Meeting of all PIC members, Group Leaders and Assistant Leaders, Oversight Committee Members together on Thursday, November 13th (continued)
Meeting of all PIC members, Group Leaders and Assistant Leaders, Oversight Committee Members together on Thursday, November 13thThis has been precipitated by my intention to resign as PIC Coordinator effective December 1st. After taking my fulltime job in February 2007, it has become ever increasingly difficult to keep up with all aspects/demands of the ministry, my job and devote the time needed for my family. I alerted Msgr. Gaalaas over 2 months ago and we have been exploring options ever since. The Oversight Committee was notified on September 29th and held a meeting to discuss options and next steps on October 19th.
Some options identified were: 1) Reevaluate the community service position for the Parish. Consider an add to the Parish staff (full or part time) to help retool PIC alongside the Oversight Committee, coordinate the ministry going forward and support any other Parish initiatives defined; 2) Consider any volunteer that may step forward for the PIC Coordinator position to help retool and coordinate the ministry; 3) Explore a shared arrangement with Catholic Charities; 4) Consider the ministry as having run its course and disband. These certainly aren't the only ones to be discussed so bring your ideas! Representatives from Catholic Charities may be in attendance.
Please review the following information regarding the status of our core PIC objectives, options and next steps in preparation for our meeting on Thursday, November 13th at 7:00 – 8:00 pm in the Community Room. Feel free to email any feedback beforehand especially if you are unable to attend.
The current and original PIC Objectives are: 1) Provide assistance to recent natural disaster victims in the area (Katrina and Rita); 2) Provide assistance to those in our Parish and community at large with no support system whose needs fall through the "cracks" and 3) Raise the awareness our Parish in regard to Disaster Preparedness and Recovery.
In regard to Objective #1, PIC has fulfilled this calling in many ways in the 3 years since the disasters working with the Metropolitan Tulsa Urban League, the Katrina Survivors Coalition and the Longterm Recovery Committee that Catholic Charities chaired. Needs have declined especially in the last year as these folks have assimilated into a new life in Oklahoma or returned to Louisiana . FUTURE? Continue relatonship with Carmen Pettie at Metropolitan Tulsa Urban League for referrals of needs in North Tulsa and the survivors (requires a PIC point person). Or, discontinue future support noting this as being fulfilled.
Objective #2 continues to fulfill its calling via the Case Management portion of PIC as evidenced in a variety of 48 cases approved in 3 years. Also, through the Community Outreach arm that provides collection and delivery of household items to those in need across our Parish and Community. FUTURE OPTIONS and CONSIDERATIONS for Objective #2 include:
A. Need to reevaluate 3 current cases in progress (Group 3 - Vern and Ann Kremer, Group 4 - Karen Forbes, Group 7 - Penny Victor) all of whom are leading efforts to assist elderly women with transportation to church, grocery store, doctor appts, etc. If PIC disbands, we could leave it up to these volunteers as to what level effort continues.
B. Modify Community Outreach due to liability involved in volunteer pickup/moving of furniture, etc., plus increased danger in the North Tulsa areas served. Engage other methods/vendor assistance to minimize risk yet preserve services or discontinue altogether. Could refer all furniture pickups to Cornerstone which would involve St. Bernard's to apply for membership and pay a monthly fee (I have application and suggested giving guide). St. Bernard's could opt to refer donors to Cornerstone and have them note their referral as St. Benedicts instead if we don't wish to join.
C. Modify Community Outreach approach of collecting household items for more limited distribution. Recipients could make an appointment to pickup their items at the church, deliver when we can or transport specific items to Catholic Charities Hispanic Helping Center and/or the new Catholic Charities collection point in 2009. All this would require a PIC point person to coordinate pickups/deliveries and maintain the donations inventory onsite. Or, we can discontinue this effort noting it has been fulfilled.
D. Consider moving the Case Management duties to Richard Campbell's area with the remaining funds available. Richard would have to obtain authorization for his cases from the Oversight Committee for rental and utilities assistance. May wish to set max per month - he would need to qualify the applicants and make payments. Or, does St. Bernard's want to establish a Saint Vincent DePaul Society? Team with St. Benedict's Saint Vincent DePaul Society in some way?
Objective #3 has been researched but interest has waned with no one stepping up to champion. Status is unfulfilled. FUTURE OPTIONS? Organize one last weekend event to fulfill this objective. Work with Red Cross to make at home DR kits available to our Parish. Have a table at the back of all masses manned by PIC volunteers with pamphlets from the city on DR, Q&As, Red Cross order forms for the DR kits, etc. Giveaways of disaster dictionary books (10 or so were donated to PIC) at each Mass.
Moving the ministry forward in whatever fashion will involve a reevaluation of the objectives and new leadership to build upon what has been accomplished yet moving forward with new ideas and energy. Communication is one of the necessities to keep the membership up to date, interested and involved.
Hopefully, this information will provide a basis for our discussion in November. Again, feel free to email your ideas prior to the meeting or if someone wants to volunteer for the Coordinator position, please contact Msgr. Gaalaas. As for the ministry operations through December 1st, it's business as usual! We have some Community Outreach activities and cases pending. Transition tasks will be identified and assigned once direction is known after the meeting.
Your faithfulness and support of Partners In Christ throughout its history is a blessing and your involvement during this transitional period is greatly appreciated!
Because of Jesus,
Kate Forbes