Newsletter

ESS board starts long-range planning

The ESS Board of Directors has approved a long range planning (LRP) process. A task force of eight people has been appointed to carry out the process. James Young will chair the task force and other members include Philip Gaunt, Rev. Carol Meredith, Rev. Steve Mues, Teema Roberts, Rita Small, Sandra Lyon and myself. The task force will be assisted by Mr. David Stallings, CPA, MPA, a senior fellow with the Henry W. Bloch School of Business, University of Missouri - Kansas City (UMKC). Mr. Stallings is being retained through funding from the Wichita Community Foundation in conjunction with the Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership of UMKC.

The task force will be meeting on Thursdays, 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. on July 19, August 9, and September 6, with a final meeting on Tuesday, 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. on October 16, 2007. The full ESS board will monitor the progress of the task force at its regularly scheduled meetings for July, August, and September and consider the final report for approval at its October meeting. The process will also include opportunities for ESS staff and volunteer input and suggestions.

The LRP final report will address community needs, and the role of ESS in meeting those needs over a five year planning horizon. It will also establish a five year funding plan and identify projected personnel and facility requirements. It is also expected that a summary of the LRP will be utilized as a "Case Statement" in support of a future Capital Campaign to raise funds for future ESS programs and services, and an appropriate permanent facility.

We are excited to have completed our move to our temporary replacement facility at 1005 E. 2nd St. and invite everyone to stop by for a visit. Thank you to all the staff, volunteers and other supporters who continue to make it possible to carry out our mission of "Building Hope" to all those who serve and are served.

Respectfully,

Larry E. Soice

President, Board of Directors

1005 E. 2nd Street North

Entrance on the south side of the building.
Plenty of Parking South of the Building

This year Episcopal Social Services had many opportunities and challenges, but we are certain that the mission and commitment of our volunteers and staff will be even stronger than before. We have had many calls about the Annual Parish Drive that is typically conducted during Lent each year. Our Board of Directors decided since we were in the midst of the condemnation hearings and various parishes were doing important capital campaign drives, that ESS would wait and work towards a Parish Drive at the end of 2007. Many individuals and families have continued to send in a pledge and for that we are very grateful. Thank you for all of the support and prayers you have given in the past year. We could not provide this important ministry without you! Remember, you speak for those who have no voice.