40 North American Cities Represented
This year’s Think Tank was a great success! HOPE worldwide Chapter representatives, volunteers, and corporate staff members congregated in Philadelphia for a weekend to collaborate and exchange ideas on effectively serving the needy across the United States.
This year’s Think Tank was a great success! HOPE worldwide Chapter representatives, volunteers, and corporate staff members congregated in Philadelphia for a weekend to collaborate and exchange ideas on effectively serving the needy across the United States. Focusing on Management, Marketing, and Money, speakers from Phoenix to Boston shared their experiences of fund raising, developing successful service opportunities, and building strong relationships with their home churches. Members from the Accounting, Development, and North America Departments of HOPE worldwide Headquarters also addressed topics of financial stewardship, youth service programs, and advertising local Chapter activities to the public.
Those attending were able to enjoy rich fellowship with one another during Saturday’s luncheon and listened to James Campbell of the Greater Philadelphia Church of Christ and Kit Cummings from the Atlanta Metro Christian Church speak about the Biblical importance of serving the needy and giving to the poor. During the opening ceremony, a family served by the Philadelphia Chapter’s Saturday Academy program expressed their gratitude for the local Christians and the impact of the program in their lives.
Awards were given to Toju Chike-Obi and Al Essien for their hearts of service and Christ-like leadership, and Venita Spearman from the Chicago Chapter was given the Faith in Action award. Chapters of HOPE worldwide that had recently become official were also recognized during the opening ceremony.
The newly formed National Chapter Advisory Board was announced at the Think Tank as well. The Board is designed to help guide HOPE worldwide Chapters create effective service projects and provide support for Chapter directors and representatives. Board members were nominated by peers within their respective regions and each member will serve a term of two years.
National Chapter Advisory Board by region:
- Northeast - Ken Lowey (Boston), Horacio Piccininno (Central Jersey), Brett Kreider (Northern Virginia), and Sandra Foster (Philadelphia)Southeast- Noelle Broyles (Raleigh/Durham) and Jim Mackie (Jacksonville)
- Midwest - Andy Erickson (Cincinnati) and Chuck Jones (Milwaukee)
- Northwest - Ray Nadon (Alaska)
- Southwest - Tony Newsome (Southern California) and Mary Atkins (Reno)
- Texas - Bill Hooper (Dallas/Ft. Worth)
With approximately 80 in attendance and over 40 cities represented at the conference, we are planning an even bigger and more fruitful Think Tank next year! If you are interested in learning more, please contact Zack Goodwin at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Make plans now to join us in 2011!