That means we only have one to go before we reach a full network of congregations!

Present: Rhonda Steele, Sue Baysden, Suzy Schultz, Jane Krepela, Steve Thomason, Bonnie Hugeback, Mike Nelson, Barb Wold, Tom Myrick

Mike Nelson presented a summary of the April general meeting at Grace Lutheran Church. Tom Myrick was introduced to the board. Tom has expressed an interest in becoming a board member and has experience both in fundraising and in non-profit operations.

We discussed the leadership of FPAC and the changing roles of leadership within the organization. As we move to an active organization initial leaders will be moving into different roles within the organization and their congregations. For example an initial board member may become a congregational coordinator which would create a conflict of interest to continue the board position. We need

Sue & Suzy reported on the activities of the recruitment committee; we currently have 11 host churches with the approval of Anoka UMC. They have also recently met with Epiphany Catholic Church in Coon Rapids, Salvation Army, Constance Free Church and Bridgelink. Epiphany & Salvation Army are interested in being host congregations, Bridgelink as a partner congregation. A Coordinators meeting will be held at Redeemer Lutheran in Fridley on May 17, 7:00 pm. Suzy noted that we need to develop a strategic plan for recuiting.

A number of items were discussed following the earlier Board training session in April: On-line fundraising (we now have a link to GiveMN on the web page and have received our first donations through GiveMN); need for board members to contribute to the organization; need to review committee structures to make sure that committees are relevant and actively support the program; develop volunteer base; Increase board to include community and corporate partners; ID succession in board leadership; develop a fundraising plan including individual/congregation/large donor programs; need for a newsletter and methods to inform and excite about FPAC.

Tom reported that fundraising is moving forward with a number of grant applications completed and others currently in progress to be completed and submitted. Talked about several target organizations for grants & possible board additions. We need to develop an internet/facebook/twitter strategy and bring a younger generation into the organization.

Mona Glesne has made several more presentations on FPAC for community organizations. There is a need for more speakers to present at other organization/congregation meetings. Suzy participated in the recent Compassion Action Network (CAN) day. A good discussion, but preaching to the Choir about homless issues. We discussed the impact of the channel 15 interview and program about FPAC and host churches.

Action items to be completed: Partnership agreement with Salvation Army for Day Center property; explore insurance needs.

Respectfully;

Mike Nelson, Secretary

We had 19 people In attendance at the 6:30 orientation meeting. The board meeting was a board training presentation by Claas Ehlers from the national Family Promise organization. Claas reviewed the progress of Family Promise of Anoka County to date and presented the board model that Family Promise suggests; challenged us to increase our board size (we’d like to add 4 board members by the May meeting); to formalize a number of our committees and to define the roles of the board, committees, executive director and coordinators.

Other items of note: Our 11th host congregation has come aboard, New Life Church in Ramsey; Tom Myrick has agreed to chair the fundraising committee. CTN channel 15 interviewed FPAC board president Rhonda Steele and Claas, and also taped part of the board meeting for viewing on Channel 15, Coon Rapids public access TV (Comcast) or online at http://www.ctnstudios.com/index.htm. Tune in to see.

Next Board Meeting May 6 at Grace Lutheran Church in Andover.

Respectfully;

Mike Nelson, Secretary

Please reach out to New Life Church in Ramsey and make them feel part of the community.

That means we are just two congregations away from having a full network!

Agenda: Family Promise Board Orientation

Ø    Introductions

Ø    What is a Board?

Ø    Three Key Roles

o     Governance

o     Vision

o     Viability

Ø    Board Musts

Ø    Board Development

o     Key Stages of Board Development

o     Board Scenarios

o     Board Profile

o     Question:  Is my role to be a Board Member, Coordinator, Committee Member or Volunteer?

Ø    Board Committees

o     Personnel

o     Public Relations

o     Finance

o     Board Development

o     Development

o     Executive

Ø    Prep for Opening

Keep praying that our funding will come in so we can hire our director and be able to open the doors in June.

No report from Leadership Team

Recruitment Team, Sue Wick: Now 9 host congregations; Redeemer Lutheran, Grace Lutheran, St. Timothy’s catholic Church, Peace Lutheran, Unity North, Faith Lutheran, Lord of Life, Christ Lutheran, Grace Church. 4 support congregations; St. Catherine Drexel, Bridgewood, Meadow Creek, First Congregational UCC. Others considering
include Epiphany Catholic Church, Anoka Methodist, Constance Free, Community Methodist, Glen Cary. Sue made a report on the recent congregation orientation held at St. Williams. We also had a short discussion of program/congregation responsibilities for Saturday client services.

Communications Team, Steve Thomason: Needs; newsletter writers, talked about web site as a site in progress, noted that e-mail directed to web site goes to him directly, noted that brochure is available on the web site and is updated when congregations are added to the network.

Fundraising Team, Lorena Palm, Barb Wold: We have a verbal agreement with the Salvation Army in Coon Rapids for use of a 4 bedroom house adjacent to the Salvation Army Church for used as a day center. They reserve the use of one bedroom for use as a computer lab for their students & staff (also available for students in our program). Barb also talked about needs for the house such as basement insulation/drywall, carpeting, storage bins, a second bathroom in the basement. Donations can be made thru Salvation Army Harvest Corps, attn: FPAC. Approved for a $25,000 Community Development Block Grant, 17 additional grant requests have been submitted with a goal of $120,000.00 in grants, pending requests total $62,200, need to ID grantors for an additional $30,000 or more. If you are aware of other possible grants pleased contact Lorena at lorenapalm@msn.com.

Transportation Team, Steve Thomason: RISE has donated a 15 passenger van for use by FPAC. Registration/transfer costs of $59.00.

Old business: FPAC phone number 763-634-1252 goes to Google voice mail. Number is monitored by Cindy Huberty and calls are routed to appropriate teams. We have also obtained a PO Box for mail to FPAC: PO Box 48601, Coon Rapids, MN 55448

New business: M/S/C to approve payment of $59.00 for transfer fees for van. Looking for volunteer(s) to represent FPAC at the Compassion Action Network event 4/22 to be held at Constance Free Church. Focus of the event will be homelessness. Also 4/22 Coon Rapids Kiwanis is requesting a presentation on FPAC. Sue Austreng of ABC’s is contact. Steve will present at this event. Lorena presented a non-discrimination policy for review. Motion M/S/C to adopt non discrimination policy (I need a copy for the record). Motion M/S/C to prepare job descriptions for executive director and other possible positions need for the day center and program. Barb Wold is point person for obtaining wage detail, sample job descriptions for review by leadership team. Leadership/Board will be meeting at a later date to review and finalize job descriptions. Next congregation orientation is scheduled for April 18. Next general meeting will be April 8 at Grace Lutheran Church in Andover: Orientation at 7:00 pm, general meeting at 7:30.

Food for thought: 2010 Anoka County Homeless inventory: 1,301 individuals identified as homeless, 276 adults/490 children in homeless families.

Respectfully submitted,
Mike Nelson, Board Secretary

Organizational Meeting

March 4, 2010

Christ Lutheran Church

7 p.m.

Agenda

1.    Welcome – Steve Thomason

2.    Opening Prayer

3.    Minutes from last meeting – Mike Nelson

4.    Team reports

• Leadership Team – Mike Nelson (please highlight, rather than read the whole thing)
• Recruitment Team– Sue Baysden (how many commitments do we have?  Are we going to continue for a second loop of churches and/or a list of back-up congregations).  Celebrate this number, and get clear about our direction.  What’s next?
• Communication – Steve Thomason
• Fundraising Team –  Lorena Palm/Barb Wold/Lyndy Zabel

5. Old Business

• Phone Number – 763-634-1252.  This is being monitored by Cindy Huberty.  If anyone needs to reach us, please use this number.
• Our target date to open has been changed to June, 2010.

6. New business

• Welcome to our newest Network Congregations!
• We have a Day Center!
• We have an official address to use until we open the day center.  Any and all letters, donations, etc, should be sent to:

P.O. Box 48601, Coon Rapids, MN  55448.

• Compassion Action Network volunteer needed.  Spring Forum is scheduled for April 22, 2010.  See Suzy Schultz for details.
• The Coon Rapids Kiwanis would like more information about Family Promise.  They have invited us to present at their meeting on April 22 at 1 p.m.  Sue Austreng from the ABC newspaper will be there.  Steve will be there to represent FPAC.
• Some grant applications ask us for a statement on discrimination.  To-date we have not produced one.  Please see Lorena Palm for specifics.
• Lorena would also like to know if anyone is employed by General Mills.  This includes those who come to our regular meetings and those who are attending host congregations.
• Wish List – Barb Wold

7. Next meeting

When & where?