June Meeting Minutes

Holding Hand with

Haiti Meeting Minutes

- June 6, 2007 Present: M. Davis, E. Pollastrello, J. Weyher, BA. Fausone, C. Forslund, C. Forslund, D. Hermann, M. Burns, L. Burns, and D. Orvis Call to order: Meeting began at 7:35 with a prayer led by Cathy Forslund

Review of minutes: May’s minutes were reviewed and accepted without revisions Financial report: The Labine’s were not present to give the details of the report, but the May commitment of $2,000 was secured and sent to Father Discussion items:*Fundraising: 1. A suggestion was made to e-mail the 70 people on the

Haiti list for appeals for ongoing commitment to the HHWH fund during the busy summer months, so that the $2,000 monthly pledge can be maintained

2. Cathy and other members will research some major philanthropic organizations for the possibility of submitting grants to fund projects for HHWH 3. DVD’s will be sold after masses on June Haiti Sunday (23^rd and 24^th) for a donation. If asked, suggested minimum donation will be $10 4. Note cards with representative artwork will be ordered and sold probably in the fall. The cost to have 500 cards made is $239 and for 1,000 cards is $279 5. Cathy will look into the possibility of having a “

Haiti booth” during the parish picnic on 8/12, where a Haitian style dinner could be purchased 6. Fall T shirt sales and pop can drives were discussed (through the school) 7. Preliminary discussion was held concerning a “Haitian Night Party”, perhaps even to coincide with Father’s visit. Tickets would be sold and Haitian music and food would be featured 8. Charlie spoke briefly about fundraising for the new rectory project, using a part of the

Haiti video to take to individual or group donors specifically interested in contributing to this project 9. Cathy will speak with the LaBine’s about donation envelope supply and design Website:Charlie reported that the website is almost up and running. The logo is being revised, so that it is unique to the HHWH group. On the website there will be a donation site and links to other sites. Some of the sites discussed include Partners in Health, Youtube (for video clips from the most recent

Haiti trip), The Millennium Campaign, The One Campaign, www.thetainos.com, Pax Christi, and Kledev. In addition, there will be a blog feature on the website, where it is hoped trip members can share some of their experiences from Cerca La Source. It is hoped the website will be up and running by June Haiti Sunday

Creole language group:Jeri reported that the group has had 2 meetings thus far. Shelda Seide, a GVSU senior, has been secured as the teacher/interpreter for the group. She is willing to meet with groups or individuals who are interested in learning Creole (from basic phrases to fluency). Jeri will continue to e-mail interested members about participating in this endeavor Medical missions:Larry and Jeri spoke briefly about the strong Partners in Health presence in CLS, and the need to perhaps focus medical/dental educational efforts within the St. Francis school. In addition, Jeri mentioned PIH’s need/desire for equipment (portable ultrasound machine, etc) and their interest in establishing more medical outreach groups to the rural areas outside CLS. Jeri will be in contact with Evan Lyon (from PIH) about these initiatives

Communication with CLS:Matt has been working to establish a more direct and reliable communications link with CLS. He is working with Junior St. Vil and Emanuel currently. It is hoped that this will make planning, shipping of donated items, cash donations, etc., less cumbersome Haitian

Summit:

Matt has e-mailed several local lawmakers, with a response only from Vern Ehlers. The group discussed a collaboration with other churches in the GR area, both those that already have twinning programs (for information sharing, etc) and those that don’t (to perhaps share in collections). This may be arranged for sometime in August. Approaching some of the local parishes without current formal twinning programs may help increase money pledged to

Haiti, and many St. Stephen parishioners attend periodically some of these parishes Water purification project:Cathy has been gathering information on this program sponsored by Rotary International. She will report back to the group with more specific information as it becomes available, in terms of cost, training, etc., as there is an upcoming summit on this topic Stewardship opportunities:It is hoped that there will be an opportunity in the fall for some travelers to share their testimonies about their experiences as part of the St. Stephen team that traveled to CLS Upcoming
Haiti trips/Father Bertrand’s visit:

The group discussed the possibility of 2 trips in the upcoming year, perhaps during carnival time in CLS (October) and again in March. This would keep group size a little smaller, give new travelers a chance to consider a trip, and have more continuity with the people of CLS. This will be discussed further with Father, as it might even be possible to arrange for Father to accompany the team back to GR, as the start of Father’s visit. Father will be in the US this month, visiting the parish in

Virginia that twins with St. Francis. It is hoped that some of the team members may be able to have contact with him during this time Meeting ended at approximately 9:15 pm. Next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 1 (no July meeting) Respectfully submitted,Jeri Weyher

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