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Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
Digital Library Collections
This is a PDF of a folder from our textual collections.
Collection: Blackwell, Morton: Files
Folder Title: Volunteerism (1 of 3)
Box: 27
To see more digitized collections visit:
https://reaganlibrary.gov/archives/digital-library
To see all Ronald Reagan Presidential Library inventories visit:
https://reaganlibrary.gov/document-collection
Contact a reference archivist at: [email protected]
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file
ACTION
or volunteering
Young Volunteers in ACTION
A narrative proposal for a Young Volunteers project should contain
information of the following sort.
I.
The Host Community
How many young people are concentrated in a geographically
accessible area? Is public transportation available? Is
there an ethnic or economic mix?
Would a Young Volunteer project be a significant addition to
the opportunities for volunteering?
Is the community in general supportive of youth activities?
Are there developed civic, church, and school programs, to
the extent which indicate a receptive atmosphere but not to
the extent that Young Volunteers would be perceived to be in
competition or merely duplicate?
Are there sufficient numbers of associations, agencies, or
projects to absorb the volunteer hours of the Young Volunteers?
Is there likely to be strong support in the mayor's office,
the educational system, or the social service organizations?
Is there sufficient potential private sector support available
for institutionalization, after two years, of a program
which has demonstrated success?
Are there any factors peculiar to the community which would
enhance or diminish the likelihood of success?
Is there a history of similar projects in the community?
What seem to be the kinds of volunteer activity which the
community could best make use of and which young people can
perform?
II. The Sponsoring Agency
Can you identify one or several possible sponsoring agencies,
to act as recipient of the grant? These agencies may be the
mayor's office, a social service agency, religious or
fraternal associations, or other sponsor.
III. The Director
Can you identify a candidate or candidates for the position
of director (volunteer coordinator) ? The qualities of the
director are all-important to the success of the project.
He or she should be between the ages of about twenty-two and
thirty; should understand young people and what motivates
them;- should be knowledgeable about the community's problems,
resources, and leadership (both public and private); and
should be willing to expend considerable time and energy in
behalf of the project.
YOUNG VOLUNTEERS IN ACTION
I. Purpose
All of ACTION's initiatives for the coming months and years
rely to a great extent on service by young people, in behalf
of themselves and their communities, for the solution both of
problems which are general and problems which are poverty-
related. To ensure that the efforts of youth are mobilized
in a focussed, effective way and to capture and perpetuate the
spirit of service, ACTION will inaugurate a program to develop
a corps of Young Volunteers. These volunteers will offer ser-
vice to their communities on a part-time, non-stipened basis.
When the success of the program has been demonstrated, ACTION
may seek a specific legislative mandate for YV. The assump-
tions underlying this plan are that youth may bring special
insights to the solution of the problems of the young people
of their own communities, and that service to their communities
as a whole itself offers the opportunity for achievement, for
enlarged understanding, and for the development of leadership
skills and a sense of civic responsibility.
II. Participation: Volunteers, Grantees, Sponsors
Participation in the program will be open to all youth between
the ages of 14 and 22. Volunteer commitment to the project will
vary; in order to be considered a Young Volunteer, individuals
must serve a minimum of ten hours per month and serve in accor-
dance with an informal contract with the grantee. The contract
will cover terms of service including a code of conduct and an
agreement to devote a specified number of hours.
Young American Volunteers will not receive stipends. Some
assistance may be provided, where warranted, to defray the ex-
pense of transportation.
During the demonstration phase, YV will involve targeted cities,
suburbs, and small towns. Five locations will be selected to
start up the project in FY 81 and to continue it in FY 82. Given
sufficient funds and demonstrated success, YV will be expanded
in FY 82 to fifteen or twenty additional locations. Grants will
be awarded to organizations for the purpose of operating the
local project. Organizations eligible for ACTION assistance will
be eligible for YV grants. Priority consideration will be given
to organizations affiliated with national organizations in order
to enhance the probability of replication; e.g., the office of
the mayor, Community Chest, Red Cross, Junior League, the Junior
Chamber of Commerce, State Offices of Voluntary Participation,
VACs, and Volunteer Clearinghouses. Grantees will be responsible
for developing a broad-based board including a representative of
the Mayor's office, administration of grant funds, employment of
a YV staff (primarily a local director), recruitment, training,
and supervision of volunteers, and a development of volunteer
service stations.
-2-
III. - The- Director
The Director position is critical to the success of the project.
ACTION will retain the right to approve the selection of the
Director. It is envisioned that the Director position will be
an opportunity for the development of youth leadership skills;
priority consideration will be given to applicants between the
ages of 22 and 30. The project director will be responsible for
assisting the grantee in developing an advisory board, recruiting
sponsors, selecting major project areas, implementing a campaign
to recruit volunteers, administering a program to train them, and
organizing a system and program of awards to help motivate them.
The size of the grant will vary by locality - it will average
approximately $40,000. The grant will cover employment of a
Director, a part-time assistant, and a secretary. The Director's
salary will be approximately $12,000.00 - $24,000.00 per year.
The initial grant will be for fifteen months in order to include
the start-up period. The start-up period will allow time for
selection of work sites and recruitment of volunteers.
IV. Projects
Projects will offer the opportunity for sustained and short-term
service. Sustained activities, requiring a long-term commitment,
will include tutoring, literacy, service in hospitals and nursing
homes, aid to the elderly, and big brother/big sister type pro-
jects. Short-term activities might include cleanup campaigns,
innoculation campaign, support of public festivals, painting and
restoring public buildings, weatherizing homes, offering dramatic
and/or choral presentations in hospitals, orphanages, and nursing
homes. The projects will be selected by the director and the
board, who will identify activities appropriate to the community in
advance of the awarding of the grant.
Grantees will be responsible for involving a minimum of 250 volun-
teers in the YV program, for a minimum of 2500 volunteer work hours
per month. These volunteers must be generated by the local project
and care must be taken to avoid taking youth away from other volun-
teer groups as YV.
V. ACTION Office Responsibilities
The Office of Domestic Operations will have national responsibi-
lity for implementing the program.
The Office of Policy and Planning will aid in further planning
of the program, and in evaluating it.
The Evaluation Division will develop an evaluation instrument for
YV that will include a comprehensive form for collecting data
throughout the year, in order to provide a means for measuring
the impact of volunteer activity on each area identified.
-3-
ACTION will develop a training program and materials for
project directors and volunteers. ACTION will administer
the trianing program for directors, who will in turn
administer volunteer training, with local ACTION aid.
ORC will develop a publicity package to assist in the
recruitment of volunteers. The package will include
brochures, posters, radio and TV spots with space for
local information. ORC will also develop a strategy for
informing the public on the progress of the YV initiative.
The grantee and ACTION will develop recognition programs
for the Young Volunteers. Suitable activities would in-
clude certificates, meetings with the mayor and other
public officials, media coverage, and functions sponsored
by civic groups.
Young Volunteers in ACTION
Aim:
To encourage youth to participate in worthwhile
volunteer activities that will -
1) dignify the lives of the less fortunate
by lending a helping hand;
2) beautify the areas in the community by
assisting with the upkeep;
3) identify the needs that will enhance
the safety of a community and seek to find ways
for improvement;
4) Modify the behavior of youth by relating
to positive peer programs.
Objective:
To identify the leadership qualities that exist in
individuals, helping to enhance the capability by
singling them for greater responsibility and re-
warding those of merit for outstanding service.
Ultimate Objective:
To yearly recognize 50 youths nationally for leader-
ship in the volunteer segment of society. The recog-
nition will be so elevated that there will be a
great desire to be selected.
Possible Sources of volunteers:
Boy Scouts
Boys Club of America
Girl Scouts
(O.J. Simpson)
FFA
YMCA
4H Clubs
Big Brothers
Key Clubs in High Schools
Big Sisters
Schools
Sea Cadets
Colleges
Churches
*
Gangs
Children of Service
Club Members
Teams
Military Base Children
*
Some of these have a negative aspect, but perhaps the
leadership could be reversed in positive projects.
- 2 -
Possible Projects:
Highway beautification;
Waterway improvement;
Crime watch;
Escorting the elderly to appointments
and store;
General services to retirmeent homes
Weatherization assist in helping the
elderly winterize their homes;
Organize community meals for raising
funds for projects;
Helpful relationship with the elderly
living near schools;
Teaching of CPR, Red Cross first
aid courses to prepare volunteers for
emergencies
Environmental projects - forestry,
shores, paths;
Interest and restoration of historical
places of interest;
After-school recreational programs
for working mothers;
Pre-career counselling to establish
possible work related volunteer work;
Coaching younger children in sports;
A program that could be an asset to the community, involve
many young people of varying ages, and help encourage leader-
ship would be a person per block program. An area could be
set up by blocks with a leader and assistants for each
block. These people would be responsible for the appearance
of the street, sidewalk, encourage upkeep of residences,
assist the elderly in maintaining their homes, help with the
inform, work with the children in after school programs.
Generally establish a program that would strive to improve
both the environment and assist the inhabitants. This could
be set up competitively which could stimulate greater par-
ticipation.
The New York Times
Copyright © 1981 The New York Times
NEW YORK, MONDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1981
30 cents beyond 50-mile some from
Higher in air delivery
Reagan to Name a Panel of 36
To Lead Shift to Voluntarism
By KATHLEEN TELTSCH
President Reagan, who is moving to
speech, to citizens to support com-
shift the burden of many community-aid
munity charities and neighborhood
programs from the Federal budget to
projects run by nonprofit groups had re-
private sources, is about to name a high-
sulted in a flood of calls to the White
level panel to recommend a course of
House from volunteers eager to talk
action.
about their favorite projects.
The Task Force on Private Sector
Reliable data on voluntarism are
Initiatives is to be made up of 36 citizens
scarce, but K. Kenn Allen, executive di-
from business, philanthropy and reli-
rector of Volunteer, the National Center
glous and civic organizations. It will ap-
for Citizen Involvement, cites a recent
point subsidiary groups to examine
Gallup Poll of 1,600 respondents that
housing, youth unemployment, crime
suggested half performed some volun-
prevention, drug abuse and health care,
tary work.
according to James S. Rosebush, a spe-
cial assistant to the President.
No 'Packaged' Proposals
A leader in American industry is ex-
pected to be named soon, possibly this
Mr. Rosebush said the White House,
week, to head the committee, and he
in its approach to business leaders, was
will be given ambassador-level rank as
not offering any "packaged" proposals.
an indication of the importance the
but invited recommendations. How-
White House attaches to the undertak-
ever, sentiment among corporate exec-
ing.
utives, as reflected at a White House
The panel is part of an effort by the
breakfast for industry leaders suggests
Administration, Mr. Rosebush said, to
that a priority will be dealing with
see that at least some services that will
unemployment among teen-agers,
be curtailed by the budget cuts will be
particularly members of minority
maintained with non-Government help.
groups. The intention may be to focus ef-
"Our position is that even if there had
forts on training youths in fields offering
been no budget cuts," he added, "we
the most promising opportunities, such
would need a revitalization of the pri-
as computer and high-technology indus-
vate sector."
tries.
Other Approaches Under Study
Mr. Rosenbush, 32 years old, came to
Government service in May, after earn-
The Administration is weighing sev-
ing a master's degree in public adminis-
eral approaches, he said in an interview
tration, working for the Charles Stewart
last week in Washington. They range
Mott Foundation and later for two affili-
over efforts to engage businessmen,
ates of the Chamber of Commerce.
foundations and volunteers in a "col-
He looks on his assignment as one of
laborative partnership" with Governn-
encouraging cooperation between the
ment, he said.
Government and the private sector in
To encourage voluntarism, the White
new ways. He conceded that until now
House is contemplating establishing
there had been a tendency to offer gen-
awards for accomplishments by private
eral solutions and he said it was time to
citizens. Mr. Rosebush said that Mr.
translate noble-sounding aims into spe-
Reagan's recent invitation, in a budget
cific programs.
Panel Leader Hopes To Tap Volunteer Spirit
Panel-from Front Page
encouraging broad use of the Middletown
Middletown or its citizens."
government leaders make the most effec-
ident Reagan said:
Plan, which was developed by business,
"I would like to see a Middletown Plan
tive use of available resources.
"This administration seeks to elevate
government and other leaders in his home
started in every chamber in the country,"
Verity said he also saw a role in the
voluntary action and private initiative to
town of Middletown, Ohio.
Verity said.
private-sector program for the plan for
the recognition they deserve. We seek to
Under the leadership of the local cham-
He said a prime benefit of the plan is
ecoñomic rebirth developed under his
increase their influence in our daily lives
ber of commerce, a representative group of
realized "when you begin to build momen-
chairmanship at the U.S. Chamber.
and their roles in meeting our social needs.
citizens took a hard look at federal aid to
tum and you see an awful lot of things that
That program, "Let's Rebuild, America,"
"For too long, the American people have
the community and concluded that a siz-
don't have to be done by the government."
calls among other things for strengthening
been told they are relieved of responsibil-
able reduction was achievable "without
The Middletown Plan, he said, provides
the nation's institutions and for providing
ity for helping their fellow men because
unacceptable loss in serving the needs of
an opportunity for business to help local
economic opportunities, Verity noted.
government has taken over the job."
The president has invited Verity to a
White House planning session on the work
of the task force.
Verity said that, in consultation with
the president and his staff, the task force
Task Force Head Hopes
will develop an agenda of "important
things that need to be done and then re-
cruit individuals to get the job done."
He said the work would cover far more
To Tap Volunteer Spirit
than the subject of financial contributions
to social and other agencies.
The newly appointed chairman of Pres-
"We are talking about the many vol-
ident Reagan's Task Force on Private Sec-
untary things that can be done, particu-
tor Initiatives says the panel will seek ways
larly at the local level, with the private
to harness the spirit of voluntarism, which
sector taking a leadership role in many,
still runs strong among many Americans.
many respects," Verity said.
C. William Verity Jr., board chairman
Helping unemployed youths find jobs and
of Armco Inc., was chosen by the president
establishing programs to rehabilitate in-
to head the 35-member task force. Reagan.
dividuals released from correctional instí-
asked the panel to increase private-sector
tutions are among the steps that could be
efforts aimed at resolving social problems.
taken, the task force chairman noted.
"We will take initiatives in things that
"There are all kinds of opportunities,"
will benefit the country while minimizing
he commented.
the need for government to be into so many
One initiative, Verity said, would be
different things," Verity said.
Leaders of foundations, voluntary and
religious groups, as well as other business
executives, are members of the task force.
Verity has held a wide range of volun-
tary positions in business, civic and aca-
demic organizations.
He is chairman of the executive com-
mittee and immediate past chairman of
Oct. 5.Oct. 13-14 Donald M. Kendall, chairman of the U.S. Chamber of
Commerce, and C. William Verity Jr., chairman of the Chamber
executive committee, will participate in a George Washington
University symposium, "The Way Back-A Conference on
Economic Priorities." Each will present the business viewpoint in
the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and is ac-
WAYNE PARTLOW
tive in various steel industry and inter-
national trade organizations.
discussions with labor leaders.
In announcing establishment of the Task
Force on Private Sector Initiatives, Pres-
Verity: WIII encourage voluntarism.
See Panel-Back Page
MEMORANDUM
exter
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
October 8, 1981
TO:
Diana
FROM:
Morton Mi
RE:
BSA Proposed Panel on Ethical Decisions for
the 80's for Youth and Families
I share your concerns with this proposed panel.
I recommend against the idea. This is simply opening
up another can of worms, like the White House
Conference on Families. There is no need for this
Administration to create another governmental-private
battleground on the social issues. There are enough
real issues coming up in Congress and in the Departments
and Agencies.
OCT 01 1981
THE WHITE HOUSE
Maton
WASHINGTON
October 1, 1981
MEMORANDUM TO:
ELIZABETH DOLE
ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT
FOR PUBLIC LIAISON
FROM:
ROBERT M. GARRICK
grug
DEPUTY COUNSELLOR TO THE PRESIDENT
SUBJECT:
BSA Proposed Panel on Ethical Decisions
for the 80's for Youth and Families
Mr. J. L. Tarr, the Chief Scout Executive, visited our
office on Wednesday, 30 September, to present the attached
nemorandum. He originally had hoped to meet with Ed Meese,
but this could not be arranged.
What Mr. Tarr is specifically interested in is President
Reagan shappointing a Panel for Ithical Decisions for thei
8079 for BY outh and Families. The Boy Scouts of America are
also suggesting Vice President George Bush as Chairman.
They are willing to do all the work involved in generating
the members of the Panel, obtaining them from a wide variety
of disciplines, as indicated in the memorandum attached.
It would appear to me that this should be coordinated through
the Public Liaison Office, thus I am taking the liberty of
passing this on to you.
Attachment
Fate
Valuntariam
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
October 8, 1981
Mrs. D. Williams Parker
911 St. George's Road
Baltimore, Maryland 21210
Dear Mrs. Parker:
Mrs. Dole has asked that I respond to your letter
of September 25 regarding support of private voluntary
organizations involved in foreign assistance.
We very much appreciate hearing your views. The
efforts abroad of United States voluntary organizations
are very important and are the sort of voluntary action
which the President has supported so often in his recent
public statements.
I am pleased to inform you that our office hosted
meeting of a coalition of these groups on September 21.
We are proceeding to raise the awareness within the
Administration of the importance of continuing and
strengthening the foreign assistance programs of private
voluntary organizations.
Yours most sincerely,
Monton C.Blochwell
Morton C. Blackwell
Special Assistant to
the President
SEP 29 1981
MRS D. WILLIAMS PARKER
911 ST. GEORGE'S ROAD
alordy Plene
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 21210
September 25, 1981
Mrs. Elizabeth Dole
Assistant to the President for Public Liaison
The White House Office
1600 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mrs. Dole:
I am writing in support of the private voluntary or-
ganizations (CARE, P.A.I.D., Save the Children etc.) who
are requesting discussions with you regarding the broad
issue of foreign assistance.
I would also like to express my personal support for
encouragement from the administration to Congress to pass
the foreign assistance legislation which has been pending
for two years now. It is important, both from humanitar-
ian and political points of view, that this country take
a firm stand on the great needs for development which exist
around the world. We must prove our leadership capabil-
ities in this area, as well as acknowledge our understand-
ing of global interdependency.
I have long been an enthusiastic supporter of Ronald
Reagan and his philosophy. As the President mentioned in
his television address last night there is an increased
need for private volunteerism at this time. Thank you
for giving this your consideration.
Sincerely,
Diane 28. Parker
Voluniteerism
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
October 19, 1981
Mr. Gerard F. Hurley
Executive Director
Conference of Private Organizations
1625 Eye Street, N.W.
Washington, D. C. 20006
Dear Jerry:
Thank you very much for your letter of October 13 and
your kind offer of assistance.
I have taken the liberty of forwarding your letter and
the copy of the letter to the President from the Grand Exalted
Ruler of the B.P.O. Elks, Raymond V. Arnold offering Past G.E.R.
Homer Huhn, Jr. for service on President Reagan's task force
on volunteerism to Jim Rosebush. Jim is a Special Assistant
to the President and has been tasked with overseeing the Private
Sector Initiatives (PSI) task force. I am sure he will be
in touch with Mr. Arnold shortly.
If I can be of any assistance to you please do not hesitate
to call on me.
Cordially,
Morton C. Blackwell
Special Assistant to
the President
CC: Jim Rosebush
CONPOR
CONFERENCE OF PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS
1625 Eye Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20006
(202) 466-8424
October 13, 1981
Honorable Morton C. Blackwell
Special Assistant to the President
Room 191
DIRECTORS
Old Executive Office Building
The White House
Chairman
Washington, D.C. 20500
Clarence Ruddy
Loyal Order of Moose
Dear Morton:
Vice Chairman
It was good to see you again at Red Caveney's office.
Harold B. Berman
We're excited about the prospects of moving forward to
National Club Association
pursue all opportunties down the road, however long it
may take to reach a level of real focus in the private
Secretary-Treasurer
organization community.
M. Daniel Splain, III
Fraternal Order of Eagles
The B.P.O. Elks, one of the cornerstone groups of
CONPOR, is truly committed to a better communications
Robert E. Davis
between the governors and the governed. This principle
Improved Order of Red Men
is supported by all member groups of CONPOR.
Edward McCormick, Jr.
US Power Squadrons
In that spirt, may I pass on for your consideration
a copy of the letter to President Reagan from the Grand
Sam Willits
Exalted Ruler of the B.P.O. Elks, Raymond V. Arnold, who
United States Jaycees
offers Past G.E.R. Homer Huhn, Jr. for service on President
Robert A. Yothers, P.G.E.R.
Reagan's Task Force on Voluntarism.
B.P.O. Elks
We would be most pleased to assist you in any way on
Executive Director
all of these questions.
Gerard F. Hurley, CAE
Sincerely,
Day Executive Director
Gerard F. Hurley, CAE
GFH/kld
A
GRAND LODGE
Benevelent und Protective
ORDER OF ELKS
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
RAYMOND V. ARNOLD
Box 1067
Grand Exalted Ruler
JACKSON, MICHIGAN 49204
October 7, 1981
The Honorable Ronald W. Reagan
President of the United States
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
As a major contributor in the private sector and having
historically supported a variety of significant programs in
the areas of civic betterment, youth activities, health and
education, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, 1.6
million strong, believe we can provide a real contribution to
your Task Force on Private Sector Initiative.
Our Order has contributed in excess of $380,000,000 since
the turn of the century in support of programs for those less
fortunate. Had it not been for this support, many of these pro-
grams (aide for the handicapped, cerebral palsy therapy and
rehabilitation, críppled children's hospitals, cancer research,
scholarships for needy youngsters, just to name a few) would
have been totally dependent on government subsidy for their
existance. Last year alone, Mr. President, our Order contributed
$19.8 million and over 3.5 million hours of volunteer time to a
variety of very badly needed projects in our communities and
states. These contributions were made solely and totally by our
membership without public solicitation or support.
This is only a brief overview of some of the programs that
individual Elks organizations throughout America have initiated
to help meet local needs with local expertise. Like you,
Mr. President, we hold a firm belief in individual initiative,
and applaud your dedication toward returning our country to
the foundations that made it great. We want to be a key part
in that journey.
Tell America About Elkdom
The Honorable Ronald W. Reagan - 2
I would like to nominate a leader of our Order, Homer Huhn
of Latrobe, Pa. to serve on your Task Force. As a Past Grand
Exalted Ruler, a Past Grand Secretary and current member of the
Grand Lodge Advisory Committee, no one individual is better
acquainted with true grass roots voluntarism in this country --
what it is capable of accomplishing and what it has accomplished
for the benefit of our country and its citizens.
Mr. President, as a leading fraternal Order devoted to
benevolent and patriotic principles, we strongly believe that
the many organizations like us will provide the grass roots
support and activism that your program will require if it is to
succeed.
For the benefit of your program and this country, I respect-
fully urge that you give Homer Huhn's nomination serious consi-
deration.
In response to your message to the nation on September 24,
I am asking each of the Elks state association presidents to call
on all the lodges in their respective states, in both our names,
to increase their contributions both to our state major projects
and the various benevolent programs we now have in force, and to
seek opportunities to expand their voluntary man-hour contributions
within their communities.
I have every confidence that the members of the Order will
respond to this call. I will be happy to report that response
to you once it has been compiled.
Respectfully yours,
Raynond Raymond V. r.arad Arnold
Grand Exalted Ruler
r. Homer Huhn, Jr., PGER
HOMER HUHN, JR. - PAST GRAND EXALTED RULER
P, O. E.
09 Shenandoah Drive, South
atrobe, PA 15650
Brother Homer Huhn, Jr. is the 11th Pennsylvanian to hold the
highest office in BPOElks of the United States of America. He was
born in Uniontown, PA June 3, 1918. When he was 13 years of age he
and his family moved to the Mount Pleasant area. He was educated in
the Mount Pleasant Township Public Schools graduating from Mount
Pleasant Township High School in 1937. He attended Pennsylvania
State University, and following his schooling there successfully com-
pleted a course in Budgeting with the University of Pittsburgh.
For several years Brother Huhn owned and operated a Cleaning and
Tailoring business, and then became Tax Clerk of Westmoreland County,
Pennsylvania in 1955 where he established its first mechanized tax
writing system. He became Chief Clerk and Secretary to the Board of
County Commissioners in 1964 and its Administrative Assistant in 1968.
He was vice-chairman of the Westmoreland County Municipal Water Auth-
ority, organized and served as President of the State Association of
Chief Clerks and County Commissioners, and a member of the State Assoc-
iation of Secretaries. He served as a Trustee of the Frick Community
Hospital, and a Director of the Mount Pleasant Savings and Loan Assoc-
iation and the Standard Savings and Loan of Wilkinsburg, PA. He was
very active in civic and political affairs and served as County Treas-
urer of his political party for many years.
The high-ranking Elks leader is a member of the Wesley United
Methodist Church in Mount Pleasant and a member of Masonic Lodge #562
in Scottdale, PA, a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge #350 and the Moose
Lodge #27 in Mount Pleasant, and the Eagles Lodge #1007 in Scottdale.
He was initiated into Mount Pleasant Lodge #868 in 1941 and was
Exalted Ruler in 1952-1953. Serving as a Trustee of his Lodge until
1955 he then became its Secretary, holding the office for 11 years. He
was very active in Lodge work, served as a member of the Building Comm-
ittee and instituted the Student Aid Program, which is still in effect.
In 1956 he was elected an Honorary Life Member in the Lodge.
Brother Huhn was also active in the Pennsylvania Elks State Assoc-
iation, serving as District Treasurer, District President and Chairman of
the District Advisory Committee. He served on various State Committees
and as Trustee of the State Association. He served as President of the
State Association in 1964-1965 and in 1966 became its Secretary, an
office he held until he was appointed Grand Lodge Secretary in January
1971. He was subsequently elected to this office in July 1971 and has
been reelected annually since that time, constantly displaying his integ-
rity, administrative ability, knowledge of the affairs of the Order and
strict adherence to its Constitution and Statutes. He presently serves
as Chairman of the Advisory Committee of his State Association.
His Grand Lodge activities, in addition to serving as Grand Sec-
retary from 1971-1977, include District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler in
1956-1957, a member of the Committee on Credentials in 1966-1967, Lodge
Activities Committee of Grand Lodge in 1967-1968 and 1968-1969, the Aud-
iting and Accounting Committee in 1969-1970 and Chairman of the Lodge
Activities Committee in 1970-1971, an appointment he resigned to become
Grand Secretary.
Brother Huhn married Josephine M. Hydock in 1942
Voluntieries
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
October 19, 1981
Mr. Yubi G. Separovich, Chairman
Elks National Government Relations
Committee
5309 Wedge Circle
Fair Oaks, California 95628
Dear Mr. Separovich:
Thank you for your very kind letter of October 9.
It is certainly no imposition to ask me to pass on
Mr. Huhn's name for the Private Sector Initiative (PSI)
task force.
I have taken the liberty of forwarding your letter
to Jim Rosebush, Special Assistant to the President for
this task force along with a letter from Gerald Hurley,
Executive Director of CONPOR and a letter from Raymond
V. Arnold, Grand Exalted Ruler, B.P.O. Elks, both of
which also recommend Mr. Huhn. I am sure he will be in
touch with you or Mr. Huhn shortly on this matter.
If I can be of any assistance to you please do not
hesitate to call on me.
Cordially,
Morton C. Blackwell
Special Assistant to the
President
CC: Jim Rosebush
RAYMOND V. ARNOLD
STANLEY F. KOCUR
Grand Exalted Ruler
Grand Secretary
Box 1067
2750 Lake View Avenue
JACKSON, MICHIGAN 49204
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60614
GRAND LODGE
Benevolent and Protective
ORDER OF ELKS
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
COMMITTEE
-
YUBI G. SEPAROVICH
5309 Wedge Circle
Chairman
FAIR OAKS, CALIFORNIA 95628
October 9, 1981
Mr. Morton C. Blackwell
Special Assistant to the President
The White House
Washington D.C.
Dear Mr. Blackwell:
We are very sorry that your heavy work schedule made it impossible
for you to attend any of our Elks Government Relations Committee
Seminars. But we appreciate your continued interest and in our
concern.
We would like to impose upon you for a moment to have you ask
President Ronald Reagan to consider Mr. Homer Huhn, Jr. of 809
Shenandoah Drive, South; Latrobe, Pennsylvania, to be a member
of "Task Force on the Private Sector Initiative." He is an
outstanding American gentlemen whose years of corporate experience
qualifies him for this position.
As a past leader of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks,
over 1,600,000 members, he made use of his experienced leader-
ship in many ways. His kind of foresight and enthusiasm gave
the Order of Elks an outstanding and most successful fraternal
year while he served as the Grand Exalted Ruler and several
years previously as the Grand Secretary of the Order.
Under today's difficult business climate, Mr. Huhn would have
the necessary courage to step in and assist the "Task Force on
Private Sector Initiative" in a way that would be the most bene-
ficial for our Country.
We are ever so gratefull for the excellent appointment of
Morton C. Blackwell as Special Assistant to the President.
Kindest personal regards.
the Yubi Most Elks National G. cordially Separovich, Separmick Government yours, Chairman
Relations Committee.
Toll America About Elkdom
File/ volunteensm
22
L
Sept 17
9 AM
NATIONAL
Chantable
HERITAGE
Sept.
favorable tous geoing
FOUNDATION
16,17,ouls
Dedicated to Serve the Donor
1/2 hr.
Call. + set up
Mr. Crowley called 8/18
July 21, 1981
meeting MB
Mr. Morton C. Blackwell
Special Assistant to the President for Public Liaison
The White House
7/26
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. Blackwell:
Pardon this long delay to thank you for a very informative
and interesting briefing on Monday the 13th. I am among those who
support the President's efforts toward economic repair, and only
wish that he could go further with it. It is too bad that Jim
Castelli of the Star couldn't have mentioned also the gentleman from
Baltimore who spoke so eloquently in favor of the President's
program.
At the briefing you invited us to make an appointment to see
you for further discussion about the nation's economy and our
religious and charitable objectives. I would like to make such an
appointment, and have already talked with Maiselle Shortley about
it.
I am especially desirous of making such an appointment for
a prominent Georgia Judge as well as for myself. We would like to
see you together. Judge Braswell D. Deen is Presiding Judge of
the Georgia Court of Appeals. He is associated with National
Heritage Foundation, having mutual concerns relative to the relig-
ious, moral, charitable, and economic health of the nation. He is
called upon as a speaker on these matters throughout the nation,
and is highly respected among Christian people as a spokesman.
We would be deeply grateful if you could answer certain of our ques-
tions, and communicate some of our ideas to the President.
Miss Shortley suggested that in order to find a date suit-
able to Judge Deen I request tentative appointments on three dates.
Could you set aside a time on either of the dates, August 19, 20,
or 21? Judge Deen will then decide on one, and make arrangements
to make the trip from Atlanta. Thank you for your cooperation
Judge Deen has aproblem Sincerely, with these 8/18 dates
WASHINGTON, D.C. OFFICE
The Heritage Building
Wale Dale Crowley, Jr., President fe.
Suite 1030
There are some of them who have left a name so that tomorrow will
Annandale, Va. 22003
see their light, and there are some who have no memorial, who have
(703) 820-3413
perished as though they had not lived.
1828.L 51.
100M contribution
N.vl. SHITE 1000
3 use - JuM
Wesh. 200.
EAST BROOKLYN CHURCHES
5M 541511
c/o OUR LADY OF THE PRESENTATION
1661 ST. MARKS AVENUE BROOKLYN, NEW YORK 1 1233
40M-2BR
City - 1 Han prespered? 30 nimes lacre-
45M - 389
May's cambi Thest
Twickable Maile 1993
Na- Step has w/Ason
PRINCIPAL PARTICIPANTS IN THE JUNE 29 PRESS CONFERENCE INCLUDE:
COZE 1UMM - to reduce 400- -2 3014 E A5M-1 35M
Value increases C 8%/989 appreciation
Francis J. Mugavero, Bishop of Brooklyn
Robert C. Witcher, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of
Long Island
a
Normall Sell, Treasurer, Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod /a Frite
Johnny Ray Youngblood, Pastor, St. Paul Community Baptist
Clarence Williams, Pastor, Southern Baptist Church Mall Micrissom
Celina Jamieson, Leader, Our Lady of Mercy Church
Michael Gecan, National Staff, Industrial Areas Foundation
Edward Chambers, National Executive Director, Industrial
Areas Foundation
I. D. Robbins, Housing Consultant to the Industrial Areas
Foundation
Dec.
Lean Miller
construction financing
# 12171 - in revolver local find - o'year form.
10:10 capital grant from NYC - program Lien diaconsis
7? State ANew yoh - SONYMA - 12 montgeye it's 74 wis in
Intiall 1000 units
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CALL EAST BROOKLYN CHURCHES (498-4095)
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL.
© 1981 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
EASTERN EDITION
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1981
PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY
Community Spirit
Sharing the UNO's successes is its par-
Known for his brilliant organizing tactics
ent, the Industrial Areas Foundation, a
as wall as his brash comments (he once
group founded by the late political activist
called a Catholic cardinal "an unchristian,
Local Groups That Aid
Saul Alinsky. Indeed, it might be said that
prehistoric muttonhead"), Mr. Alinsky
without the IAF, the UNO would have gone
opened the IAF with grants from the Rocke-
Poor Flourish by Using
the way of the many community organiza-
feller Foundation and the Midas Institute, a
tions for the poor that have either faded or
private philanthropic organization. The pur-
failed since their heyday in the Great Soci-
pose of the new group was to train organiz-
Confrontation Tactics
ety days of the 1960s.
ers. and it adhered to that aim despite Mr.
Alinsky's death in 1972. Mr. Chambers, one
Transfer of Power
of Mr. Alinsky's principal organizers, as-
The IAF's stated objective is to take
Industrial Areas Foundation
sumed the leadership of the group when the
some of the power held by politicians, bu-
founder died: and under his leadership. the
reaucrats and businessmen and return it to
Teaches Members Means
IAF has evolved into a professional training
families and churches by organizing demo-
facility and sponsoring unit for a network
cratically run community groups. "We're
Of Fighting Bureaucracy
that today comprises community groups in
only teaching poor people what the business
11 cities aross the country and a statewide
community has been doing for a long time,"
group in Wisconsin.
says Edward Chambers, the IAF's 50-year-
Showdown at Merrill Lynch
Confederations of Churches
old executive director. "Top management
True, some IAF organizing attempts
hasn't got the corner on brains, although it
have failed. notably in Kansas City and
does have the corner on money. But organ-
By LAUREL LEFF
ized people with a little money can beat
Pittsburgh. Nevertheless, the group today
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
has more work than It can handle, forcing it
Notwithstanding the maxim about look-
management money."
IAF-affiliated groups are always based
to decline a recent request for an IAF pres-
ing a gift horse in the mouth, the United
on churches, which provide an established
ence in Denver. Currently, organizing ef-
Neighborhood Organization believes in doing
structure, a base for dues and an aura of re-
forts are starting in south-central Los Ange-
exactly that-and, if need be, kicking it in
les and the Texas cities of El Paso and
spectability. Directing each local group is a
the teeth.
Forth Worth.
cadre of experienced, highly trained profes-
When the UNO, a Los Angeles commu-
sional organizers who teach members to
The IAF operates out of a small office on
nity group, received a $1,000 gift from a lo-
concentrate on winnable issues. Tactics
New York's Long Island and is financed by
cal savings and loan association, officials of
taught by organizers range from planning
money from each of its local groups (about
the group took one look at the check and
and participating in carefully orchestrated
$20,000 per group per year). The groups dif-
promptly returned it. "We asked for $3,000,"
meetings with community officials to stag-
fer in their structure, but all began as con-
explains Sister Maribeth Larkin, the UNO's
ing confrontations known as "actions." Such
federations of churches. And while some
chief organizer.
actions have included tying up banks (by
church officials frown on the IAF. complain-
The S&L followed up with a new check
having hundreds of people line up to change
ing that religion shouldn't be entwined with
for $3,000.
dollar bills into pennies) and threatening to
politics in any way. the IAF's Mr. Chambers
Such successes are commonplace for the
dump live rats on the steps of city hails.
sees the role of the religious Institutions as
UNO, which comprises 20 parishes (19 Ro-
vital.
man Catholic and one Episcopal) and 93,000
Founding Father
"Churches are already organized -
families in the heavily Hispanic district of
"They're frustrating, annoying, relent-
they're little pockets of power," Mr. Cham-
East Los Angeles. So far this year, the UNO
less and irritating to politicians," says New
bers explains. "Loyalty to the church is a
has raised about $55,000 in business contri-
York's lieutenant governor, Mario Cuomo,
tremendous plus. We can play on that and
butions, which will be added to some $100,-
who has dealt with an IAF group in the New
parlay it into loyalty to the community
000 in dues paid by church members. Since
York City borough of Queens. "But that's
group." What's more, national church de-
its founding in 1976, the UNO's annual bud-
part of the secret to their success."
nominations also help IAF groups meet their
get of $150,000 has allowed it to pursue such
Much of that success is attributed to Mr.
annual budgets, which typically range from
activities as pers the police to in-
Alinsky, who founded the IAF in 1969 as an
$150,000 to $300,000.
crease patrols, forc' city hall to improve
institute to train organizers of community
(Even though Mr. Alinsky was Jewish,
public services. ressuring insurance
action groups. Then 60 years old, Mr. Alin-
synagogues have eschewed IAF Involve-
companies to lower auto Insurance rates.
sky had begun organizing major community
projects in the years after World War II.
Please Turn to Page 25, Column 1
Community Spirit: Local Organizations That Assist
The Poor Flourish by Using Tactics of Confrontation
Continued From First Page
substituting one power elite for another
manager became so upset when he saw the
ment. The IAF says that Jews often have
power elite."
throngs of people in the lobby that he shoved
their own organizations and are suspicious
As part of that localized control. IAF af-
Mrs. Chavez, who stumbled backward; the
of the church involvement in IAF groups.)
filiates can hire and fire IAF-trained organ-
manager retreated into his office.
The IAF's church base helps to explain
izers. And the IAF itself usually recom-
The UNO then sent a priest into the of-
the particular success of Allnsky-style
mends rotating organizers between different
fice demanding an apology for Mrs. Chavez
groups among heavily Roman Catholic His-
cities every couple of years. "After two or
and an answer to the telegram. Finally. the
panic communities. IAF successes in Los
three years in one place, an organizer tends
manager arranged for Merrill Magowan to
Angeles and San Antonio, Texas. have belied
to try to keep power for himself," says Mr.
telephone his brother, the Safeway chair-
conventional wisdom that Hispanics are un-
Chambers. the IAF executive director.
man. Following that phone conversation,
able to exert political clout. But IAF organi-
(Local groups pay organizers between
Safeway agreed to fly five UNO leaders to
zations have also been effective among
$20,000 and $40,000 a year, a much higher
the company's Oakland headquarters. After
blacks and whites and among various Prot-
range than that recommended by founder
the meeting, the store was cleaned up; fur-
estant denominations. For example, the
Alinsky. "Saul always believed in hair-shirt
thermore, Safeway has since announced
Queens Citizens Organization. an IAF group
salaries. but he was wrong about that," Mr.
plans to build a new store in East Los Ange-
made up of 30 Catholic and Protestant par-
Chambers says. "I want political organizing
les.
ishes representing 250,000 people in the pre-
to be a profession, with a professional sal-
"Everyone at that action really had a
dominantly middle-class New York City bor-
ary.")
sense of power," Sister Maribeth recalls of
ough of Queens. has been particularly effec-
As part of its emphasis on winnable is-
the Safeway confrontation. "We proved we
tive in dealing with public officials and busi-
sues, IAF organizers train community
could move a financial institution as remote
nessmen.
groups to begin with small projects. For ex-
from our community as Merrill Lynch."
Founded in 1977. the QCO got off the
ample, one of the IAF's newest groups. the
The UNO now is trying to make the en-
ground with an Alinsky-styie flourish. In
East Brooklyn Churches in New York City,
tire Los Angeles business community less
what now is a celebrated incident, New
isn't launching its organizing drive with an
remote. It has met with top executives of 70
York's Mayor Edward Koch, then newly
assault on crime even though it is based in a
Los Angeles companies, using the meetings
elected, stormed out of a meeting with the
crime-infested Brooklyn neighborhood; in-
to explain how the UNO works and to re-
fledgling QCO when the group refused to al-
stead. it is negotiating with the Port Author-
quest "investments" in the group. "We don't
lew him five minutes for a speech instead of
ity of New York and New Jersey to ensure
accept charity," Sister Maribeth says.
the two minutes that had been scheduled.
that an industrial park planned for the area
"We're looking for an investment. We think
The mayor's action received considerable
provides jobs for neighborhood residents.
our organization improves the quality of life
oriticism, and the QCO received -abundant
More difficult to teach are the tactics of
in the community, which makes it a better
attention. With a certain coyness, the QCO
confrontation. Sister Maribeth Larkin of the
place to do business as well as a better
now refers to Mayor Koch as one of "our
UNO recalls she was SO nervous during her
place to work."
founding fathers.'
first action that she became physically sick.
Recently. the QCO invited all its state
But she went ahead with her presentation to
legislators to a meeting to discuss the
the Los Angeles City Council. she says, and
borough's growing arson problem. When
"my shyness dropped behind the role I was
only about half showed up. QCO officials
supposed to play." She adds: "You learn a
vowed to tell the group's congregations
lot about your potential."
which legislators weren't willing to meet
As part of its confrontation tactics. the
with them. At the next meeting, a month
IAF deliberately creates a tense atmosphere
later. all the legislators or their representa-
during meetings; the object is to forestall
tives attended. The QCO and the legislators
stock speeches or soothing platitudes from
recently agreed on proposed bills to help re-
those on the other side of the table. And lo-
duce arson by such means as stiffer penalties
cal groups are taught to go right to the top if
for insurance fraud: the bills have been sub-
meetings with underlings prove unsatisfac-
mitted to the state legislature, which hasn't
tory. A case in point, and a good example of
yet acted on them.)
an IAF group in action, involved the UNO;
"Oill congregations are a valuable com-
Safeway Stores Inc., the Oakland, Calif.-
munications network. and the politicians
based supermarket chain: and the invest-
know that." says Gregory Pierce, a 33-year-
ment firm of Merrill Lynch. Pierce, Fenner
old ex-seminarian and IAF organizer. Mr.
& Smith Inc.
Pierce says involvement in groups such as
After going through Safeway's normal
the QCO is also beneficial to churches.
channels to complain about an unclean store
"QCO stabilizes the neighborhoods which
in East Los Angeles and receiving no satis-
support (churches) and provides their peo-
faction, the UNO requested a meeting with
ple with a vehicle to fight for their values."
Safeway's chairman and chief executive of-
he explains.
ficer, Peter Magowan: Mr. Magowan de-
Another reason for the IAF's success is
clined to meet. The UNO then sent a tele-
that it resists dependence on a charismatic
gram to Merrill Magowan, Peter Magowan's
leader or a single issue, both of which could
brother, who is a Safeway director and a
die or disappear. Rather, it is the group it-
Merrill Lynch vice president in San Fran-
self that is important; and the group is
cisco.
taught to function effectively without seek-
Merrill Magowan didn't respond to the
ing outside help.
telegram. On a Monday morning at 10 a.m.,
"Our iron rule is never do for others
300 UNO members and a horde of press peo-
what they can do for themselves." says Mr.
ple descended on the Merrill Lynch office in
Pierce, who notes that the IAF's staff in one
downtown Los Angeles. The UNO's presi-
locale never numbers more than four SO the
dent. a tiny woman named Gloria Chavez,
main burden falls on the community mem-
knocked on the office door and told the man-
bers. "That's what differentiates us from so-
ager the group had an appointment with the
cial workers, politicians and 80% of all min-
vice president. IIt isn't clear whether the
isters."
he
savs.
"We're
BISHOP'S OFFICE
75 GREENE AVENUE
BOX C
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK 11202
June 2, 1982
Memorandum:
To:
Mayor Edward I. Koch
From: Bishop Francis J. Mugavero and East Brooklyn Churches
This is a proposal for a joint venture by the City of New York,
Religious denominations and East Brooklyn Churches to rebuild large
devastated areas in the East New York-Brownsville sections of Brooklyn,
starting with not less than 1, 000 single family, owner-occupied, row houses,
with an overall goal of 5, 000 new homes.
The City of New York owns several East Brooklyn sites which are
presently unmarketable. East Brooklyn Churches has access to substantial
working capital, qualified local leadership, and more than 30, 000 dues paying
members.
If the City of New York and East Brooklyn Churches can, with all
possible speed, combine their forces, a profound contribution can be made
toward the improvement of life in this great city and be a model for other
cities.
The immediate benefits would be:
1. renewal of a destroyed area served by two city subway lines and already
equipped with streets, sewers, utility lines, schools and churches.
2. An environment conducive to stable family life.
3. Insurance for present City and State commitments to the area.
East Brooklyn Churches is prepared to do the following:
1. Build 1, 000 or more units of single family, owner-occupied, conventional
brick and block, row housing in compliance with the New York City
building code and FHA standards.
2. Build two-bedroom types to sell for not more than $40, 000 and three-
bedroom types to sell for not more than $45, 000.
June 2, 1982
-2-
3. Erect both two and three bedroom model homes for sales purposes.
4. Start major construction activity as soon as 25% (approximately 250)
of the original group of homes are sold and deposits taken.
5. Complete the first thousand homes within one year of the start of major
construction activity.
6. Be responsible for all design, selling, advertising and promotion and for
the maintenance of good neighborhood relations.
7. Select contractors with special qualifications for building large tracts of
single family homes and as many qualified minority sub-contractors as
possible.
8. Provide contractors as required, with interest-free construction funds.
To accomplish the objectives of this program, the City of New
York should:
1. Advise the general public, through the media, that the program has the full,
unqualified support of the City Administration.
2. Advise all agencies involved that they are to cooperate fully and assign a
City official as coordinator and expediter to work with the developers, and
to speed all paper work, approvals and procedures.
3. Expedite all hearings and procedures before the Board of Estimate,
Planning Commission, Community Boards (ULURP), etc.
4. Assist the developers in obtaining from the State of New York or elsewhere
the lowest interest rate and longest term mortgage loans for each house
sold. (An additional payment for mortgage insurance may possibly be added)*
5. Convey free and clear and ready for construction the site or sites selected.
6. Rehabilitate and refurbish the subway or elevated stations serving the area
selected. This should be started almost immediately as evidence to the
community of the City's commitment and good faith.
June 2, 1982
-3-
7. Provide a fund of $10, 000 per unit as a free capital loan secured by a lien
repayable out of the proceeds of any sale whenever that sale is made**
8. Provide the maximum tax abatement available under present law.
Note:
*
This matter has been discussed with New York State Commissioner Richard
Berman, who said such housing would qualify for the lowest possible rate
available from the State mortgage finance agency.
**
Because the interest rate would have been much lower under Section 235,
such a capital loan would not have been necessary last year. Secretary
Pierce has suggested that he would look with favor on the use by the City
of Community development funds for this purpose. He is conscious we will
be serving a market it is not possible to serve in any other way.
t
EAST BROOKLYN CHURCHES
OUR LADY OF THE PRESENTATION
1661 ST. MARKS AVENUE BROOKLYN. NEW YORK 11233
JUNE 15, 1982
THE NEHEMIAH PLAN
WHAT FIVE THOUSAND NEW HOMES WOULD
MEAN FOR LOCAL PARISHES AND
CONGREGATIONS IN THE
EAST BROOKLYN
COMMUNITY
"You see our wretched plight. Jerusalem lies
in ruins, its gates destroyed by fire. Come let us
rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and be rid of the reproach."
--Nehemiah
INTRODUCTION
The key pastors, men and women religious, and lay
leaders of East Brooklyn Churches have spent the past eight
months investigating a long-range strategic plan for the
community of East Brooklyn. Partners in this investigation
have been the national staff of the Industrial Areas Founda -
tion and successful developers and builders. Exploratory
discussions have been held with the middle-managers and top
leadership of eleven denominations -- Roman Catholic, main-
6
line Protestant, and black Baptist and Pentecostal.
After extensive discussion, the local parishes and
congregations of East Brooklyn churches have asked that
the denominations participate in the fundamental reconstruc-
tion of congregations and communities, in a plan that aims
2.
at rebuilding the walls, in a design that undergirds the
last enduring institution in the East Brooklyn community
and in scores of communities like it :- the local church
and synagogue.
The parishes and congregations of East Brooklyn Churches
have proposed that the denominations invest. loans, at no
interest, for a period of five years, in a pool jointly
controlled by the denominations and by East Brooklyn Churches.
This twelve million dollar pool would be used to guarantee
the quality construction of as many as five thousand single-
family owner-occupied rowhouses in the East Brooklyn area.
How it would be used, the mechanics of the pool, the parti-
cipants in its use will be spelled out in these pages.
PARTICIPANTS
1. East Brooklyn Churches. East Brooklyn Churches
is an organization of thirty-six parishes and congregations
in the East New York, Oceanhill, Brownsville, City Line, East
Flatbush, and Bushwick areas of Brooklyn. Among the
denominations now involved are: black Baptist and Pente-
costal, Roman Catholic, Lutheran (Missouri Synod, LCA,
AELC), Episcopal, Presbyterian, and Reformed Churches. East
Brooklyn has an annual budget of $125,000 per year; a dues
base of $60,000 in 1982, increasing to $70,000 in 1983, and
$90,000 in 1984; a professional staff; and a commitment 1:0
3.
the training and development of leaders through a process
of research, action and evaluation. In its three years
of existence -- two years of sponsoring committee work and
over one year of operations -- EBC has begun to build a
track record on local issues like food quality, missing
street. signs, demolition and re-sealing of abandoned
buildings, improvements of local parks, and others. At
the same time, the leaders have seen that the campaign
for better services from governmental agencies and better
services from local private sector institutions cannot
reverse the fundamental deterioration of the area. Recon-
struction must take place. This campaign for better
services and the reconstruction of a residential base is
being done in the context of religious values and religious
traditions.
2. Industrial Areas Foundation. The Industrial Areas
Foundation, founded in 1939 by the late Saul D. Alinsky, is
the most successful organizing group in the country. The
foundation's work -- with Mexican-American groups in San
Antonio, Texas and Los Angeles, California; with black
groups in Baltimore, and, historically, in Chicago, in
Buffalo, and in Rochester; in multi-racial groups in
Houston, Texas, and Queens, New York -- attracted the
attention of local East Brooklyn pastors and prompted those
pastors to invite the Industrial Areas Foundation into
East Brooklyn. The Industrial Areas Foundation, now headed
4.
by Edward Chambers and based in Metropolitan New York,
has long and deep relationships with Roman Catholic
leaders, mainline Protestant leaders, Jewish leaders, and
black church leaders.
3. Denominations. The following denominations have
been involved at some depth in the current discussions:
Episcopal Church -
National Presiding Bishop
Diocese of Long Island
National Staff
Local Churches
Roman Catholic Church -
Bishop of Brooklyn
Local Churches
Reformed Church -
Executive Coordinator
New York Synod Executive
Local Churches
United Church of Christ -
National Staff
Board of Homeland Ministries
Lutheran Churches -
National and Local Staff
Missouri Synod, LCA, AELC, ALC
Local Churches
Presbyterian Church -
National Staff
Local Churches
Introductory meetings or conversations have been held
with the United Methodist Church, the Disciples of Christ,
the American Baptist Church, and the Southern Baptist Church.
5.
Extensive discussions have taken place with local
Baptist and Pentecostal ministers.
4. Private Developers and Builders. A series of
meetings has taken place with a wide variety of builders
and developers who have experience in the field of home
construction and major financing of such efforts. The
most valuable resource has been Mr. I. D. Robbins, former
builder, former journalist with the New York Daily News,
and presently writing commentary on local and national
housing trends. Mr. Robbins is not interested in being
the builder or developer of the present proposed plan, but
has been serving as consultant to the Industrial Areas
Foundation and East Brooklyn Churches.
5. Political Leaders - City and State. The full
support of the top city and state public officials is
critical to the success of this plan. With all partici-
pants pulling together -- top political leaders, top church
leaders, successful builders, organized citizens in the
local community -- this plan will not be slowed by cumber-
some bureaucracies and low-level political infighting.
The pace -- the momentum -- of such an effort is a key
ingredient to its success. The vision and energy of the
top political leaders of the city and state, applied to
this plan, will no doubt stimulate the pace and create
the required momentum.
6.
BACKGROUND ON THE EAST BROOKLYN AREA
Most see East Brooklyn as an area of devastation.
There are large tracts of vacant land, hundreds of
abandoned and burned-out buildings, high crime rates
and low reading and math scores. But in this devastation
there are several resources:
Resource One: Vacant Land. There are areas of
twenty, forty, sixty acres of vacant or nearly-vacant
land. Building thirty new rowhouses to an acre, one could
build new communities of six hundred or twelve hundred or
eighteen hundred homes in several sites.
Resource Two: Infrastructure. The streets, sewers,
gas and electric lines are in place. This means what
builders call "off-site" costs, often 10% or more of total
construction costs can be avoided. In many places, schools
and firehouses are already in place. The areas are served
by existing subways, rail, and commercial boulevards.
Resource Three: Local Religious Institutions.
There are churches and synagogues, church schools (includ-
ing new church schools being built by Lutheran and Baptist
congregations), networks of leaders and followers, profess-
ional staffs of religious men and women, lay people with
talent and vision, and clear signs of the working of the
Spirit in the East Brooklyn area. In the devastation,
7.
most congregations survive, and some thrive. They serve
as the touchstone institutions for stable leaders and
stable families.
Resource Four: East Brooklyn Churches. Thirty-six
of these local churches have joined together to form East
Brooklyn Churches. As the church protects and promotes
the values of family, EBC protects and promotes the values
of local congregations.
THE NATURE OF THE RESPONSE
1. Any response to the conditions of East Brooklyn
must be large in scale. Small-scale or pilot-project
approaches, amid the devastation of East Brooklyn, are
doomed to defeat. The encompassing pressures and strains
swallow up smaller efforts. The area is full of small-
scale efforts that have deteriorated and collapsed either
because of incompetence, corruption, or poor design. There
is a need to create entirely new environments for better
and safer family life--environments affordable to the work-
ing poor, to someone making $16,000 per year, to those
who want to build a stable congregation and a stable
community.
2. The homes must be low-rise, single-family, owner-
occupied. Why single-family houses? Families prefer them.
Contrary to conventional wisdom, single-family rowhouses
can be built for one-half the cost of an equal-sized unit
8.
in a high-rise apartment house. They provide safer
neighborhoods and more stable neighbors. They avoid the
problems of overcrowding and high-rises.
3. Control over the design, the quality of construc-
tion, and the sale of the homes must be maintained by a
partnership of East Brooklyn Churches and the religious
denominations. The effort must be seen as mission and
ministry, as an undergirding of existing congregations
or as a base for new church development, and as the first
step in the reconstruction of a community where men and
women and children can live and work, learn and play, in
peace. Historically, religious institutions have followed
their people -- first to the outer edges of cities, then
to the suburbs. This plan suggests that the religious
institutions should bring people back to where the churches
are, that the churches should take the initiative in re-
building homes in the vacant lands of the central cities,
not the wooded acres of outer suburbia.
4. Financial subsidy support from the state or the
city must be forthcoming. It might take the following forms:
A write-down of the interest rates (down to 10%) ; straight
capital grants to each of the homeowner (in the range of
$10 - 20,000 each on a $40 - 45,000 home) ; and tax abate-
ments.
5. The best builders available must be attracted to
build these homes. Why big builders? Would black and
9.
Hispanic contractors and workers have a chance to partici-
pate? Yes. A better chance. The big builders would employ
dozens of small subcontractors, assure tight schedules and
prompt payments. We will be looking for builders who can
handle thousand-house projects. Once construction is
organized, builders should be able to produce ten houses
a day, using as many as fifty separate subcontractors.
6. The homes must be affordable to members of the
parishes and congregations located in the area -- and to
the relatives and friends of those congregants.
7. All homes must be pre-sold.
THE PURPOSE OF THE FINANCIAL POOL
The twelve-million-dollar pool would be used as a
revolving loan fund. The EBC-Consortium would loan this
money to the builder during the period of construction
(say four months), so that the builder would be spared
the expense of going to a bank and borrowing money at
today's interest rates. This would cut 5-to-6% off the
cost of the house -- a significant savings to the eventual
homebuyer.
The twelve-million-dollar pool would also be used as
a sign of the commitment of major denominations to the
work of the local institutions involved in East Brooklyn
Churches and to a plan to reconstruct cities in a syste-
matic, prudent, successful way. The pool would be a form
10.
of power. With it, the major denominations and organized
local churches would be able to act. from a position of
strength in the public arena.
The presence and use of the pool would also
guarantee:
1. that the best developers would be attracted;
2. that the EBC-Consortium (including the
major denominations) would control quality
and pace of construction;
3. and that overall costs would be kept low.
As the builder completes the homes, the pool
would be replenished and be made available to be loaned
again.
MECHANICS OF THE POOL
All elements regarding the mechanics of the pool
would need to be negotiated by lawyers representing the
participants. This section is meant tc suggest a basic
outline.
1. The denomination would agree to make the money
available for five years at no interest.
2. Initially each denomination would sign a
letter of intent, pending the agreement of a number of
other denominations.
3. When a sufficient number of denominations are in
agreement, the denominations would commit their moneys to
a central financial pool. The pool would be supervised
11.
by trustees representing each participating denomination.
When the funds were not in use, they would be invested
at top interest rates and all interest income would be
passed along to the denominations proportionate to their
participation.
4. All participants would, in advance, agree to
professional review, accounting, and auditing procedures
to guarantee safety and confidence.
5. At the end of the five-year term, all moneys
would be returned to the participants, according to the
agreement.
CONCLUSIONS
The program thus has all the major elements for success:
low land cost; avoidance of many "off-site" costs; economy
of design with conventional materials and construction
practices; large-scale construction; low selling expenses;
avoidance of local expenses and other "soft costs"; and an
organized community, church-based, with an experienced
builder working for them. It is a free enterprise venture.
It has an American character of local ownership and design.
It would raise the level of local services. It would help
scores of thousands of working- and non-working-poor who
presently live in the community by introducing a greater
mix of homeowner into an area glutted with high-density
high-rise structures. It would be rooted in the Bibical
12.
thrust of rebuilding the walls and being rid of the
reproach -- the reproach of living in devastation, the
reproach of poor services, the reproach of violence and
crime, the reproach of people in a state of siege, the
reproach cf mainline and local religious bodies on the
defensive rather than envisioning and reconstructing new
cities, new institutions, new communities.
It is mission and ministry in the eighties.
FIRST ADDENDUM TO NEHEMIAH PLAN: DESCRIPTION OF PHASE I
OF PROGRAM
Plan, sell, build, close and occupy 1,000 units of
single-family row housing on one contiguous site in
Brooklyn where streets, sewers and utilities exist.
Cost
Average cost of 2 bedroom homes shall be $40,000,
of 3 bedroom homes $45,000. Shopping centers or other
community facilities, if any, are not included in this
cost.
Type of construction
All construction and equipment shall be conventional
and meet FHA standards as to room sizes, etc.
Model Homes
One two-bedroom and one three-bedroom model homes
are to be constructed for sales purposes.
Pre-Selling
Deposits are to be taken and contracts with buyers
signed before construction starts.
Time Table
For the first 1,000 units allow from 12 months
from the start of construction. The first closings on
the purchased houses should occur from four to five months
14.
after the start of construction. Assuming an original
closing on 100 units, closings should occur during the
remainder of the period of the first project at the rate
of 90 a month.
Use of Money
The total of all borrowings for construction should
amount to 50% of the total selling cost for the entire
1,000-house project. But assuming a five-month cycle,
on a $40 million project, construction funds of only
$8,330,000 would be required. (If this were a private
job being started today, the cost of financing during
construction would add an additional $1,833 to the cost
of each house.) As mortgage closings occur, the funds
should be recycled through the trust to finance additional
construction.
Pre-Construction Costs - No more than $500,000
Organization, promotion, legal, architectural,
engineering, staff, model homes, selling to be amortized
pro rata on first 1,000 homes.
Construction Loans - $8,330,000
To be paid out as per actual purchasing, construction
schedules and progress, and repaid or credited pro rata
after each closing.
Five months after construction starts, the return of
construction funds following closings of approximately
100 units a month will be sufficient to finance the remaining
15.
construction. Construction can then start on Section Il,
equal in size to Section I. The construction cycle for
Section II can be shorter because much of the preparation
work need not be duplicated. There is no managerial
reason, if working capital is available, why two or more
sections cannot be operated simultaneously.
Conclusion and Continuing Program
A minimum program of 1,000 units is required to be
certain a new, sound neighborhood is created, to attract
the quality of builder desired and to achieve economies
of scale and speed.
Prudence also suggests that the sponsoring group should
have a working fund of 50% more than the estimated construc-
tion financing need.
Once a project is well started and the soundness
of the selling and construction programs are proved, it is
important to obtain additional mortgage financing commit-
ments and sites and continue building. This will enable
the builders to maintain their pace and control costs.
16.
SECOND ADDENDUM TO NEHEMIAH PLAN: DESCRIPTION OF TRUST AGREEMENT
To manage the funds for the housing program sponsored
by the Industrial Areas Foundation and associated organi-
zations, the following setup is suggested:
1. A trust to be established in accordance with an
agreement entered into by all of the contributors to
the trust.
2. Each of the contributing organizations shall name
one trustee to the controlling board and, if necessary,
name successors.
3. The purpose of the trust shall be to manage the
funds loaned for five years by contributing organizations
for the purpose of rebuilding devastated areas. Initially
work shall be carried out in areas of Brooklyn, New York,
where it is believed major progress can be made in coopera-
tion with an existing organization known as East Brooklyn
Churches in which many religious groups are participating.
4. An executive officer of the trust shall be
designated. He or his designated employees may negotiate
with and, if authorized, enter into agreements with public
agencies, consultants, contractors and others needed to
advance the program.
5. An executive committee of five individual
trustees shall be named by the trust to serve between
meetings of the board.
17.
6. The trustees and management of the trust shall
be obligated to invest those funds of the trust on loan
for construction on the highest prudent basis.
7. Interest-free loans to the trust from partici-
pating organizations shall be for a period of five years.
These monies may in turn be loaned to contractors or
builders on an interest-free basis to encourage them to
participate in the development program and to avoid the
burden of high-interest construction loans. The trust is
required to plan its programs so that they will be
completed by the end of the five-year period so that
funds, plus interest earned if any, can be returned to
their donors at that time.
OF
SONSUSH
HIGHLAND
PARK
CEMETERY
HIGHLAND
Schools
ELEMENTARY
HIGH SCHOOL
INTERMEDIATE
x PRIVATE
HIGHLAND
PARK
CEMETRY OF
HIGHLAND
ATLANTIC
2
Transportation
TO:
Industrial Areas Foundation
FROM: I.D. Robbins
RE:
Background Memo on Housing Finance
East Brooklyn Churches, is proposing to build for sale a
minimum of 1,000 single-family townhouses. They will be built
in areas now burned out and leveled. They are designed to
create large, new, healthy neighborhoods. Sewers, streets,
utilities and subway transportation are in place.
Behind the decision of East Brooklyn Churches, the Indus-
trial Areas Foundation, and the various national and local church
bodies to build and help finance the new housing are a number of
economic and social factors:
1. Single-family row houses can be built for half the
cost of equivalent space in higher rise buildings. Typical "gut"
rehabilitation also costs almost as much as new high-rise 'con-
struction, twice as much as row housing.
2. The City of New York owns large acreage taken over
for nonpayment of taxes or abandoned after fires, vandalism, etc.
There is no present use for this land and the city would benefit
from its redevelopment.
2.
3. Single-family houses do not involve continuing large
rent subsidies as in apartment houses built and tenanted under
the Federal "Section 8" rent subsidy program. The average
"Section 8" apartment in New York carries an estimated subsidy
of more than $500 a month, in relative perpetuity. Six years of
Section 8 subsidies would be sufficient to pay for a single-
family house and own it free and clear. In any event, Section
8 has been phased out.
4. The best financing deal for single-family housing
was Federal "Section 235" which wrote down mortgage interest
rates to as low as 7%. The City of New York did not take full
advantage of this program on a reasonable scale when it was
available. A few years ago, 12 projects totaling approximately
1,600 units were announced but they were not large enough to have
a qualitative effect on neighborhoods.
5. Without Federal "Section 8," the rent subsidy program,
or the "Section 235" interest subsidy program, it becomes neces-
sary in order to provide housing for families presently priced
out of the housing market, to develop new concepts of financing
based on the aid of cities and states. Under today's condition
of construction and indirect costs, subsidies are required to
build anything but extreme luxury housing. At interest rates of
17% or higher and construction costs of $60 a foot or more, even
builders of luxury, high-rise apartment. houses have felt they had
to have tax abatement.
6. To achieve a useful housing program for the middle
and lower middle-income family, it was essential to devise a
new "package."
3.
This includes:
a. The most economical form of house construction, the
single-family row or town house built on a large scale, 1000 or
more units. Present city-sponsored homes to be financed and
subsidized with remaining Federal interest subsidy funds start
at $48,000. The East Brooklyn houses would be offered at $40,000.
b. Contribution of City-owned land.
C. Re-use of existing streets, sewers, utility lines.
d. The lowest possible interest rates on permanent
mortgage financing. (Presently, 13% from the State of New York
is still too high.)
e. The maximum tax abatement available under existing law.
f. To avoid the extremely high cost (20% or more) of
money needed during construction, working capital provided at
no cost to the builder or charge against the cost of the house.
(Aside from providing responsible leadership, this is the major
contribution of the church groups. It is estimated that it should
save 7% of the total cost of construction.)
g. A free City loan of $10,000 per house, probably from
Federal Community Development Funds. Such funds are normally used
up each year. In this case they would be secured by a lien on
each house, repayable out of the proceeds of any resale. This
would reduce the effective price to the buyer of a $40,000 house
to $30,000. At a 10% annual price inflation rate, the selling
price in three years would be $53,240. There is also evidence
from Federal data that substantially all of the homes would be
4.
resold within ten years. This suggests that the capital grant.
concept, because it is self-regenerating, may be the most
logical and economical form of public assistance on a continuing
basis.
h. Avoidance of other "soft" costs which have characte-
rized construction in New York, including high legal and other
professional service costs. By having the active support of the
city administration and local church, civic and political group-
ings, costly and disheartening political delays can, it is hoped,
be avoided.
NEHEMIAH
507
NEHEMIAH
3:6
the king, and if you are satisfied with your servant, give me leave to go to Judah,
6 to the city of my ancestors' tombs, and rebuild it." The king, with the queen
The call of Nehemiah: his mission to Judah
sitting there beside him, said, "How long will your journey take, and when will
1
1
The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah. In the month of Chislev, in the
you return?" So I named a date that seemed acceptable to the king and he gave
2
7
twentieth year of King Artaxerxes,4 when I was in the citadel of Susa, one
me leave to go. 1 spoke to the king once more, "If it please the king, could letters
of my kinsmen, Hanani, arrived with some men from Judah. I asked them
be given me for the governors of Transeuphrates to allow me to pass through
about the Jews-the remnant rescued from captivity-and about Jerusalem.
8 to Judah? And also a letter for Asaph, keeper of the king's park, to supply
3 "Those who escaped from captivity," they replied, "who are back there in the
me with timber for the gates of the citadel of the Temple, for the city walls and
province, are in great trouble and humiliation: the walls of Jerusalem are in
for the house I am to occupy?" This the king granted me. for the kindly favor
4
ruins and its gates burned down." On hearing this I sank down and wept; for
of my God was with me.
9
several days I mourned, fasting and praying before the God of heaven.
So I traveled to the governors of Transeuphrates, and handed them the king's
5
And I said, "Yahweh, God of heaven, great God who must be feared,
letters. The king had given me an escort of army officers and cavalry.
10
maintaining covenant and kindness with those who love you and obey your
When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite slave's came to know
6 commandments, -let your ear be listening, and your eyes open, to hear your
of this, they were much displeased that anyone should come to promote the
servant's prayer. I am making this to you now day and night on behalf of the
welfare of the sons of Israel.
sons of Israel, your servants; and I confess the sins of the sons of Israel which
The decision to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem
7 we have committed against you: I and my father's House have sinned. We have
acted very wickedly toward you: we have not kept the commandments, laws
H
And so I reached Jerusalem and stayed there for three days. Then I rose
I and customs you laid down for Moses your servant. Remember, I beg you,
in the night, with a few other men, not having told anyone what work God had
the charge you gave to Moses your servant: 'If you prove faithless, I will
inspired me to do for Jerusalem, and having no animal with me but my own
9 scatter you among the peoples; -but if you come back to me and keep my
13 mount. At night, therefore, leaving by the Valley Gate, I went by way of the
commandments and practice them, even if your outcasts were at the very sky's
Well of the Dragon to the Dung Gate; I examined the walls of Jerusalem with
end, I would gather them from there and bring them back to the place I have
14 their gaps and burned-out gates. -1 went on to the Fountain Gate and the King's
10 chosen for my name to dwell in.' Now these are your servants, your own people:
15 Pool, but found no further path for my mount. So I returned, in the dark,
you have redeemed them with your mighty power and outstretched arm.
through the wadi, still examining the walls, and came in again by the Valley
11 o Lord, let your ear be attentive to your servant's prayer and to the prayer
16 Gate. And so I returned without the officials knowing where 1 had gone
of your servants who delight to reverence your name. I beg you, let your servant
or what I was doing. So far I had said nothing to the Jews: either to the priests,
be successful today; make him acceptable to this man."
17 the authorities, the officials or any other responsible persons. Then 1 said to
At that time I was cupbearer to the king.
them, "You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem is in ruins, its gates have been
1
In the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes.ᵃ the wine
burned down. Come, let us rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and suffer this indignity
2
being my concern, I took up the wine and offered it to the king. Now I had
18 no longer." And I told them how the kindly favor of God had been with
2 never been downcast before. So the king said, "Why is your face so sad? You
me, and also repeated the words the king had said to me. "Let us start!"
are not sick, surely? This must be a sadness of the heart." A great fear came over
they exclaimed, "Lei us build!"; and with willing hands they set about the good
'vork.
3 me and I said to the king, "May the king live for ever! How could my face be
19
other than sad when the city where the tombs of my ancestors are lies in ruins,
When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite slave, and Geshem
4 and its gates have been burned down?" "What," the king asked, "is your request?"
the Arab came to know of this, they ridiculed us, and came and asked, "What
5 I called on the God of heaven and made this reply to the king, "If it pleases
20 are you doing? Are you planning to revolt against the king?" .But I gave
them this answer, "The God of heaven will give us success. We, his servants,
are going to build; you have neither share nor rights nor memorial in
Jerusalem."