Outreach and Service, August 29, 2011

Outreach & Service Commission

Monday, August 29, 2011

Present:  Diane Jackson, Bill & Jennifer Dornbush, Carmen Rapp, Dian Jorgensen, Susan Russell, Marsha Dupre, Kris Marshall

Meeting opened with prayer by Carmen...

Minutes were approved and correspondence was shared.  There were thank you letters from FISH, NAMI Catholic Charity, and Habitat for Humanity with notes of coming events enclosed.

Current Business:  Fair Trade report, Bill noted that sales have more or less stabilized with some fluctuation with the season.  We again have olive oil. Our chocolate selections will be highlighted for Halloween.  Assignments for sales are as follows:  Sept.4  Dian and Diane,  Sept. 11 Bill and Jennifer, Sept. 18  Dian and Carmen,  Sept.25 Bill and Jennifer.

Garden report,  Jennifer and Dian noted that there is a work day this Wednesday, August 31 at 5:30 to 6:30 to whack weeds and general maintenance.  Over 600 pounds of produce has so far been delivered to FISH with tomatoes, melons, and winter squash still to come.  We should be able to reach our 1000 pound goal easily.  A steering committee meeting will follow the workday to plan for the winter.

Blanket Sunday:  Have not heard how much was raised for this project yet.

Habitat for Humanity:  Susan Russell was introduced as our new liaison to Habitat.  She reported that they are looking for volunteers, and she handed out their vision statement and goals then discussed each item.  It was very informative and the committee decided to make a $50 donation to be a Habitat partner.  Susan also told of plans to honor Doris Evans for her faithful service to Habitat.

Mission Speaker on Haiti will be Phil Bandy, the VIM director for Cal/Nevada, who will make a presentation on Sunday, Sept. 18 at a potluck lunch co hosted by UMW and Outreach & Service.  Setup and clean up will be taken care of by Dian, Carmen, Susan, and Dornbushes.

VIM for Japan support has been great, over $14,000 so far with three more fund raising events to come.  The last one being the Coming Home Festival on October 9.  where team members will be recognized.

New Business:  There has been a request from the Volunteer Center for tutors.  We will put out publicity for this need.

Church Council on Apportionments meeting was attended by Bill.  He explained the change in how apportionments are assigned.  Now each church will pay a share for their own pastors rather than for conference pastors.  This is good news for us as a larger church, but may be hard on smaller churches.

Outreach will be through the church bulletin, Roseleaf, web page and bulletin board which will highlight VVIM and Haiti mission event and Fair Trade

Respectfully:

Dian Jorgensen, scribe