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NEWS -- PAST AND PRESENT This Page includes general news about the Coalition. |
| Yes We Can Johnston County Coalition, Inc. A Coalition of Concerned Citizens |
| "What we do by ourselves matters; What we do together really makes the difference". |
| YES WE CAN Johnston County Coalition, Inc. Post Office Box 1016 Clayton, North Carolina 27528-1016 919-550-0614 Email: information@yeswecanjccoalition.com |
The Coalition's New Year's Resolution is to establish a central Food Distribution Center in Clayton. To accomplish
this, the help and support of our members and the community is necessary.
Discussions are already underway with an interested local realtor to locate a site for the Center where food can be stored
and made available to local churches and civic organizations for distribution to those in need. It is hoped that this can be
accomplished with the help of a small city grant and volunteers from the Coalition.
Communications with the Health Department have taken place with regard to any restrictions in distributing unused
prepared food from restaurants, caterers, grocery stores to those in need. It appears that the food can be given away
and used for this purpose provided it is not resold.
It is also planned to place collection bins in various business locations for donated canned nonperishable items to be
placed and stored at the Center. This project is one way our members can be involved by just volunteering a few hours a
week to distribute or collect food. Future plans are to replicate this Pilot Project in other areas throughout Johnston
County. We will keep you posted on the progress of this Project.
Finally, some other news! We have changed the schedule for renewing membership in the YWCJCC. Instead of
scheduling renewals on a Calendar Year basis (from January 1st through December 31st of each year), renewals are
now scheduled on an Annual basis (one year from the date of the last renewal or membership payment.) This
assures that our members get twelve full months of membership with their $10 membership or renewal payment.
this, the help and support of our members and the community is necessary.
Discussions are already underway with an interested local realtor to locate a site for the Center where food can be stored
and made available to local churches and civic organizations for distribution to those in need. It is hoped that this can be
accomplished with the help of a small city grant and volunteers from the Coalition.
Communications with the Health Department have taken place with regard to any restrictions in distributing unused
prepared food from restaurants, caterers, grocery stores to those in need. It appears that the food can be given away
and used for this purpose provided it is not resold.
It is also planned to place collection bins in various business locations for donated canned nonperishable items to be
placed and stored at the Center. This project is one way our members can be involved by just volunteering a few hours a
week to distribute or collect food. Future plans are to replicate this Pilot Project in other areas throughout Johnston
County. We will keep you posted on the progress of this Project.
Finally, some other news! We have changed the schedule for renewing membership in the YWCJCC. Instead of
scheduling renewals on a Calendar Year basis (from January 1st through December 31st of each year), renewals are
now scheduled on an Annual basis (one year from the date of the last renewal or membership payment.) This
assures that our members get twelve full months of membership with their $10 membership or renewal payment.
| PAST NEWS Shared By Email On January 21, 2010 |
| CURRENT NEWS Shared By Email On February 19, 2010 |
It's just me and I wanted to catch up with you. I bet most of you are at home unless you are out slipping and sliding in
the snow--or is it ice???? Anyhow, I thought I'd give you a ring and some updates on our Coalition.
First, let me tell you that the fifth and final YWCJCC Community Hall Meeting held on the evening of January 21, 2010
at the Micro-Pine Level Elementary School went very well despite the rainy and cold weather condition. Walter Martin
hosted this event and several of those in attendance have joined the Coalition. One very positive outcome of all five
of the Community Hall Meetings was the participation at every meeting by the Staff of the Johnston County Department
Public Health and the Johnston County Mental Health Center, Supervisor of the Johnston County Department of Social
Services, Department Chairs at Johnston Community College, and a Board Member and Deputy Superintendent of
Johnston County Public Schools. This level of participation is outstanding and has served the Coalition well in forming
cooperative relationships with all major service providers.
Second, you may recall in my last email on January 10, 2010 I mentioned that one of Coalition's New Year's resolution
was to establish a Food Distribution Center in Clayton. Well, things are beginning to take shape on this venture and
progress is being made. Norwood has formed a Clayton Community Food Bank Committee and they were supposed
to have their first meeting this morning but, yep, it had to be cancelled and postponed for one week because of the
weather. The Committee will now be meeting on Monday, February 8th at 8:30 am at the West Clayton Church of God.
I thought I'd also share with you the names of the Churches and their representatives who will be participating on the
Committee.
New Bethel Church - Angel Food Ministries (Bob McLean)
C3 Cleveland Community Church (Ken Stephenson)--awaiting confirmation
First Baptist Church (Bob Hinton)
Clayton Area Ministries (Dale Matthews)
St. Ann Catholic Church (Cathy Penny)
West Clayton Church of God (Steve Genser)
New Trinity Baptist Church (Linda Whitley)
Vice-President, Royal Williams, will also serve along with Norwood on the Committee.
The Committee will begin planning on the best means for storing and making the food available to local churches and
civic organizations for distribution to our needy hungry neighbors and friends in the Clayton area. This effort in
Clayton is just the start and will serve as the prototype for establishing the same in other areas of Johnston County.
For this to be successful, we will need the help of volunteers and will be calling on our members to help out.
Specifically help will be needed to answer phones at a central location, to package meals, and to register applicants.
We will be back in touch with you real soon on specifics.
Third, just as a repeat refresher, the Executive Board at their last meeting in January revised the criteria for renewal
of membership. Instead of having membership extend on a calendar year basis (from January 1st of one year to
December 31st of the next year), criteria for membership renewal will be on an annual year basis (the anniversary
date of the date of your last membership or renewal). This change assures that our members receive a full twelve
month period of membership for their $10 payment. I will keep track of this and send out to each member a renewal
reminder close to the anniversary date. Of course, dues can always be paid in advance as well.
Fourth, plans are underway to hold an evening General Meeting of all Coalition members in early Spring, also to
include a 50/50 raffle. We are looking into holding this meeting at a location where we can provide snacks and
refreshments as well. I'll get back to you on this as well.
Fifth, we have identified some additional resources to help our needy citizens. These are posted on the Website
under the Resource Directory tab. One in particular that has captured our attention is Angel Food Ministries which
has six host sites in or near to Johnston County. The Ministry provides a full menu of food that can fit into a
medium-sized box at $30 per box and feeds a family of four for about one week or a single senior for about a month.
Specialty boxes are also available and the menus change monthly. Food is ordered in advance and picked up at the
nearest host site. There are no qualifications, applications, or income restrictions applied. It is available to all. I have
listed on the Website the locations of all six of the host sites: www.yeswecanjccoalition.com. Norwood and I just ordered
a box to evaluate its contents -- we'll be picking it up on Saturday, February 20, 2010 between the hours of 10:30 am
and 12:30 pm at the New Bethel Church in Clayton.
Sixth, speaking of the Website we want you to share with us any interesting news concerning you or your family or just
anything informative as well. This is a way for us all to keep in touch! Deb Everett, our Treasurer, just submitted a
news item about her and her daughter, Katie, which I'm sure you all will be interested in reading. Check this out too
on the Website. I'm not going to give you any hints!!!!
Well, that's about it for me! You betcha I'll be back real soon with some additional news!!! I know you can't wait!
Either can I.
Kristin
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| PAST NEWS Shared By Email On February 1, 2010 |
In the interest of improvement and progress, every six months the Executive Board conducts an evaluation of the
Coalition's organizational and functional structure. The purpose of the review is to assure that the best possible
structure is in place to effectively lead the Coalition in the achievement of its goals and mission.
To this end, the first change involves the composition of the Executive Board.
The current Executive Board includes the following members:
Norwood Williams, President
Royal Williams, Vice-President
Deb Everett, Treasurer
Kristin Williams, Secretary
Sheila Williams, Member At Large
Sharon Anderson, Member At Large
The new Executive Board includes the addition of four new members:
Walter Martin, Region 1 Coordinator (Eastern Johnston County)
Lloyd Barnes, Region 2 Coordinator (Central Johnston County)
Jerry Dodson, Region 3 Coordinator (Western Johnston County)
Vacant, Region 4 Coordinator (Southern Johnston County)
Griselle Anderson, Hispanic Consultant
The Executive Board selected these four individuals because of their active interest and participation in the Coalition
and because of the talents and experiences they bring with them to the leadership team. You note that the Region 4
Coordinator position is vacant due to personal responsibilities of Sherry Jackson which necessitated her resignation.
Sherry did an outstanding job in carrying out this responsibility and we are looking for a volunteer to continue the
excellent work which she began in Southern Johnston County. Anyone with an interest in serving as the Coordinator
for Region 4, please contact Norwood Williams at 550-0614 or by Email at norwoodwilliams91@yahoo.com. We are
looking for a volunteer so...please come forward!
The second change involves the Committee structure.
In order to consolidate our efforts and time into one project at a time, the Board has decided to eliminate the
Committee structure as it now exists with three Committees: Education, Fund Raising, and Community Liaison. Much
of the current work of the Coalition embraces these three areas on an ongoing basis apart from a formal Committee
structure. Specific Committees will, however, be set up by the Executive Board on an "Ad Hoc" basis as the need
arises; for instance, to plan a fund raising activity.
The one project which the Coalition is presently fully focusing on is the Food Pantry Program, information
on which was shared with you in prior emails dated January 9, 2010 and February 1, 2010. In view of the current
critical economic times, the Board is committed in concentrating the Coalition's efforts on filling the needs of our
citizens--food being just one of them. The number of calls we receive requesting food assistance is astounding and
is an area in which our members can contribute through volunteer work. This project will be begin in Clayton with
eventual coverage in all areas of Johnston County. Regional Coordinators Lloyd Barnes and Walter Martin will keep
us posted on the progress of this challenge in their locations of responsibility. The distribution schedule of Food
Pantries in the Clayton area is included on the Attachment. As noted on the Attachment, the Clayton Area Ministries
(CAM) currently distributes food every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. St. Ann Catholic Church also distributes
food on Fridays. The New Trinity Missionary Baptist Church distributes food every Thursday, and the West Clayton
Church of God and New Bethel Church provide food on the third Saturday of each Month.
Currently food is not being supplied in the Clayton area on Tuesdays. In order to supply food five days weekly, the
YWCJCC has agreed to distribute food on Tuesdays from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at CAM located at 407 East Main
Street in downtown Clayton. To do this, volunteers are needed. Royal Williams, Deb Everett, Griselle Anderson,
Donald Beaufort, and Carl Fox attended an orientation meeting with CAM's Director, Dale Matthews, on February 17,
2009. Three volunteers from the Coalition will be needed every week on Tuesday from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm to
package and distribute food beginning on TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 2010. This is indeed a project in which you can truly
make a difference by volunteering on a schedule convenient to you, weekly or monthly, to work at the Food Pantry.
Details on the volunteer procedure will be forthcoming by Email in the next day or so. Until such time, however, feel
free to let me know of your interest and schedule.
The Food Pantry Project is just the first step in a long journey. Efforts to locate a building to serve as a central Food
Distribution Center are still underway. Planning continues on the placement of food bins in local businesses for
donated non-perishable items. Such ideas even include the possibility, for example, of receiving a modest discount
from a hair stylist's services in exchange for the patron's donation of a canned food item. This could be a win-win-win
for all three--for the hungry person, the contributing patron, and the salon owner's benefit for a tax deduction.
Our excitement and enthusiasm for accomplishing all of the above in just one short day sometimes
overshadows the fact that small steps must be taken before giant steps in the achievement of goals.
Join hands with us in this journey so that we can reach our destination ahead of schedule! Thanks so much!
Kristin
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Coalition's organizational and functional structure. The purpose of the review is to assure that the best possible
structure is in place to effectively lead the Coalition in the achievement of its goals and mission.
To this end, the first change involves the composition of the Executive Board.
The current Executive Board includes the following members:
Norwood Williams, President
Royal Williams, Vice-President
Deb Everett, Treasurer
Kristin Williams, Secretary
Sheila Williams, Member At Large
Sharon Anderson, Member At Large
The new Executive Board includes the addition of four new members:
Walter Martin, Region 1 Coordinator (Eastern Johnston County)
Lloyd Barnes, Region 2 Coordinator (Central Johnston County)
Jerry Dodson, Region 3 Coordinator (Western Johnston County)
Vacant, Region 4 Coordinator (Southern Johnston County)
Griselle Anderson, Hispanic Consultant
The Executive Board selected these four individuals because of their active interest and participation in the Coalition
and because of the talents and experiences they bring with them to the leadership team. You note that the Region 4
Coordinator position is vacant due to personal responsibilities of Sherry Jackson which necessitated her resignation.
Sherry did an outstanding job in carrying out this responsibility and we are looking for a volunteer to continue the
excellent work which she began in Southern Johnston County. Anyone with an interest in serving as the Coordinator
for Region 4, please contact Norwood Williams at 550-0614 or by Email at norwoodwilliams91@yahoo.com. We are
looking for a volunteer so...please come forward!
The second change involves the Committee structure.
In order to consolidate our efforts and time into one project at a time, the Board has decided to eliminate the
Committee structure as it now exists with three Committees: Education, Fund Raising, and Community Liaison. Much
of the current work of the Coalition embraces these three areas on an ongoing basis apart from a formal Committee
structure. Specific Committees will, however, be set up by the Executive Board on an "Ad Hoc" basis as the need
arises; for instance, to plan a fund raising activity.
The one project which the Coalition is presently fully focusing on is the Food Pantry Program, information
on which was shared with you in prior emails dated January 9, 2010 and February 1, 2010. In view of the current
critical economic times, the Board is committed in concentrating the Coalition's efforts on filling the needs of our
citizens--food being just one of them. The number of calls we receive requesting food assistance is astounding and
is an area in which our members can contribute through volunteer work. This project will be begin in Clayton with
eventual coverage in all areas of Johnston County. Regional Coordinators Lloyd Barnes and Walter Martin will keep
us posted on the progress of this challenge in their locations of responsibility. The distribution schedule of Food
Pantries in the Clayton area is included on the Attachment. As noted on the Attachment, the Clayton Area Ministries
(CAM) currently distributes food every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. St. Ann Catholic Church also distributes
food on Fridays. The New Trinity Missionary Baptist Church distributes food every Thursday, and the West Clayton
Church of God and New Bethel Church provide food on the third Saturday of each Month.
Currently food is not being supplied in the Clayton area on Tuesdays. In order to supply food five days weekly, the
YWCJCC has agreed to distribute food on Tuesdays from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at CAM located at 407 East Main
Street in downtown Clayton. To do this, volunteers are needed. Royal Williams, Deb Everett, Griselle Anderson,
Donald Beaufort, and Carl Fox attended an orientation meeting with CAM's Director, Dale Matthews, on February 17,
2009. Three volunteers from the Coalition will be needed every week on Tuesday from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm to
package and distribute food beginning on TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 2010. This is indeed a project in which you can truly
make a difference by volunteering on a schedule convenient to you, weekly or monthly, to work at the Food Pantry.
Details on the volunteer procedure will be forthcoming by Email in the next day or so. Until such time, however, feel
free to let me know of your interest and schedule.
The Food Pantry Project is just the first step in a long journey. Efforts to locate a building to serve as a central Food
Distribution Center are still underway. Planning continues on the placement of food bins in local businesses for
donated non-perishable items. Such ideas even include the possibility, for example, of receiving a modest discount
from a hair stylist's services in exchange for the patron's donation of a canned food item. This could be a win-win-win
for all three--for the hungry person, the contributing patron, and the salon owner's benefit for a tax deduction.
Our excitement and enthusiasm for accomplishing all of the above in just one short day sometimes
overshadows the fact that small steps must be taken before giant steps in the achievement of goals.
Join hands with us in this journey so that we can reach our destination ahead of schedule! Thanks so much!
Kristin
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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