DCIA REGULAR ASSEMBLY OF MEMBER REPRESENTATIVES

MINUTES, Tuesday, February 16, 2010 Pilgrim United Church of Christ

Lunch was served at 11:50 a.m. Shortly after noon, Rev. Ginger Brasher-Cunningham welcomed the assembly to Pilgrim UCC and invited church leaders to introduce themselves. Pilgrim UCC staff member, Carla Gregg, offered an opening prayer.

Assembly members recited the DCIA Affirmation. Guests introduced themselves. Rev. Joe Harvard presented outgoing DCIA president, Chuck Byrd, with a gift of appreciation. Current DCIA president, Rev. Jimmie Hawkins, asked DCIA board members to stand and be introduced.

Rev. Spencer Bradford, DCIA executive director, introduced Winnie Morgan (Durham Partnership for Children), who spoke to the assembly about "Faith-Communities and Early Childhood Development." Ms. Morgan invited the assembly members to introduce themselves to a new person and share personal memories of ages birth-to-five. She presented the goals of the “faith initiative” of the Durham Partnership for Children, including raising awareness of child/brain development and strengthening programs for children and parents in congregations. The Durham Partnership has published a report on early childhood and wants to encourage collaboration between congregations. She presented a visual example of “wiring” in a house: it is a lot easier to put wiring in the house under construction than it is to go back after it is completed. Three things develop the brain the most: talking, reading, and singing. Ms. Morgan encouraged congregations to reach internally to young children but also to reach out to the larger community and provided numerous suggestions. Ms. Morgan asked for feedback about what would be helpful to congregations. She announced a May 6 breakfast event for congregations.

Rev. Bradford offered an abbreviated treasurer's report (Bob Newlin, Treasurer, was unable to attend). He announced the fundraising breakfast and the challenge grant from the Steward's Fund all going to support YO Durham. DCIA also distributed CROP walk funds from 2009 in January. Congregations are getting organized for CROP Walk 2010.

Rev. Bradford introduced the Capital Restorative Justice Project and a recommendation that DCIA become their fiscal agent. Until now, CRJP has functioned under Watts St. Baptist Church but now has needs for more fiscal management. Kasey Reynolds, CRJP’s outreach and development director, spoke briefly about the Project, that it works with families and victims of death row inmates. “There is no hospice for families who have had a loved one murdered or who have had a loved one executed.” They are available to visit congregations to share information about Restorative Justice. A motion was made that DCIA become the fiscal agent for CRJP according to the following memorandum of agreement, and was adopted unanimously.

MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT 3/1/2010

DURHAM CONGREGATIONS IN ACTION (DCIA) and CAPITAL RESTORATIVE JUSTICE PROJECT (CRJP)

This memorandum of agreement outlines the agreement of fiscal agency for the Capital Restorative Justice Project (CRJP) by Durham Congregations In Action (DCIA), both of Durham, NC, as of 3/1/2010. The terms of this agreement are effective from the date of signing until 12/31/2010, unless terminated sooner by either party with one month’s notice. This memorandum of agreement is subject to amendment, extension, or termination at the end of December each year, if still in effect at that time.

1. CRJP will maintain a Board or Steering Committee to give operating and program oversight and direction to CRJP staff.

2. CRJP will copy program activity reports to the DCIA Executive Director.

3. CRJP staff will be employed as regular employees of DCIA, and will participate in benefits provided to DCIA employees. DCIA will conduct for CRJP staff all reporting and filing requirements as DCIA employees.

4. CRJP operations will be conducted under DCIA’s corporate auspices, including Federal Employer Identification Number, 501(c)3 determination, and North Carolina articles of incorporation, and must comply with all applicable law and DCIA By-Laws.

5. DCIA will be paid 5% of CRJP revenue for operating as fiscal agent.

6. CRJP Board and staff are responsible for funding of CRJP, including for compensation and benefits costs of CRJP staffing.

7. All CRJP revenue will be receipted by DCIA and deposited in a CRJP-dedicated bank account by DCIA.

8. DCIA will pay staff compensation, tax and benefits withholding, and other regular expenses out of DCIA’s CRJP-dedicated account.

9. CRJP will maintain a checking account for program activity expenses from which CRJP staff can make direct payments. At the end of each month, CRJP staff will submit a voucher and detail report of expenses paid from that checking account for the past month (with budget account classification for each expense). DCIA will issue a check from DCIA’s CRJP-dedicated account for deposit in CRJP’s checking account for the sum amount spent and reported for the past month. CRJP will also provide the bank statement for the checking account to DCIA for monthly reconciliation.

10. DCIA will provide monthly financial reports to CRJP.

11. Amendments to the CRJP budget must be recommended to the DCIA Board by the CRJP Board, and authorized by the DCIA Assembly. A CRJP budget for the following year must be provided by November 1 to DCIA.

Rev. Bradford continued with an Executive Director’s report, mentioning the CROP walk and upcoming opportunities for interfaith dialogue. See announcements about house gatherings.

Susan Blackmon, YO Durham director, gave a report about the program including the fundraising opportunities mentioned in the treasurer's report. YO Durham still needs internship employers. Application for next year's class will be available on March 15 and will be due April 30. If you can help review applications, please be in touch with YO Durham staff. The summer career academy is also seeking a business setting location for 6 weeks this summer.

Rev. Hawkins presided over the approval of minutes from the December and January meetings. He encouraged members to read the announcement sheet and to meet with representatives from organizations after the meeting. He mentioned the 2011 interfaith calendar project and the need for pictures and photographers (see handout). Members made prayer requests and Rev. Hawkins offered a closing prayer.