Southern California Chaplains’ Association P.O. Box 73251, San Clemente, CA 92673 (949) 370-5102 Chaplain Rich Atkinson, President Meeting of the Board of Directors Held at the Café Westminster Family Restaurant 6260 Westminster Blvd, Westminster, CA‎ January 6, 2009 Minutes Present: Chaplain Rich Atkinson, President—Orange County Sheriff's Department Chaplain Jeff Hetschel, Vice President—Orange County Fire Authority Chaplain John Lamkin, Member at Large—La Habra Police Department Chaplain Steve A. Oosterhof, Member at Large (Los Angeles)—Sierra Madre Police Dept Brenda Lane, Webmaster Absent: Chaplain Robert Benoun, Secretary/Treasurer—Westminster Police Department and Orange County Fire Authority Chaplain John Oros, Member at Large—La Habra Police Department Chaplain Rex Spraggins, Member at Large—La Habra Police Department Lieutenant Steve Bernardi, Law Enforcement Representative—Orange County Sheriff’s Department Captain Michael E. Petro, Fire Services Representative—Orange County Fire Authority Invocation— 7:30 p.m. Chaplain Rich Atkinson Second Annual Full-Day Training Symposium Review—Open discussion Facility: Even with the best efforts of the school staff, there were logistical difficulties Speakers and activities: Excellent speakers, need more hands-on activities (such as scenarios) Registration: Smoothly done, need another person to help Third Annual Full-Day Training Symposium: Board decided to continue holding them SCCA Organizational Update—Rich reported that the names and addresses of Board members and the Association’s new address have been recorded with the Secretary of State. Website—Discussion and ideas for changes and additions Stipend for webmaster who does many administrative duties such as: Email meeting announcements Send postcard meeting announcements (need to re-implement this mode of advertisement) Maintain mailing list In the absence of the SCCA Secretary-Treasurer, take notes at meetings Distribute meeting notes via email and website Previously, the Board decided to pay Brenda a stipend of $50 per month beginning in Sept. Board hasn’t paid Brenda this yet. Board needs to ask Robert the bank account balance. Jeff made a comment that this doesn’t sound like an adequate amount for the work that she does. He made a motion that the stipend be raised from $50 to $100, Jim seconded it, and the motion was passed. Ideas to add to website Donation via PayPal or other online payment system button Register online and pay via PayPal or other payment option Link to TacticalChaplainservices.org and other similar groups We need to strive to provide comprehensive training experiences and advertise available Chaplain training opportunities in Southern California. Offer to advertise training put on by members (entries must be cleared by the board before it is put on the website) Carpool option suggestion to help connect people who want to carpool Membership—Discussion on how to improve the collection of dues Remind members who didn’t renew their dues in Sept. at the Symposium Spell out benefits to being a member: First-class training I.D. card Training certificate only for paid members Fellowship Volunteer opportunities in other agencies/ministries Some departments will pay Chaplains’ dues, so members should all ask their department to pay for them John made a motion, Jeff seconded it and it was agreed that we try Easy tithe.com which Allows scheduled tithing and giving Requires that we have a “merchant account” with the bank Other options for enhancing our communication with members—ConstantContact.com $9.95 is helpful for email lists, also Prayerletters.us New membership benefit idea: Free email accounts for members using SCCA website’s email system (we have 5,000 available) Suggestion made to change membership renewal date to calendar year. If members didn’t pay in Sept, request that they pay now to get extended membership. However, it’s easier to keep records as they are for now. The President will write a letter to be distributed to the members via email and on website regarding an overview of September training along with a reminder that dues are due and method of payment (check or online payment) Survey members to ask what talents, skills, and contacts they can offer the organization Taxes—SCCA is a non-profit 501(c)(3). Rich will work with CPA to see that our taxes are filed properly. Training Calendar—Discussion of goals and dates Yearly training schedule Last year, we held 3 meetings north of the 60 freeway, 3 meetings south of the 60 freeway, and the Annual Full-Day Training Symposium Suggestion made that we determine what subjects Chaplains need to learn and then use that to decide how many times a year we should meet for training Suggestion made that we have one meeting per quarter. And be sure the topics are substantial and comprehensive Suggestion made that we hold a prayer breakfast Reminded that Ventura County wanted to host a Training Meeting in their area Discussed how to provide training in San Diego County. In order to help folks who drive a distance to attend, we may need to change the start and end times for out of area meetings The following dates were established for Training Meetings: Feb. 19, Thursday—Glendora. Topic: How public safety Chaplains can interface with hospital Chaplains. Steve will call hospital Chaplain Dan Brodek in Glendora to coordinate. March 20, Friday—Hermosa Beach. Topic: to be determined. John will contact department April 16, Thursday—Location to be determined. Topic: Addiction to porn: Its affect on public safety members or Pornography’s danger in your department. Presented by Shelly Ruben, Code pink (her website). Former prostitute/porn star, now missionary. May 15, Friday (Date subject to change)—Santa Ana, Inmate Reception Center (IRC). Topic: Meet Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s new Sheriff. Sandra Hutchins will address the group on the importance of Chaplaincy in law enforcement. Tour jail. Lunch afterwards in the staff lounge. Optional tour of the coroner’s office after lunch. July 13-19 is ICPC’s 36th Annual Training Seminar in Knoxville, TN Third Annual Full-Day Training Symposium Sept. 19, Saturday—Union Rescue Mission, Skid Row, downtown L.A. Topic: Ministering in Southern California: the most diverse place in the world—Cultural religious challenges that the Chaplain faces. Caring for and ministering with individuals and clergy from different ethnic and religious groups than my own. Potential speakers: Union Rescue Mission Administrator Andy Bayles, others to be determined, possibly a presentation from the Los Angeles County gang tsar. Serve lunch on the roof of the Union Rescue Mission. Possible tour of LAPD Metropolitan police and fire stations located in Skid Row. November 19, Thursday—Location to be announced. Topic: A Chaplain’s response to holiday depression—what to look for in officers during “Suicide Season.” Trish Waltz. Holiday emotions. Karen Ledbetter (Jeff knows her). See if Trish can get Cloud-Townsend, New life Christian Counseling to speak. Fundraiser (possibly bowling or concert) sometime (at the end of the year or sooner) Next Board Meeting—To be announced Adjournment—Rich closed in prayer at 9:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Rich Atkinson President