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The Neighborhood Cabinet discussed three issues at its June 26, 2000
meeting: (1) the relationship between Caring Communities and ARCHS; (2) the
degree of resident participation in the neighborhoods' leadership teams; and
(3) organizational matters.
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Caring Communities - ARCHS relationship
- Katie Borders and Morris Carson (Mark Twain-Walnut Park E/W) have
heard that the administration of Caring Communities has told workers not to be involved with
ARCHS activities. Borders and Carson wrote a letter to Jermal Seward, Caring Communities
Director, asking for information.
John Windom, acting cabinet co-chair, said he would see what clarification
he might get from the ARCHS board and, if necessary, he could contact Seward, with whom he
has a long acquaintance.
The Caring Communities program originated as Walbridge Caring Communities in
1989. Khatib Waheed, the director, became ARCHS Executive Director in July, 1997. Robin
Gierer is currently ARCHS Acting Executive Director.
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Resident participation
- Pat Yeager reported that the Lemay leadership team has 15 members and
typically 12 show up for meetings. There are quarterly meetings for stakeholders. The last
stakeholders meeting had 67 in attendance, about one-third of those who get notice. However,
there is interest in getting more people to buy in, more workers are needed, and organizational
activity cuts into personal time.
Mark Twain-Walnut Park E/W has had a retreat, wants expansion of the leadership
team, and is trying to get their agendas out in advance.
The Gravois cluster started with 40 people. Work on by-laws is in progress as
they work with four different neighborhoods.
Lisa Potts reported that in Covenant Blu / Grand Center / Vandeventer, 200
attended a meeting at the Rock Church, and 30 to 40 people attended three other meetings. Judy
Bently, director of the existing neighborhood clinic, is active in the efforts.
Bob Babione reported that FPSE has a 40-member council, with 10 particularly
active. The May meeting lacked a quorum. The one-year constitution is expiring and the June
meeting will have the issue of extending the council until September 30 so that amendments to the
constitution can be framed, discussed, and adopted.
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Organizational issues
- Babione suggested that cabinet minutes and agendas should be routine.
John Windom agreed. Babione also inquired about naming the eight at-large cabinet members
who were not in SNI neighborhoods, as called for in the plans.
Windom indicated that ARCHS's SNI committee has had trouble meeting
because of the extremely busy schedules of the four co-chairs (Dr. Malaika Horne of Webster
University; Maurice Nutt, C.Ss.R., Pastor, St. Alphonsus Rock Church; Richard Baron, President,
McCormack Baron & Associates, Inc; and Beth Stohr, President, Firstar Community
Development Corporation). The ARCHS board is considering what makes sense for the structure
of the committee and oversight of the program.
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