November 2001

NEAC Board Reviews Programs

The October 12 meeting of the NEAC Board of Directors in San Juan, Puerto Rico, opened with Eucharist celebrated by the Rt. Rev. Rodney Michel, a director, in the Catedral S. Juan Bautista. The deliberations that followed covered a number of areas.

Sunday School Materials: Though the materials have been pilot-tested and are ready for publication, they are moving their way only slowly through the church bureaucracy, which must authorize the curriculum, then print, translate, and distribute it. Concrete delivery dates are not yet available. The co-chairs and Bishop Michel will work to secure a letter of support from the minority bishops.

HIV/AIDS in the Aging Population: The main concern was how to better publicize this reality. Bill Frampton has requested a copy of the educational offering prepared by AARP, and will report on how NEAC might use it.

General Convention: The Board decided to set aside $10,000 this year and $10,000 next year to be used for General Convention expenses in 2003.

The Austin Conference, October 11–12, 2002: The conference will begin at noon Friday and run through Saturday, closing with Eucharist at St. David’s. The committee consists of Todd Ferguson, Bill Frampton, Randy Kimmel, and Elizabethe Payne. Mary Ellen Honsaker, herself a wildlife artist, has agreed to oversee an Art Auction, featuring works by local artists and others who wish to contribute, the proceeds to go to Austin AIDS service programs.

The registration fee should be kept as low as possible (under $100) and as many scholarships as possible will be made available; room rates will be $89. (For more information, click here)

Nominations: The Nominations Committee offered a slate of candidates who will be contacted and asked if they would like to serve. Nominees who agree to serve will be asked to attend the January meeting, at which elections will be held.

Ryan White Funds: It was agreed that Fundacion SIDA, which hosted the NEAC Board and the HIV/AIDS Committee the evening before the meeting, was seriously under funded. Bruce Garner will draft a letter to be sent by NEAC on behalf of Fundación SIDA explaining that their share of Ryan White funds is far too low given the amount of service they provide.

Ecumenical Activities: Bruce Davidson of the Lutheran AIDS Network will be at the January NEAC meeting to discuss working together.

Special Thanks were expressed to the Rev. Carlos Sandoval for coordinating the meeting in San Juan.