CHHSM Annual Meeting 2008

Specialty Sessions, Site Visits and Practica Sessions

Specialty Sessions

Development Officers Network Forum: Who Gives, Why and When?
Drawing on the experience of network members and data on patterns of past giving and predicted trends for the future, this forum will explore donor life cycles and age and gender distinctions. Participants will also explore strategies for increasing donations and industry standards for return on investments utilizing various development tools.

Member Dialogue: Unexpected Benefits of Regional Networking
In what ways have CHHSM member ministries experienced value from site visits and connections made through our regional networking initiatives? Together, we'll explore new ways to strengthen relationships among CHHSM members for mutual benefit. This dialogue will be facilitated by CHHSM's Regional Representatives.

Member Dialogue: Marketing and Communicating to Strengthen UCC Relationships
This dialogue will explore the variety of ways CHHSM members are reaching UCC members with the good news of our health and human service ministry. How can relationships with UCC Conferences be strengthened? Bryan Sickbert and Rebecca Wilson will facilitate the conversation.

Site Visits

Following our Saturday morning Service of Worship and Consecration with Southern Conference Minister the Rev. Stephen Camp at Holy Covenant UCC, buses will depart for three CHHSM member ministries in the Charlotte area. Please choose the site visit you would like to attend when you register:

United Church Homes and Services (UCHAS/Abernathy Laurels), Newton, NC
Abernathy Laurels, the first and largest of UCHAS's three senior living communities, is located on a 120-acre site that is also home to UCHAS's headquarters. The community provides both elegant independent housing and full-service accommodations.

Elon Homes for Children, Charlotte, NC
At its Kennedy Campus in the heart of Charlotte, Elon Homes serves young people with residential treatment programs, preparation for adult living, mental health services for adolescents, and Kennedy Charter School, a grades 6-12 campus chartered to serve students at risk of failing in the traditional public school setting.

Emmanuel's Place (UCHAS), Statesville, NC
This HUD 202 housing complex, opened in early 2002, is part of UCHAS's affordable housing ministry. Emmanuel's Place is designed as a clustered neighborhood and offers the small-town amenities of Statesville.

Practica Sessions

A - When Disaster Strikes...Will You Be Ready?
Florence Coppola
Almost daily on television news we hear of natural disasters--destruction caused by fires, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes or flooding. We also hear periodic reports of technological disasters--chemical spills, the dangers of hazardous building materials, and other forms of long-term contamination. If disaster strikes your ministry, are you prepared? This practicum will explore many aspects of disaster planning to protect those you serve.

Florence Coppola is Executive for National Disaster Ministries, Wider Church Ministries, UCC.

B - Responding to LGBT Concerns at Your Ministry
Michael Schuenemeyer
For more than 35 years, the UCC has affirmed its same-gender loving members. What are the special concerns of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons who are served by and employed by your ministry? How can we help our LGBT clients and employees thrive in environments where they are respected and protected from homophobia? This practicum will also examine the potential for marketing your services to LGBT people

The Rev. Michael Schuenemeyer is Executive for Health and Wholeness Advocacy Ministry, and Minister for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Concerns and HIV/AIDS Ministries, Wider Church Ministries, UCC.

C - Using Church Plan Status to Enhance your Employee Benefits
Jim Herod
Do you know how federal law defines Church Plan status? CHHSM members that utilize UCC Church Plan status can reduce the administrative costs associated with providing retirement and health benefits. This practicum will offer a helpful overview of Church Plan status and how to incorporate it into your financial planning and employee benefit packages.

Jim Herod, an attorney and tax specialist, is General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for the Pension Boards of the United Church of Christ.

D - Employing Prudent Investment Practices for Endowments
Don Hart & United Church Foundation Representatives
Managing endowment funds is not the same as achieving out-sized investment gains. When such gains come from excessive risk, the way the investment portfolio is organized ought to be questioned. Good stewardship of endowment funds requires prudent investment practices with moderate risk. This practicum will offer insight into proven procedures for effective investment of endowment funds.

Donald Hart is President of the United Church Foundation.

E - Identifying Visions and Creating Capital for Blue Ocean Innovation
Amy Hayman, Brian Allen & Ken Young
Cain Brothers and United Church Homes, Inc. are working together to explore how to expand service ministry by creating uncontested market space. Learn about the path they're taking to implement UCH's "blue ocean" strategy, a model that envisions new directions and, through creative financing, simultaneously pursues differentiation and low cost

Amy Hayman is Senior Vice President of Cain Brothers. Brian Allen is President and CEO of United Church Homes, Inc. Kenneth L. Young is General Counsel for United Church Homes, Inc.