EJC BOARD MINUTES
EJC Minutes – June 17, 2010
Present: Keith, Daniel Payne, Ray, Ovita, Martha Lowe, Joseph Smith, Nick, Ron Wynn, Clothilda, Caryl
(Nine board members)
The minutes were accepted by all present. The finance report is being worked on, as Maria is learning Quick books and it should be ready for the next meeting. Keith asked that it be moved, seconded and approved that there will be a Finance Report at the next meeting.
Glen Stegall – mayoral candidate gave his background and answered questions for about an hour. His stance on education is that every child should be involved in an after school program and that education is a community affair. He also wants to support entrepreneurs and small business.
Civil Engagement & Voter Registration – Keith is supervising 8 or 9 WIA youth this summer. He has talked to them about civic engagement. Ovita asked Joseph to have a voter registration table at the Juneteenth celebration at East Athens Community Center of June 20th and he agreed to so.
Out of Poverty Project – Ovita said she had several families from Bethel Homes in mind and Keith called with referrals. Clo stated that she is working on application forms and a written statement as to the mission of the project.
Worker Friendly – Jo Beth Allen was unable to attend the meeting, but she reported to Ray that she has an action plan.
Chop From the Top Film – Ray asked for people to give him names of places where the film could be shown. UUFA scheduled a showing on July 23 at 7:30 p.m. and will work at advertising it.
Fund Raising – Ray has gotten EJC registered with the government for grant making. There will be a grant writing meeting on Monday at EJC at 10:30 a.m. Keith brought up an idea about a way to earn 20% of purchases from certain retailers.
Office Management & Volunteers – We have two people from Georgia Works right now and working on getting two more so the office is fully covered.
Workers Rights Center – Ron and Nick are working on this. Nick spoke about the fact that OSHA has become more accessible. Pilgrims Pride is responsive to problems and usually gets things done within a weeks time. When there are injuries, the Docs are not receptive and use excuses so as not to pay claims. Ron thought we needed to get our law students to work on this.
ESL Program – Maria is now the coordinator of this program. Humberto is also working on trying to get the program going at other venues besides the shelter in front of Home Depot.
Ray stated that the IRS is paying more attention to non-profit organizations and we need to get the 990 forms reviewed by the Board of Directors. He also talked about handling conflicts of interest correctly. He suggested we set up an accounting system to keep track of volunteer hours for in-kind funds. This would give more substance to grant fund applications and a higher budget.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted: Caryl Sundland, Secretary
END
Economic Justice Coalition Minutes for May 20, 1010
Present: Dave Jarrett, Ray MacNair, Linda Lloyd, Maria, Keith Johson, Josephine Allen, Freda Roberts, Vallerie Sims, Clothilda Barnett, Ovita Thornton, Pam Voekel, Alvin Sheats, Caryl Sundland
Gwen O’Looney, mayoral candidate was questioned for about 45 minutes at the beginning of the meeting. She gave her history and background and job resume. She stated , in response to questions, that she planned on bringing citizens to the table and including them in discussions. She emphasized the need to support small businesses and generate products made in Athens. She also wants to seek the “right” industry in the community. OneAthens has great staff, is bringing the Career Academy to Athens and graduation coaches to the high schools. They have also gotten several grants. The new superintendent of schools believes education begins with very young children and goes through adulthood. She stated that Leisure Services needs to be expanded to engage our children in positive after school programs, adult education needs to be expanded, particularly at Sandy Creek Nature Center and parks need to emphasize family places. We need more shelters for homeless single women, single men and families. Our government needs to write more grants.
After Ms. O’Looney left, we continued with the regular board meeting.
Living Wage Campaign – Pam Voekel spoke about the film that students made and was shown at UGA. It was very impressive and she wants support to show it at other places. Several people volunteered their churches and made suggestions about places it could be shown. Pam stated that the film and attendance at budget meetings put pressure on UGA officials so they did not cut as many lower level positions.
Out of Poverty, Unity, Civic Engagement – Linda Llloyd spoke about the fact that Stables has three families that would qualify for the Out of Poverty program. She mentioned that she had spoken to Tracy about picking up again on the Workmen’s Comp insurance program. Linda stated that the Civic Engagement committee is scheduled to meet on Monday, May 24 at 6:30 p.m. and that there would be a budget meeting for the Executive Committee of the Board at 5:30 p.m. complete with treasurer’s report.
Worker’s Rights Center – Keith Johnson stated he is working on this and there would be more this summer.
Worker Friendly Emplyer Honoring – Ray MacNair stated that Jo Beth Allen has agreed to take this over.
Fund Raising and Grant Writing – Ray MacNair a grant has been put in to Jackson EMC. New brochures for EJC have been printed and they can be used to give to donors. A letter has gone out to our mailing list, asking for donations. Keith has made a copy of information about an on-line store where part of the proceeds can go to our organization. He also made a copy of information regarding a meeting in Martinez, GA about available grants. (Keith read a letter to John Scoggins extending our sympathy because of his hospital stay.)
Web Design – Ray MacNair stated Marquis is working on it. Jennifer is working on a new web site for Unity.
Linda stated that we are working on the application for becoming a summer job work site for teenagers who can get stimulus money for their work. Keith will be in charge of this program.
Alvin Sheats brought up the fact that the Charter Committee is choosing five sites to hold public information meetings. If we want one of the sites to be in the immigrant community, either Pine Ridge North or Garnett Ridge, we need to get people on the committee to advocate for these sites. Maria stated is a translator is needed she could serve in this capacity.
The Meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted by Caryl Sundland, Secretary
END
EJC Minutes for April 22, 2010
Present: Felicia Appling, Kenya, Linda Lloyd, Ray MacNair, Mark Wilson, Cateia Jones, David Jarret, Ron Wynn, Leslie Patterson, Tom Walker, Nicholas S. Jo Beth Allen, Joseph Smith, Keith Johnson, Ovita Thornton, Caryl Sundland
After a short check-in, Ray brought up information about the Living Wage Campaign – “Chop off the Top” instead of laying off workers at the bottom. Wednesday, April 28 there will be a film made by this campaign shown in Miller Room 248. The faculty leaders, Bethany Moreton & Pamela Voekel will be leaving to go to Harvard, but have committed to returning once a month for meetings. Bethany has donated the proceeds from her book to EJC and Casa de Amistad.
ESL Program - people in the program are learning to talk about work, shopping & health care, in English. This group meets Tuesday & Thursday at 6 and Saturday morning at 10:00am in the shelter in front of Home Depot. Maria has agreed to coordinate this program, but is having trouble with her computer right now.
Saturday at 1:00 p.m. at Lay Park - Humberto has organized activities around immigration rights. Everyone is urged to attend.
OSHA – Ron reported on a conference he attended. He said willful violators of health and safety laws would not only be fined, but would face felony charges. We also need to attend to communication issues since accidents are caused by lack of ability to speak other languages. Several incidents of workplace accidents were cited and the need for locks on dangerous machines was discussed. Nick added to this report by saying that since it would take 5-6 years to inspect workplaces even once, workers had been asked to report workplaces violations on their own. Then inspections could be done and violations cited with the hope that these would be fixed before the necessity of fines. Nicolas was also at the conference, referencing the poultry plant and their problems with safety and health.
Collaboration on congregation networking, IWJ - Bethany Moreton talked with Kim Bobo about coming here to help organize against wage theft. Linda mentioned that she would like to focus on race discrimination as well, in organizing workers. We need a fair system so the best person can get the job. It was suggested that maybe the two law school interns could help with this. Keith reminded us that we mostly have small businesses in the community and they are not necessarily under the jurisdiction of OSHA.
Board Development – Presentation by Joseph and Ron on the workshop they attended on How to Make a Non-profit Board Efficient and Operate Well.
1 – Need a purpose or mission statement people feel passionate about and is not more than 7 seconds long. Ray suggested: EJC promotes rights of workers and avenues for worker’s to succeed.
2 – Insure adequate resources – every member sets an example by their giving.
3 – Fund raising is a big part of the board. Members should give, get or go.
4 – People should have a task and be accountable as to whether they are doing the task. The board oversees the executive (director) and the director oversees the staff and replaces those who are not accountable. We need to establish guidelines – people need to set goals and present them to the board to pass on. We need to be clear where being a board member ends and being a staff member begins.
5 – Set strategic goals – clear charges for each person.
6 – What image do we portray? Be aware of our public image.
Each board member must be willing to contribute a personal sacrifice, a significant amount of time or money.
Keith is treasurer and Maria is under him, doing the books. Linda is director, Caryl is secretary.
Nick got his boss to contribute $500, Caryl contributes $100 per month from her grant.
“Pulling Together”- Linda overview of what needs to be done to get EJC afloat
1-Linda begins with suggestion that agencies need to collaborate and come to agreement and organize business relationships such as that of IT Athens; Brought to attention Georgia Client Council: Project for job development to help employment; Suggested having a form to lay out what each group is responsible for doing; Called attention to the fact that EJC should be included with advertising and introduction as well as business of Worker Center Movement, i.e. collaboration; Has recruited people from the Georgia Works program: those who are receiving unemployment that volunteer get extra $300; Called to attention that Sybil Henderson who has 13 years office management and is chairman at DOL will be committed to office management; Informed that Johnny has the office management book; Established that we have human capitol.
2-Ray expressed the need to consult with Joseph concerning fund raiser and collaborating with DOL
3-Joseph states the need to get 1000 people to donate $25
4-Ovita expresses need for Memorandum of Understanding committee; Suggested every board member should get on a committee;
5.Ray calls the names for MOU committee: Linda, Ovita, Felicia and Keith; Suggests that questionnaire on “who does what” should be sent out to everyone, not just board members and the deadline for them is next board meeting or before then;
6. Ray Informs group that Gwen O’Looney and Glenn Stigel will be at next board meeting; Invites Mark to discuss Road to Recovery;
7. Reviewed Action teams sheets and the responsibilities of those in charge of teams;
a. Informed that Clothilda Barnett and Keith Johnson will be added to Fund Raising team;
b. Maria del Cayuela will be responsible for ESL for Immigrant workers team;
c. Ray himself will be representing EJC for Honoring Employers team; Added Linda to Office Management team
d. David suggest that every board member be on a team
e. Ovita informed that there is no board member on the Office Management or volunteer Coordinator teams
f. Ovita is added to Community and Labor partners team
g. Ray is added to Volunteer Coordinator team with Keith Johnson as a possibility.
h. Keith has been added to Civic Engagement team
i. Linda suggest Mark be added to Unity team
j. Mark was hesitant on making commitment; Requested information to take position into consideration
k. Linda suggested that Tom join office Management team: Tom agreed;
Keith suggested that we have all board members fill in the Board Member Questionnaire presented by Cynthia Brown three years ago. Ray promised to find it and send it to the board.
Ron nominates Maria del Cayuela to be a board member; Informs that Maria is aware of his nomination and is willing to commit. After discussion, it was agreed that with Maria being EJC’s bookkeeper to meet her means she is paid staff which presents conflict of interest. David seconds Ovita’s decision stating that paid staff should not be on the board. Motion denied due to conflict of interest
Next meeting- Ray informs it will be held May 20, 2010 at 6:30p.m
voter’s registration- Keith speaks on -need to create survey and begin contact work to encourage interests
Worker’s rights- Ray suggests that we should get Black congregations involved with worker’s rights; Made note of negative input
Confidentiality-Keith suggested that whenever in presence of other groups or inside of any buildings, comments need to be kept to a minimum to avoid information traveling.
Computer Lab- Tom is volunteering to staff computer lab Monday through Friday from 10-4. He suggested
bringing more people into the computer room. Ray expressed concerns of security when inviting new people. Linda expressed the need for rules to always be executed. This will involve Tom monitoring the people who use the lab including people using the side ramp and back stairs to access computer lab. Linda will develop computer lab rules and computer usage log for Tom to implement.
EJC and Georgia Client Council “Out of Poverty” Case management Empowerment Project-Linda will send out info email overview of project to each board member and core group. On new project to each member
Adjournment
Respectfully Submitted: Caryl Sundland, Secretary and
Cateia Jones, EJC Empowerment Project Volunteer
END
Minutes for Economic Justice Coalition for March 18, 2010
Present: Nancy Denson, Charles Maddox, Linda Lloyd, Clothilda Barnett, Ray MacNair, Helen Smith, Joseph Smith, Ron Wynn, Leslie Patterson, Shephen McGarety, Karen Watson, Maria Del Carmen Cayuella, Freda Roberts, Ovita Thornton, Marissa Yingling, Alvin Sheats, Glenda Colbert, Caryl Sundland, Keith Johnson, Gwen O’Looney, Humberto Mendoza. (eight board members)
For the first 1-1/2 hours we had a Question and Answer session with the two Mayoral candidates. They each gave their bios, then people questioned them onCDBG, health care, education, economic plans, the jail, etc. Their answers were forthright and quite interesting. This session was very informative and lively.
Grant Writing workshop – Joseph gave a report on this session. He said it was very informative and that they suggested the need to be specific, itemize each amount and how it is to be used, detail the mission of the organization, and be clear as to the use of the money.
Board Development – Ron stated we needed to have a meeting focusing on stepping forward as a board instead of stagnating.
It was decided to separate the board meeting from the candidates forum next time. The meeting in April will be focused on board development and the meeting in May would be another candidate forum. Ron pointed out that we needed to focus on accountability. We need to ask each person what they have done and hold them accountable.
Humberto reported that the event at Cine was very successful and they raised $700 to send to his parents village. He is planning to go to D.C. for the immigration march on March 21st.
Next Meeting – April 15, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted: Caryl Sundland
