HANDBOOK - Presbyterian World Mission · Describe, in detail, its goal (the point of the project),...
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i HANDBOOK For SELF-DEVELOPMENT OF PEOPLE COMMITTEES In MID COUNCILS A Tool for Self-Development of People Presbytery and Synod Committees REVISED 04/04/2017
Transcript of HANDBOOK - Presbyterian World Mission · Describe, in detail, its goal (the point of the project),...
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HANDBOOK
For
SELF-DEVELOPMENT OF PEOPLE
COMMITTEES
In
MID COUNCILS
A Tool for Self-Development of People Presbytery and Synod Committees
REVISED 04/04/2017
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................. 1
FOUNDATIONAL INFORMATION ............................................................................................. 2
Mission Statement ........................................................................................................................... 2 Mandate ........................................................................................................................................... 2 Biblical and Theological Foundation .............................................................................................. 2 Historical Roots ........................................................................................................................... 2-3 Source of Funds: One Great Hour of Sharing ................................................................................ 3 An Introduction to SDOP’s Criteria and Guidelines ....................................................................... 5 Criteria ............................................................................................................................................ 5 Guidelines ....................................................................................................................................... 6 Categories of Need .................................................................................................... ….. ........ 7 Size of Grants .................................................................................................................................. 8 National Committee on SDOP: An Overview ........................................................................... 8-8
PRESBYTERY/SYNOD SDOP COMMITTEES ........................................................................ 10
Benefits of Having an SDOP Committee ...................................................................................... 10
How to Start a Presbytery or Synod SDOP Committee ................................................................ 10 Certification Cycles and Recertification ....................................................................................... 11 Certification Training for Mid Council SDOP Committees ......................................................... 11 Composition Requirements for a Mid Council SDOP Committee ............................................... 12 A Mid Council SDOP Committee as Sub-Committee of a Standing Committee ......................... 12 Joint Presbytery SDOP Committees ............................................................................................. 12 An Overview: Responsibilities of a Mid Council SDOP Committee .......................................... 12 Getting the Word Out About SDOP – To Presbyterians ............................................................... 13 SDOP Sunday ................................................................................................................... 13 One Great Hour of Sharing ............................................................................................... 14 Presbytery and Synod Meetings ................................................................................. 14-14 Congregations ............................................................................................................. 15-15 Presbyterian-Related Print Media ..................................................................................... 16 Vision Trips……………………………………………………………………………………….15
Getting the Word Out About SDOP – To Prospective Applicants ............................................... 16 Community Workshops .................................................................................................... 16
Purpose ....................................................................................................................... 16
Preparation ............................................................................................................ 16-18
An Agenda for a Community Workshop .............................................................. 18-19
After the Community Workshop ............................................................................... 19
Establishing Working Relationships with Economically Poor Communities .................. 20 Networking With “Those Who Know Those Who Could Apply” ................................... 21 Getting the Word Out – Through Print and Media Resources .......................................... 21
Receiving and Funding Applications ............................................................................................ 22 Application Form .............................................................................................................. 22 Deadlines .......................................................................................................................... 22 Site Visits .................................................................................................................... 22-23 Mid Council SDOP Committee Decisions to Validate and Fund a Project ...................... 25 How a Mid Council Committee Gets the Money for a Validated Project ........................ 25
Completing the Request for Payment Form ............................................................... 24
Completing the Evaluation Form ............................................................................... 25
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Meeting Frequency........................................................................................................................ 27 Administrative Funds .................................................................................................................... 27 Supporting Funded Partnerships ....................................................................................... 27
WORKING TOGETHER: MID COUNCIL SDOP COMMITTEES AND THE NATIONAL
SDOP COMMITTEE ................................................................................................................. 28 Sharing Applications ..................................................................................................................... 28 National Committee Site Visits in Your Area ......................................................................... 28-28 National SDOP Committee Meetings in Your Area ..................................................................... 29 National SDOP Staff ..................................................................................................................... 29 Serving on the National SDOP Committee ................................................................................... 28 SDOP Resources ........................................................................................................................... 30 Websites ........................................................................................................................................ 30 Print and Media Resources ............................................................................................................ 30
GLOSSARY .............................................................................................................................. 31-35
APPENDICES ................................................................................................................................. 36
Mid Council SDOP Committee Certification Application ............................... Appendix A 37-40
Project Evaluation Form .................................................................................... Appendix B 41-43
Request for Payment Form ................................................................................ Appendix C 44-45
Applying to SDOP at Presbytery, Synod and National Levels ......................... Appendix D 46-47
Community Workshop Evaluation Form ........................................................... Appendix E 48-50
National SDOP Application ............................................................................... Appendix F 51-59
Sample Poster for a Community Workshop ...................................................... Appendix G 60-62
SDOP Sample Press Release ............................................................................. Appendix H 63-64
How to Organize a Vision Trip, by Sarah Jane Moore………………..……….Appendix I 65-68
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INTRODUCTION
The unique Self-Development of People (SDOP) ministry was established by action of the 182nd
General Assembly (1970) of the former United Presbyterian Church in the (U.S.A). In 1987, the
General Assembly of the reunited Presbyterian Church merged SDOP and the Martin Luther King,
Jr. Fund for the Economic Self-Development of Racial/Ethnic People of the former Presbyterian
Church in the United States. The merged ministry became the Presbyterian Committee on the Self-
Development of People.
Since its creation, the National Committee has had authority and responsibility to engage in a special
ministry: 1) entering into partnership with groups of economically poor, oppressed, and
disadvantaged people, 2) interacting with presbyteries and synods in the process of certifying their
Self-Development Committees and helping to facilitate their work, and 3) encouraging a deeper
understanding and involvement of the Church in the process of self-development.
Thousands of lives have been changed in the Church and in groups around the world because of this
unique ministry. It is very important to know and understand that the Presbyterian Committee on
the Self-Development of People ministry is only one small part of the Church's mission program. It
is not intended to be all things to all people. The ministry is designed to enter into partnerships with
groups of economically poor and oppressed people who organize to do things to help themselves.
This handbook will help Presbytery and Synod Self-Development of People Committees with their
work and provide the basic information for the Church's involvement. The biblical, theological, and
philosophical foundations upon which Self-Development is built are expressed in the Criteria and
Guidelines, the Operating Guidelines, and its tested principles and practices of partnerships.
The handbook is subject to change by the dictates of prudence and wisdom in the practical work
experience of the Self-Development of People Committees and the actions of the General Assembly.
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FOUNDATIONAL INFORMATION
Mission Statement
Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People is a ministry that affirms God's concern
for humankind. We are Presbyterians and ecumenical partners dissatisfied with poverty and
oppression, united in faith and action through sharing, confronting, and enabling. We participate in
the empowerment of economically poor, oppressed, and disadvantaged people seeking to change the
structures that perpetuate poverty, oppression, and injustice.
Mandate
The Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People (SDOP) shall assist the Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.) in carrying out its global commitment to work toward the self- development of
economically poor, oppressed, and disadvantaged people, who own, control, and benefit directly
from projects that promote long-term change in their lives and communities. The mandate was
established by the 182nd General Assembly of the former United Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. in
1970, and reaffirmed and approved by the 199th General Assembly (1987) of the Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.).
Biblical and Theological Foundation
We believe all people have been created in God's image. This biblical truth leads to the theological
conclusion that God has endowed people with the freedom to become who they were created to be.
The human condition may subvert that intent, but Christ liberates us to fulfill God's intent. The Self-
Development ministry helps people to move toward self-determination and God's intention of
creation, redemption, and abundant life.
Throughout the scriptures, God shows deep concern for the poor. Early in his ministry, Jesus reads
from the prophet Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach
good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to
the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”
Jesus of Nazareth befriended and assisted poor and oppressed people, and taught his followers the
same primary responsibility. Through the Self-Development of People ministry, the Presbyterian
Church lives out the primary responsibility taught by Jesus and demonstrates its solidarity with
economically poor people around the world.
Additional biblical and theological materials relating to Presbyterian Committee on the Self-
Development of People can be found on the SDOP website (www.pcusa.org/sdop) and in printed
SDOP resources, including Self-Development of People: Sermons and Liturgy (available free from
Presbyterian Distribution Services by calling 1.800.524.2612; ask for Item PDS # 74350-06-010).
Historical Roots
James Forman (1928-2005) was the great civil rights leader who served as the executive secretary of
the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee in the 1960s. In 1969, Forman was one of the
organizers of the Black Economic Development Conference in Detroit. At this conference, he played
a major role in the writing of the Black Manifesto, which called for reparations from white churches
for past injustices to black people.
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After the conference, Forman first presented the Black Manifesto at Riverside Church in New York
City, and then at the annual conferences of various denominations.
During the same time period, questions about justice issues relating to Hispanic people in the United
States were being raised. Eliezer Risco, representing an organization called La Raza, expressed many
of these concerns to the 1969 General Assembly of the former United Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.),
which was meeting in San Antonio. As part of their presentation, La Raza indicated that they
supported the Black Manifesto.
Forman, too, was at the General Assembly that year, where he shared the Black Manifesto.
Presbyterians responded to Risco and Forman by appointing a committee to study the matters that
had been raised by them. When that Committee reported back to the General Assembly in 1970, the
Assembly adopted the Committee’s recommendation, thus starting the Presbyterian Committee on
the Self-Development of People ministry.
The 1970 General Assembly gave Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People the
mandate that appears earlier in this Handbook.
Source of Funds: One Great Hour of Sharing
Since 1970, Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People has been financially
supported by the annual One Great Hour of Sharing, receiving approximately one-third of the receipts
from this special offering.
The remainder of the One Great Hour of Sharing offering is divided between Presbyterian Disaster
Assistance (PDA) and the Presbyterian Hunger Program (PHP). Additional information about these
two ministries is available on the denominational website (www.pcusa.org).
Self-Development of People’s National Committee shares its portion of the One Great Hour of
Sharing with Presbytery/Synod SDOP Committees as detailed in the box below:
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Monies for the Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development
of People come from approximately one-third of the undesignated
funds from the One Great Hour of Sharing offering. One-half of the
SDOP portion shall be available for certified Presbytery and Synod
Self-Development of People Committees, based on the giving
within their bounds.
When a Presbytery has a certified Self-Development of People
Committee, that Committee will receive one-half of the SDOP
portion of the One Great Hour of Sharing offering received from the
congregations of the Presbytery.
When a Synod has a certified Self-Development of People
Committee, that Committee will receive one-half of the SDOP
portion of the One Great Hour of Sharing offering from those
Presbyteries of the Synod which do not have a certified Self-
Development of People Committee.
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An Introduction to SDOP’s Criteria and Guidelines
A major responsibility of Self-Development of People Committees is to establish partnerships with
groups of economically poor and oppressed people through outreach, solidarity, and financial
support.
The criteria and guidelines are the tools the committees use to validate and fund projects presented
to them within this ministry.
The guidelines are the measures that help committees rank already-validated projects. Neither the
criteria nor the guidelines are meant to deter groups from seeking help in their fight for self-
determination, but are intended to guide the funding of real self-development grass-roots efforts.
Committees should keep three fundamental concepts in mind when considering a project for
validation. They are:
1. People acting for themselves and being in control of their own actions.
2. Need, coupled with
3. Potential for self-realization.
If a project has these fundamental ingredients of self-development, yet does not have all the following
criteria, it should not necessarily be disqualified. The Self-Development Committees are expected
to review all projects carefully and are urged to investigate creatively the aspects of self-development
behind every project presented.
Criteria
The following standards are used by Self-Development of People Committees to determine whether
a project is valid for funding within this ministry.
A project will:
1. Be presented, owned, and controlled by the group of economically poor people who
will benefit directly from it.
2. Address long-term correction of conditions that keep people bound by poverty and
oppression.
3. Describe, in detail, its goal (the point of the project), its objectives (the specific steps
the group will take to accomplish the goal), the way the direct beneficiaries will be
involved in all stages of the project, and the methods to be used to achieve the goal and
objectives.
4. Be sensitive to the environment while accomplishing its goal or objectives.
5. Not advocate violence as a means of accomplishing its goal or objectives.
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6. Describe fully the resources known to be available for its support, including a
description of: a) those within the community, b) those available to the community,
and c) the in-kind and other financial resources sought or to be sought.
7. Contain a balanced income and expenditure budget. A financial plan showing
expected income and expenditures over the funding term of the project should be
included.
8. Specify how the progress toward the stated goal and objectives will be evaluated by
the group, and when the evaluation will be made.
Note that because Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People seeks to
partner with communities, it is unusual for a group of less than ten people to receive funding.
Also, note that SDOP does not fund private entrepreneurial businesses. SDOP is interested,
however, it partnering with cooperatives that will enhance community economic
development. According to Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People, a
cooperative is a group/organization owned and operated for the benefit of those using its
services and involves: equally shared decision making, equally shared revenue, equally
shared expenses and investments, and equally shared responsibility. Cooperatives will also
need to meet SDOP’s primary funding criteria (1-8 above).
Guidelines
These are the measures to be used to help committees rank valid projects (which meet the SDOP
criteria) when there are limited monies available for funding:
1. Projects should be favored that build relationships between the applying group and its
surrounding economic, political, and social institutions through actions of the group
itself.
2. Projects should be favored that have the increase of power and self-determination for
the group as its goal. These projects will be enhanced if they include an analysis of the
power sources within the community.
3. Projects that aim at increasing group self-sufficiency should be favored.
4. Projects that can attract other resources should be favored, provided they do not
perpetuate conditions of dependency.
5. Projects should be favored that strive for greater effectiveness by using technical
assistance.
6. Projects should be favored that have a realistic funding period.
7. Projects that do not duplicate available services or opportunities should be favored.
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Categories of Need
The Self-Development of People shall enter into partnership with groups of people who:
1. Want to take charge of their own lives,
2. Have organized, or are organizing, to do something about their own condition, and
3. Have decided that what they are going to do will produce direct long-term change for
their lives, families, or communities, and that the change will benefit the groups
directly.
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Size of Grants
Self-Development of People provides funding based upon the request of the individual groups.
Generally, national committee grants do not exceed $15,000. With some exceptions, Synod and
Presbytery SDOP Committees usually fund project requests of $10,000 and under.
National Committee on SDOP: An Overview
The National Committee on the Self-Development of People is composed of thirty-one (31) persons
chosen to reflect diversity and inclusiveness. Members of the National Committee are nominated
through the General Assembly Nominating Committee process, elected by the General Assembly for
a four-year term, and may be eligible for election to one additional term. At least 75% of the national
committee members shall be members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and a majority fifty-one
percent (51%) of the members will be racial/ethnic persons.
The National Committee meets twice a year during years when the General Assembly meets, and
three times a year during years when the General Assembly does not meet.
The National Committee’s responsibilities are to:
1. Provide program and strategy for the Church’s mission of self-development with
economically poor, oppressed, and disadvantaged people in cooperation with other
programs and areas of the Church.
2. Recommend changes in the Criteria and Guidelines for funding.
3. Be responsible for receiving, reviewing, evaluating, referring, and/or approving the
applications for project funding from economically poor, oppressed, and
disadvantaged groups.
4. Be responsible for complete direction, oversight, training, and bi-annual certification
of Presbytery and Synod Self-Development of People Committees.
5. Educate the Church on the condition and status of economically poor and oppressed
communities.
6. Work cooperatively with ecumenical partners in the self-development effort.
The National Committee is divided into four domestic task forces (Midwest, Northeast, South, and
West), and one International Task Force. National Committee members serve on the domestic task
force for the region in which they live.
The Domestic Task Forces:
1. Promote the SDOP ministry in their region by interacting with the Presbyteries,
Synods, local congregations, and communities of need in their region,
2. Review and evaluate applications from applicants within their region.
3. Establish and maintain relationships with the Mid Council (i.e., Presbytery and
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4. Synod SDOP Committees) in their region, reviewing certification applications from
MC SDOP Committees bi-annually and conducting training sessions as needed and/or
required.
The International Task Force makes recommendations to the National Committee for all SDOP
ministry conducted outside the United States. More information about SDOP’s international
ministry is available on the SDOP website.
The National Committee has the following standing committees: Church-wide and Community
Relations Committee; Member Engagement Committee; Finance Committee; International Task
Force and Nominating Committee.
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PRESBYTERY/SYNOD SDOP COMMITTEES
Benefits of Having an SDOP Committee
Presbyteries and Synods will benefit from having a Self-Development of People Committee because:
1. The Presbytery/Synod Committee will be able to use its portion of the One Great Hour
of Sharing receipts to fund self-development projects within its bounds.
2. Members of the SDOP Committee will develop an expertise in ministry with the
economically poor, and will be able to share this expertise with others in the
Presbytery/Synod when needed.
3. Through the work and reports of its SDOP Committee, the mid council will become more
aware of the needs of economically poor, oppressed and disadvantaged community
groups in its area. Congregations and mission units of the Presbytery/Synod will be
encouraged to address these needs, thus enhancing the mid council’s program of social
ministry.
How to Start a Presbytery or Synod SDOP Committee
A Mid Council (MC) wishing to start an SDOP Committee must organize a committee that meets
Self-Development of People Committee composition requirements, which are detailed below.
1. This committee must agree to evaluate proposals based on the Self-Development of
People criteria, which are funding standards for all SDOP Committees.
2. When such a committee has been established, the Certification Application (Appendix
A) must be completed and sent to the national office of Self-Development of People. It
is important that all questions on the certification application be answered. The
application must include the name, gender, race, address, telephone numbers, email
address, vocation and denominational affiliation of each member of the MC SDOP
Committee. It must identify the SDOP Committee Chair. The committee must have
either: (a) a Mid Council staff member who meets with the SDOP committee, and who
is ex officio and without vote, or (b) at least one Presbyterian clergy person as a member.
Finally, the MC SDOP Committee Chairperson must sign it.
3. Once the Certification Application is approved, the National Committee will provide a
Certification Training Workshop for the new Presbytery/Synod SDOP Committee. The
new MC SDOP Committee is asked to provide three workable dates for the training. The
National Committee will strive to conduct the Certification Training Workshop on one
of these three dates.
4. For the Certification Training Workshop to be valid, it must be attended by a majority
fifty-one percent (51%) of the committee. The national committee’s trainer will report
a list of participants to the national office.
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Once these steps have been completed, the MC SDOP Committee is certified for the remainder of
the current Certification Cycle (see below).
The newly certified SDOP Committee will receive a letter informing them that they are certified, and
stating the amount of money available to them to use in funding projects for the current year.
Certified MC SDOP Committees will receive a timely letter from the SDOP national office informing
them of the need to submit a new Certification Application.
Certification Cycles and Recertification
The National Committee on the Self-Development of People certifies Mid Council SDOP
Committees for a two-year period. All Presbytery and Synod Committees operate on the same two-
year cycle, with the period beginning on January 1 of even-numbered years and ending on December
31 of odd-numbered years.
The National Committee asks MC SDOP Committees to update their certification every two years,
by submitting an updated Certification Application. Once submitted, the updated information will
be reviewed by the SDOP National Committee.
As part of the re-certification review of a previously certified MC SDOP Committee, the SDOP
National Committee also considers the Project Evaluation Forms (see Appendix B), which show that
the projects funded by the Presbytery or Synod SDOP Committee meet the SDOP funding criteria.
Based upon its review of the Certification Application and Project Evaluation Forms, the National
Committee decides whether or not to re-certify the previously certified MC SDOP Committee. If
the projects funded by the Presbytery/Synod SDOP Committee do not appear to meet SDOP’s
funding criteria, the National Committee may express concern. When deemed necessary, the
National Committee requires additional training for the MC SDOP Committee prior to re-certifying
that committee.
Once re-certified, the MC SDOP Committee will receive a letter informing them that they are
certified, and giving the amount of money available to them to use in funding projects for the current
year.
Certified MC SDOP Committees will receive a timely letter from the SDOP national office informing
them of the need to submit a new Certification Application.
Certification Training for MC SDOP Committees
The National Committee on SDOP requires every Presbytery and Synod SDOP Committee to have
a Certification Training Workshop at least once every three years, to help in clarifying the use of
funds and the integrity of the ministry.
The MC SDOP Committee is asked to provide three workable dates for the training. The National
Committee will strive to conduct the Certification Training Workshop on one of these three dates.
For the Certification Training Workshop to be valid, it must be attended by a majority fifty-one
percent (51%) of the committee. The national committee’s trainer will report a list of participants to
the national office.
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Note that the Certification is for a three-year cycle. The Certification Application needs to be
submitted every three years before the certification training /workshop.
Composition Requirements for an MC SDOP Committee
Minimum five members
Majority must be Racial Ethnic minority members
Majority must be Presbyterian
Chair must be Presbyterian
Must have a certification workshop
For the certification training to be valid, a majority of the members must attend
Certification training workshop every 3 years
Accountable to SDOP criteria
Accountable to the SDOP National Committee
Committee staffed by Synod/Presbytery staff person or have at least one Presbytery clergy
member serving on the committee
A MC SDOP Committee as Sub-Committee of a Standing Committee
Some Presbyteries/Synods choose to relate their SDOP Committee to one of the MC’s standing
committees for administrative and reporting purposes. In such cases, all composition requirements
for the SDOP Committee must be met in full, and the SDOP Committee itself has final authority to
validate and fund projects within the bounds of the MC.
Joint Presbytery SDOP Committees
Two or more geographically adjacent Presbyteries may choose to have a joint SDOP Committee.
An Overview: Responsibilities of an MC SDOP Committee
A brief outline of the responsibilities of an MC SDOP Committee is given here. It is followed by
additional comments on each of the tasks in the outline.
The responsibilities of a Presbytery/Synod SDOP Committee are:
1. To get the word out about SDOP:
a) To Presbyterians (who fund SDOP’s ministry through One Great Hour of
Sharing)
By promoting SDOP Sunday.
By promoting One Great Hour of Sharing.
At Presbytery/Synod Meetings.
In congregations.
Through print/media resources.
With a Vision Trip
b) To prospective applicants (so they can apply for a grant)
By conducting community workshops.
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By establishing working relationships with economically poor
communities.
By networking with “those who know those who could apply.”
c) Through print/media resources.
2. To receive and fund applications
3. To celebrate and support partnerships with
a) Funded Partners.
b) Presbytery/Synod Committees in their region.
c) SDOP National Committee.
Getting the Word Out About SDOP – To Presbyterians
It is important to tell Presbyterians about Self-Development of People for two reasons:
1. First, Presbyterians are the people who support our ministry by giving so generously
to One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS). As Presbyterians learn more about how
much their OGHS offering accomplishes, they will give more, and we will be able to
expand the SDOP ministry.
2. Second, Presbyterians are often well positioned to share the good news of Self-
Development of People with prospective applicants. Congregations may be located
in or near economically poor or distressed communities. Individual members may
have residences in those same communities, or may be personally or professionally
involved in ways that relate to economically poor people and groups. If
Presbyterians know about Self-Development, they can tell others – especially those
who could apply for an SDOP grant!
There are several ways for an MC SDOP Committee to get the word out to Presbyterians about
SDOP.
SDOP Sunday
Once a year, all Presbyterian congregations are encouraged to celebrate Self-Development of
People Sunday. SDOP Sunday is usually early in the Lenten season; deliberately so, because
that way it tells Presbyterians about Self-Development just a few weeks before they offer their
One Great Hour of Sharing offering for the year.
Each year, in early- to mid-January, each pastor receives in the mail a multi-page resource
emphasizing the importance of Self-Development of People Sunday and providing materials
to celebrate it in worship. This resource is also sent to Presbytery/Synod SDOP Committee
members and related staff. In addition to the resources contained in the SDOP Sunday
Brochure itself, the piece also points pastors to other useful materials available from
Presbyterian Distribution Service (PDS) (additional information on PDS appears elsewhere in
this handbook).
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Each year, Presbytery SDOP Committees are encouraged to contact each pastor in the
Presbytery, checking to ensure that the pastor has received the SDOP Sunday Brochure, and
encouraging the pastor to celebrate SDOP Sunday in worship.
Synod SDOP Committees are also encouraged to contact Presbytery staff in Presbyteries where
there is not a Presbytery SDOP Committee, letting them know about the SDOP Sunday
Brochure, and urging them to remind pastors to celebrate SDOP Sunday in worship. (It would
also be appropriate to suggest that the Presbytery consider starting an SDOP Committee).
Because many congregations would be interested in hearing a Minute for Mission from
someone involved with a local SDOP project, SDOP Sunday is a time for congregations to
extend such an invitation. MC SDOP Committees can be very helpful in linking such
congregations with funded project people willing to make such pulpit appearances. (MC
SDOP Committee members themselves could also do Minutes for Mission on SDOP Sunday)!
One Great Hour of Sharing
Most congregations receive the One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) offering during Lent. The
OGHS receipts are divided among three ministries of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.):
1. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (receiving 32% of the offering)
2. Presbyterian Hunger Program (receiving 36% of the offering)
3. Self-Development of People (receiving 32% of the offering)
Each year during December or January, every congregation receives OGHS resources in the
mail. Congregations will receive a letter during that Fall with their default order information
(the current year’s order is based upon their previous year’s order); if desired, the congregation
can indicate changes on the order form or can contact PDS at 800.524.2612, in either case by
the date indicated.
If willing, MC SDOP Committees could encourage increased giving to the One Great Hour of
Sharing by contacting each congregation in the Presbytery, checking to ensure that they have
received the OGHS resources, and encouraging the congregation to promote the offering.
Synod SDOP Committees are encouraged to contact Presbytery staff in Presbyteries where
there is not a Presbytery SDOP Committee, reminding them of the One Great Hour of Sharing,
and urging them to promote the offering in their Presbytery.
Presbytery and Synod Meetings
Presbytery and Synod SDOP Committees are responsible for making Self-Development of
People visible at Presbytery and Synod meetings. Odds are good that if SDOP is not seen or
heard at a Presbytery/Synod meeting, then it’s not thought about, either!
Time on the agenda is invaluable, and can be used in a variety of ways:
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1. To promote SDOP Sunday and/or One Great Hour of Sharing.
2. To thank Presbytery/Synod members and their congregations for giving generously to
the OGHS.
3. To tell meeting participants about local projects that have been funded by Presbytery,
Synod, or National SDOP Committees.
4. If a grant has been made recently, Presbytery/Synod members will be proud to see the
check presented to representatives of the project.
5. Local SDOP project representatives could be invited to tell about their work.
6. An audio-visual presentation about SDOP can be shown.
7. Particular resources can be suggested and/or distributed.
8. Meeting participants can be encouraged to tell prospective applicants about SDOP and
the possibility of getting a grant.
9. SDOP Committee members can offer to provide a project speaker to do a Minute for
Mission in a congregation’s worship service (or to do it themselves).
MC SDOP Committees might want to provide a Self-Development of People Resource Table
at Presbytery/Synod meetings. The table could be staffed by a Presbytery/Synod SDOP
Committee member who can answer questions.
Congregations
As mentioned above, SDOP Sunday and the One Great Hour of Sharing offering are both
occasions when it is important (and natural) for MC SDOP Committees to reach out to
congregations.
While it is true that congregations need to be encouraged to celebrate SDOP Sunday and to
give generously to One Great Hour of Sharing, it’s equally true that congregations need to be
sincerely thanked when they do so!
Presbytery SDOP Committee members are uniquely situated to be effective in this regard.
Each member of the SDOP Committee could be responsible for a certain number of
congregations, periodically calling pastors or Session members to thank them for supporting
Self-Development of People.
A Presbytery SDOP Committee could also strive to actually visit every congregation at least
once every five years to promote the ministry of Self-Development of People. Visits by
Presbytery SDOP Committee members could be for a number of purposes, including:
1. To preach a sermon about SDOP or to do a Minute for Mission during worship.
2. To tell the Session about SDOP’s ministry in the area, and to encourage the Session to
celebrate SDOP Sunday and to promote giving to the One Great Hour of Sharing.
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3. To provide an informative program about SDOP that would equip the pastor, Session,
and congregational members to encourage prospective applicants in the area to apply.
4. To conduct a community workshop (see the section on community workshops
elsewhere in this handbook) for people who live in the surrounding area.
A Presbytery SDOP Committee could also ask each congregation to appoint one of its
members to serve as an SDOP contact person. This person could be regularly informed about
SDOP’s ministry in the area, invited to go on site visits to SDOP projects when appropriate,
and asked to attend occasional informational SDOP workshops at the Presbytery level. The
contact person could report to the Session about all these activities, could encourage members
to give generously to the One Great Hour of Sharing, and could encourage congregational
members to actively encourage applications for funding from prospective applicants in the
area.
Presbyterian-Related Print Media
Articles about Self-Development of People are always helpful when they appear in Presbytery,
Synod, or congregational newsletters.
Vision Trips
Chicago Presbytery’s SDOP Committee recently sponsored an SDOP Vision Trip, taking
about twenty Presbyterians on a one day outing to see several SDOP projects in the Chicago
area. Participants on such a Vision Trip come back excited about what they have seen, and
share SDOP’s ministry with others.
Chicago Presbytery’s Vision Trip was organized by Sarah Jane Moore, a member of SDOP’s
National Committee, and also the Co-Chair of the Presbytery SDOP Committee. She has
written a report, “How to Organize a Vision Trip,” which appears as Appendix I.
Getting the Word Out About SDOP – To Prospective Applicants
The hard work of getting the word out about Self-Development of People to prospective applicants
is perhaps the most challenging aspect of our SDOP ministry together. This section of the handbook
explores the work that must be done by SDOP Committee members at Presbytery, Synod, and
National levels in order to receive applications.
The community workshop is a key piece in getting the word out to prospective applicants. We
therefore start by detailing community workshops.
Community Workshops
Purpose:
A community workshop is a public meeting to tell prospective applicants about Self-
Development of People with the expectation that they will submit applications if they
meet SDOP criteria.
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In more detail, community workshops are conducted to:
1. Acquaint groups with Self-Development of People.
2. Make people aware of the kind of projects Self-Development will fund and the
criteria by which those projects will be judged.
3. Encourage groups of economically poor, oppressed and disadvantaged people to
organize and submit applications for projects that they own, control and benefit
directly from.
4. Discuss what should be included in project applications submitted to Self-
Development of People.
5. Inform people of the levels of Self-Development to which they can possibly
apply: Presbytery, Synod, and National.
6. Explain the application process to participants in the community workshop.
Preparation:
The MC SDOP Committee or person(s) conducting an SDOP community workshop
should:
1. Arrange for an appropriate place and time for the event. A minimum of two
hours is suggested. Choose a location that will be convenient for prospective
applicants to come to, and which will not be an intimidating place for them.
Neighborhood/Community Centers are ideal sites; Presbytery/Synod offices and
churches in low-income areas are also possibilities.
2. Try to find a person from the place where the community workshop will be held
so that you can work closely with him/her to invite, secure, and encourage local
participation in the event.
3. Prepare a simple poster that announces the community workshop, and which
details the date, time, place and purpose of the workshop. This community
workshop poster should be easily photocopied. An example appears as
Appendix G.
4. Work hard to let prospective applicants know about the community workshop!
Do not take for granted that they will simply show up!
In order to ensure attendance, you should:
a. Make certain that the Presbytery staff knows about the community
workshop. Tell them the date, time, place and purpose of the community
workshop, and ask them to publicize it. Give them copies of the community
workshop poster to display and distribute. Ask them to announce the
community workshop at any Presbytery meetings, events, or activities, and
to publicize it in the Presbytery newsletter and on the Presbytery website.
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b. Let Presbyterian congregations in the area know about the community
workshop, so that congregations, their mission committees, and their pastors
can all encourage appropriate persons to attend. Ask them to publicize the
date, time, place and purpose of the community workshop. Give them
copies of the community workshop poster to display and distribute. Ask
them to announce the community workshop from the pulpit, in the bulletin
and church newsletter, and on the congregational website. Invite them to
encourage their members to share the details of the community workshop
with prospective applicants.
c. Also call pastors of non-Presbyterian congregations within economically
poor communities. Tell them about Self-Development of People, stressing
that grants are made without regard to faith affiliation of applicants. Ask
them to publicize the date, time, place and purpose of the community
workshop from their pulpit, in their bulletin, and in the church newsletter.
Provide copies of the community workshop poster to display and distribute.
d. Contact staff at community agencies or foundations that work with
economically poor people. Tell them about Self-Development of People,
stressing that grants are made without regard to faith affiliation of
applicants. Ask them to publicize the date, time, place and purpose of the
community workshop. Provide copies of the community workshop poster
to display and distribute.
e. Ask all the people you talk with about the community workshop to share
names of leaders in the low-income community. Contact these community
leaders. Tell them about Self-Development of People, stressing that grants
are made without regard to faith affiliation of applicants. Ask them to
publicize the date, time, place and purpose of the community workshop.
Provide them with copies of the community workshop poster to display and
distribute.
f. Prepare a press release (see Appendix H for an example) about the
community workshop and ask local television stations, cable stations, radio
stations, and newspapers to use it. The press release should explain the
purpose of SDOP, and should briefly summarize the SDOP criteria. The
press release should give the date, time, place and purpose of the community
workshop, and should provide contact information in case someone wants
more information.
g. Post the community workshop poster wherever you think that economically
poor people might see it. For example, in laundromats, on supermarket
bulletin boards, in public welfare offices, employment agencies, social
service agencies, etc.
5. Prepare carefully for the workshop itself:
a. Secure all materials needed for the workshop in advance, including SDOP
resources for distribution. See the section of this handbook on Resources,
and be sure to order them far in advance of the date for the community
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workshop; you should order them at least 15 days in advance of the
community workshop.
b. You will also want to provide paper and pens for those who attend and do
not bring materials.
c. Prepare a sign-up sheet for use at the community workshop, on which
participants can give their names and contact information.
d. Decide the agenda for the workshop, and who will lead each part. A sample
agenda is presented below. Make sure that the leaders are well prepared!
e. If possible, provide light snacks and beverages for participants.
f. Arrive early to set up the meeting area and to greet the participants as they
arrive.
An Agenda for a Community Workshop:
This is an example of an effective workshop. Other agendas may be used as well. It
may be helpful to the presentation if the leader is prepared to:
1. Begin with prayer.
2. Let the participants know the plan for the time together and why the event is
being held.
3. Have introductions, and employ some means to “break the ice” if the setting
permits. It is likely that some people may know some others, but not everyone
will know everyone else. It will probably be helpful for people to know who is
sharing in the event with them. This also may encourage local networking
possibilities. Ask participants to provide their names and contact information,
and have a sign-up sheet ready for this.
4. Acquaint the participants with Self-Development of People. The best sources for
doing this are the Criteria and Guidelines, the content of your handbook, and
first-hand experience with this ministry.
5. Invite people from a funded partnership in your area to come and tell their
project’s story at the community workshop. If you’re unable to make such
arrangements, then share some stories yourself, telling about valid partnerships
that have been funded locally, nationally, and internationally.
6. Encourage people to organize and submit applications. However, please be
careful to make it clear that the Self-Development of People funding is very
special and very limited in scope, and that it is only for:
a. Groups of economically poor, oppressed, and disadvantaged people, and
b. Projects that are owned and controlled by the people who benefit directly
from them.
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7. Let participants know that they can apply simultaneously to all three levels of
Self-Development (if both the Presbytery and Synod have an SDOP Committee
where you are doing the community workshop). You will want to share
Presbytery, Synod and National SDOP Committee deadlines, application
procedures, and contact information. The handout, “When and How to Apply at
Three Levels: Presbytery, Synod and National,” is a helpful way to share this
information. It appears in this handbook as Appendix D; note that you will need
to complete the sections on SDOP at the Presbytery and Synod levels before
photocopying and distributing this handout!
8. Discuss the application thoroughly.
9. Discuss any items that remain unclear.
10. Have each participant complete a community workshop evaluation form. It
appears in this handbook as Appendix E.
11. Thank everyone for coming and for their contributions.
12. Close with prayer.
13. Please keep a list of participants and their contact information for future
reference.
After the Community Workshop:
After the community workshop, you may wish to contact particular participants a few
days after the event in order to encourage them to apply. If they need assistance in
completing the application for an SDOP grant, don’t hesitate to help! But don’t write it
for them, either: preparing the application is the group’s responsibility, and is a part of
their empowerment.
You will also want to keep the list of community workshop participants for future
reference. It may be helpful if you want to send out a Presbytery/Synod SDOP mailing,
an email to people interested in SDOP, or if you want to contact someone at a later date.
The attendance list may also be useful should you and your SDOP Committee decide to
conduct another community workshop in the area at a later date.
Establishing Working Relationships with Economically Poor Communities
As Presbytery/Synod SDOP Committees do their work, they will continually make the
acquaintance of people in economically poor communities. Some of these economically poor
persons will apply for (and possibly receive) SDOP grants, while others will not.
It is important for the Presbytery/Synod SDOP Committee to develop and maintain a directory
or database of these contacts. It is even more important for Presbytery/Synod SDOP
Committee members to keep in contact with these contacts, who can:
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1. Help the MC SDOP Committee to directly contact other prospective applicant groups.
2. Refer prospective applicants to the MC SDOP Committee.
3. Assist in publicizing future community workshops.
4. Be candidates to serve on SDOP’s MC and National Committees (even though they’re
not Presbyterians).
Carefully collected and collated, these contact files can be invaluable resources for the MC
Committee both now and in the future.
Networking With “Those Who Know Those Who Could Apply”
As you engage in the SDOP ministry, you will also meet many people who are not
economically poor themselves, but who are effectively connected to economically poor people
and communities. These people, “those who know those who could apply,” include:
1. Pastors of both Presbyterian and non-Presbyterian congregations within economically
poor communities,
2. Community leaders in the low-income neighborhoods,
3. Staff at community agencies who work with economically poor people and
communities, and
4. Staff at area foundations who work with economically poor people, projects and
communities.
Once again, it is important for the Presbytery/Synod SDOP Committee to develop and maintain
a directory or database of these contacts. And once again, it’s important for Presbytery/Synod
SDOP Committee members to keep in contact with these contacts, because they can:
1. Help the MC SDOP Committee to directly contact other prospective applicant groups.
2. Refer prospective applicants to the MC SDOP Committee.
3. Assist in publicizing future community workshops.
4. Be candidates to serve on SDOP’s MC and National Committees (even though they’re
not Presbyterians).
Carefully collected and collated, these contact files can also be invaluable resources for the
MC Committee both now and in the future.
Getting the Word Out – Through Print and Media Resources
Presbytery/Synod SDOP Committees should, as often as possible, use local print and media
resources to publicize SDOP and the availability of grants. When such print and media are
used, both Presbyterians and non-Presbyterians will hear about Self-Development, and so will
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potential applicants! Print and media resources developed by the National Committee can be
used as the basis for such publicity efforts, or the MC Committee can prepare its own materials.
Possibilities include:
1. Newspaper or radio stories about local projects funded by Self-Development. Project
representatives and Presbytery/Synod SDOP Committee members could be
interviewed.
2. Public service announcements on the radio, or articles in the newspaper, announcing
the availability of SDOP grants, and the criteria required.
3. Public service announcements on the radio, or articles in the newspaper, announcing
grants made by SDOP. SDOP’s sample press release (Appendix H) can be used for
this purpose.
4. Announcements about community workshops (see the section of this handbook on
community workshops).
5. Presentations on local cable television channels.
Receiving and Funding Applications
Presbytery and Synod SDOP Committees are required to fund only projects meeting the SDOP
criteria, but otherwise have considerable latitude in how they receive and fund applications, including
setting their own schedules and deadlines.
Application Form
Presbytery and Synod SDOP Committees may use the SDOP National Committee’s
Application Form (Appendix F), modifying it if they wish, or they may design their own
application form.
Deadlines
While the SDOP National Committee does not have a deadline for receiving applications,
Presbytery and Synod SDOP Committees may set such a deadline for receiving applications if
they wish.
Presbytery and Synod Committees should keep in mind that Request for Payment forms
(Appendix C) with completed Project Evaluation forms (Appendix B) attached must be
received no later than December 31 each year, and preferably by December 15.
Note that the funds allotted for a Presbytery/Synod SDOP Committee may not be carried over
to the next year.
Site Visits
The National Committee on the Self-Development of People requires its domestic Task Forces
to carry out a face-to-face site visit with every group that has a potential for validation and
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funding before the project is recommended to the National Committee. The site visit is
conducted with a group only after the Task Force’s evaluation of the written project application
finds the potential for validation.
Where possible and practical, Presbytery and Synod Committees shall adopt a similar site visit
policy.
Site visits are required to:
1. Establish people-to-people contacts with groups that have submitted potentially valid
projects to the Self-Development of People.
2. Confirm the conditions, leadership, possible solutions, potential of the group’s project,
and resources outlined in the applications, by checking the realities from within their
communities of origin.
3. Secure answers to questions raised by the MC SDOP Committee during its preliminary
evaluations.
4. Help people understand the SDOP ministry.
5. Learn from the people visited.
6. Help us to have a better understanding of ourselves.
The following are guidelines for site visits by Presbytery/Synod SDOP Committees:
1. One must avoid any thought or attitude of superiority anywhere in the Self-
Development of People, especially in the process of making a site visit.
2. Well in advance, the Presbytery/Synod SDOP Committee member(s) making the site
visit should contact the people who have submitted the project application, and arrange
a mutually convenient time for the site visit team to meet with the whole membership
group of the project, or as many as possible. This may require several telephone calls
or emails from the committee member(s) to the project people.
3. When a Synod SDOP Committee member is making a site visit in a Presbytery, the
Presbytery executive or his/her representative shall be invited to participate, and
included in the process of arranging a mutually convenient time for the site visit with
the project. When a Synod SDOP Committee member is making a site visit in a
Presbytery where there is a Presbytery SDOP Committee, the Chairperson of that
Presbytery SDOP Committee or her/his representative shall also be invited to
participate, and included in the process of arranging a mutually convenient time for the
site visit with the project.
4. When a Presbytery SDOP Committee member is making a site visit in his/her
Presbytery, the Presbytery executive or his/her representative shall be invited to
participate, and included in the process of arranging a mutually convenient time for the
site visit with the project.
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5. It’s also appropriate to invite the pastor(s) of the nearest PC(USA) congregation(s) or
congregational representatives to participate, and to include them in the process of
arranging a mutually convenient time for the site visit with the project.
6. Ample time for the site visit should be allowed. The site visit should not be rushed in
any part. Make every effort to be on time and not keep people waiting.
7. Please make it clear to the project group that a site visit is an information/fact-finding
visit, and it does not mean that the group will be funded.
8. Try to have your discussion with “the people of the project,” rather than “the project
staff.” Remember: “Who does the talking” often tells “who owns the project.”
9. The site visit team should meet afterwards to discuss and evaluate the site visit, and to
form a report (oral or otherwise) to be made to the sponsoring MC SDOP Committee.
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MC SDOP Committee Decisions to Validate and Fund a Project
A Presbytery/Synod SDOP Committee may vote to fund a project that has submitted an
application after reviewing the application to determine that it meets SDOP criteria for funding,
and after receiving a report from the MC SDOP Committee member who was part of the site
visit team.
It is to be noted that Presbytery/Synod SDOP Committees may only make grants to projects
within their bounds.
The Presbytery or Synod SDOP Committee’s action is final on projects it validates. Neither
the National SDOP Committee nor any other entity re-validates the Presbytery/Synod
Committee’s project. No other entity can set aside a Presbytery/Synod SDOP Committee’s
action to fund a given project. Each Self-Development Committee is the final authority on the
projects it funds.
After voting to fund a project’s application, the Presbytery or Synod SDOP Committee should
inform the project that it has been funded.
How an MC Committee Gets the Money for a Validated Project
Once a Presbytery/Synod SDOP Committee validates a project for funding, it submits a
Request for Payment Form (Appendix C) and a Project Evaluation Form (Appendix B), which
have been completed by the committee, to the national office. The request is processed and a
check is sent to the mid council. The MC SDOP Committee then makes arrangements to
transfer the funds to the project it has funded.
Note that a separate Request for Payment Form (Appendix C) and Project Evaluation Form
(Appendix B) are required for each project funded by the MC SDOP Committee.
Completing the Request for Payment Form:
While the Request for Payment Form (Appendix C) is basically self-explanatory, here
are some pointers:
1. Be sure to write the amount you have granted to the project on the Request for
Payment form. It should appear just to the right of “Full Name of Project.” The
amount given should be the same as the amount cited on the attached Project
Evaluation form.
2. When the form asks how the check should be made payable, specify either the
Presbytery/Synod or the funded project. Note: If the MC’s SDOP Committee
wishes the national office to make the check payable directly to the project (instead
of to the Presbytery or Synod), the MC SDOP Committee must include a W-9
form from the project with the Request for Payment Form and Project Evaluation
form.
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Completing the Project Evaluation Form:
The Project Evaluation Form (Appendix B) is very important, for several reasons:
1. Careful completion of the form is intended to enable Presbytery/Synod SDOP
Committee members to determine that the project does indeed meet SDOP criteria.
2. It furnishes an example of work done that leads to the accomplishment of the goal
of Self-Development and the alleviation of the plight of poor people.
3. It helps in the selection of inspiring projects that can be shared with others in
interpretative materials prepared by the SDOP National Committee.
4. It serves as part of the SDOP national office’s permanent record for the grant.
5. It is used by the SDOP National Committee when it is reviewing a
Presbytery/Synod’s work as part of the re-certification process, revealing the
quality of projects funded by the MC Committee. If the Project Evaluation form
does not clearly demonstrate that the funded project meets SDOP criteria, the
National Committee may require an additional workshop for the Presbytery/Synod
Committee, or might refuse to re-certify that committee.
While the Project Evaluation Form (Appendix B) is basically self-explanatory, here are
some pointers:
1. Complete it carefully! It’s an important document. If it is not completed
accurately and completely, your Request for Payment will be held up until the
Project Evaluation Form is properly done!
2. Do not attach the funded project’s completed application instead of carefully
completing the form itself. When the National Committee’s members review the
Project Evaluation Form as part of the process of recertifying the MC Committee,
they prefer to see the two page Project Evaluation Form rather than the longer
application.
3. Be certain that the Project Evaluation Form clearly demonstrates that the people
who own the project are the same people who control the project and benefit from
it. If different answers to these three questions are given (because different people
own, control and benefit from the project), the project probably does not meet
SDOP criteria, and should not have been funded by the MC SDOP Committee!
4. Remember to attach a complete income and expenditure budget for the project and
show each item the group proposes for the Self-Development of People to support.
The combined dollar values of the individual budget items shown to be supported
by SDOP should equal the amount of the grant that has been made by the MC
SDOP Committee.
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Meeting Frequency
Each Presbytery and Synod SDOP Committee has the right to establish its own meeting schedule,
and is encouraged to meet as often as necessary to fulfill the Self-Development ministry within its
bounds.
The most effective MC SDOP Committees meet more than once a year, and MC SDOP Committees
are encouraged to meet at least quarterly.
Administrative Funds
A Presbytery or Synod SDOP Committee may use 10% of its share of the One Great Hour of Sharing
for administrative expenses, such as meeting expenses, printing costs, community workshops, etc.
Many mid council’s, however, absorb these expenses as part of their general mission costs, thus
allowing all One Great Hour of Sharing monies to be used in the funding of projects that meet the
SDOP criteria.
To access monies for administrative expenses, the MC SDOP Committee should submit a Request
for Payment Form (Appendix C) to the SDOP national offices, specifying the administrative
expenses that are being claimed. The Request for Payment Form must be received no later than
December 31, but preferably by December 15.
Supporting Funded Partnerships
Self-Development of People is about partnerships. Keep in touch with the projects funded by
your MC SDOP Committee both during the time they’re operating with SDOP monies and
thereafter. Support them in appropriate ways, and let your Presbytery/Synod know how the
projects are doing.
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WORKING TOGETHER: MID COUNCIL SDOP COMMITTEES AND THE NATIONAL SDOP COMMITTEE
Presbytery, Synod and National Committees on the Self-Development of People are all equal parts
of this special ministry, and work together to make it a success. This section of the handbook
explores some of the ways we cooperate, and also mentions the resources that the SDOP National
Committee and its staff are excited to share with Presbytery and Synod SDOP Committees.
Sharing Applications
Many projects need more funding than any one level of Self-Development of People can provide.
This is an opportunity for us to work together to provide for the needs of one of our partners.
You will remember that a project can apply simultaneously for funding to all three levels (Presbytery,
Synod, and National) of Self-Development if the project is geographically located in a Presbytery
and Synod which do indeed have Self-Development of People Committees.
Should your Presbytery receive an application from a project within its bounds which meets SDOP
criteria, and which needs more funding than you can provide, please encourage the group to submit
an application both to your Synod’s Committee on Self-Development (if there is one) and to the
National Committee on Self-Development. Similarly, if your Synod SDOP Committee can’t fully
meet a project’s funding needs; please encourage the group to submit an application both to the
SDOP Committee (if there is one) of the Presbytery in which the project is located, and to the
National Committee.
The “best practice” in making these referrals is to share the funding possibilities with the project
itself, and to encourage them to submit the necessary applications to the Self-Development of People
Committees at the Synod /Presbytery and National level. The form “When and How to Apply at
Three Levels: Presbytery, Synod and National” (Appendix D) is a helpful format for sharing
Presbytery, Synod and National SDOP Committee deadlines, application procedures, and contact
information. Complete the form and keep it on hand. You’ll have the information readily available
when you need it, and you can photocopy it for distribution as needed.
When opportunities arise, members of the National Committee on Self-Development and its staff tell
projects from your area about your SDOP Committee, encouraging projects to submit applications
to your Synod/Presbytery Committee.
National Committee Site Visits in Your Area
As mentioned earlier in this handbook, the National SDOP Committee requires its domestic Task
Forces to carry out a face-to-face site visit with every group that has a potential for validation and
funding before the project is recommend to the National Committee.
All National SDOP Committee site visits must be made by at least two people: A National Committee
member, the Presbytery executive or his/her representative, and (if there is a Presbytery SDOP
Committee), the Presbytery SDOP Committee chairperson or his/her representative.
The National Committee member assigned to make the site visit is required by the National SDOP
Committee to call the project, the Presbytery executive, and the Presbytery SDOP Committee
chairperson to arrange for a mutually convenient time for the site visit with the project.
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The site visit:
1. Informs you about a project in your Presbytery that you might not know about,
2. Allows you to share your opinions about the viability of the project and whether it
should be funded,
3. Gives you an opportunity to encourage the project to apply to your Presbytery SDOP Committee for funding,
4. Begins a relationship between Presbyterians and the project that your SDOP
Committee can continue, and
5. Establishes a working relationship between your Presbytery SDOP Committee representative, your Presbytery executive or his/her representative, and the National Committee member.
After the site visit, you and the other members of the site visit team will have an opportunity to share
your impressions about the project and its application with one another. You will also be asked to
complete a written evaluation about the project.
Site visits are an important part of the Self-Development of People ministry, and your participation
in site visits in your Presbytery is much appreciated!
National SDOP Committee Meetings in Your Area
The National Committee and its regional Task Forces meet regularly, holding meetings in different
parts of the country. The National Committee and its Task Force often invite Presbytery/Synod
Committee members in the area where they are meeting to share a meal and/or discussion time.
National SDOP Staff
The national staff for Self-Development of People are listed on the SDOP website
(www.pcusa.org/sdop). On there you will be able to see names and pictures of the SDOP staff, along
with contact information and brief descriptions of their work responsibilities.
The national staff is available to assist you and your Presbytery/Synod SDOP Committee. The staff
can answer questions, provide advice, and help with community workshops and training. Please do
not hesitate to ask!
Serving on the National SDOP Committee
The members of the National SDOP Committee are elected by the General Assembly. Members are
initially elected to a four-year term, and may be eligible to serve a second four-year term as well.
The General Assembly Nominating Committee prepares the slate of nominees for elected positions
on denominational committees such as the Self-Development of People Committee.
We hope you will consider serving on the National Committee. If you (or someone that you know)
would be interested, please visit the General Assembly Nominating Committee website at
http://www.pcusa.org/nominations for the nominating form. Interested individuals must complete
this form and submit it to the GANC.
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SDOP RESOURCES
Websites
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) website address is www.pcusa.org. Self-Development of People’s
website is part of the denominational website; you can go directly to the SDOP website by entering
this address in your internet browser’s address window: www.pcusa.org/sdop. The SDOP website has
a variety of materials that will be helpful to you, and regularly includes new stories about SDOP
projects.
Please bookmark the SDOP Website!
If your Presbytery/Synod SDOP Committee has entered into a partnership with a project that you
find exciting, please consider sending us a story and pictures for use on the SDOP website.
There is also a link to a private website on the SDOP Home Page. The private website is only for
members of SDOP Mid Council and Mid Council staff persons. To access it, click on "Committee
Members – Regional"). You'll be asked for a password which is "Regional" (with an upper-
case R, and the rest is lower case; the quotation marks are not part of the password).
The private website for Mid Council SDOP Committee members and staff contains documents and
materials for your use as a member of an SDOP Committee. You'll find printable copies of this
Handbook, the Request for Payment Form and Project Evaluation forms.
Print and Media Resources
The National Committee on Self-Development of People provides a wealth of print and media
resources. All these materials are free. You will find a complete list on both the SDOP Private
Website and on the regular SDOP Website.
Most SDOP resources are available from Presbyterian Distribution Service (PDS), and therefore
have a PDS order number printed on them. To order a resource, call PDS toll-free at 800.524.2612
or send an email to [email protected]. Share the item’s PDS order number, and specify the quantity you
need.
Should you have any difficult in placing your order with PDS, please inform the SDOP national
office.
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GLOSSARY
This Glossary may be helpful as the following letters, acronyms, words, terms, and expressions may
have special meanings as a person encounters them in the Self-Development of People ministry:
ADVOCACY
Speaking and/or acting on behalf of yourself and others.
CHURCH
The body of Christ, or the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
CHURCH-BASED
Signifies that an entity has churches or congregations as the foundation of its structure.
CHURCH-RELATED AGENCY An agency related through governance or charter to a specific church institution, denomination or
particular church.
CIVIL SOCIETY (OR CIVIL INSTITUTIONS)
Civil and social organizations or institutions that advocate and take action primarily for social
development and public interest.
CLERK (Stated Clerk)
An elected officer of a Mid Council, who records the transactions, maintains the roll, keeps the
attendance, and makes official extracts from the records of the body. In a congregation, the officer
is called the clerk of session. In the Presbyteries, Synods, and the General Assembly the officer is
called the Stated Clerk.
COMMUNITY
A group of people of like-mind or purpose; or people who have come together to carry out a program
or project; or people who live in a specific area.
COMMUNITY-BASED Signifies that an entity has the community as the foundation of its structure.
COMMUNITY OF NEED A group of economically poor, oppressed or disadvantaged people.
CONSTITUENCY
Designates the people or groups involved in or served by an organization or individual. It also
indicates those who patronize or support a person, group, or organization.
CONTROL The power to set and maintain the course of a group.
CONSULTATION The two-way sharing of information and defining issues. It may be carried out in person, in writing
or via telecommunications.
CRITERIA
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The standards for Self-Development of People Committees to determine whether a project is valid
for funding within the Self-Development of People ministry.
DEPENDENCY
A condition and/or relationship determined, influenced, or controlled by someone or something else.
PRESBYTERIAN DISTRIBUTION SERVICE (PDS) The entity that has the responsibility to distribute Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) resources.
“DO-FOR” A program or project in which someone (an individual or group) does something for someone else.
DOMESTIC TASK FORCE The basic operational unit within the National Committee for work in the United States. There are
four domestic Task Forces: Midwest, Northeast, South, and West. They also are referred to simply
as Task Forces. They are made up of National Committee members who live in the respective Task
Force areas. (There also is an International Task Force that is composed of National Committee
members).
ECUMENICAL PARTNER A Christian group or person who is not Presbyterian, who works and shares in the Self-Development
of People ministry.
EMPOWERMENT Providing the authority and power to act to groups and individuals. Some ministries of the Church
help people see, understand, and accept this provision.
EXECUTIVE PRESBYTER (EP) The administrator of a presbytery. Also called the Presbytery Executive.
FAITH-BASED Signifies that an entity has faith-groups as the foundation of its structure.
FUNDING The sharing of financial resources.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY (GA) The highest council in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). It meets biannually and consists of
representatives from all the presbyteries. It often is called the GA.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY COUNCIL (GAC) The elected group that carries out the work of the General Assembly between its meetings. It often
is called GAC.
GENTRIFICATION
The renovation of poor, working class, mostly urban neighborhoods and the displacement of the
original residents.
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GLOBALIZATION
The development of extensive worldwide patterns of economic relationships between nations and/or
corporations.
MID COUNCILS
Groups within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) that have the authority and responsibility for making
the decisions for the life, health, and ministry of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). They are 1) the
sessions of congregations, 2) the presbyteries, 3) the synods, and 4) the General Assembly.
GOVERNING GROUP A set of people who lead a project or program (e.g., a board of directors, a steering committee, an
executive committee).
GROUP
The formation of people joined by a common purpose.
GRASSROOTS Signifies the local level of organizational capacity and generally is distinguished from the centers of
political and economic power.
GUIDELINES The tools to help Self-Development of People Committees rank or rate projects that have been
evaluated as valid for funding when monies are limited.
IMPLEMENTING AGENCY
An agency that receives resources and a mandate and agrees to be responsible for program
development on behalf of others.
IN-KIND Designates the monetary value of non-monetary resources of a project.
INITIATE To create, own and present a project to a Self-Development of People Committee for consideration.
INTERMEDIARY A partner/agency serving as SDOP’s funding mechanism in a region of the world.
MAJORITY More than 50 percent.
MID COUNCIL (MC)
There are four councils in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), each responsible for the church’s
ministry in a wider geographic area: (1) The Session, responsible for the local congregation. (2) The
Presbytery, consisting of all the Presbyterian (U.S.A.) congregations in a geographic area. There are
about 175 Presbyteries in the United States. (3) The Synod, consisting of all the Presbyteries in a
geographic area. There are 17 Synods in the United States. (4) The General Assembly, or national
denomination, consisting of all the Presbyteries and Synods in the United States. Of these four
councils, Presbyteries and Synods are termed “Mid Council” (MC).
MISSION
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The dynamic activity of the Church in the world as prescribed by the Bible and understood by faith.
NEEDS BASED DEVELOPMENT
Development plans created with the criteria of the needs of the community, rather than the
development opportunities that might be available due to natural resources or market opportunities.
The pivotal point becomes who defines the needs, the community itself or some outside entity.
NETWORKING The active process of building, maintaining, or expanding contacts and relationships of a personal or
organizational nature.
NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION (NGO)
Any organization that is not controlled or sponsored by a government agency.
ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING (OGHS) An ecumenical offering taken by ten denominations. It is often referred to as the OGHS. Each
denomination uses the offering in its own way. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) uses it to support
the Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People, the Presbyterian Disaster
Assistance, and the Presbyterian Hunger Program.
OPERATIONAL AGENCY
An agency that runs programs in the field, either through staff or in partnership with others.
OPERATING GUIDELINES The compositions of operations, structures, responsibilities, and authority for the One Great Hour of
Sharing Offering ministries.
ORGANIZER One who organizes and/or helps people structure their efforts into functioning and systematic
operations or structures.
PARTNERSHIP A two-way relationship characterized by two-way understandings and sharing.
PCUSA The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
POVERTY Very low economic conditions. In the United States, it is measured by the standards set by the U.S.
government. Internationally it is measured by the country’s worldwide economic context.
PRECIS A one-page (front and back) summary of a project presented to the National Self-Development of
People Committee for validation and funding consideration.
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PRESBYTERIAN DISASTER ASSISTANCE (PDA) The One Great Hour of Sharing Offering program, which has the responsibility for leading the
Church and its ministry in addressing worldwide emergencies, refugee concerns and their
resettlement.
PRESBYTERIAN DISTRIBUTION SERVICE (PDS)
The entity that has the responsibility to distribute Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) resources.
PRESBYTERIAN HUNGER PROGRAM (PHP) The One Great Hour of Sharing Offering program, which has the responsibility for leading the
Church and its ministry in addressing worldwide hunger concerns.
PRESBYTERY The central council of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), which is made up of equal numbers of
clergy and lay representatives from each congregation within a prescribed geographical area. It also
has a balance of lay representatives with clergy members who labor in non-congregation ministries.
PROGRAM
The focus of a group’s activities or project.
PROJECT The object of a group’s activities.
PROPOSAL A tool for self-development; an instrument that depicts the life-situation of a group, including the
group’s make-up, needs, goal, objectives, financial situation, and program evaluation plan.
PROSPECTIVE PARTNER A group of economically poor, oppressed, or disadvantaged people.
RACIAL/ETHNIC MINORITY Signifies racial identity other than white.
REGIONAL
A geographic area larger than a neighborhood, or town, or city.
RESOURCES
Materials, funds, capabilities, skills, and people—anything that can be used to further one’s goals or
program objectives.
RIGHTS BASED DEVELOPMENT
Development plans made against a set of rights perceived to be those of individuals and the
community and may be in opposition to outside governance or economic interests.
SELF-SUFFICIENT The ability to operate alone.
SESSION The council in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) at the congregational level, which consists of elected
congregation members and moderated by the minister.
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SOCIAL SERVICE
An organization or program that provides for people.
STATEWIDE
Occurring or extending throughout a state.
STRUCTURAL ADJUSTMENT
Changes the International Monetary Fund (IMF) requires of developing countries before it will
extend loans. Poverty reduction has mostly replaced the term structural adjustment since the late
1990s.
STRATEGIC
Relating to the overall planning, method of operation, and eventual action.
SYNOD The regional council of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), which is made up of equal numbers of
clergy and lay representatives from each presbytery within its region.
SYNOD EXECUTIVE The administrator of a synod.
THIRD PARTY CONFIRMATION The verification of international prospective partnerships by face-to-face site-visits usually carried
out by ecumenical partners, mission co-workers, other selected volunteers, or staff.
UMBRELLA GROUP An over-arching authority, group, or institution.
VALIDATION The confirmation that a project meets the Self-Development of People funding criteria.
WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES (WCC)
The world working association of ecumenical churches.
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Appendix A
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Executive Name:_______________________ E-mail:______________________________
Stated Clerk Name: ____________________ E-mail: ______________________________
Office RE/TF: ________/________ The Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People
100 Witherspoon Street
Louisville, KY 40202-1396
Phone: (502) 569-5792
FAX: (502) 569-8001
www.pcusa.org/sdop
Certification Application
Please Submit this form well in advance of the Project Evaluation and Payment Request Form.
Project Evaluations and Payment Request Forms are due November 1
Mid Council
Synod or Presbytery Name: ____________________________________________________
Address: ____________________________________________________________________
City/State/Zip: _______________________________________________________________
Phone: _________________________________ Fax: ________________________________
E-Mail: _____________________________________________________________________
Chairperson’s Name: ________________________________________________________ (Chairperson of Self-Development of People Committee)
Address: ___________________________________________________________________
City/State/Zip: ______________________________________________________________
Phone: ___________________________________ Fax: _____________________________
E-Mail: ____________________________________________________________________
Staff person’s Name (ex-officio): ______________________________________________ (Name of staff person who works with Self-Development of People Committee)
Address: __________________________________________________________________ (If different from Presbytery/Synod address above)
City/State/Zip: _____________________________________________________________
Phone: ____________________________ Fax: ___________________________________
E-Mail: ____________________________________________________________________
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SDOP Certification Application. Page 2 of 4
Please answer the following questions and complete the membership list (on page 4)
1. This Committee will use the following materials and methods for interpreting Self-
Development:
A. For interpretation to Presbyterians:
SDOP information, including application, on Presbytery/Synod website
Articles in Presbytery/Synod Newsletters
Reports from Projects Funded
Distribution of Materials from National Office
Distribution of brochures, flyers, and informational material produced
by Presbytery/Synod SDOP Committee
Presentation on the Floor of Presbytery and Synod by Local Committee
Member, National Committee Members, National Staff, and/or Project
People
Other Means: ________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
B. For communicating the existence of this fund to groups of poor and oppressed
people: (Please attach a copy of each piece of interpretative material
generated by the committee.)
C. Please submit stories and pictures of the projects which have been funded by
your committee to the National Office for use in National Publicity about
SDOP. We are glad to receive stories and pictures anytime of the year.
2. When was the last time your committee had a training workshop conducted by a national staff
or national committee member? _________________________
Operations: YES NO
1. This committee has an agreement with its mid council to operate
as a Self-Development Committee, abiding by the Mandate and
Criteria of the 181st General Assembly.
2. This committee functions as an independent committee, reports
directly to its mid council, but has authority to make final
funding decisions.
3. This Self-Development of People Committee works
cooperatively with the appropriate council/committee(s) to
interpret the work of Self-Development to the area constituents.
4. The committee has established a system of membership rotation.
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SDOP Certification Application. Page 3 of 4
Please explain any “no” answers: __________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
AGREEMENT:
This Self-Development of People Committee agrees to apply the “Criteria and Guidelines” prescribed by the
181st General Assembly of the former United Presbyterian Church, USA, in the validating and funding of
proposals.
Chairperson’s signature for the Mid Council Self-
Development of People Committee
Date
MEMBERSHIP YES NO
1. This committee has at least five (5) members, but not more than 31
2. The majority of the committee members are racial/ethnic persons
3. This committee has a membership, the majority of whom are Presbyterian,
and the committee’s chairperson is Presbyterian
4. This committee has either (a) a Mid Council staff member who meets with
the committee, who is ex-officio and without vote, or (b) at least one
Presbyterian clergyperson as a member of the committee
5. The committee members were appointed or elected mainly because of
skills/experience, understanding of and sensitivity to people in need, and/or
previous experience with efforts of self-development
6. This committee is free of conflict-of-interest. (No one on the committee is a
paid staff member, or a board member of any group whose project would
be under consideration by this committee. No one on this committee could
benefit financially from any of the grants made by this committee.)
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Certification Application. Membership List. Page 4 of 4
Name of Mid Council (Presbytery or Synod):
Membership’s Contact Information (Please print) Racial/Ethnic
Identification Denomination
Vocation
or
Relevant
Experience
Years Served
1. Ms. ___ Mr. ___ Other: _____ Name: _______________________________________
Street: _________________________City: ______________State: ________Zip: _____________
Phone: E-mail:
2. Ms. ___ Mr. ___ Other: ___ Name: ___________________________________________
Street: ___________________City: ______________State: ________Zip: _____________
Phone: E-mail:
3. Ms. ___ Mr. ___ Other: ________ Name: _______________________________________
Street: ____________________City: ______________State: ________Zip: _____________
Phone: E-mail:
4.Ms. ___ Mr. ___ Other: ________ Name: ______________________________________
Street: ____________________City: ______________State: ________Zip: _____________
Phone: E-mail:
5. Ms. ___ Mr. ___ Other: ________ Name: ______________________________________
Street: ____________________City: ______________State: ________Zip: _____________
Phone: E-mail:
6. Ms. ___ Mr. ___ Other: ________ Name:
_______________________________________________
Street: ______________________City: ______________State: ________Zip: _____________
Phone: E-mail:
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Appendix B
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The Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People 100 Witherspoon Street
Louisville, KY 40202-1396
Phone: (502) 569-5792
FAX: (502) 569-8001
www.pcusa.org/sdop
Project Evaluation
Presbyteries and Synods
Please print or type all information, incomplete forms will not be processed
Presbytery or Synod Name _____________________________________________________
Project Name ________________________________________________________________
Street Address ________________________________________________________________
City/State/Zip ________________________________________________________________
Area Code / Telephone ________________________________________________________
Contact Person ___________________________ Position/Title________________________
How is this person related to the group?__________________________________________
1. Please provide the following financial information. (Attach a completed INCOME AND EXPENDITURE
BUDGET for the project.
Amount requested from Presbytery SDOP $__________________ From Synod SDOP _____________________
From National SDOP $ _____________________________
Amount granted by Presbytery SDOP $__________________ Granted by Synod SDOP $ ___________________
Granted by National SDOP $ _____________________________
List all financial resources requested, promised and received from other sources:
Money or In-Kind Organization Name Requested Promised Received
_______________ _________________ ________ ________ ________
_______________ _________________ ________ ________ ________
_______________ _________________ ________ ________ ________
_______________ _________________ ________ ________ ________
What is the total cost of the project?
Last year? ____________ This year? ____________ Next year? ____________
FOR PAYMENTS: Submit a Project Evaluation and a Request for Payment form for each funded project by November 1.
The Project Evaluation form must be fully completed.
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2. What is the project and why is it needed?
3. What is the singular goal of the project? What are the immediate and long-term goals of the project?
4. What are the step-by-step things the group will do to reach these goals?
5. How many members are in the group? (Since SDOP seeks to partner with communities, it is unusual for a
community group of less than 10 people to apply for and receive funding.) __________
6. Please give names of the people who own the project. Are they economically poor, oppressed, or
disadvantaged people?
7. Please give names of the people who control the project and makes decisions for it. Are they economically
poor, oppressed, or disadvantaged people?
8. Who benefits directly from the project?
9. If the names in #5, #6, and /or #7 are different please explain.
10. Was a site-visit made with the group? If so, by whom? ____________________________.
11. Can you submit stories and pictures of this project to the National Office for use in interpreting the SDOP
ministry? We are glad to receive stories and pictures about projects that you have funded at any time of the
year.
________________________________________ ______________________________
Please type the name of the SDOP committee Date
member completing this form.
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Appendix C
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SYNOD AND PRESBYTERY COMMITTEE
REQUEST FOR PAYMENT
Submit a Project Evaluation and a Request for Payment form for each funded project by November 1
DATE
FUL NAME OF PROJECT $
ADDRESS OF PROJECT
NAME SDOP SYNOD OR PRESBYTERY COMMITTEE
SIGNATURE OF SDOP COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON
PLEASE MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO (Synod/Presbytery or Project, include address)
(ALL CHECKS WILL BE MAILED TO SYNOD OR PRESBYTERY OFFICES)
PLEASE ATTACH COMPLETE PROJECT EVALUATION FORM
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Appendix D
47
Presbytery: ____________ Synod: ______________ National
Self-Development of People Committee
Yes No
Yes No SDOP
Specific grant application form to fill out: Domestic Application Form Domestic Application Form Domestic Application Form
Where can an applicant obtain the grant
application form?
1. Downloading it from
www.pcusa.org/sdop
2. Downloading it from
www.pcusa.org/sdop
3. Downloading it from
www.pcusa.org/sdop
Deadline to submit grant application November 1 November 1
None
Maximum grant a project can request $15,000
Contact person for SDOP Margaret Mwale Margaret Mwale Clara Nunez OR Margaret Mwale
Phone 888.728.7228 ext. 5792 888.728.7228 ext. 5792
888.728.7228 ext. 5781/5792
E-mail [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Application should be emailed to:
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Number of copies to submit
1
PRESBYTERIAN COMMITTEE ON THE
Self-Development of People
When and how to apply at three levels: Presbytery, Synod and National
In some circumstances, projects can
simultaneously apply for funding to
Self-Development of People (SDOP)
Committees at the Presbytery, Synod
and National (General Assembly)
levels.
In the Presbyterian system, a
Presbytery consists of all the
Presbyterian congregations in a
geographic area, and a Synod consists
of all the Presbyteries in a
geographical area. All the
Presbyteries and Synods in the United
States are part of the national level,
called the General Assembly.
Presbyteries and Synods sometimes (but not
always) have a Self-Development of People
Committee. If a project is located in a Presbytery
with an SDOP Committee, it can apply to the
Presbytery Committee at the same time that it
applies to the National SDOP Committee.
Similarly, a project can apply to the
Synod SDOP Committee (if there is one)
while simultaneously applying to the
Presbytery and National SDOP
Committees.
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Appendix E
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Tell Us What You Think
Event: Community Workshop
Date:
Q-1. How satisfied were you with each of the following aspects of today’s event?
Very Not Very Not At All Not Don’t
Satisfied Satisfied Satisfied Satisfied Applicable Know
a. Content covered .............................................. ❑1 ❑2 ❑3 ❑4 ❑5 ❑6 b. Room and environment................................... ❑1 ❑2 ❑3 ❑4 ❑5 ❑6 c. Opportunities for participation ....................... ❑1 ❑2 ❑3 ❑4 ❑5 ❑6 d. Handouts ......................................................... ❑1 ❑2 ❑3 ❑4 ❑5 ❑6
e. PowerPoint slides ........................................... ❑1 ❑2 ❑3 ❑4 ❑5 ❑6 f. Ease of understanding the speaker(s).............. ❑1 ❑2 ❑3 ❑4 ❑5 ❑6 g. How the event was organized ......................... ❑1 ❑2 ❑3 ❑4 ❑5 ❑6 h. Length of time of the event ............................. ❑1 ❑2 ❑3 ❑4 ❑5 ❑6
Additional Comments on above:
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Q-2. Do you think the explanation of the Self-Development of People Program’s eligibility criteria was clear and
unambiguous? ❑1 Yes ❑2 No
❑3 Don’t Know
Q-3. To what extent did today’s event accomplish the following for you?
To a Great To Some Only a Don’t
Extent Extent Little Not at All Know
a. Provided new insight and/or new information ................... ❑1 ❑2 ❑3 ❑4 ❑5 b. Offered aid for transforming your community .................. ❑1 ❑2 ❑3 ❑4 ❑5 c. Established a forum for sharing ideas ................................ ❑1 ❑2 ❑3 ❑4 ❑5
Q-4. Overall, how satisfied were you with today’s event?
❑1 Very satisfied ❑2 Satisfied ❑3 Somewhat satisfied
❑4 Not satisfied ❑5 Don’t know
please continue on back
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Q-5. Would you recommend to others that they participate in such an event in the future?
❑1 Yes – definitely ❑2 Yes – maybe ❑3 Definitely not ❑4 Not sure
Q-6. How did you find out about the Self-Development of People Program?
Q-7. In what ways could the Self-Development of People Program have been more effective in reaching or
communicating with you?
Q-8. What other suggestions would you make to the Self-Development of People staff about its program?
Q-9. Please share any additional comments about today’s event in the space below.
Thank you. Please return your completed survey before you leave today.
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Appendix F
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Keep this page for your records www.pcusa.org/sdop
PRESBYTERIAN COMMITTEE ON THE SELF-DEVELOPMENT OF PEOPLE (SDOP)
“People Investing in People”
CRITERIA The following standards are used by Self-Development of People Committees to determine whether a project is valid for funding within this ministry. The standards include the following criteria:
Projects considered must: 1. Be presented, owned, and controlled by the group of economically poor people who will benefit
directly from it.
2. Address long-term correction of conditions that keep people bound by poverty and oppression. This will utilize some combination of the SDOP core strategies to promote justice, build solidarity, advance human dignity and advocate for economic equity.
3. Be sensitive to the environment while accomplishing its goal(s) and objectives.
4. Not advocate violence as a means of accomplishing its goal(s) and objectives.
Projects presented for funding will: 5. Describe, in detail, its goal(s) (the point of the project), its objectives (the specific steps the group
will take to accomplish the goal(s)), the way the direct beneficiaries will be involved in all stages of the project, and the methods to be used to achieve the goal(s) and objectives. It will also specify how those methods align with the SDOP core strategies.
6. Describe fully the resources known to be available for its support, including a description of a) those
within the community, b) those available to the community, and c) the in-kind and other financial resources sought or to be sought.
7. Contain a balanced income and expenditure budget. A financial plan showing expected income and
expenditures over the funding term of the project will be included. 8. Specify an evaluation plan that includes how progress towards the stated goal(s) and objectives will
be evaluated, and when the evaluation will be made. This plan will also outline how progress toward the goal(s) and objectives align with the SDOP core strategies.
REQUIREMENTS IF FUNDED:
A letter from your bank (on the bank’s letterhead) verifying that the group has an account in its name and the account number (not required from the group if using a fiscal agent).
If a fiscal agent will be used these documents will be needed from them, along with a signed letter of agreement stating that no fees will be charged, that they are simply a pass through for the funds. A letter from you explaining why a fiscal agent is needed will also be required.
Two signatures on the bank account for all withdrawals (cannot be from same family, names are needed)
Taxpayer Identification Number (W-9 Form) in the name of the group.
Letter of agreement to the conditions and purpose of the grant signed by all the decision makers.
Note: It is not necessary to submit this information at this time. However, if submitted it can avoid delays in our final review process – it is not a guarantee of funding.
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Keep this page for your records www.pcusa.org/sdop
PRESBYTERIAN COMMITTEE ON THE SELF-DEVELOPMENT OF PEOPLE (SDOP)
“People Investing in People”
SDOP Core Strategies:
Promoting Justice
Building Solidarity
Advancing Human Dignity
Advocating for Economic Equity
SDOP Program Measures
While each project and community with whom SDOP partners is unique and varied, we have developed a set of program measures to cohesively tell the story and impact of our combined work. SDOP partners are asked to consider and report how their work contributes to these measures, both quantitatively and qualitatively. Projects are not expected to demonstrate progress in all of the measure areas or even in each of the examples provided. Instead, each project will report what resonates with the results of their work.
Develop diverse leadership/membership/engagement includes counts of participants involved in leadership activities, their diversity and the degree of engagement.
Realize social justice achievements includes justice measures that build power for the economically poor and oppressed. This can be measured, for example, in changes in policy, transformation of unjust practices, increased independence and increased representation.
Strengthen relationships, communication and collaboration includes counts of outreach activities
into the community and the partnerships formed or strengthened. Expand education and skills development includes counts for the number and types of trainings
and technical assistance.
Increase economic development opportunities includes the reporting of activities related to strengthening economic opportunities for group members.
Enhance quality of life includes measures of change and improvement across a broad spectrum of
issues including health, housing, food security, transportation, safety, etc.
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PRESBYTERIAN COMMITTEE ON THE SELF-DEVELOPMENT OF PEOPLE (SDOP)
NATIONAL LEVEL APPLICATION
For Office Use Only Received: / / Project
number Assigned: Emailed to T/F: / / RQ Mailed T/F: / / Presbytery/ Synod:
100 Witherspoon St. Louisville, KY 40202-1396 1(800) 728-7228 ext 5782
Fax: (502) 569-8001 Email: [email protected] www.pcusa.org/sdop
“People Investing in People”
Emailed to Chair: / /
I. Applicant Identification Please PRINT or TYPE all
information
Name of the Project: Name of the Organization: (If different from Project)
Mailing Address: (Provide Physical
Address Only. No P.O.BOX)
City: State: Zip Code:
Contact Person Name:
Title:
Work Phone: ( ) -
Cell Phone: ( ) -
Home Phone: ( ) - Fax: ( ) -
Email: Website:
II. The Proposal
a) The amount you are requesting $___________(Grants usually do not exceed $15,000 ).
b) Describe the project and why it is needed? (Be specific).
c) Who will benefit directly from this project?
d) Who initiated the project and how will they be involved?
e) How did the group come together?
Review SDOP’s Criteria, Core Strategies and Measures (Page 1 and 2) Before Completing This Application. Please send FIVE copies of the application via mail and one electronic copy to [email protected]
All notifications are done via email. Please call or email with any questions or requests. Keep your contact information updated. Use additional space and sheets as needed. Incomplete applications will not be processed.
56
f) Who owns and controls the project? Who makes decisions around funding, project implementation and personnel?
III. The Project Goal(s) & Objectives: (In 2-3 sentences) a) What are the 1-2 main project goal(s)? (What will be different because of what the group is
trying to do?)
b) Please describe how these goals contribute to the long-term objectives of your project.
c) Which of the SDOP core strategies does this project fulfill?
d) Describe the specific objectives for each of the goals.
e) Describe the step-by-step activities that will be carried out to achieve these objectives? Please include a timeline of when these activities will take place.
IV. The Evaluation/Monitoring: (In 2-3 sentences) a) What evaluation practices will you use to determine if your project is successful?
b) Describe how the activities and objectives you have outlined above will be evaluated.
c) For each of the evaluation indicators that you will use to determine the success of your project, indicate how they align with the SDOP measures.
d) Who will be involved in the project evaluation and what roles will they play?
V. Decision Makers: a) How many members are in the group? (SDOP seeks to partner with communities; it is unusual
for a community group of less than 10 people to receive funding.) _____ b) How are decisions made?
c) Are the decision makers members of the group? c1. Are any of the decision makers related? If so, who are they and how are they related? c2. If appointed, how and by whom (and why appointed rather than elected)?
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c3. If self-selected, explain why: d) PLEASE LIST THE DECISION MAKERS (majority must be below poverty level)
d1. How does your group define poverty?
Name & Phone number Address (City, State & Zip code)
NO Post Office Box Job/Occupation (How each makes a living)
Poverty Level Check one
Indicate how chosen
Check one Above Appointed
Below Elected
Self-Selected
Above Appointed
Below Elected
Self-Selected
Above Appointed
Below Elected
Self-Selected
Above Appointed
Below Elected
Self-Selected
Above Appointed
Below Elected
Self-Selected
Above Appointed
Below Elected
Self-Selected
Above Appointed
Below Elected
Self-Selected
Above Appointed
Below Elected
Self-Selected
Above Appointed
Below Elected
Self-Selected
Above Appointed
Below Elected
Self-Selected
Above Appointed
Below Elected
Self-Selected
Above Appointed
Below Elected
Self-Selected
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VI. RESOURCES (Please be specific)
a) What are the resources available to support this project?
a1. Physical property
a2. In-kind resources (e.g., non-monetary resources such as volunteer work, complimentary legal
services, free use of office space or building, non-paid labor, donated supplies and/or
equipment). List all in-kind services and/or goods that will be provided and state who will
provide them and their estimated value:
a3. Financial resources from within the group
b) List all financial resources requested, promised and received from other sources for the last two years (e.g. foundations, corporations, etc.).
Organization name and address Requested Promised Received Date Received
VII. INCOME/EXPENDITURE BUDGET a) Does this project have any paid staff? If yes, please list by name and describe their job
functions.
a1. Who has the authority to hire and/or fire the staff? b) What is the total cost of the project?
Last year__________ Current year ___________ Next year_________
b1. What is the total budget of the organization (if different from above)?
Last year__________ Current year ___________ Next year_________
c) How will the group carry on the project financially in the future?
d) Has the group received SDOP funding in the
past?
d1. Is the group currently applying for funding?
National __ Year _________
Synod: __ Year _________
Presbytery __ Year _________
Synod: __
Presbytery: __
Synods and Presbyteries are geographical regions in the Presbyterian Church (USA). All projects will be within the bounds of a Synod and Presbytery. Not all Synods and Presbyteries have SDOP Committees. Contact SDOP office @ 1-800-728-7228, ex. 5791 for information on the Synod and Presbytery in which you are located.
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e) REQUIRED BUDGET FORMAT
INCOME
Other Sources Individual Cash Donations
$
In-Kind $
Fund Raising Events $
Other (Promised and Received) $
$
SDOP Committees
National $
Synod $
Presbytery $
TOTAL INCOME MUST EQUAL TOTAL EXPENSES $
Applications without a balanced budget WILL NOT be processed.
EXPENSES (Itemize ALL expenses over $500)
National Synod
Presbytery Other Sources
TOTAL
$ $ $ $ $
$ $ $ $ $
$ $ $ $ $
$ $ $ $ $
$ $ $ $ $
$ $ $ $ $
$ $ $ $ $
$ $ $ $ $
$ $ $ $ $
$ $ $ $ $
$ $ $ $ $
$ $ $ $ $
$ $ $ $ $
$ $ $ $ $
TOTAL EXPENSES MUST EQUAL TOTAL
INCOME $
$
$ $ $
Item
ize
all e
xpen
ses
ove
r $
50
0
60
VIII. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION a) How did the group find out about SDOP? (Please check whichever applies)
*SDOP Technical Assistance Provider. (Only in Baltimore, Los Angeles, Detroit and New Orleans)
Community Workshop (indicate where and when)
SDOP Website
Local Church (indicate the name of the church)
Word of mouth (provide the name of the person)
Other ( be specific)
*Did you receive technical assistance from the SDOP Technical Assistance Provider? Yes No
b) Who completed the application? What is this person’s relationship to the group? c) While SDOP does not require the group to have the three items below, we would like to know
if you have any or all of them. Please do not include copies with your application.
By-laws Yes No
501c3 Tax Exempt Status Yes No Applied for
Articles of incorporation Yes No Applied for
d) Please check up to three categories that best describe your project (this list is not meant to exclude any categories):
Agriculture Crafts Housing Training
Arts Domestic Violence Human Rights Transportation
Capacity Building Economic Development
Immigrant issues Water
Community Development Environment Leadership Development
Women
Community Garden Fair Wages Micro-Credit Youth
Community Organizing Food Security Self-Advocacy Other (please add your category if not listed):
Community Re-entry Health Seniors
Cooperative/Worker Owned
Homelessness Skills Development
e) Please list, and provide contact information, for other organizations working with grass root community based groups that could help SDOP in our outreach efforts. (These organizations do not need to meet SDOP criteria of being owned and controlled by the direct beneficiaries). Please include organization’s name, contact person, phone, address, city, state, email. Use additional pages if needed.
f) Are there any additional comments the group would like to make? (Limit to one page).
CN110413
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Appendix G
62
63
64
Appendix H
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
Name & Phone #
Presbyterians invite area grassroots groups to workshop on grants
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s Self-Development of People (SDOP)
program will hold a community workshop ______________, for Atlanta-
area groups interested in applying for an SDOP grant.
SDOP provides community development grants aimed at empowering economically poor, oppressed,
and disadvantaged people. The grants, which are given to grassroots groups, are generally up to
$15,000. SDOP’s goal is to “enable Presbyterians to be partners in development so that others may
grow with dignity.”
The workshop will begin at ________ at PM at located at
__________________________., and will last approximately two hours. Workshop participants
will learn how the SDOP program works, what qualifies a group for funding, and how to apply for
a grant. To reserve a place, email: …….. .
SDOP's grant recipients have ranged from small agricultural
cooperatives in rural communities to empowering young people from
low-income neighborhoods, to supporting a cooperative of African-
American women who support themselves by selling pecans through
the mail. In recent years, SDOP has entered into partnership with two
Georgia groups:
In ________________________ was awarded a $30,000 grant to support the
development of a cooperatively owned restaurant
In _______________________a resident controlled manufactured housing
community was awarded $150,000 over a two-year period.
SDOP’s primary funding source is the One Great Hour of Sharing
offering, which is collected by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and
other denominations during the Lenten and Easter seasons. SDOP is a
ministry of the Louisville-based church’s Presbyterian Mission Agency.
For more information about SDOP, visit www.pcusa.org/sdop
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Appendix I
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How to Organize a Vision Trip
By Sara Jane Moore
Get your presbytery committee and your staff person if you have one on board of the vision trip
idea as a way of informing people as well as generating more OGS contributions long term. It’s a
lot more fun with help. In Chicago, my co-chair was really supportive. All but two of the
members of the committee ended up going, even though we said everyone didn’t need to go. One
who didn’t have young children and the other had to go to work later in the day but helped up until
then anyway.
Get a print out of all the churches in the Presbytery and note which ones have been most supportive
of One Great Hour of Sharing.
With your committee, develop a list of churches to invite. They don’t all have to be the most
affluent. It might be a good idea to invite some diverse congregations who might have some
groups that have projects that might be fundable.
Develop a flyer that describes the vision trip you are contemplating. We copied a page off the
PCUSA website and edited it to suit our needs.
Pick a date. We ended up using the same day as our final meeting where we reported back on site
visits and decided on the amounts to fund the projects that had applied. This meant the committee
met from 9-11 and then the vision trip started with a light lunch at 11. One participant thought it
would be better to start earlier with donuts and coffee and then go. Good idea because people often
have commitments starting early on Saturday evening.
We thought our projects could accommodate and that we could take a total of up to 20 people and
we wanted to use SUV’s rather than renting 15 passenger vans to save money. Two people on the
committee had Suburban type vehicles and drove them. A few people met us at different locations
and so drove themselves. People driving themselves is problematic in Chicago because it is easy to
get lost and you miss the camaraderie of riding together and talking. Be sure to exchange cell
phone numbers with any people driving separately.
Call the churches-the office, tell the secretary that you are a member of the SDOP committee and
what you are planning and ask whom to speak to. It isn’t always the pastor; in fact, it is often
someone from the mission committee. Email the flyer to the church secretary or whomever she/he
suggests. Network with people you know to get people invited and committed.
Ask projects the presbytery or the national has funded if they would like to have 20 people visit on
the date you have selected. In Chicago, we were able to visit 6 projects at 3 main locations. It was
a long day but it worked. We started at a close-in suburban church and then drove to the south
side, the north side, the west side and then back to the suburban church where people had left their
cars.
You may have to change the date based on availability of the groups. We found Saturday worked
well and we selected a date based on a Farmers Market and Workshop that one project already had
planned.
Summer is a good time because the weather tends to be favorable. Our day was beautiful, low 80’s
and manageable traffic in Chicago. We could not have asked for a better day.
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We developed the flyer and itinerary using the same page off the PCUSA website and cutting and
pasting our own info in it. People seemed reassured by receiving the itinerary by email.
We talked to all the projects ahead of time to make sure they would be expecting us and asked
them to talk about how the grant had helped them individually and as a group. We got cell phone
numbers so we could let them know if we were going to be late or early at their site.
The Chicago Presbytery office prepared packets for all the participants containing the itinerary,
information about SDOP, a note pad and pencil, and a questionnaire to be returned after the trip
ended. We kept a list of all the participants, their home churches, and their email addresses and
used it as a sign in sheet to make sure we had everybody.
We visited an urban garden, a coop of tradesmen, a coffee shop and resale shop, a green lawn care
service, a network of Spanish speaking parents of children with disabilities, and a group of young
advocates for workers’ rights. We were able to visit with 6 because they were located close
enough to 3 locations. Just visiting 4 might be plenty. By the time we reached the coffee shop,
everyone desperately needed some caffeine so we gave the shop a lot of business.
Costs: We paid mileage for two vehicles @ $.55 per mile for about 175 miles in total and we paid
for washing both vehicles ahead of time @ about $16.00 each. A light lunch for about 20 people
came to almost $75.00. The money came from our administrative funds left from last year.
Functions:
Drivers
Talkers –at least 1 committee member on each van to answer questions.
Caterer-not a formal one but someone to purchase and bring the food and utensils.
Administrative-someone to create and put together the packets
Graphics- someone to make the flyers and itinerary. Doesn’t need to be a talented person, just
someone who can cut and paste from PCUSA.org/SDOP
Recruiter-Someone to network and spend time telephoning and recruiting people to attend.
Maybe an overall chairperson to “bird-dog” the entire operation.
Some of the functions can easily be combined.
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PRESBYTERIAN COMMITTEE ON THE
SELF-DEVELOPMENT OF PEOPLE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (U.S.A.)
A Ministry of the Presbyterian Mission Agency
100 Witherspoon Street
Louisville, Kentucky 40202-1396
Telephone: (800) 728-7228 Ext. 5780/5781/5790/5792
Fax: (502) 569-8001
www.pcusa.org/sdop
MIM01/24/2017
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