Family Promise of Anoka County

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 84^th Ave NE,  Blaine, MN  6:30 for the orientation meeting, 7:00 for the general meeting.

Respectively;

Mike Nelson

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.

Family Promise of Anoka County Directors meeting November 2, 2009, 5:30 PM, Christ Lutheran Church, Blaine, MN.  Members present: Suzy Schultz, Rhonda Steele, Steve Thomason, Jane Krepela, Mike Nelson, Sue Baysden.  Excused: Tim Anderson, Bonnie Hugeback.

Decision for web site information to include a list of the participating congregations and directors and their church affiliation on the web site.  We also discussed the letter of intent that the participating congregations will sign.

Discussed progress on 501(C)(3) application and steps to complete.  Jane prepared a projected 3 year budget (attached) for inclusion with the application.  Motion was made and approved to accept the projected budget.

Discussion of Family Promise participation at the 11/22/09 gift market at Fridley UMC.  There was consideration of obtaining Family Promise merchandise for the  market, but initial cost and time considerations did not seem to work for this event.  We will have an informational table at the event.

There was a discussion of sites, both the possible Ham Lake site and a lengthy discussion of the possible Coon Rapids site and the possibility of co-location at the Coon Rapids location.

Suzy reported on the Compassion Action Network event. FP received a positive reaction from the participants.  A number of possible contacts were made at the event, including a contact with Head Start.

We discussed the need to obtain legal assistance as we consider property transactions and contracts and to consider an accountant for accounting matters.

Proposed by-laws were reviewed and approved.  Bylaws were signed by directors in attendance.

Meeting adjourned at 6:30 PM

Respectfully submitted

Mike Nelson, Secretary