AGENDA & MINUTES FOR CPM MEETING

JUNE 20, 2009

  1. PRAYER 2MIN 10:02
    1. INTRODUCTIONS 30 MIN 10:32
      1. Gathered were 22 individuals and I am personally grateful for your sacrifice of time and your insight.
      2. In Attendance were, Casey Miner, Nena Miner, Kirk Gonzalez, Jan Browning, Dick Browning, Barry Strickland, Steve Ochs, Randy Moore, Kerry Gallager, Nick Nichols, B. J. Rone, Katie Rone, Walter White, Jim Osborn, Troy Freeman, Barbara Freeman, Jim Dinsmore, Bobbi Dinsmore, Audrie Rivera, Bob Jenkins, Jerry Morriss, Richard Wagner, Carol Wagner
    1. PAST ACTIVITY 20 MIN 11:00
      1. We reviewed the annual report given by Casey. The question of Major vs. Minor Cases was raised. Major cases range from possession of Contraband (Drugs, Tobacco, Weapons, etc) to acts of violence, and attempts to escape. Minor cases are harder to define because they are small infractions of the rules, things like back talk to an officer, extra books and papers in your cell, extra clothing, not moving quickly to an officers request. It is probably best described as an attitude of defiance and lack of respect.
      2. The financial picture showed a very lean budget for the activity over the last two years 2007 through June of 2009. It was noted that three major contributions have carried the ministry; Casey’s sale of Jesus Fishhook interest and the contribution from Stu Johnson ‐2007, Anonymous – Nov 2008, and the Buddy Davidson Foundation Jan 2009. We currently have about $40,000 which will continue our operation for about six months.
      3. Two possible budgets were also presented:
    2. i. The first would sustain our current situation and allow for modest growth. The significant addition to this budget is to include monies for an outside coordinator and fund raiser.
    3. ii. The second is $1,000,000 per year and would require 13 inside coordinators and three full time staff. We would serve 3200 inmates at any given time.
    1. INTRO TO FUTURE
      1. FUNDING
      2. INSIDE
      3. REENTERY
      4. OTHER
  2. FUND ING ‐ 45 MIN 11:45

a. THREE STREAMS

i. FOUNDATIONS & CORPORATIONS

  1. B J Rone shared significant information about foundations and the software we have for finding them. It was noted that we sent more than 300 requests and received one grant of $30,000. We found several hindrances including the fact that CPM is related to a church, there is an automatic 501 (c) 3 exemption and not a letter from the IRS, and of course prisoners are not as easy to pluck the heart strings as crippled children. We will continue to work with foundations and corporations. It is just time consuming.
  2. INDIVIDUALS

a. Casey suggested that many individuals giving monthly is a desirable source of funds. Everyone in the room was asked to take several partner cards. Write the name of someone you know on the card and then go ask them to contribute. Envelopes were also available. We decided not to produce a brochure but rather to use the book “A Change of Heart” to give the donor. Dick Browning has ordered an additional 150 books so we now have lots. We had lots of discussion about relationships with other ministries and other people we know. More and better communication/relationships quickly and accurately became the theme of the day.

3. CHURCHES & ORGANIZATIONS (LIONS, ROTARY, …)

a. These are a source of funds and we can make presentations to these groups. Casey Miner, Audrie Rivera, and Craig Nedrow will be available for speaking engagements. Everyone present was encouraged and empowered to raise money on behalf of CPM. Fund raising activities with various churches and organizations was discussed. The Methodist church in Athens might be a place where we could hold a Bob Jenkins coordinated Jambalaya dinner and Auction. We will pursue the details.

b. BUDGET

i. CURRENT 360 MEN

  1. $6,000 PER MONTH
    1. MORE REALISTIC $11,000
      1. $500 PER DAY (MONDAY –FRIDAY)
      2. INSIDE & OUTSIDE COORDINATOR

ii. REAL DESIRE FOR NEXT TWO YEARS – 3200 MEN

  1. $2,000,000 – TWO YEARS
  2. $83,400 PER MONTH
  3. $4,200 PER DAY

6. LUNCH ‐ 45 MIN 12:30

a. Outstanding! We really did well in this area. Thank you all for the enormous success.

7. INSIDE 45 MIN 1:15

a.
MORE MENTORING
i. We can always use more volunteers and it would be good to have more one‐on‐one time with the men. You are welcome to come early any time and we will set up discussion opportunities for you.
b.
SCHEDULE

i. ALPHA

1. Alpha is almost over and we will complete the sessions next week. Each man’s testimony is being written and will be available for reading. Some of these may be helpful in our public relations process and we will be sure to have permission before we use anything.

ii. VOYAGER

1. Voyager is 27 classes and I propose we do this in 13 weeks. Class on Wednesday and Thursday and a Movie on Fridays. We need to have some more small group sessions so some Thursdays we will probably meet in the South Gym. I will establish a schedule and then ask various volunteers to teach given sessions.

iii. WILD AT HEART – QUEST FOR MANHOOD

  1. This took an interesting turn and between now and September we will schedule a Wild at Heart weekend for the team at Bar Nothin. We will also work toward a Captivating weekend for the women who are interested.
  2. This should give us even more front room teachers.
  3. We probably need another wireless microphone and a wireless head set.
iv.
WALK TO WHOLENESS
1. Carrie Ham should be ready to teach after the birth of her child. Probably late fall early winter?
v.
Other programs and ideas will be presented as we continue.

vi. Please forward a list of movies you would like to see shown. We will want to be sure we have permission to show them so this will take some planning.

8. REENTERY 30 MIN 1:45

a.
DALLAS
i. Free‐Man House is by far the best structure we have seen up to now. We need to continue networking and will keep improving our P.R. B.J. is going to email the list of parole approve halfway houses by region to everyone. ii. Please go on line and complete your mentor training at the TDCJ web site. iii. Housing should be referred to as Disabled Group Dwelling and should accept anyone needing a second chance not just the recently released.
b.
TYLER
i. Not much was said about Tyler probably due to the fact that the people who are involved from there were not able to attend. Many good possibilities are in the works
c.
ATHENS/MAYBANK
i. We found that Henderson County is an enterprise zone and we may find establishing a business easier in this area. If we can buy the Bar Nothin CPM employees may qualify for enterprise zone refunds.
d.
OTHER

9. OTHER 15 MIN 2:00

a.
CORPORATE STRUCTURE
i. Christian Prison Ministries is a dba of The Orthodox Church, Inc. A Texas not for Profit Corporation. We may want to separate into two entities and file CPM with the IRS as just a charitable organization.
b.
NAME

i. The possibility of changing the name to create easier foundation funding was discussed. There are pros and cons to this idea and they were eloquently discussed. The advantages seem to be easier foundation funding, less interference from ACLU and other groups hostile to Christianity. The disadvantages are: This ministry is a miracle of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. To deny Jesus by omission may be the most serious mistake anyone can make. We left with no decision and a desire to hear God’s idea on the subject.

c.
STATE CONTACT AND SUPPORT
i. Jim Dinsmore is doing an outstanding job with relationship building for CPM with the State of Texas. We hope to have the proposed $2,000,000 budget formulated into a bill with a majority of both Senators and Representatives sponsoring it for the next legislative session. In the mean time we continue to present our cause to the board of TDCJ and to the elected officials.
d.
THE WEBSITE WWW.CPMTEXAS.ORG

i. Kirk has done an outstanding job and since the road to expansion is better communication and interaction, Kirk was in the middle of much of the discussion. We talked about an inmate written monthly news letter. An internal data base of volunteers. Better scheduling practices and maybe even teaching notes and resources.

ii. To start with better communication we are suggesting that you join Linked in. I will send you an email invitation to join. There is no cost. Then we will develop a closed group and ask all of you to join the group. We can then post messages to the group as a whole with a single document. Please look for this on Monday or Tuesday. You will be able to connect with each person individually or as a whole group.

10.Steve Ochs ask “Casey what would you ideally like to do?” I believe I fumbled this question admirably. So I am going to take another shot at the question.

a.
I would like to have the financing of CPM secure enough that we can buy the Bar Nothin Ranch and I can move here as our permanent residence. This requires $400,000 for the purchase price and about $100,000 for additions and build out. If Nena and my housing and transportation are provided by CPM we would need a very small stipend.
b.
I would like to spend most of my time about 40+ hours a week inside a prison teaching and counseling. Estimate 1:00PM to 9:00PM Mon‐Friday
c.
Mornings I would like to coordinate our efforts and encourage our reentry partners.
d.
I would like to speak to a different Church or Sunday School twice a month.
e.
I would like to have 12 weekend retreats/training sessions per year at the Bar Nothin Ranch. Friday evening – Sunday afternoon.
f.
I would like to spend 4 weeks a year on continuing education (this would be during lock downs.)
g.
From time to time I would like to hear Jesus say “Well done good and faithful servant.”

11. Thank you. Your actions speak so loud I can hardly hear what you are saying. Thanks for loving and caring. It is a privilege to serve with you in the army of God.

Casey Miner (214) 763‐1327 ‐caseyminer@tx.rr.com