPAC presentation at First Congregational UCC Anoka. Rhonda circulated materials for review including a couple of books written by Ruby Payne “Understanding Poverty” and “Bridges out of Poverty” Both are available from the public library and are among the best books on the subject. FP will be presenting a national conference, “Dare to Dream”, April 30-May 2, in Orlando, FL
Rhonda presented an update on the Ham Lake property. The person making the contribution is looking into the legal paperwork to maintain a Life Estate on a portion of the property that she would live in and the donation of the home & 5.5 acres to FPAC. Rhonda also reviewed utility cost for the property: $56.00 mo. for electricity and approximately $4,000.00 annual cost for propane.
Rhonda & Mona updated the board on the Olive Branch property. Redeemer has exercised a 90 day agreement with Olive Branch to explore the feasibility of using the Olive Branch Facility as a second campus for Redeemer. There is a “gentleman’s agreement” to consider one section of the facility as a day center for FPAC. There are several issues to consider such as the need to upgrade bathrooms and additional plumbing for shower facilities and the possible need to upgrade electric and communications cabling and a formal agreement for use and improvements.
The board met with a development representative from FP several Saturday’s ago. Tom highlighted the most common reasons why programs have failed: Not enough host congregations, Board to small and/or not active and not enough start up dollars on hand when opening ( recommendation was to have about 4-5 months operating funds on hand when opening.
Rhonda presented on FPAC at Anoka Methodist last week. The presentation was well received with a lot of questions. The Fridley UMC Alternate Gift Fair gave FPAC more visibility and donations of $26.00. Suzy also had the opportunity to talk to Leslie Frost; Barb Wold has volunteered to assist in defining resources available in Anoka County, possible transitional housing locations and possible funding sources.
Tidbits: St. William’s in Fridley has agreed to take 1 week for FPAC; People Serving People will provide resume writing, job seeking assistance (contact is Dee Christensen 763-300-2013); Housing Link has an online listing of available housing.
Jane gave us an update on checking account and 501 C 3 application. A checking account has been established at Village Bank in Blaine. The 501 C 3 application has been completed and submitted to The Internal Revenue Service and we have a receipt that IRS has received the application for processing. We have not yet found out the amount donated from the Applebee’s dining out evening.
We spent a significant time reviewing and editing the FPAC brochure. Suzy will be preparing a mock up of the revised brochure and forwarding it to the board list for comment and finalization.
The next FPAC general meting will be Thursday, January 7 at Unity North Church with a short orientation meeting for new congregations at 6:30 p.m. with the general meeting at 7:00 p.m.. Steve will be facilitating both meetings.
