Grant Approved by Screen and Review Committee
Diocesan Press Service. November 24, 1971 [96-13]
NEW YORK, N. Y. -- On Monday, November 8, the Screening and Review Committee of the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church voted to allocate $50,600 to the Afro-American Players of Yakima, Wash. The grant will be used to support the program of the Players and to complete a cultural and dramatic center in their community.
In considering the application the Committee conducted a special hearing in order to resolve questions about the project. The Rt. Rev. John R. Wyatt, Bishop of the Diocese of Spokane, felt that these questions should be answered before any funding was approved. Major concerns were the potential of the group to become self-supporting, the question of clear title for the Players to the land upon which they are building their center, and clarification of the salaried status of full-time employees of the Players.
Representing the Afro-American Players at the hearing were Mr. and Mrs. Charles Patillo and Mr. James Lee, all of Yakima. Mr. Patillo and Mr. Lee are employees of the Players and Mrs. Patillo is a volunteer worker. Bishop Wyatt and Mr. James Bronson, a layman, spoke to the issues. Bishop Wyatt pointed out that he could not give his opinion on the grant until the questions were satisfactorily answered.
Under the grant procedures, the General Convention Special Program, through the Screening and Review Committee, cannot allocate funds within a diocese unless the local bishop has indicated that he has no opposition to such a grant, or the Executive Council votes to fund in those cases where the local bishop does voice opposition.
After the special hearing, which brought the two interested groups together fully to discuss the issues, Bishop Wyatt indicated that he would not oppose the grant. It was then passed.