Sep 082012
Sep 082012
Aug 312012
Aug 312012
Aug 312012
Aug 312012
March 2009
OUR MISSION: The Crew builds homes for Appalachian families without the financial means to afford adequate housing. Our work is located in economically depressed McCreary County, KY. For the last twenty-two years, the Crew has worked with the Good Shepherd Mission of Whitley City, KY, who selects the families to receive the new homes. The Good Shepherd Mission has many deserving families on a waiting list for homes. In June 2008, the Crew built a home for Grover and Mary Rollins and their two grandchildren, Damon and Courtney. Grover and Mary have custody of their two grandchildren because the children’s mother was killed in a car accident and the father is unable to provide the needed parental care. Both Grover and Mary have breathing problems and are periodically on oxygen. The Rollins Family was living in a rundown and unhealthy home but has since moved to their new home. Damon and Courtney, who are both under 10 years old, are bright and friendly and now have the hope for a better future in their new home. Although the new home is our prime objective, more important benefits are setting an example of helping our fellow Americans and trying to heal a family in need of housing. The Appalachian Construction Crew is an IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation.
OUR WORK: During the past year, the Crew continued to raise money for buying the required home construction materials and Crew logistics. Fundraisers include working concession stands at the Offutt AFB Air Show and Omaha Royals baseball games, a raffle for gift certificates donated by Outback Steakhouse and a bowl-a-thon. Then for one week last June, our on-site crew of 26 volunteers built the home for the Rollins Family. The program is not a free handout, since each selected family agrees to pay back the Good Shepherd Mission for the material cost of the home in small, monthly, interest-free payments. Thus the family is given the financial means to obtain a good home and experiences America’s dream of home ownership. The Good Shepherd Mission then reuses the revenue from the families’ payments to help other families in need. In June 2009, the Crew will be building a home for our 24th family.
Aug 312012
Aug 202012
9 May 2012
Subject: Minutes of Board Meeting
1. The Meeting was opened by Vice-President Marcel Moreau, at 7:00 PM, at 9803 S. 21st Circle, Bellevue, NE. With 4 of 5 directors present, a quorum of the Board did exist.
2. Attendance at the Meeting included:
Marcel Moreau
George Ziska, Jr.
Janelle Smith
Mark White
Stu Martin
Ron Strawn
Kathi Narlock
3. The minutes of the meeting held on 11 April 2012, were approved.
4. Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Janelle Smith provided the following status: Checking Account: $10,716.80; Money Market: $72,433.20; Progress on 2012 $45,000 Fundraising Goal: 81.5 %. Note when the recent advance payment on the Taylor home of $12,600 and the deployment food check of $1,500 are added back into the money raised the progress on the 2012 Fundraising Goal is over 113.2%.
5. Finance Director’s Report: Finance Director Mark White discussed the following items:
A. Cans for 2 X 4’s: The Secretary is waiting for the price to get back to $0.50 per lb, before turning in the cans.
B. VA Designated Offering, 14-15 Jan 12: The Secretary indicated that an additional $770.00 was received on 21 Apr 12, which brings the new record total to $37,216, given by the Church of the Nativity of Burke, VA.
C. CFC/United Way: 2012 CFC Distribution will be $4,597.82 (and required by CFC accrual accounting rules, this total amount has been added into the 2012 Fundraising Goal progress).
F. Offutt Open House, Sat-Sun, 25-26 Aug 12: The Secretary confirmed in visit with Pierre Flatowicz, the Open House Coordinator, that the Crew will provide 10 volunteers on Sunday, rather than Saturday, due to volunteer availability. Mark and George plan to attend the Shares Meeting at 10 AM, Wed, 16 May 12, at the Community Center Ballroom. We will be wearing Crew shirts and hats for the Open House.
G. Other Ideas: None.
6. Old Business:
A. Update of Membership Roster: The Secretary requested that several people sign the membership agreements for participating in Crew activities.
B. Combined Federal Campaign: The Crew was qualified for the 2012 Fall Campaign on 24 Apr 12.
C. VA Connection (Bob Corsi): Bob had a deployment meeting on 2 May 12. 15 VA volunteers are still scheduled for the 2012 deployment.
D. Crew Website ( http://www.accrew.org ): Webmaster Kathi Narlock reported that the site has been recently updated with the latest approved meeting minutes and Bowl-a-thon and Adopt-A-Road photos.
E. Colorado (CO) Connection (Gary Piper): Gary confirms that 4 volunteers are coming from CO for the 2012 deployment.
F. Volunteer Recruitment in Bellevue: The Secretary suggested that Offutt Open House volunteers take the Crew business cards to hand out to possible interested people in our cause.
G. 2012 Deployment (1-12 Jun 12): Harry Wallace, the Good Shepherd Mission P.O.C., reported that the Crew needs to be aware of the two mean dogs at the Taylor’s current home, which is about 500 feet away from the new home site. The Construction Director indicated that the Lowe’s kitchen cabinets and other materials are scheduled to arrive at the Eagle Community Center in mid-May 12. The onsite crew still stands at 29 volunteers. Harry mentioned that Taylors could use a new stove, which is a possible Crew gift. The Treasurer indicated that Head Cook Vicki Edwards received a $1,500 check for deployment food. Asst. Cook Kathi Narlock indicated that she thinks the large food chest will fit into her Ford Escape.
H. IRS Forms: The Treasurer provided the IRS Form 990-EZ for 2011, which is due on 15 May 12.
I. Donor List: The list was passed around for omissions and spelling.
J. Private Organization Annual Review/Revalidation: The Secretary submitted this report to the Offutt AFB Support Squadron on 23 Apr 12. The submission of this report keeps the Crew in good standing as Base Private Organization and allows us to participate in the Offutt Open House.
K. Advance Payment to the Good Shepherd Chapel Outreach: Harry Wallace reported that the advance payment of $12,600, was received for the Taylor home.
7. New Business:
A. List of 26 Crew Families: Per Harry Wallace’s request, the Secretary provided the names and addresses of the 26 families that the Crew has built homes. The Secretary identified the 2005 Renfro Family as a very sad case where the home burned and the family has returned to living in their old trailer and asked Harry to investigate their current situation.
B. Possible 2005 Renfro Home Repair: The Secretary indicated Renfro Family’s home partially burned due a fire in the MBR in 2009. Tom and Beverly Renfro and their two sons were one of the most gracious and grateful family helped by the Crew. Unfortunately, Tom and Beverly did not have insurance to cover the house fire and Beverly has since went blind. Bob Corsi, our major VA fundraiser, concurs that we should try to help this family get out the old trailer they are now living in and back into their house. In October 2009, Sister Nancy provided a nearly $30,000 estimate for local workers to repair the home’s framing, exterior, drywall, plumbing and electrical; however, nearly half the estimate was going toward labor. Tom did not want to knock another family off the waiting list so he declined the Crew’s help.. Harry Wallace has recently provide a rough estimate of $26,100 for the home repair which significantly reduces the local labor to only $1,000 (due to a lot of volunteer work), but also provides for kitchen cabinets, flooring and HVAC, as well as the basics of Sister‘s original estimate. The Board was favorable to this effort; however, Harry Wallace needs to provide a final estimate so the Crew can make a one-time payment for this repair and also ensure that the homeowner has insurance. The Secretary indicated that this project would only be considered when the Crew’s financial situation is known after settling on the Taylor home (now projected to be more than a “house” in reserve funds), a final estimate for the repair is obtained and the homeowner has insurance. The above conditions for this repair work were previously conveyed to Harry Wallace by the Secretary.
C. Crew Shirts: The Secretary reported that we only have 2 XL and 4 L shirts in stock. Also since the L shirts are too large for some women, the Secretary indicated that M shirts should also be ordered. To have any chance that the shirts would be available for this year’s deployment, the Secretary placed the following shirt order with C & C Tailor Shop, on 8 May 12: 6 XL, 6 L and 9 M.
8. The Crew Meeting was adjourned at 7:46 PM. Due to the June deployment, the next meeting was set for 7 PM, Wed, 11 Jul 12, at 9803 S. 21st Circle.
George Ziska, Jr.
Secretary
Aug 202012
11 July 2012
Subject: Minutes of Board Meeting
1. The Meeting was opened by Vice-President Marcel Moreau, at 7:00 PM, at 9803 S. 21st Circle, Bellevue, NE. With 3 of 5 directors present, a quorum of the Board did exist.
2. Attendance at the Meeting included:
Marcel Moreau
George Ziska, Jr.
Mark White
Stu Martin
Ron Strawn
3. The minutes of the meeting held on 9 May 2012, were approved.
4. Treasurer’s Report: The Secretary provided the following status, from Treasurer Janelle Smith, as of 30 Jun 12: Checking Account: $3,764.05; Money Market: $45,194.52; Progress on 2012 $45,000 Fundraising Goal: 5.2 %.
5. Finance Director’s Report: Finance Director Mark White discussed the following items:
A. Cans for 2 X 4’s: The Secretary indicated that current price remains at only $0.35 per lb.
B. CFC/United Way: 2012 CFC Distribution will be $4,597.82 (and required by CFC accrual accounting rules, this total amount has been added into the 2012 Fundraising Goal progress).
C. Offutt Open House, Sun, 26 Aug 12: Temporary Food Booth Sanitation Guidelines were passed out for the required training. Volunteer parking is near Dyess and Fairchild Halls. Showtime at HR Central for working in the two Pittsburgh Concessions stands is 7:20 AM at HR Central. We will be wearing our Crew shirts and hats. Currently, we have 13 volunteers on the list which will be turned in by 27 Jul 12.
D. Other Ideas: None.
6. Old Business:
A. Update of Membership Roster: Several signed membership agreements were turned in to the Secretary.
B. Combined Federal Campaign: The automatic 2012 Distribution deposits will be sent on a quarterly basis and the second deposit should arrive later this month.
C. VA Connection (Bob Corsi): Bob provided the consolidated photo DVD of our 2012 deployment.
D. Crew Website ( http://www.accrew.org ): Webmaster Kathi Narlock has the 2012 deployment photo DVD and will be selecting photos for the website.
E. Colorado (CO) Connection (Gary Piper): No new developments.
F. Volunteer Recruitment in Bellevue: Kristin and Kevin Martin are new volunteers and will be working at the Offutt Open House.
G. 2012 Deployment (1-12 Jun 12): The Construction Director provided a handout which compared 2012 home costs with costs form 2009 thru 2011. The total amount paid to the Good Shepherd Chapel was $39,840.00 on the Taylor Family home, which was an increase over past years due higher costs in an improved foundation/floor, higher plumbing costs for the MBR half bath, inclusion of the HVAC heat pump system and higher electrical costs for the additional wiring for the half bath and HVAC system and higher costs for the flooring due to laminate being installed in the LR and BR‘s. The Owner paid the $4,000 for installing the septic system. After adding in the costs for materials from Bellevue, the range and refrigerator bought for the Taylor Family and the logistic costs for berthing, food and gas, the total 2012 deployment cost was $48,147.99. Harry Wallace reported that the Taylor Family was living in their new home, as of 26 Jun 12. The MBR half bath took a significant part of the LR and is not recommended for future floor plans. Also the Crew will not pay for laminate flooring but only for the cost to install vinyl flooring and/or carpeting. Harry Wallace has been made aware of the Crew’s opinion on the MBR half bath and the flooring. The Construction Director indicated that the Crew needs to purchase an air brad nailer for the trim work and a small metric wrench set for kitchen countertop miter bolt kit.
H. Possible 2005 Renfro Home Repair: Tom Renfro was visited on 10 Jun 12. Tom again refused our help to restore his burned out home since Tom and Beverly are planning to move closer to a hospital facility in four or five years.
I. Crew Shirts: The Secretary receive the 21 Crew shirt order from C & C Tailor Shop on 22 May 12. The total cost for the shirts was $274.66 (or $13.18 per shirt). Currently, the inventory stands at 22 shirts (7 XL, 10 L & 5 M).
7. New Business:
A. 2013 Deployment: Work will start on Friday, 7 Jun 13.
B. 2013 St. Joe’s Inn Berthing Reservations: The Secretary confirmed with Jim Cmolik of Hills and Hollers that the Crew has reservations at St. Joe’s Inn from Thursday, 6 Jun to Wednesday, 19 Jun 13. Jim indicated that as long as he is the manager of the Inn, the Crew will have priority in making reservations. Also while on the 2012 deployment, the President and Secretary met with Jim Barney, the new St. Joe’s Inn owner, who indicated that he is not planning any changes to the Inn’s operation.
C. 2013 Fundraising Goal: Based on the 2012 experience and recent past years, the Secretary recommended that the 2013 goal be set at $50,000. The 2013 Fundraising Goal is made up of the following items: Lumber King Materials: $15,000; Foundation/Floor: $8,000; Lowe’s Kitchen Cabinets: $1,800; Other Lowe’s Materials: $500; Septic Tank: $4,000; Electrician: $4,600; Plumber: $$2,500; HVAC: $3,800; Gifts (Paint, Flooring, Microwave and other Appliances): $4,000; Bellevue Materials: $600; St. Joe’s Inn: $2,000; Food: $1,200; Gas: $2,000. The Board approved 2013 Fundraising Goal.
D. Good Shepherd Chapel Policy Changes: During a meeting with Crew Board, Harry Wallace, the Good Shepherd Chapel Housing Coordinator, indicated that the Good Shepherd Chapel is working on the following policy changes that will be put in the agreement between the Chapel and future homeowners: (1) The Homeowner will not be required to pay back the material cost of the home to the Chapel but will be encouraged to donate back financially to the program or work on other homes in the program; (2) The Homeowner will undergo background checks and will have the financial means to maintain the home. (3) The Homeowner must have risk insurance during the construction and home insurance after the home is completed; (4) The Homeowner can not sell or take out a loan on the home for 10 years without Good Shepherd Chapel approval.
8. The Crew Meeting was adjourned at 8:00 PM. The next meeting was set for 7 PM, Wed, 8 Aug 12, at 9803 S. 21st Circle.
George Ziska, Jr.
Secretary
Jul 082012
11 April 2012
Subject: Minutes of Board Meeting
1. The Meeting was opened by President Vicki Edwards, at 7:00 PM, at 9803 S. 21st Circle, Bellevue, NE. With 4 of 5 directors present, a quorum of the Board did exist.
2. Attendance at the Meeting included:
Vicki Edwards
Marcel Moreau
George Ziska, Jr.
Mark White
Stu Martin
Ron Strawn
Kathi Narlock
3. The minutes of the meeting held on 14 March 2012, were approved.
4. Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Janelle Smith provided the following status to the Secretary, as of 31 Mar 12: Checking Account: $7,369.01; Money Market: $85,032.27; Progress on 2012 $45,000 Fundraising Goal: 105.3 %
5. Finance Director’s Report: Finance Director Mark White discussed the following items:
A. Cans for 2 X 4’s: One attendee brought cans.
B. VA Designated Offering, 14-15 Jan 12: The Secretary indicated that Bob Corsi said an additional $1,000 was coming this month to be added to the previous amount of $36,446.00 received from the Church of the Nativity of Burke, VA.
C. Offutt Chapel Designated Offering, Sun, 11 Mar 12: A check for $2,619.54 was received on 3 Apr 12.
D. Bowl-a-thon, 1 PM, Sat,10 Mar 12: The Secretary indicated that 14 bowlers had a total pin count of 1,581. A record total of $2,736 was raised which was $470 more than the previous record in 2011. The average amount raised for 17 events is $1,636.08.
E. CFC/United Way: 2012 Fall CFC Distribution will be $4,597.82.
F. Offutt Open House, Sat-Sun, 25-26 Aug 12: The Secretary requested in an email of 7 Apr 12 to Pierre Flatowicz, the Open House Coordinator, that the Crew provide 10 volunteers on Sunday, rather than Saturday, due to volunteer availability.
G. Other Ideas: None.
6. Old Business:
A. Update of Membership Roster: None .
B. Combined Federal Campaign: The first 2012 CFC Distribution bank deposit of $96.17 was received on 29 Mar 12.
C. VA Connection (Bob Corsi): No new developments.
D. Crew Website ( http://www.accrew.org ): No new developments.
E. Colorado (CO) Connection (Gary Piper): No new developments.
F. Volunteer Recruitment in Bellevue: No new developments.
G. 2012 Deployment (1-12 Jun 12): On 7 Apr 12, The Construction Director ordered the kitchen cabinets for $1,826.33 and other materials for $747.68 from Lowe’s in Somerset, KY. The onsite crew now stands at 29 volunteers. Harry Wallace, the Good Shepherd Mission P.O.C., reported that the foundation for the Taylor home was completed on 29 Mar 12. The Construction Director purchased two 6-foot step ladders and two 10-ft X 10-ft canopies.
H. IRS Forms: The Treasurer still needs to complete the IRS Form 990-EZ for the IRS by 15 May 12.
I. Donor List: The list was passed around for omissions and spelling.
J. Adopt-A-Road on 25th Street, 9 AM, Sat 14 Apr 12: We have 5 volunteers for this activity.
7. New Business:
A. Private Organization Annual Review/Revalidation: This annual report to the Offutt Services Squadron is due on 18 May 12, and is to include a current list of officers, a copy of the Dec 11 bank statement, an income and expense statement for CY 2011 and minutes from the last two meetings. The Secretary will submit this report.
B. Advanced Payment to the Good Shepherd Chapel Outreach: On 5 Apr 12, Harry Wallace requested an advanced payment of $10,000 for the Taylor home. With the above mentioned Somerset Lowe’s order of $2,574.01, the Construction Director requested that the an advanced payment of $12,600 be sent to the Good Shepherd Chapel. The Treasurer provided a check before the meeting.
8. The Crew Meeting was adjourned at 7:36 PM. The next meeting was set for 7 PM, Wed, 9 May 12, at 9803 S. 21st Circle.
George Ziska, Jr.
Secretary