JSAC Task Force Meets in Denver
Diocesan Press Service. March 7, 1975 [75099]
Salome Breck, Editor, the Colorado Episcopalian
DENVER, Colo. -- Are church people "tornado oriented?" Do they have to be presented with sudden disaster before they realize people are starving -- right here in the United States ?
The Joint Strategy and Action Committee (JSAC) Native American Projects Task Force fears this is true.
Meeting in Denver for a two-day session Jan. 27 and 28 (immediately following a meeting of the Episcopal Church's National Committee on Indian Work) representatives of nine major churches, including the Episcopal Church, quickly and decisively named hunger as the number one problem facing American Indians today.
JSAC is an excellent example of the practical worth of ecumenicity. This grouping of national religious agencies, operating through task forces and work groups, has several effective areas of effort.
The Indian Ministries Task Force of JSAC is especially practical. Composed of the native American staff of various church boards and the chairperson of each communion's caucus, this group brings skill, imagination and understanding into its decision making and program planning. During the first day in Denver the agenda dealt with general problems, with hunger rated a first priority. On the second day practical means of raising money were discussed.
For part of the work of JSAC's Indian Ministries Task Force is the producing of money for various projects and programs. And the less money JSAC receives from its sponsoring denominations the more important becomes its fund-raising responsibilities.
JSAC's genius lies not in allocating large sums of money to specific work, but rather in strategically assigning "seed money," thus making possible a beginning of important work. Then the group tries to make available through private sources the remainder of funds needed.
The Episcopal National Committee on Indian Work, organized some six years ago, is one of JSAC's first member groups. Other denominations are the United Presbyterians, Roman Catholics, United Methodists, United Church of Christ, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the three major bodies of the Lutheran faith, Christian Reformed, Church of the Brethren, and the Church of God.
Eugene Crawford, the Lutheran Council's secretary for Indian Services, is JSAC's Native American Task Force chairman.
During the first day of meeting, JSAC groups compared denominational goals and methods. They discussed funds, procedures and priorities.
"We do pretty well when programs move smoothly, " as one committee person explained it. "But if we are to be really effective we have to know how and where to get help in a hurry for emergency measures. "
This summary brought the JSAC group to a quick determination of their major problem -- hunger. Other priorities were technical assistance for projects when needed, scholarship help for young Indians and various programs involving economic development.
Land and water rights are of enormous interest to this group, which, because of its broad representation, can keep informed on local problems, and hopefully, keep the church informed and interested to the point of acting on behalf of the Indians.
As one committee member put it, when explaining a case in which sovereignty was in question: "Our tribes may not be ready to deal with this problem. Our churches may not be ready. But here the problem is. And our entire trial system is based on precedent. What happens in determining this case will affect everything else which happens to us."
In discussion of the crisis situation on food, Joan Bordman, Episcopal NCIW representative and member of the staff in charge of the western area, reported that food banks for Indians in Arizona were virtually depleted. "And we estimate it will take about three months before we can get additional supplies," she explained. None of the federal programs are open to Indian areas of South Dakota which have established food banks, because the food stamp program " is impossible. "
In Nevada, help is mostly limited to expectant mothers and newborn babies.
In Phoenix no food is available to Indians. In Minnesota, the first Americans have lost an entire food crop.
Elderly Indians are living on two meals a day, and often eating dog food. Tuberculosis, once virtually conquered, is again active. " It is the result of poor diet. We have 23 cases of tuberculosis on the Standing Rock Reservation, " said Joan.
"BIA (Bureau of Indian Affairs) people and public health officials will admit there is a problem, but they won't make a statement. "
JSAC discusses fund raising
The second day of the JSAC meeting was devoted to specific suggestions for fund raising.
The program, a combination of workshop and lecture, was given by the firm of Lawson and Williams Associates, Inc. of New York City and Washington, D. C.
Douglas M. Lawson, president of the company, and Walker A. Williams used their own fund raising suggestions in the presentation. Those registered received a workbook adapted to the needs of JSAC members. The 1975 Foundation 500, an index to foundation giving patterns, was also available.
In the introduction the necessity of fund raising was stressed. "People give money to other people, not to projects and proposals," Douglas Williams emphasized. "The right person must interview the right person. He must first ' sell himself,' and-be so ready to explain a really good idea so he can present it well in a few sentences, " Williams continued. "We need money for good causes, and there is nothing wrong about asking for it. "
Mr. Williams named four basic sources which should be considered for funds: private foundations, corporate foundations, churches, and individuals.
"First you must be able to explain your good idea. Then you need volunteers, community leaders who will serve as members of your board of directors and help you. They are the ones who make it possible to open doors."
Special events and direct mail are specialized fields, and not to be considered without careful preparation.
Williams said a proposed plan should not be "crisis oriented" but structured for "long range."
Funding sources are only interested in well run organizations," he continued. "They want to know that a program will be adequately staffed, and that you plan to continue it when your grant runs out. 'Is there any way you can become self-supporting?' is the questions possible grant sources will ask, sooner or later," according to Mr. Williams.
JSAC representatives attending this meeting came from all parts of the country. Most churches can afford only the " seed money " needed. Funds for urban and reservation programs for the first Americans of this land are desperately needed; techniques for obtaining those funds were welcomed by JSAC people.