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Empower Hampton Roads (E.H.R.)
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Most frequently asked Questions about Empower Hampton Roads
If our congregation joins Empower Hampton Roads, what is in it for us? Becoming a member of Empower Hampton Roads (EHR) gives your congregation an opportunity to build relationships across the Tidewater area and creates a united voice powerful enough to impact issues of concern in our communities. EHR also provides training to help congregations utilize skills and strategies to strengthen relationships, develop leaders, and create enthusiasm and energy for your congregation’s internal mission and activities.
What are the time commitments of a member congregation? Two members of your congregation will serve on EHR’s Board of Directors, which meets the fourth Thursday of each month from 12:30 till 2:30 p.m. A participant from your congregation is needed on one of EHR’s standing committees. EHR’s executive board also invites members to serve. EHR will help your congregation establish a Core Team to steer your involvement in EHR. Essentially, you will get out of EHR what you put into it. In addition, EHR offers both local and national training on leadership development and community organizing. Skills and strategies learned can be used to build a strong congregational Core Team to accomplish the work of EHR.
How do we become a member congregation? Congregations are welcome to join EHR at any time. Pastor support is essential for successful participation. Prospective members should contact a member of EHR’s Executive Board or a member of EHR’s Membership Committee. At that time EHR will set wheels in motion to orient your congregation to EHR. The process includes providing literature on EHR, a debriefing on the nature of faith-based organizing, debriefing for members prior to first Board of Director’s meeting, a workshop on Core Team development, and an Induction Ceremony.
Does our congregation pay dues when we join EHR? Member congregations pay dues of $1000 per year. Upon joining EHR, at least partial payment should be made. That contribution should be accompanied with a payment plan of your own design that your congregation commits to follow in contributing the balance within the next three quarters of the year in which you join. Even though this dues structure exists, no congregation will be denied membership because of financial constraints.
What is the Gamaliel Foundation, and how does it relate to Empower Hampton Roads? The Gamaliel Foundation, established in 1968, is an institute, which supports member affiliates like EHR by connecting them with a network of grass roots, interracial, multi-issue organizations across the United States and in South Africa. Gamaliel helps create and sustain affiliate organizations, provides to them ongoing resources and training, and is the vehicle through which these organizations act on national and international issues. Currently, there are fifty-five affiliates in seventeen states in the United States and three provinces of South Africa. EHR is the first affiliate in Virginia.
What community issues will EHR work on? Through a democratic process on May 22, 2004, E.H.R. chose three issues to work on in the broader community. The issues are;
I still have so many unanswered questions about EHR. How do I find answers? EHR is a dynamic organization. Trust the process. It will unfold as we journey together on this path of faith-based organizing. To continue the conversation about EHR, please contact the president or the Lead Organizer on staff. Angela James, Lead Organizer, 615-1006 empowehr@earthlink.netEMPOWER HAMPTON ROADS P.O. Box 14063 Norfolk, Virginia 23518 |
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Celebrating an interfaith coalition organizing and mobilizing citizens
to influence those who make and shape public policy to be responsible
and accountable |
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