The 2008 Nominating Committee consisting of Paul Brayer, Sally Chamberlin, Bob Herman, Isabel Morrison, and Gail Mott (Chair) is proposing the following slate to be voted on at our June Annual Meeting:
Officer slate
President - Sally Chamberlin
Vice President –Marilyn Wienk
Secretary – Bob Herman
Treasurer – Isabel Morrison
Becky Elwell Class of 2009 (filling Lachme Rao’s place)
Marie Hickey
Peg Rubley
Current board members (2008) who will renew and become Class 0f 2011 - Sally Brown, Sr.Gratia, Bob Herman, Gail Mott, Heide Parreno, Farzana Razvi, David White, Denise Yarborough.
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The Rev. Richard Myers, President of Greater Rochester Community of Churches, and Sr. M. Gratia L'Esperance, President of The Interfaith Alliance of Rochester, submitted an op/ed piece for the Democrat & Chronicle on January 21, 2008. We acknowledge the great pain caused by our friend, Arun Gandhi in his remarks about the future of the Jewish community. We hope to use the strength of our local interreligious tradition to address this as an opportunity for further conversation and healing. A copy of the op-ed piece may be accessed on our “Links, Letters, and Articles of Interest” page.
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Thoughts from TIAR's president, Sr. Gratia L'Esperance, RSM, regarding Michael Moore's movie, Sicko.
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The Interfaith Alliance of Rochester
Annual Report, June 2007
General Membership: over 135
Number of monthly meetings of the Board of Directors: 11
In August, we had a social gathering and special dinner for members of the Board of Directors at Nazareth College hosted by Gaynelle Wethers, TIAR Board Member and Director of Multicultural Diversity for the college.
Publications: TIAR brochure: updated “The Faces of Poverty” education program brochure developed and distributed. Neil Jaschik regularly updates the web site: tia-roch.org.
Projects: TIAR has collaborated with a number of organizations and groups:
Poverty and Economic Justice
TIAR transferred the format of the program, “Faces of Poverty,” from video to DVD, and made 100 disks available. Edward Lemon, Jr. developed a power-point presentation and trained a group of presenters. He conducted presentations on “The Faces of Poverty” for at least 7 community groups. Mr. John Noronha and a committee publicized the program and developed a publicity brochure (as indicated above). In order to promote follow-up by participants in the program, Board members identified possible volunteer opportunities such as with the agencies listed in the “Homeless and Hunger Guide” published by the Homeless Services Network (see next item).
At the May meeting, Connie Sanderson, the director of the program, made a presentation to the Board. The network consists of 40 – 60 organizations and individuals who meet regularly.
Ongoing support of efforts by Crowne Plaza Hotel employees to decide freely about forming a union included participation by TIAR members in rallies and meetings, and in periodic leafleting efforts at the hotel.
Ann Mason Graham, Director for the Re-entry Program of Catholic Family Center, made a presentation to the Board. Rochester has the highest re-entry population outside of New York City. She described the need for involvement by faith communities. She is seeking a suitable building to accommodate staff offices and the residential program. Persons re-entering the community from jail or prison often need basic necessities such as personal grooming items (soap, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.). The Board approved a donation and has collected plastic bags with such items for the residents.
Efforts to negotiate with Monroe County Department of Human Services regarding their policy for indigent burials have been ongoing since April of 2006. In December, TIAR received an unsolicited donation of $1,750 to this project, offered by a family in memory of their father. The Board approved the creation of a temporary burial fund until a proposed Community Burial Fund is established through the Department of Human Services. The Board approved an additional donation to this fund. Sr. Grace Miller, Director of the House of Mercy, has requested and received assistance on two occasions for persons in need.
In April, the county announced that it had given a contract to Hope Initiatives, Inc. to hire a Burial Coordinator to assist families in need, work with burial providers, and be responsible for fund raising. The coalition continues to raise questions, and Sr. Grace participated in the interview process for hiring the coordinator.
At the April meeting, presentations were made to the TIAR Board by leaders and staff about the goals of this project. In May, the Board approved a donation to this project.
At the October meeting, Jeff Kaczorowsky, Executive Director, presented information on this organization, including its “Children’s Sabbath” program and other ways to help.
TIAR agreed to support the formation of a Citizens Advisory Board, since they currently have no representation on the transit board.
Local, State, and National Issues
Complaints of unfair campaign practices are submitted to the bipartisan Fair Campaign Pledge Committee for adjudication. Members of the committee include Lucien Morin, Republican, former Monroe County Executive; Alan Bernstein, Republican; Tom Frey, Democrat, former Monroe County Executive; Gerry Curran, Democrat; Rome Celli, media expert.
All of these except Mr. Celli have held public office in the past, understand politics, but do not hold any office now. Both Mr. Frey and Mr. Morin were office holders who believe in bi-partisan solutions to civic problems, which is a valuable asset for the Committee.
- Solicited letters to state legislators regarding choice of optical scan voting machines
Annual Report (Collaborative Efforts, continued)
Neil Jaschik continued to solicit petitions / letters regarding rules changes, and redistricting; Board members attended meetings on campaign finance reform.
Education Forum on Immigration, March 12, 2007, attended by 80 participants. Planning for additional forums is under way for Fall 2007 and Spring 2008. The League of Women Voters is conducting a three-year study of this issue and may collaborate with TIAR in future forums. At the December meeting, Kay Embrey presented a detailed background and history of immigration problems.
TIAR Members attended a rally and the Board approved a donation to their appeal.
Board members attended several community forums on the continuing violence which affects the region. The forums solicited the views of a large number of residents, and planning for specific responses will follow.
Mission of The Interfaith Alliance of Rochester
We are committed to an inclusive democratic process based upon the mutual responsibility of public officials, public institutions, and the general public. It requires honest and civility through open discussion of issues and full participation open to all citizens.
We work towards a public good that offers dignity and wholeness to all people. This includes a quality public education, a sustainable environment, a living wage, comprehensive health care, adequate housing, and a voice for people of faith in the political arena that respects the First Amendment.
As a growing and diverse interfaith community, we bring a constructive and healing witness to public and political life in the Greater Rochester community. The Interfaith Alliance of Rochester is one of many local alliances in a national coalition of people of faith.
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