Social Concerns Minutes October 28, 2009

October Meeting Minutes             

Attendance is listed at the end. 
We briefly reviewed October activities and November plans:
*Wed. Oct. 21st. Love, Knit & Crochet had its second meeting.  We are knitting/crocheting scarves for the homeless from now till Christmas, meeting on the third Wednesdayat 6:30.   We hope more will join us.
*Oct. 1st  & 3rd.  SPIHN (Spartanburg Interfaith Hospitality Network):  The Diane Dixon Covenant Group prepared dinner for six guests at Fernwood Baptist Church, and Launa Blackburn and her brother were overnight hosts at Fernwood Baptist Church.    Abby Fowler agreed to lead the next dinner, in December.   We will look for another covenant group or small group for the following one, in February.
*Pink Sunday:  Alice spoke briefly about this breast cancer awareness day at the Oct. 25th service and material was available for interested church members.    This material is on the social concerns table.
*Nov. 1st Connie Godenick will begin a monthly Sunday morning health program for our congregation, and also open to the community. Connie and Alice will lead a vegetarian Wonderful Wednesday in November.

This month’s Topics
1. Don Rollins spoke on a particular model for Social Justice activities in a congregation, a model with the power to increase congregational involvement and commitment to issues.   Don offered to assist us with this if we wish, and then left for another meeting. We decided we want to work with this model, so will schedule a special meeting in November with Don on how to implement this, with the goal of information-gathering, educating the congregation, and then offering resolutions at the May Congregational meeting.   
2. PK gave us an update on the excellent work that Brandon David and fellow students are doing to fight school-district sanctioned religious speech & prayer at school events.
3. PK also reported, from Launa Blackburn, that Park Hills School is NOT accepting new volunteers at this time due to increased cost of background checks and the availability of Americorps volunteers.   However, previously screened volunteers are still very welcome.
4. Alice shared the Board’s request that we educate the congregation about the FDA Blood Bank policy and the resolution proposed by David Stack.   He shared with us additional information on this clearly discriminatory ban.   We discussed this, and all members present agreed to undertake this educational effort and discussed a step-by-step process using the Bulletin, the Happenings, and culminating in a 10:00 am meeting in January, some time prior to the Congregational meeting
5. ShareThePlate:   Alice reported that the Board heard the recommendations from the Social Concern and Finance Committees and postponed action.  The members of the Board were uncomfortable with the social concerns language because it was not explicit enough.  Karen and Nancy Mandlove are working on the phrasing.   No decision as yet. 
Social Concerns members are anxious for a speedy decision so that we can, hopefully, resume ShareThePlate.   Cindy mentioned the favorable attention our church received at the Asheville UU for our ShareThePlate checks on display.
5.  Placement of Collection Barrels:   We need to find a place—will consider this later.
6. Teretha Fowler presented information on prescription drug assistance available to low income people for a fee of only $20/ year.   We posted this information on the Social Concerns bulletin board.
7. The committee approved Flu Epidemic/No hugs reminder signs for the church doors.  These are posted.    

Present:  Alice Sutton (chair), Don Rollins (interim minister), members Abby Fowler, Teretha Fowler, PK Weiss, Cindy Howe, and Ed Wilde, and guests David Stack and Michael Rainey

October Social Concerns Calendar

Love, Knit & Crochet Wed. Oct. 21st, 6:30. We are making scarves for the homeless between now and Christmas. Come with your hook or needles, yarn is provided. Everyone is welcome ~ we will teach beginners.

Social Concerns Committee's Next Meeting: Oct. 28th, 6:30. Topics: Don Rollins will talk about social concerns; blood drives & discrimination against MSM, update from Brandon on youth concerns, update from Launa on Park Hill, and other ideas and concerns brought by members. No meetings in Nov. & Dec.

Wed. Sept. 23rd. Social Concerns Meeting 6:30

Corrected Minutes (thanks, committee members!)
Update on activities of September-October
This month’s topics include: Youth activities, ShareThePlate, Critter Connections, Discrimination against Gay Men by FDA in accepting blood donations and others.

What is “Social Concerns”? Nationally, UU churches have committees, variously called Social Concerns, Social Action, and Social Justice, with efforts similar to ours. They usually stress, as we do, “think globally and act locally.”

Present: Alice Sutton, chair; Don Rollins, minister; Launa Blackburn, Park Hills Liaison; Brandon David, youth rep; Kim Danner, board liaison; additional members Ed Wilde, Abby Fowler, P. K. Weis, Palma and Mitchell Eisner, and Cynthia Howe; and supporters Bobbie Schoss and David Stack.

Update on activities of September-October:
*Total Ministries: Penny Hatchell calls Total Ministries when the food barrel is full. Previously, Meg Barnhouse sometimes gave food directly to needy applicants from the barrel, and Penny has continued that through the summer. We had a consensus that it was better to refer to Total Ministries but agreed that DON ROLLINS should decide whether he wished to continue this tradition or preferred that all applicants go direct to Total Ministries: Discussion w/ DON: he wants to follow the church recommendation. We recommend that he refer all to Total Ministries & Free Lunch at Second Pres. *Wed. Sept. 16th. Love, Knit & Crochet had its first meeting. We will knit/crochet scarves for the homeless from now till Christmas, meeting monthly. We hope more will join us.
*Ruth Stanton offered info on pending legislation for public education & voter registration on Sept. 20th.
*Launa Blackburn spoke at the Sept. 20th service on Park Hills partnership to recruit volunteers and put calendar on bulletin board.
*Alice spoke about Social Concerns committee after service. Also bought organizations directory.
*Oct. 1st & 3rd. SPIHN (Spartanburg Interfaith Hospitality Network): UU church commitment to Fernwood Baptist Church is to provide one meal to the homeless family/families hosted. Dixon Covenant Group will provide Th. Oct 1 meal and Launa will be a Saturday overnight host.
*Breast Cancer Awareness & Memorial: Sally Hicks has ordered Pink Sunday materials for us and Alice will speak about this at Oct. 25th service.
*Nov. 1st Connie Godenick will begin a monthly Sunday morning health program for our congregation, and also open to the community.

This month’s Topics
1. ShareThePlate: we all thought this was very worthwhile last year. Did we really lose money doing this? Ed Wilde explained the Finance Committee recommendation of 7/09. They recommended that “any plate amount over $80 each Sunday will be given to the charity of the month in addition to checks and contributions given to the church in the charity’s name.” This was calculated based on church pledges and the pattern of giving, to hopefully meet budget.
We felt that this phrasing was very awkward and also would not encourage people to give that extra amount for charities that the previous Share the Plate plan did. However, we acknowledged the financial realities that make the previous Share the Plate plan more generous than we can afford at this time. After much discussion, we reached a consensus and make this recommendation to the Board:
That we share the plate every Sunday with the following phrasing: This month, the ___________(charity) will receive all designated checks or money placed in the donation envelopes and labeled for _________, as well as a portion of the loose cash and change put in the collection plate.” We would like to continue to have each recipient organization speak at one service for a few minutes, and would also like that org. to have a table with info. in the fellowship hall at least one week in the month.
Further, we designate Park Hills School as our next Share The Plate recipient. We will do a new congregational survey and choose additional recipients in October and January. Launa agreed to create this survey.

2. Bobbie Schoss shared information on “Critter Connections,” an animal foster-and-adoption NPO in Spartanburg. This is a good place for people looking for pets or who would like to foster a pet, and also a good candidate for Share The Plate.

3.David Stack shared information about the lifetime exclusion of blood donations from men having sex with men (MSM). The American Red Cross, the American Assoc. for Blood Banks and America’s Blood Centers have urged the FDA to revise the ban because of technological advances ensuring the safety of the blood supply with a revised plan. This discrimination has led some to call for banning blood drives from some locations. We agreed that all members present will research and think about this topic and discuss this at our Oct. meeting. Launa will discuss this issue with Rick Hahnenburg & Margaret Schmidt, who have been involved in recent blood drives, and invite them to our next meeting.

4. Brandon David shared his ideas on how our youth would like to contribute to our church, first, by helping with fundraising, and second, with our help to expedite community volunteer activities. He also spoke about the need for more recreational youth activities in our community, and we discussed some ideas on how youth recreation and fundraising could be combined. We thought the youth could make a wonderful contribution to the auction by teaming up to offer hours of work. Our new fundraising committee clearly needs a youth member, too! Don, P. K. and Launa will take initial steps to help with ideas such as a youth coffee house or dance, and volunteer help at after school activities at Park Hills School. Alice & Launa will be happy to talk to a youth group about community activities after Alice has attended upcoming neighborhood assoc. meetings.

5. Brandon also spoke about the Respect and Equality Petition with 600+ signers presented by high school students at the District 6 School District Board meeting. This was in response to a very exclusive prayer-speech given at last spring’s graduation at Dorman High. Subsequently, the School Board lost the petition. The Social Concerns committee support this petition and agree that Brandon, et al, should have a table in the Fellowship Hall on a Sunday very soon, to give our church members the opportunity to sign a new petition. Brandon will let us know when he would like to have a table in the Fellowship Hall (soon).

6. Launa shared her concerns about declining contributions to the Total Ministries Food Barrel. She would like the barrels put in a more visible location. Alice will bring barrel locations and other housekeeping concerns up at the next COC meeting.

Social Concerns Calendar September, 2009

Wed. Sept. 23rd. Social Concerns Next Meeting 6:30 (4th Wednesday).
Topics include: Youth activities, SPIHN dinner, ShareThePlate, Critter Connections, and others.
All interested members and friends are welcome.


Wed. Sept. 16th. Love, Knit & Crochet first meeting. For fellowship, creation of prayer shawls, baby blankets, etc. Open to youth and adults. Come to learn to knit or crochet and make warm scarves for the homeless, a blanket for a premature baby, a shawl for a sick person. Or join us for camaraderie while you work on your own projects. If you need to purchase your first knitting needles, buy size 10 or 11; crochet hook, buy size J or K. BEGINNERS, you do not need to bring yarn to the meeting, but you do need to bring hook or needles.
Next meeting: Oct. 21st, 6:30. Our fall group project is knitting scarves for the homeless.

Sunday, Sept. 20th Community Fair
*Launa Blackburn will speak on Park Hills Volunteer needs & opportunities from the pulpit for 5 minutes, and volunteers will wear special nametags “ask me about Park Hills”
Alice Sutton will speak at the Community Fair about Social Concerns as a whole and opportunities to volunteer.
*Ruth Stanton will share info on legislative efforts to improve public education and offer voter reg. & address updates via a table in the fellowship hall.

OCT 1st. Provide 1 dinner for SPIHN (Spartanburg Interfaith Hospitality Network): UU church commitment to Fernwood Baptist Church to provide one meal to the homeless family/families hosted. Although we have provided restaurant meals and take-out pizza most recently, we agreed we needed to do a low-budget meal, i.e., homemade mac&cheese, etc. How about a simple home-cooked meal and a great dessert?

Social Concerns Meeting Aug. 26, 2009 Minutes

Present: Alice Sutton (chair), Abby Fowler, Connie Godenick, Sally Hicks, Cindy Howe, Bobbie Schoss, P.K. Weiss. Unable to attend: Launa Blackburn, Teretha Fowler, Ruth Stanton, Ed Wilde
Purpose: To promote and coordinate social concerns efforts, especially to make participation easier for our church members

1) What is “Social Concerns”? Nationally, UU churches have committees, variously called Social Concerns, Social Action, and Social Justice, with efforts similar to ours, but with enough differences to make their statements interesting reading. They usually stress, as we do, “think globally and act locally.”

2) We reviewed our congregation’s activities in social concerns for the past year and previously, including continuing commitments:
*First Pride March: members of our congregation had a major responsibility for this wonderful event! Social concerns activities don’t have to spring from our committee.
*Adoption of Park Hills School: Launa Blackburn and PK Weiss spearhead this work. See end of minutes for August activity at ***.
*St. Luke’s Clinic: Teretha Fowler coordinates volunteer participation here one evening a month. If 1-2 additional people are interested in helping interview patients, this would be a plus. If 4-6 people were interested, we could take another evening.
*Total Ministries: Penny Hatchell calls Total Ministries when the food barrel is full. Previously, Meg Barnhouse sometimes gave food directly to needy applicants from the barrel, and Penny has continued that through the summer. We agreed that DON ROLLINS should decide whether he wished to continue this tradition or preferred that all applicants go direct to Total Ministries.
*SPIHN (Spartanburg Interfaith Hospitality Network): UU church commitment to Fernwood Baptist Church to provide one meal to the homeless family/families hosted. Their next event is Sept. 27-30. Although we have provided restaurant meals and take-out pizza most recently, we agreed we needed to do a low-budget meal, i.e., homemade mac&cheese, etc. How about a simple home-cooked meal and a great dessert?
*ShareThePlate: we all thought this was very worthwhile last year. We want to focus on this at our next meeting and make a thoughtful recommendation to the BOARD, so we have requested that the board make no decision on this until then.
*In previous years, groups, including youth groups, volunteered at Habitat for Humanity housebuilding and at Second Pres. Church serving free lunches, among others. We would like one or more YOUTH REPRESENTATIVES at our meetings to discuss what the youth would like to do or are already doing as volunteers. P.K. will discuss with Kathleen Anderson. Connie pulled her daughter, Laura, into our meeting to share her work with the Mayor’s Service Board, a volunteer group open to all high school youth in Spartanburg county—sounds like a great group! Thank you, Laura, for speaking to us!
Also, we'd like to invite any of the high schoolers who would like to participate in the Social Concerns committee at church to attend the next meeting: Wednesday, September 23 at 6:30 p.m. (at the church).

4) New Social Concerns Activities & Plans:
*Bobbie will present information on “Critter Connections” at the next meeting.
*Ruth Stanton would like to share info on legislative efforts to improve public education (http://www.goodbyeminimallyadequate.com/) and offer voter registration via a table in the foyer for 1-2 Sundays late in September. Our committee felt this was worthwhile, but was concerned that we had too much going on in September. We would like BOARD feedback on this.
*Connie shared her desire to help both our congregation and others become healthier through better nutrition. We health professionals will talk about this further and report at our next meeting.
*Alice shared her discussion with David Stack: we want to start a knitting/crocheting fellowship group open for people of all ages, those who want to learn either skill, or already know how & want to participate in making prayer shawls, baby blankets, or similar for charity, or simply knit and chat. Several committee members would like to join the group. Alice & David are both free only on the 3rd Wed. after dinner.

*Communications Issues: sharing information on what members are involved in and offering other opportunities is an ongoing need. Although monetary donations to charities are important, activities are more important. Alice will purchase a copy of Directory of Opportunities from the library and we will keep it in the Social Concerns Mailbox (please return it there if you look at it!)
(Sept. 15th note: DONE, but the directory was "borrowed"-- we hope it will make its way home to the mailbox.)
We discussed ways for committee members to communicate w/ Alice and for Alice to share that information via Unison, etc. and a webpage. We see the main function of the committee chair as handling communication.)

*Right now: Recruitment Plan for Park Hills: Since it is the beginning of the school year, we want to quickly recognize Park Hills volunteers who have been working there in August and give others the opportunity to get involved. We will make special nametags for that day for volunteers to wear that say “Ask me about Park Hills.”

***P.K. provided a list of August Park Hills volunteers who have held a “Back to School Breakfast” for faculty and staff, and put together information packets for 400 students and their parents. This was forwarded to Joyce. We have been contributing school supplies to the Park Hills barrel in the fellowship hall. Volunteers are needed for classroom help, lunch buddies, field trips, etc.