FOCUS North America Holds Quarterly Board Meeting

FOCUS North America Holds Quarterly Board Meeting, Concludes First FOCUS Center Training

17/5/2010

May 17, 2009 – Kansas City, MO

The FOCUS North America Board of Directors held its quarterly meeting at the ministry’s headquarters in Kansas City, MO on April 15-16 to review its amazing first year of ministry together. (View the 2009 Annual Report online at www.FOCUSNorthAmerica.org)

The highlight of the meeting was the introduction of the three Local Directors of the new FOCUS Centers. The Local Directors are Eric Shanburn, Local Director of FOCUS Gateway City (St. Louis); Mat. Vera Proctor, Local Director of FOCUS Minnesota; and Kevin Allen, Local Director of FOCUS Orange County (CA). The Local Directors gave updates on the progress of their respective FOCUS Centers.

Concurrently, FOCUS North America hosted its first FOCUS Center training session in Kansas City April 14-17. The training session was headed by Bryan Dahms, National Director of Ministries for FOCUS. The Local Directors met in person and shared creative ideas on establishing their respective FOCUS Centers. Reconciliation Services-FOCUS Kansas City staff Mother Nicole Oakes, Emergency Services Director, and Fr. Paisius Altschul, Executive Director, were instrumental instructors during the training. Through intense immersion in the Kansas City FOCUS Center operations and comprehensive training on running social action ministries, the Local Directors were equipped to implement the mission and vision of FOCUS North America in their region.

To conclude the meetings the Board of Directors, ministry team and the Local Directors joined together with Orthodox volunteers and the staff of Reconciliation Services-FOCUS Kansas City on Friday April 16 to serve the weekly meal to over 250 poor and needy men, women and children.

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FOCUS North America and its programs are committed to serve those in need, support Orthodox Christian social action ministries and supply parishes and others with the education, resources and training to initiate social action ministries in their own communities. In all of this, it continues in the work of Restoring Living Icons. FOCUS North America is a 501c3 not-for-profit organization. Donations can be made online at www.FOCUSNorthAmerica.org or checks can be made out to “FOCUS North America” and sent to: PO BOX 30117, Kansas City, MO 64112.