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A REGIONAL INITIATIVE 
SUPPORTING EMPOWERMENT
in the Capital Region of New York State

a Gamaliel Foundation affiliate










 

FROM THE PRESIDENTS DESK

As ARISE continues to rebuild, we ask for your prayers and continued support.  We remain committed to the work of building strong communities and empowering new leaders, but we know that our first task is to create a new, more focused and more powerful ARISE. To be an effective community organizing project we need to rebuild our own relationships, recruit new member organizations and train new leaders. This will be our focus for the remainder of this year.
Last winter we engaged a consultant, Ron White, who conducted a thorough review of our organization and made a number of important recommendations, which the executive committee is in the process of implementing. Among the steps we have taken:
  • In order to refocus on our main mission, all task forces have been disassociated from ARISE. Some will dissolve, and some have already chosen to continue under other auspices. ARISE was founded for the purpose of organizing large numbers of people to force progress on an issue.  It became clear in our discussions that the task forces currently have very few active members who are also members of ARISE member groups. We wish these task forces well and hope that we can work with them in the future.
  • Working with Mr. White, ARISE is seeking grant funds that will enable us to hire a new organizer next year.
  • The Executive Committee is redefining our relationship with the Gamaliel Foundation to insure that our next organizer focuses on the needs of a rebuilding ARISE, which are primarily to develop a strong base with new member organizations, train our members and pursue local actions that build our base.
During this time of transition, the Executive Committee and I continue to work with our local congregations and member organizations, and to actively seek new members. We remain committed to training and empowering our members to make a difference.
 
Now by the Grace of GOD, let us go forth, developing new leaders and engaging congregations to the NEW ARISE.

 

Revised September 7, 2010
ARISE
1270 Garner Avenue, Schenectady,  NY 12309
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518-426-1552


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