Process for a request for proposals

In January 2009 the Presbyterian Association for Community Transformation (PACT) adopted a new mission statement that captures our collective call:

The Presbyterian Association for Community Transformation is a network of disciples following Jesus’ call to live and work for healing, wholeness, and transformation in communities and congregations.

The Mission of PACT is to respond to this call in the following ways:

1. To promote church-based community organizing (CBCO) theory and practice as a viable and effective means to achieve transformation. 
2. To partner with congregations, organizations and communities in the development of gatherings designed to lead toward community transformation using CBCO methods and strategies.
3. To resource congregations, organizations and communities in the application and ongoing use of CBCO techniques.

We believe by the grace of God and by working through a network of partnerships that communities and congregations can and will be transformed into places where all of God’s children are welcomed and treated equally, places where all of God’s children share equally in God’s abundant shalom.

The primary way we are responding to our mission and call is to offer ourselves as partners in the creation of locally organized consultations.  The goal of such an event is to bring together individuals, congregations and organizations who collectively commit to learning how church-based community organizing techniques might be used as a means of achieving transformation. We are issuing this request for proposals, a process for you to invite us to help organize and lead such an event. 

If you are interested, please provide us (in no more than two pages):

1. The name(s) of individual leaders, congregations and organizations willing to partner with PACT in creating an event.
2. The one local issue that you seek to address (housing, crime/violence/drugs, youth, immigration, employment, etc.).
3. The expected outcomes for the consultation.
4. Some basic information (statistics and/or stories) about that issue that illustrates the need to respond and organize.
5. Information about any existing church-based community organizing activity in your area.
6. The name and information of a contact person for follow up information, and to help lead the planning from your area.

At the conclusion of the event we request a written summary, which may include anecdotes and pictures. 

We will work with selected partners in the creation of clear and measurable goals for the event, and then a process to evaluate the extent to which those goals are met. 

Finally, we request a $35 offering upon application, the cost of membership in the Presbyterian Association for Community Transformation.

Please send this information to:

Ms. Susan Stack
Program Assistant
The Presbyterian Health, Education and Welfare Association
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
100 Witherspoon St., Room 3228
Louisville, KY  40202-1396
Email

The Rev. Phil Tom
Associate for Small Church & Community Ministry
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
100 Witherspoon St., Room 2065
Louisville, KY  40202-1396
Email