October 1997

New NEAC Structure Planned

Board Manages Change as Executive Ends Term

The National Episcopal AIDS Coalition Board of Directors met in Washington, DC, in October. Hosted by the President’s National AIDS Policy adviser, Sandra Thurman, the board met within the White House compound in the Old Executive Office Building.

The board was addressed by Thurman on the “State of the Epidemic and Our National Policy Response,” and Dr. Pamela Chinnis, president of the House of Deputies of the Episcopal Church. Chinnis described the changes at Episcopal Church Center in light of the impending arrival of a new Presiding Bishop, The Right Reverend Frank Griswold of Chicago.

She also explained the selection process for interim bodies and informed the NEAC board that nominations had been received for the HIV/AIDS Commission. The Commission will be announced in November.

Executive Director to Leave in January

The Reverend Ted Karpf, executive director since June 1993 and a founder of NEAC in 1988, will complete his term of office in January 1998. Karpf will not be continuing as executive director citing the demands for change to meet the new needs of the epidemic.

Speaking before the board of directors, he said, “We were founded as a grassroots ministry of AIDS care givers and their families. We need to stretch ourselves to meet needs locally. The national focus of our organization has achieved broad awareness of AIDS in the Church. We now have to work locally to see that work gets done.”

With funding stable and secure at more than $110,000 per year, a stable and faithful membership base, and support through Combined Federal Campaign and the Wasser Trust of the Diocese of California, NEAC is in excellent financial condition. Karpf has been instrumental in raising more than $500,000 for NEAC in the past five years.

“Its time for NEAC’s ministry to support local efforts,” he said. “That NEAC is at the Heart of AIDS; is in no doubt. However, we must find ways to help local ministries to take care of those charged to them. NEAC will continue to provide leadership and empowerment, advocacy and support for such ministries.”

Tull-Washburn Awards Given

Board members Frank Romanowicz of Alabama and The Reverend William Frampton of Delaware received the Tull-Washburn Award for their discreet and exemplary support of NEAC and the executive director. The award is given in memory of NEAC founders, Tom Tull and Ron Washburn. Both Romanowicz and Frampton distinguished themselves through aggressive fundraising for NEAC, and constant support and assistance for the work of the executive director. Both men have been involved in AIDS ministry for nearly a decade.
Episcopal Public Policy Network

Tull-Washburn Award recipient, Frank Romanowicz, flanked by Jesse Milan, life partner Robert Hill, Ted Karpf and Sandra Thurman

Tull-Washburn Award recipient, Frank Romanowicz, flanked by Jesse Milan, life partner Robert Hill, Ted Karpf and Sandra Thurman.

The NEAC/AIDS public policy advocacy program will be led by the Episcopal Public Policy Network, based in Washington. The network, which is supported by the national church, is a member of the National Organizations Responding to AIDS.

Tull-Washburn Award recipient, The Reverend Bill Frampton, flanked by Jesse Milan and Ted Karpf.

Tull-Washburn Award recipient, The Reverend Bill Frampton, flanked by Jesse Milan and Ted Karpf.

NEAC is the first of the religious AIDS network to change its leadership strategy. Under contract, The Reverend Deacon Ciritta Park will be managing the “NEAC 2000” 14th anniversary AIDS ministry conference in San Francisco, CA in March 2000. The conference will be held at Grace Cathedral.

Esther Walter of Des Moines, IA, former NEAC Board member and a member of the national church’s HIV/AIDS Commission during the last triennium, will be a consultant to the NEAC Board for the next six months. Walter will monitor E-mail and support the board in its work of strategic planning for the next triennium.

Request for Proposals from Members

In this issue of NEACtion Report, a request for proposals is posted on page 21. The RFP seeks a new approach to the day-to-day management of the organization. By making the RFP available to the membership of NEAC, the Board is convinced that local support for the work of NEAC will be enhanced. The responses to the RFP must be postmarked by December 15, 1997. A final decision for the contract award will be made the by entire Board at its meeting in January.

Board Nominations Sought

Nominations are being sought for the board of directors. The NEAC Board is self-perpetuating. The election of new members and officers will be held in January at the Annual Meeting and strategic planning sessions over Martin Luther King weekend. Nominations can be sent by US Postal Service or E-mail to NEAC. NEAC’s E-mail address is neac@neac.org.

NEAC Board Meeting in Old Executive Office Building in the White House compound: (left to right) Esther Walter, Sue Scott, Presidential Adviser Sandra Thurman and Jesse Milan.

NEAC Board Meeting in Old Executive Office Building in the White House compound: (left to right) Esther Walter, Sue Scott, Presidential Adviser Sandra Thurman and Jesse Milan.

At the end of the first day there was a farewell dinner for Karpf and a candlelight evening tour of the West Wing of the White House. Board members visited the Oval Office, the Cabinet Room, White House Press Office, and Roosevelt Room as guests of Thurman, who is a member of the President’s senior staff.

President of the House of Deputies Dr. Pamela Chinnis and NEAC President Jesse Milan, Jr. at the NEAC Board meeting at the White House.

President of the House of Deputies Dr. Pamela Chinnis and NEAC President Jesse Milan, Jr. at the NEAC Board meeting at the White House.

The board presented Karpf with an appreciation gift of mounted photographs of his ministry with NEAC since 1988. For Karpf, this was a “tender moment” as he reflected on his 15 years in the AIDS pandemic, serving the nation and Church in a variety of roles and responsibilities.