Statement of Purpose –
Outreach Commission, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Madison CT

1. Vision

Over the next 5 years, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church will become a spiritual leader known for its Outreach work addressing basic human needs such as food, shelter, clothing, and health (physical and mental).  Parish outreach participation (time and talent) and budget (treasure) would see significant increase over that 5 year period.

2. Mission

The Outreach Commission of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church is comprised of parishioners who seek opportunities for the congregation to work on issues that reflect commitment to others in the community and world beyond. 

To work towards this mission, the Outreach Commission:

• Identifies volunteer opportunities (time, talent) and provides financial grants (treasure) to local and global organizations that focus on basic human needs such as food, shelter, clothing, health.

• Learns about, discusses, and participates in events related to local and global issues of suffering, poverty and social injustice.

• Provides information on these issues to the parish and others.

3. Behaviors/Actions/Tactics

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church and its parishioners annually support several “Core Programs” with time, talent and/or treasure.  These core programs currently include:

• Covenant to Care – Year- round support of a Dept. of Children and Families social worker in New Haven
• St. Andrew’s Cares Day – A one-day program to assist a local homeowner with home repairs or yard work
• Madison/Guilford CROP Walk – One day event held each October to raise funds for local and international hunger relief
• Madison Meals on Wheels – provide two drivers every Monday
• St. Andrew’s Youth Group Mission Trip – For 2008, the trip is to Orland, Maine to assist the H.O.M.E. Community
• St. Andrew’s Uganda Mission
• Madison Cares/Habitat for Humanity
• Bishop Smith’s Fund for Children
• Episcopal Relief and Development
• Local Food Pantries & CT Food Bank

New core programs/ministries may be added to this list upon the request of parishioners, approval of the Outreach Commission, and notification to the Vestry.

The Outreach Commission operates the resale shop “Serendipity” in accordance with established Vestry policy.  Half of Serendipity net proceeds are placed into The St. Andrew’s Outreach Fund.

The Outreach Annual Operating budget provided as a line item in the parish budget is used in combination with the Outreach Fund to provide funding/treasure for core programs listed above.  Core programs will receive priority funding at the beginning of each budget year.  Annual operating funds must be spent before the end of the budget year. The Outreach Fund can also receive gifts from individual donors, and the balance carries over from year to year.

In addition to support for Core Programs, the Outreach Commission will consider funding requests of time, talent and treasure for specific projects from community organizations on an annual basis.  Projects and/or organizations following Guiding Principles (section V below) will be given priority.

4. Process 

• Core Programs will file an Outreach Request Form each year (January/ February preferred).  The Outreach Annual Operating budget will be allocated according to these requests, by Commission member majority vote.  A scoring system, reflective of Guiding Principles (section V below), will be utilized for guidance by Outreach Commission members in evaluating funding requests.  The Outreach Annual Budget will be presented to the Vestry.  The year’s calendar of programs will be established and shared with the Vestry.
• Core Program Review Meetings will be hosted by Outreach twice per year:  May and November, first Monday of the month.  All St. Andrew’s Outreach Core Programs will be reviewed and highlighted to ensure mutual cooperation and effective partnering among the Core Programs.
• Outreach will consider requests from community organizations (non-parish related) for time, talent or treasure donations for specific projects.  An Outreach Request form needs to be completed and submitted by e-mail to any Outreach Commission member.  The request will then be considered at the Outreach Commission meeting in March, June or October (first Monday each month).  The total amount available for financial grants/ “treasure” will be dependent on the balance in the Outreach Fund.  The request process will be:

• The community organization fills out an Outreach Request form (e-mail preferred).
• A representative may make a presentation on behalf of his/her organization.
• The Outreach Commission will use a scoring system reflective of Guiding Principles to assist in ranking requests.  Awards will be determined by simple majority vote.  Awards above $1000 will be presented to the Vestry for approval by vote.
• Outreach Commission members may excuse themselves from decisions regarding requests from community organizations if there is any apparent conflict of interest.
• Outreach will request follow up/ impact statements from community groups requesting and receiving funds for two consecutive years.

5. Guiding Principles

When considering Core Program and community requests, Outreach will give priority to

• Children at risk
• Affiliation with Episcopal organizations
• Requests for specific projects, not general operating funds
• Organizations located in New Haven and Middlesex, CT counties
• Organizations located in the Connecticut Diocese

Financial donations, both for Core and community projects will usually fall in the $500 to $2500 range. 

Financial commitments can be made only one year at a time.  In most cases, funding for a second year will need to be resubmitted the following year.

When considering funding requests from community organizations, Outreach members appreciate an attached recommendation for that project from a St. Andrew’s parish member.

For further information, please contact:

Kristen Garnett, Co-Chair              kcgarnett@comcast.net
Nancy Karas, Co-Chair            nancykaras@comcast.net