OEP board discusses sowing seeds and reaping fruits of peace.

The On Earth Peace (OEP) Board of Directors and staff met April 16-17 at New Windsor, Md. With the theme "Sown, Grown, and Living," the group took time to reflect on how they, as individuals and as an organization, sow the seeds of peace while reaping the fruits of reconciliation. The board, led by chair Bev Weaver, continued use of the formal consensus process for discussion and decision-making.

Plans for OEP's 30th anniversary celebration were outlined, including four regional weekend events that will include two concerts and a full-day workshop each weekend. Board and staff also assessed response to the Annual Conference call to be a living peace church.

The staff described OEP programs and projects with special emphasis given to the Organizing for Peace event in La Verne, Calif., in March; OEP's participation in the ongoing ecclesiology consultation planned by the Council of District Executives and others; an 18-month conflict transformation leadership program for a group of managers at the Brethren Retirement Community in Greenville, Ohio, that is a prototype for future trainings; and the announcement of the 2004 Youth Peace Travel Team.

Committees of the board also reported. The personnel committee is working on a three-year evaluation of executive directors and the organization, in which the first year evaluation is by board and staff members, the second year by directors and staff of other Annual Conference agencies, and the third year by a wide spectrum of people and groups throughout the denomination. The committee currently is creating an evaluation tool for the third year. The nominating committee presented the resignation of Charles Kwon from the board and appointed Verdena Lee of Kent, Ohio, to complete his term. The executive committee reviewed organizational costs for board meetings with a comparison to other Church of the Brethren agencies, and determined that OEP is comparable to or somewhat under the level of expense of other agencies. The committee also explored how to build stronger connections with Latino/a communities in the Church of the Brethren. Advancement committee chair Ken Frantz led the board in "Equipping the Development Tool Box," to create a list of talking points that help people understand the mission and work of OEP.

A working group brought a draft of position descriptions for the board as a whole and for board members. The board worked in small groups to consider the position descriptions and identify competencies needed for effective board work. The working group will continue to develop descriptions to bring back to the board at its fall meeting. The board also worked on information that would be helpful to orient new board members.

David Jehnsen, liaison to Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT), reported on new developments in CPT work and organization; projects continuing in Iraq, Palestine, Columbia, and Canada; and the calling of new co-directors, Carol Rose and Doug Pritchard.

Source: Newsline 4/30/2004 top