HANDBOOK
A Tool for Self Development of People Committees
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 1
Mission Statement 2
Mandate 2
CRITERIA AND GUIDELINES 3
Criteria 3
Guidelines 4
Categories of Need 5
Form of Assistance 5
National Committee 5
Task Forces 6
Domestic Task Forces 6
International Task Force 7
Standing Committees 7
Steering Committee 7
Church-wide Relations Committee 7
Community Relations Committee 7
Personnel Committee 7
Nominating Committee 8
Presbytery/Synod Self Development of People Committees 8
Composition Requirements 8
Meeting Schedule 9
Training 9
How does a Presbytery or Synod Committee get money
for validated projects? 9
Why is a Project Evaluation form requested by the
National Committee? 9
Can Presbytery or Synod Committees send project
applications on to the National Committee for
funding consideration? 9
How does a Presbytery or Synod Committee meet its
Self Development Committee administrative costs? 10
Application Process 10
United States 10
National Office 10
Presbytery Appeal Process 11
Post-Funding Evaluation 11
NATIONAL COMMITTEE SITE-VISIT PROCEDURES 12
Purpose 12
Process 12
Suggestions 14
Site-Visit Checklist 15
Précis Format 17
Sample Budget 18
COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS 19
Purpose 19
Preparation 19
Presentation 20
MOST ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 22
National Staff 24
Communication 25
GLOSSARY 26
INTRODUCTION
The unique Self Development of People (SDOP) ministry was established by action of the 182nd General Assembly (1970) of the former United Presbyterian Church in the (U.S.A). In 1987, the General Assembly of the reunited Presbyterian Church merged it and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Fund for the Economic Self Development of Racial/Ethnic People of the former Presbyterian Church in the United States. The merged ministry became the Presbyterian Committee on the Self Development of People.
Since its creation, the National Committee has had authority and responsibility to engage in a special ministry 1) entering into partnerships with groups of economically poor, oppressed, and disadvantaged people, 2) interacting with presbyteries and synods in the process of certifying their Self Development Committees and helping to facilitate their work, and
3) encouraging a deeper understanding and involvement of the Church in the process of self development.
Thousands of lives have been changed in the Church and in groups around the world because of this unique ministry. It is very important to know and understand that the Self Development of People ministry is only one small part of the Church's mission program. It is not intended to be all things to all people. The Self Development of People ministry is designed to enter into partnerships with groups of economically poor and oppressed people, who organize to do things to help themselves.
This handbook will help the national Self Development Committee with their work and provide the basic information for the Church's involvement. The biblical, theological, and philosophical foundations upon which Self Development is built are expressed in the Criteria and Guidelines, the Operating Guidelines, and its tested principles and practices of partnerships.
The handbook is subject to change by the dictates of prudence and wisdom in the practical work experience of the Self Development of People Committees and the actions of the General Assembly.
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Mission Statement
Self Development of People is a ministry that affirms God's concern for humankind. We are Presbyterians and ecumenical partners dissatisfied with poverty and oppression, united in faith and action through sharing, confronting, and enabling. We participate in the empowerment of economically poor, oppressed, and disadvantaged people, seeking to change the structures that perpetuate poverty, oppression, and injustice.
Mandate
The Presbyterian Committee on the Self Development of People (SDOP) shall assist the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in carrying out its global commitment to work toward the self development of economically poor, oppressed, and disadvantaged people, who own, control, and benefit directly from projects that promote long-term change in their lives and communities. The mandate was established by the 182nd General Assembly of the former United Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. in 1970, and reaffirmed and approved by the 199th General Assembly (1987) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
CRITERIA AND GUIDELINES
A major responsibility of Self Development of People Committees is to establish partnerships with groups of economically poor and oppressed people through outreach, solidarity, and financial support.
The Criteria and Guidelines are the tools the Committees use to validate and fund projects presented to them within this ministry.
The Guidelines are the measures that help Committees rank already-validated projects. Neither the Criteria nor the Guidelines are meant to deter groups from seeking help in their fight for self-determination, but are intended to guide the funding of real self development grass-roots efforts.
Committees should keep three fundamental concepts in mind when considering a project for validation. They are:
1. People acting for themselves and being in control of their own actions;
2. Need, coupled with;
3. Potential for self-realization;
If a project has these fundamental ingredients of self-development, yet does not have all the following criteria, it should not necessarily be disqualified. The Self Development Committees are expected to review all projects carefully and are urged to investigate creatively the aspects of self development behind every project presented.
Criteria
The following standards are used by Self Development of People Committees to determine whether a project is valid for funding within this ministry.
A project will:
1. be presented, owned, and controlled by the group of economically poor, oppressed, and disadvantaged people who will benefit directly from it;
2. address long-term correction of conditions that keep people bound by poverty and oppression;
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3. describe, in detail, its goal (the point of the project), its objectives (the specific steps the group will take to accomplish the goal), the way the direct beneficiaries will be involved in all stages of the project, and the methods to be used to achieve the goal and objectives;
4. be sensitive to the environment while accomplishing its goal or objectives;
5. not advocate violence as a means of accomplishing its goal or objectives;
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6. describe fully the resources known to be available for its support, including a description of a) those within the community, b) those available to the community, and c) the in-kind and other financial resources sought or to be sought;
7. contain a balanced income and expenditure budget. A financial plan showing expected income and expenditures over the funding term of the project should be included;
8. specify how the progress toward the stated goal and objectives will be evaluated by the group, and when the evaluation will be made
Guidelines
These are the measures by which projects that have been evaluated as valid, against the Self Development Criteria, are rated or ranked one with another for funding, within the limits of funds available.
1. Projects should be favored that build relationships between the applying group and its’ surrounding economic, political, and social institutions through actions of the group itself
2. Projects should be favored that have the increase of power and self-determination for the group as its goal. These projects will be enhanced if they include an analysis of the power sources within the community
3. Projects that aim at increasing group self-sufficiency should be favored
4. Projects that can attract other resources should be favored, provided they do not perpetuate conditions of dependency
5. Projects should be favored that marshal needed resources through the provision of technical assistance
6. Projects should be favored that have a realistic funding period
7. Projects that do not duplicate available services or opportunities should be favored
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Categories of Need
The Self Development of People shall enter into partnerships with groups of economically poor, oppressed, and disadvantaged people who
· want to take charge of their own lives,
· have organized, or are organizing, to do something about their own condition, and
· have decided that what they are going to do will produce direct long-term change for their lives, families, and communities, and that the change will benefit the groups directly
Form of Assistance
Self Development of People provides funding based upon the request of the individual groups. Generally, grants do not exceed $20,000. Synod and Presbytery SDOP Committees usually fund projects requesting $10,000 and under. Check the SDOP website for certified committees.
National Committee
The National Committee shall be composed of thirty one (31) persons, chosen to reflect diversity and inclusiveness. The membership shall be nominated through the General Assembly Nominating Committee process, elected by the General Assembly for a four-year term, and may be eligible for election to one additional term. At least 75 percent of the members shall be members of the Presbyterian Church (USA); a majority of the members (51 percent) will be racial/ethnic minority persons.
The membership shall be composed of twenty two (22) at large members, nominated by the General Assembly Nominating Committee; three (3) members nominated by synods; and six (6) members nominated by presbyteries, in consultation with the General Assembly Nominating Committee, to facilitate meeting the competency and needs of the National Committee.
Presbyteries and synods chosen to nominate members to the Committee will be selected on a rotating basis, to be established by the General Assembly Nominating Committee. The Self Development of People Committee will elect their chairperson.
The National Committee shall meet at least three times a year, normally in January, May, and September.
The administrative functions of the National Committee shall be coordinated with the other ministries of the Church, through its relationships in Compassion, Peace, & Justice.
The National Committee shall carry out its responsibilities to:
· Provide program and strategy for the Church's mission of self development with economically poor, oppressed, and disadvantaged people in cooperation with other programs and areas of the Church.
· Recommend changes in the Criteria and Guidelines for funding.
· Be responsible for receiving, reviewing, evaluating, referring, and/or approving funding of projects from economically poor, oppressed, and disadvantaged groups.
· Be responsible for complete direction, oversight, training, and bi-annual certification of Presbytery and Synod Self Development of People Committees.
· Educate the Church on the condition and status of economically poor and oppressed communities, and share the theological insights of these communities.
· Work cooperatively with ecumenical partners in the self development effort.
It is the policy of The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to reimburse all staff and elected members for reasonable and necessary expenses paid by them, which are incurred in the performance of their assigned duties for the Church, using the methods and policies described in the ‘Guidelines for Reimbursement’ handbook available at www.pcusa.org/sdop
1. For air travel members are encouraged to use “Azumano”, the agency used by SDOP; their personal travel agency or book directly online.
2. For the least expensive flights reservations should be made 21 days in advance and Saturday stay over is usually required. This has changed with many airlines, check when making your reservation.
3. Members and staff will be reimbursed based on the least expensive mode of transportation available. For instance, if you choose to drive when an airline ticket would be cheaper, or if you choose to take a train when an airline ticket is cheaper, your reimbursement will be based on the cost of the airline ticket.
Task Forces
The National Committee is divided into four Domestic and an International Task Forces. Committee members are assigned to a Task Force based on the region of the country that they are from.
Domestic Task Forces
Midwest, Northeast, South, and West
· Promote the SDOP ministry in their region by interacting with Presbyteries, Synods, local congregations, and communities of need
· Review and evaluate applications,
· Establish and maintain relationship with Mid Council SDOP Committees in their region.
o Review certification applications bi-annually
o Conduct training session as needed and/or required
International Task Force
Based on the Mission Funding Strategy approved by the National Committee in 2006, beginning in 2007 the $500,000 available for funding overseas will be allocated with $300,000 being equally divided among six intermediary partners; $200,000 will be focused in one region. For the complete strategy and list of intermediary partners see the ‘SDOP International Partnership Development Mission Strategy.’
Standing Committees
**Steering Committee ** Church-wide Relations Committee ** Community Relations Committee ** Finance Committee ** Personnel Committee ** Nominating Committee
Steering Committee consists of the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the National Committee, and the Chairpersons of each Task Force and Standing Committee. Its functions include establishing the agenda for the National Committee, addressing matters assigned by the National Committee, recommending actions to the National Committee, recommending the National Committee's budget, and carrying out the Committee's planning and review functions.
Church-wide Relations Committee is responsible for communicating the ministry of Self Development of People (SDOP) to congregations, Mid Council (MID COUNCIL), and SDOP MID COUNCIL committees. The National Committee Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Director appoint members to this Committee annually.
Community Relations Committee is responsible for communicating the ministry of Self Development of People to communities of economically poor, oppressed and disadvantaged people. The National Committee Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and Director appoint members annually to this Committee.
Finance Committee is responsible for examining the financial and workload data of the National SDOP so that SDOP can continue to be good stewards of financial and human resources entrusted to it and continue to impact the lives of economically poor, oppressed and disadvantaged people in a just and compassionate way. This Committee will develop the SDOP budget annually for approval by the National Committee.