InterfaithNews.Net

Elizabeth Esperson

Part One: About the Organizations

• All three countries of North America responded, with representation from
  coast to coast.
• Most member organizations are local groups of individuals meeting monthly
  who report growth in their work. This gives individuals concerned with
  spiritual matters an opportunity for expression and involvement.
• The common thread in the purpose/mission statements of all responding
  shows some variation of the Golden Rule - i.e., Do unto others as you would
  have them do unto you.
• Interfaith groups emphasize dialogue over advocacy programs; these experiences
  (visits, workshops, study days, etc.) are successful in helping us become
  comfortable with one another in our diversity. Interfaith activities show
  a wide variety of interest and creativity.
• Today, interfaith organizations have achieved a first level of success
  by creating structures where diverse religious groups can overcome ignorance
  and fear of one another. This achievement has created excitement, awe and
  gratitude among participants. Most seem ready for a next level, though
  they may not know what this.

Part Two: NAIN and the Organizations

• NAINConnect: 1996 - 2000 were its strongest years. The responding organizations
  show commitment to NAIN with high percentages participating on the board
  and committees.
• Today's falling off may be normal as the original purpose of NAIN -
  to create a network - has been achieved.
• NAIN is generally helpful to members, but organizations may be looking
  for something more today. If they can participate in only one of many annual
  gatherings, NAINConnects may not be their choice.
• NAINews & NAINet have also been helpful but need tweaking/updating for
  better service to users.

Part Three: New Directions for NAIN

• New initiatives for NAIN might include regional gatherings, monthly news
  briefs, and publications including a current directory and practical “how
  to” applications of success stories from member organizations.
• New directions might include post 9/11 guidelines for interfaith work,
  a code of ethics for quality interfaith behavior, outreach to other continents,
  pilgrimages, and showcasing of world religions.
• Some sort of Staff Person is important to NAIN to create and maintain
  a constant focus on NAIN and its potential. Position must be carefully
  thought through as it demands greater responsibility from Board.
• This Staff Person would assist Board/committees, create more frequent
  and consistent interaction with member organizations, research and grow
  new opportunities for NAIN, provide resources for members, develop funding
  for NAIN, and work to move it to its next level of in-depth service.
• NAIN is no longer a network only to care for members (though it will
  continue to foster this care), but a network to which members contribute
  from their collective wisdom and experience for the good quality of the
  Interfaith Movement itself.

NAIN Survey: Succesful Programs

Alliance for Spiritual Community

Dialogue Program: Interfaith Café…

The topic was "Who are we as a community?" We
were seated in circles of 8. Each had a name and participants
picked a paper with the name of the circle to find out where to
sit. Thus, groups were diverse. Group dialogue on how
your religion influences how you spend your leisure time, raise
your children, and interact with your colleagues at work or
school.

Success based on

Number of participants, quality of interfaith dialogue,
development of further interfaith activity.

CoNexus Multifaith Media

Sourcebook of the World's Religions

An interfaith guide to religion and spirituality

Success based on

Number of participants, development of further interfaith
activity, education of participants, quality of interfaith
advocacy, quality of service, number of people reached.

Creative Films
Parliament of Souls

½ hour in-depth interviews with 27 religious leaders at
the World Parliament of Religions, aired internationally.
Models for the public a positive means of religious dialogue and is
a presentation of the widest range of spiritual expression aired on
public television.

Success based on

Quality of interfaith dialogue, development of further
interfaith activity, number of people reached.

Edmonton Interfaith Centre
Dialogue & Advocacy Program: Jewish/Christian/Muslim Dialogues

These are explorations of one another's faith traditions
that have been continuing for two years.

Success based on

Number of participants, quality of interfaith dialogue and
advocacy, development of further interfaith activity, education of
participants, quality of service offered, number of people
reached.

Foundations for Religious Freedom
Dialogue & Advocacy Program: "Tolerance
2000"

First published in 1999 as "Tolerance 101" for
national distribution to counter anti-religious movements
domestically. It has been translated and printed in France,
Japan with good response, Russian translation is underway; German
translation is in progress though not complete. Other
completed translations are Italian, Hungarian and Spanish.

Success based on

Number of participants, education of participants, quality of
interfaith advocacy, quality of service offered, number of people
reached, amount of money raised for organization

Interfaith Center at the Presidio
An Interfaith Festival – One Light, Many
Mirrors:

From American Indian Blessing to Hebrew Sundown Service, a
celebration of music, poetry and spirit. Music, dance &
stories from all over the world on the outdoor stage…
arts and crafts for youngsters of all ages… stellar
presenters… see a remarkable Videofest about the
possibilities of interfaith friendship… get acquainted
at the Interfaith Café… lots of food, booths,
and a stained-glass work-in-progress exhibit.

Success based on

All items mentioned in Survey.

Note Comment: Just one doesn't fit. We also
have annual "Gathering of Blessings" and "What Do
You Believe?" with 50 minute video based on 200 interviews
with San Francisco Bay area teenagers. Premiered in February,
2002.

Interfaith Council of Washington (State)

"We're Standing on One Foot"

Annual World Religions study series. It consists of six
all day programs over six months in partnership with Seattle
University School of Theology. "This year we had over
92 participants, 6 presenters, and netted $2,200 for our
treasury."

Success based on

Number of participants, education of participants, amount of
money raised for organization, community partnerships

Interfaith Dialogue Association

Annual Conference

Each year we invite a
speaker of note from various traditions to present on various
topics. Workshops follow the plenary. Former conference
topics: Sacred Sounds, Sacred Narrative, Science and
Religion, Religion in Schools, Women in Religion.

Success based on

Number of participants, quality of interfaith dialogue,
development of further interfaith activity, education of
participants, quality of service offered.

Interfaith Voices for Peace and Justice
Daily communication

via web. Respond to phone calls, letters and faxes.

Success based on

Number of participants, education of participants, quality of
interfaith advocacy

International Association for Religious
Freedom
IARF Congress

A triennial event bringing together representatives of member
groups, scholars, activists and local people to build relationships
and rapport.

Success based on

Number of participants, development of further interfaith
activity, quality of service offered, number of people reached

Marin Interfaith Council
Advocacy Program: Housing Sabbath Project

Housing Sabbath is a unique way in which the interfaith
community increases its understanding of issues related to our
housing crisis and the housing element process. Members of
faith communities become involved as advocates for effective
affordable housing. While the actual Sabbath experience takes
place on a designated Friday through Sunday, the project includes
activities in preparation for those events as well as time for
follow-up and integration following the actual Sabbath.
Project is intergenerational – children, youth, adults and
seniors. Resources developed reflect different
generation-specific participants. Project is coordinated by
Interfaith Council with high school students invited to participate
as part of their community service responsibilities. Project
began on July 1 and ended on December 15, 2001.

Success based on

Number of participants, development of further interfaith
activity, education of participants, quality of interfaith
advocacy, number of people reached.

Meetings in Faith
Dialogue into Advocacy Program: Multifaith
Exploration and Exchange

This program begins with recruitment of members of various
religious traditions found in a given local area. After an
evening orientation, the group visits the religious community
and/or place of worship of each religious tradition. While
there, they receive teaching, observe/participate in the
traditional worship, and develop dialogue/q&a about what they
have experienced. Often fellowship with members of the
community over shared refreshments follows. The program
begins in January of each year and goes through June with about two
visits per month. Blessing Night closes the experience.
The program develops a cohesive interfaith community which may be
invited to speak out on advocacy issues affecting the religious
life of the community. It has been held in Dallas, Texas for
about eight years, and has been adapted in other cities (Fresno,
Edmonton, Fort Worth, Milwaukee, etc.)

Success based on

Quality of interfaith dialogue and advocacy, development
of further interfaith activity, education of participants, quality
of service offered, number of people reached.

Multifaith Action Society
The Multifaith Calendar

2003 marks the 17th edition of this calendar, the
quintessential source for major religious festivals and
holidays. It uses art work and significant quotations around
a given annual theme to educate its users to the world's
religions.

Success based on

Quality of interfaith dialogue, education of participants,
quality of interfaith advocacy, quality of service offered, number
of people reached, amount of money raised for organization

Partners in Dialogue
Dialogue and Advocacy Program: Building Bridges
through Interfaith Dialogue – Post September 11

This was one of four forums held in South Carolina to explore
the implications of September 11th for interfaith
relations. Ten different traditions were involved in the
dialogue. The forum was taped by SC-ETV. A one-hour
program will be aired on ETV around September 11, 2002, to continue
the dialogue as groups meet to watch and discuss the program.

Success based on

Number of participants, development of further interfaith
activity, quality of interfaith advocacy, number of people
reached

Religious Education Association
Dialogue Program: Teaching and Learning Beyond Boundaries

Interreligious conversation about character education by
religious leaders and public school educators.

Success based on

Number of participants, quality of interfaith dialogue, quality
of service offered, number of people reached

Temple of Understanding
Program: Spiritual Journey

Program introduces participants to the religious practices of 8
traditions through an experiential program of
"immersion" in a tradition – visits to religious
sites are held one Saturday per month over the course of a
year.

Success based on

Quality of interfaith dialogue, development of further
interfaith activity, education of participants

The Thanks-Giving Foundation at Thanks-Giving
Square
Program: National Day of Prayer Breakfast

Held annually, this is a demonstration of the unity-in-diversity
of our community and our nation, in our breakfast on the day
designated by Congress. There is usually a nationally known
speaker with interfaith interests. (Past speakers include
Terry Anderson, Elizabeth Dole, Martin Marty). Leaders
of 20 plus religious traditions are seated at the head table.
Various religious communities, businesses and individuals make up
the audience. This year, instead of a major speaker, we had
representatives from Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Christianity (all
at war with one another somewhere in the world) bring messages of
hope and prayer for our nation and for peace.

Success based on

Number of participants, quality of interfaith dialogue,
education of participants

Urantia Book Fellowship

Program of dialogue and advocacy with Urantia Book
Exhibits.

Participation in World Parliament of
Religions in South Africa, December 1999.

Success based on

Number of participants, quality of interfaith dialogue and
advocacy, development of further interfaith activity, quality of
service offered, number of people reached.

NAIN Survey: Comments from Members

• Bravo NAIN!
• You are to be commended for your use of the Survey method to elicit
  responses from us members. As a famous philosopher once wrote, "If
  you want to discover what people want, need or change, ASK THEM INDIVIDUALLY!" – not
  bothering to listen to what their political "leaders" might
  tell you what they think
• I have personally enjoyed NAIN. It has not significantly benefited
  my organization. Higher visibility for interfaith relationships and organizations
  is needed, but beware the burden of staff. It will bend to change NAIN
  from a network to an organization. I suggest using contract consultants
  for necessary and desirable projects rather than opening an office and
  hiring staff.
• I have lived in Columbus for four months and am just getting acquainted
  with local people and organization. Previously, I spent 16 years in New
  York City at Auburn Seminary where I was involved in developing interfaith
  programs such as "Building Bridges: Understanding Our Neighbors
  Faiths" and "A Spiritual Journey: Interfaith Perspectives".
  I hope to get more involved in interreligious activities as a volunteer.
• Let's brainstorm about the fundraising. I appreciate this questionnaire.
  A staff person is a very important addition – the time has come!
• Contact interfaith staff persons for all major faiths and denominations.
  Most have such a person or department. Good survey! Interesting that
  the word "advocacy" is used several times. I’d like to
  encourage such advocacy – but have always been rebuffed by comments
  such as "No, we're just a network." "We don't advocate
  for anything. We don't take stands."
• I'm not certain Mexico belongs in NAIN at this time, as I have mentioned
  to Don Mayne. Until such time as some NAIN member groups have Latino
  participants from the USA or Canada, it seems premature for the Mexican
  Interfaith Council to be a member of NAIN. Nevertheless I am encouraging
  Mexican participation at Wichita by a Catholic priest (who went to Fullerton)
  and a 33 year old Anglican priest who is applying to Christy Lohr for
  a Youth Scholarship.
• Thanks for this survey. I wish it had been on line. About five years
  ago, the Religious Education Association retired its staff associate – a
  very big mistake. I am glad you are thinking about adding staff.
  We are a non-profit organization founded in 1908.
• The question of a staff person needs to be considered very thoughtfully
  because this person (is the organization he/she is attached to, if applicable)
  could become "the face" of NAIN thus moving the "imagery" from
  an association of interfaith organizations to an individual. This is
  not necessarily a problem, but something that simply needs to be acknowledged
  and considered. (Alison Van Dyk, Temple of Understanding)
• Thank you for your excellent initiative on this survey.
• NAIN was structured as a network but the quality of Board participation
  and governance has crippled its effectiveness. A staff member does not
  solve this dysfunction. Before NAIN embarks on a commitment to staffing,
  it needs to hold a board retreat and engage in strategic planning with
  a facilitator.
• Since NAIN has always avoided program commitments, it is hard to define
  what a staff person should do beyond networking. I feel that most of
  the board is pretty much unengaged in the organization, providing no
  networking to speak of. So perhaps we – the board and member organizations – first
  have to define new possibilities for, and values of, networking.
• I think others besides myself (newsletter editor/web editor) should
  be responsible for communications, and should provide substantive communications
  of networking value. Very few board members or organizations provide
  news or resource info. At this time, the only communications members
  get, besides the newsletter and nascent Interfaith E-Digest (also from
  me) are membership renewal reminders.
• It is important that people in North America (and elsewhere) realize
  the degree of inter-religious cooperation and community that exists and
  continues to thrive in North America. It can easily be the role of NAIN
  to help educate the general public about successful and positive models
  of living together. Media contacts and news stories should go beyond
  our NAIN membership to the broader public. These stories can play a vital
  role in reinforcing the strengths of a religiously plural democracy,
  particularly now.
• This cannot be done on a volunteer basis without having at least staff-based
  coordination. Our website is a first step in a very large area of growth.

NAIN Survey: Recommendations to the NAIN Board and Membership

• Revisit the purpose of nain in view of the quality of interfaith work
• Determine new initiatives for nain based on purpose
• Hire an interfaith consultant (ic)
• Strengthen networking interaction among board, ic, members, committees
• Assure spiritual grounding
• Assess the needs of the times globally in view of NAIN's service
• Use the collective wisdom and experience of nain members
• Board and interfaith consultant develop fundraising strategies; seek
  funds
  • NAIN partners
  • grants from foundations
  • dues increased minimally
• Schedule for accomplishing these initiatives
• Means of implementing these recommendations

This entry was posted on Thursday, August 15th, 2002 at 7:52 pm and is filed under NAIN. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.