Family Promise of Anoka County general meeting 1/7/2009
Meeting was called to order by Steve Thomason at 7:00 p.m. and opened with a short prayer for support & vision. He then gave a short overview of the development and progress of Family Promise of Anoka County and spoke a bit about the need for recruitment of additional host sites and location of the “perfect place” for the day center.
Steve reviewed and summarized the December board minutes and recent board training, noting that the two reasons for not being successful in the Family Promise/Interfaith Hospitality Network model is not having 13 host congregations committed and 6 months of start-up funding in the bank. Questions were raised as to when we’d be in operation. Our vision is for a spring 2010 opening but we will open when we have recruited the full complement of host and support congregations.
Mike reported on the leadership committee progress, 501 C 3 application has been made. He’s contacted Senator Franken’s office for assistance in expediting the application with IRS. He’s also discussed FPAC with the North Suburban Labor Council for trades work for modifications and updates for day care facility.
Recruitment Committee reported that we currently have agreements with 6 host congregations and 2 support congregations with good prospects with 6 other host congregations and another support congregation. There will be a volunteer training session on February 7 at St. Williams Church in Fridley.
Steve gave a short update on communications, updating information available on the web site. The current web site is a minimalist site but as we develop the program we’ll have need for both web & newsletter development. The brochure designed by Suzy is available on the web site for easy download and customization. Barb noted that as they were meeting with Peace Lutheran there was discussion regarding several significant enhancements to web utilization that one of their members might be able to provide.
Barb Wold & Lorna Palm reported on fundraising activities. Lorna has been preparing grant applications and identifying possible grant sources. An application for a $55,000 Community Development Block Grant is ready to go next week, other applications ready to go shortly are the St. Paul foundation and Sheltering Arms for $10,000; applications to Coon Rapids & Anoka Rotary Clubs for $500.00 each for beds and bedding. Barb would like a contact person for Rotary in Ham Lake, Ramsey & Blaine. Other grants could be possible from Ameriprise, TCF & General Mills. RISE has agreed to donate a small bus. Free2B has agreed to make sure the vehicle is in good repair. Other organizations to approach include he local Kiwanis Clubs and Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless and over the longer term to develop a a donor relationship with Free2B.
Dining For Dollars event raised $155.00. We need to develop a sustaining small donor program. Rhonda noted reminded attendees that we are continuing to move forward and that other organizations such as Stepping Stones and Alexandra House are not competitors, but are all part of a complementary group of service providers working for the same goals.
Old Business: Pamphlets, videos & training materials from Family Promise have arrived. Please review and take what is appropriate for your committee’s needs. Mike will temporarily store the remaining materials. Mona updated on the Olive Branch/Redeemer proposals still in the analysis/reviewal stages.
New Business: FPAC now has a dedicated phone # 763-634-1252, a Google voice online system. The Coon Rapids Herald last week had an editorial about homelessness referencing Family Pathways and a nascent program in Sherburne County. Both Mike & Rhonda wrote letters to the ABC’s regarding FPAC. A reporter from the ABC’s attended our earlier orientation meeting this evening to find out more about FPAC. Barb spoke about the van/bus donation and the need to include fuel, maintenance, insurance and cost of drivers in our budget. Day center committee meeting with Salvation Army regarding a house in Coon Rapids near the Salvation Army church that could possibly house a day facility. In addition, the Salvation Army could offer day care facilities for guest’s children.
Upcoming meetings: Monday 3:00 with Salvation army staff to look at CR house; Fundraising at Unity on 1/28; Recruitment Tuesday at Faith Lutheran; next FPAC meeting 2/4/2010 at Christ Lutheran Church, 641 84th Ave NE, Blaine, MN 6:30 for the orientation meeting, 7:00 for the general meeting.
Respectively;
Mike Nelson
