Organizational Overview

George Wirth

March 11th, 2013

Who We Are

What We Do

What Does This Mean For You?

1989: Human Relations Commission Appointed by Governor Joe Frank Decided Atlanta Needs Interfaith Organization

1992: Interfaith Coalition of Metro Atlanta Formed 16 diverse clergy 10 years of writings, TV Programs (with AIB), etc.

9/11/2001: Tragedy

February 2002: Regional Assembly at Calloway Gardens Convened by Imam Plemon El-Amin, Rev. Joanna Adams, Rabbi Alvin Sugarman 30 religious and community leaders Need interfaith organization/advocacy for lay and clergy in Atlanta AND… Need a prayer service in response to 9/11

9/11/2002 Interfaith Service Kick off at The Temple with 60 invitees Almost a year of intensive planning Service included 100 robed clergy sharing scripture from 7 religions, 100 voice choir

2003: FAMA legally formed

2004: FAMA and World Pilgrims become partners

2003-2013: Over 60 assemblies and extensive network of friends and partners

Especially you! And your community

Program/ Event Attendees

Individual Members

Sponsors/ Contributors Religious and social justice organizations, individuals

Partners

Current and Former Board Members

Organization Faith Executive Role

Gogi Basi Sikh Study Circle Sikh

Matthew Collins Holy Comforter Church (Friendship Center) Episcopal

Mark Crenshaw Leadership Disability, GA State Univ United Methodist VP & Food Chair

Nuri Daya Ismaili Muslims Connection Islam

Audrey Galex Atlanta Interfaith Broadcasters Judaism Outreach Chair

Bob Hauert Atlanta Hospice Catholicism

Andrew Johnson Habitat for Humanity [Christian] Housing Chair

Mario Karpuj Or Hadash Judaism

Rev. Marti Keller UU Congregation of Atlanta Universalist Unitarian

Rabbi Bradley Levenberg Temple Sinai Judaism Program Chair

Nefeesah Madyun Atlanta Masjid Islam

Rena Marroquin Covenant Presbyterian Church Presbyterian Treasurer

Valerie Morvan Shambhala Center Buddhism VP and Secretary

Imam Furqan A. Muhammad Masjid Al-Muminun Islam

Rabbi Frederick Reeves The Temple Judaism

Gillian Renault The Vedanta Center Vedanta Hindism

Brother Shankara The Vedanta Center Hinduism PLU Chair

Dr. Khalid Siddiq Al Farooq Masjid Islam

Rev. Robert V. Thompson Interfaith Community Initiatives Baptist

Dov Wilker American Jewish Committee Judaism

Fred Woolf The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Mormon

Gareth Young Red Clay Sangha Zen Buddhism President

Who We Are

What We Do

What Does This Mean For You?

We do this through:

Communal Prayer: Fostering interfaith and multi-faith occasions for prayer, meditation and celebration among the region’s religious communities.

Education on Religion: Encouraging and providing opportunities for learning about the rituals of prayer, worship, and meditation, and about the values and beliefs of the region’s various religious traditions.

Dialogue: Organizing and promoting thoughtful multi-faith and interfaith dialogue concerning important issues of the day.

To promote understanding, respect, prayer, interaction and unity among the diverse faiths in the greater Atlanta region, and to advance the influence and voices of the faith communities for the common good.

Cooperation and Networking: Stimulating and fostering cooperation between people and groups actively engaged in religious and inter-religious work.

Advocacy and Action: Modeling and being a unified and coordinated, ethical force for justice and the common good.

2011:

Co-sponsored 9/11 interfaith event in Decatur

The program attracted approximately 600 attendants

2012:

North American Interfaith Network (NAIN) Annual Conference

Six educational public programs

Sponsored Habitat Interfaith Build

Interfaith Event With Atlanta Community Food Bank

First program with Shepherd Center

Board Strategic Retreat and New Initiatives

Education:

Builds Bridges of Understanding ThroughShared Experiences and Knowledge

Program:

Supports FAMA Initiatives

Coordinate Central Calendar

Align with Mission

Ensure Consistency

Seeks Opportunities for Collaboration

To raise our interfaith voice for the common good….

…by addressing the issues surrounding affordable housing and homelessness.

Advocate• Partner with organizations like AHAND and GSTAND to stay current on issues • Facilitate letter writing campaigns, petitions and other advocacy tools with congregations• Share information with FAMA supporters

Participate• Help plan, sponsor, and participate in annual Interfaith Build with Atlanta Habitat for Humanity• Support other organizations’ events, by notifying FAMA supporters, volunteering or participating

Educate•Make presentations at congregations about housing issues

To educate, engage and equip members of FAMA and Atlanta’s faith communities to raise their voices for justice with citizens who are food insecure and hungry

•Partner with organizations to stay up-to-date with current issues • Facilitate letter writing campaigns, petitions and other advocacy with congregations

Equip• Help plan, sponsor, and participate in the annual National Hunger Action month activities with the Food Bank• Engage in advocacy with those who are food insecure and hungry

Educate• Offer Hunger 101 programs to educate FAMA members about issues that affect a family’s access to healthy food

Engage•…with Atlanta Community Food Bank, urban gardeners, farmers markets and others on solutions

This Committee offers our faith communities activities and events which demonstrate that, beneath all our varieties of belief and practice, we are all of one loving, aspiring heart, the embodiment of our common birthright, the indomitable human spirit.

Ceremonies of Our ChildrenFAMA event on April 10 to celebrate and learn about ceremonies that parents from six different faith traditions have done to bring children into their community.

FAMA AID: Music and PerformanceA fundraising telethon to be held Sunday, June 23 featuring music and more from various traditions, to be streamed live online. Donations to be made online or by phone.

Hopes and Fears of Our Young AdultsTo be planned and produced by task force of young adults recruited from our traditions, with funding and logistical support from our committee and other organizations. Tentative date Sunday, September 22

Revamped website in 2012 (thanks to Rabbi Levenberg!)

Developed print brochure

Met with AIB-TV to brainstorm ideas for more extensive coverage

Increased email communication – Mail Chimp list of more than 500 members

Posted events online and in print media to drive attendance

Develop closer relationship with AIB-TV

Reach out to more faith communities to encourage participation in FAMA (phone

campaign, email)

Redesign website – more interactivity

Strengthen Facebook/social media presence

Do PR campaigns around key events (e.g. Ceremonies for our Children)

January & February

Celebrated Interfaith Harmony Week with Atlanta Jewish Film Festival

Partnered with Catholic Archdiocese

Going Forward

Build Relationships of Trust, Understanding and Collaboration with Partners

New Committees to Solidify and Expand Reach

Sponsor Habitat Interfaith Build

Develop Collaborative Events and Programs with the Food Bank

Hold Compassion Conference and Classes in Partnership with the Parliament of the World’s Religions and Interfaith Community Initiatives

Explore Speakers Bureau in Partnership with Islamic Speakers Bureau

Work with AIB-TV to Develop Programming

2013

2011 2012 Budget

Sources of Funds

Program $2,779 $4,231 $3,300

Membership $4,893 $8,843 $8,500

Contributions $5,885 $9,780 $8,200

Total Sources $13,557 $22,754 $20,000

Uses of Funds

Program $2,196 $1,657 $3,800

Outreach $775 $2,581 $6,300

Operations $6,056 $5,874 $9,900

Total Uses of Funds $9,027 $10,112 $20,000

Net Surplus $4,539 $12,642 $0

Who We Are

What We Do

What Does This Mean For Me?

Be an interfaith spokesperson at my faith community

Initiate World Religions class at my faith community

Invite people of other faiths to FAMA events

Help with FAMA's administration

Share my ideas for promoting interfaith harmony in Atlanta

Attend FAMA events

Participate in FAMA committee

Support FAMA financially