/Past Events http://www.michianameda.org/Events/Past_Events en-us Sun, 5 Sep 2010 18:44:11 GMT Caravel CMS RSS App A Dialogue on Healthcare Access - 2/15/05 http://www.michianameda.org/Events/Past_Events:CB2=Feb 15 mtg summary.rtf@CB2

A Dialogue on Health Care Access

A Dialogueon Health Care Access

With nearly 70 persons in attendance, a Michiana MEDA dinner meeting was held at Greencroft's Senior Center on February 15. A panel of Mennonite Church USA's Healthcare Access Commission (HAC) members led a dialogue on health care access. The discussion focused on the potential for the church and her business persons to make a positive influence on the dysfunction in our nation's present health care system, especially the problems of access and cost.

Following the dinner, Willard Roth, Michiana MEDA's Ambassador, shared his devotional perception that ``integrity is foundational to living a life of significance.''

Karl Sommers, chair of the HAC led the panel. Other HAC panel members included Mary Graber, Dan Nafziger, Daniel Grimes, and Clare Schumm. They outlined many aspects of today's health care dilemma, some of which include: 45 million in our nation do not have health insurance (or 1 in 5), health care costs are going up three times the rate of inflation, families that can afford health insurance pay about $10,000 annually, efforts at cost containment have been ineffective, and half of personal bankruptcies in our country are related to crushing medical expenses.

The panel stressed there are no easy solutions. However, the HAC is built on the premise that the MC USA can make a contribution ``to more equitable access to appropriate health care for all Mennonite Church USA members and our neighbors.'' During and following World War II, CPS (Civilian Public Service) recruits, many of whom were Mennonite, made a significant contribution to improving the US mental health system. Could the church again help repair a ``broken'' health care system?

After pointing in the direction of some possible improvements in our health care system, panel members wanted to listen to the attendees, so joined round-table discussions which concluded the evening. One table group reported their opinion that it is baffling that we want better access to a broken system! Mon, 14 Feb 2005 03:31:50 GMT Dare to Believe - 3/7/2005 http://www.michianameda.org/Events/Past_Events:CB2=DareToBelieve.html@CB2 Dare to Dream,
Be Ready for Consequences

Sarah Smith ``Dare to dream His dreams, have the courage to go where He leads.'' Sarah Smith left this closing challenge with persons gathered at the March 7, 2005, dinner meeting at Das Essenhaus, Middlebury.

Smith, a member of Madison (Wisconsin) Mennonite Church, said that in 1998 God planted in her heart a dream to provide micro loans to women in the developing world. She joined MEDA in 2003 and is realizing that dream by building houses and donating the proceeds to MEDA.

She owns SJS Enterprises, a company that provides consulting and other services to the art glass industry. God's provision for implementing dreams was illustrated in her account of the recent founding of Sarah's Hope Jewelry, a company that sells glass jewelry made by people in China, helping to raise funds for poor women in other places.

Bob Kroeker, staff member in MEDA's Winnipeg office accompanied Sarah. He reported creative MEDA activity in Tanzania and Nicaragua, inviting support for those and other MEDA international projects.

Michiana MEDA ambassador Willard Roth spoke briefly on the importance of busy business people finding time for reflection and solitude.

 

 Sun, 6 Mar 2005 03:30:23 GMT Indonesia in April - 04/05 http://www.michianameda.org/Events/Past_Events:CB2=Indonesia in April - 04 05.html@CB2 Indonesia in April

Ten days in Indonesia provided ten times the memories for four Michiana MEDA members. Member Mel Loewen introduced a tour group made up of John Hertzler, Myrl Nofziger, Jake Stoltzfus, and Gordon Yoder to friends and business persons involved in the HUPMI program.

The tour left South Bend airport on April 8 and flew to such areas as Jakarta, Semarang, Yogyakarta, and Denpasar in Indonesia visiting the businesses of HUPMI loan recipients.

A stop in Taipei on the return flight gave the group opportunity to tour the largest Mennonite hospital in the world and a school for handicapped children, attend a Mennonite church, and see the tallest Mennonite church in the world. The group returned on April 18.



 Mon, 9 May 2005 03:28:28 GMT Annual Meeting Minutes 5/2005 http://www.michianameda.org/Events/Past_Events:CB2=Minutes Annual Mtg 5-12-05.rtf@CB2 Lowell & Bernie Minutes: Annual Meeting

May 12, 2005 College Mennonite Church

1.       Board Elections led by President, Rob Steiner
  • Publicly thanked Don Stauffer and Virgil Brenneman for their service on the Board.
  • Passed out ballots to Chapter Members to vote for Melissa Kinsey and Jake Stoltzfus as new Directors on the Board for a 3-year term. Unanimous vote of approval by the Chapter.
2.       By-laws Review led by President, Rob Steiner
During 2004, the Board amended the by-laws of Michiana MEDA to bring them up to date. Major changes are as follows:
  • Section 3.6 Quorum changed from 1/3 rd of members to be a quorum of all members present at a meeting.
    • Section 4.2 Term of service changed from 2 to 3 years for each Director Section 4.2 Previously the Board comprised of the chairs of standing committees plus 4 regular directors. We removed the standing committees, the work of those committees and now that work is managed by the Board itself. Officers section Removed VP position, Board of Directors will determine amongst themselves the executive committee and to carry out the various programming, finance and marketing functions previously held by committees.
  • NO need for Chapter to vote since by-laws state in Section 11.1 that the Board can amend by a majority vote.
3.       Financial Statement Review led by Treasurer, John Nussbaum.  John reviewed financial statement handouts. See attached.

4.       Michiana MEDA website launch led by Chair of Marketing Com, Mark Regier

5.       Program Announcements for 2005-06 led by President, Rob Steiner

6.       ASSETS of Elkhart County Update led by Chair of ASSETS, Chad Horning
  • Chad talked of success stories, asked for contributions, displayed info
7.       Open Mic for Q & A Session with Members led by President, Rob Steiner
  •  No statements were made.
8. Meeting Adjourned.
 Sat, 14 May 2005 03:44:42 GMT New Members Join Board http://www.michianameda.org/Events/Past_Events:CB2=newmembers.html@CB2 New Members Join Board

Melissa Kinsey and Jake Stoltzfus were affirmed for three-year terms as Directors of the Michiana MEDA Board at the May 12 annual meeting. They will fill the completed term positions of Don Stauffer and Virgil Brenneman.

Melissa Kinsey is the Director of the Entrepreneurship Learning Center and Assistant Professor of Business at Goshen College. She is the owner of a marketing, advertising and graphic design business since 1993. The business is based in Colorado and Indiana with clients nationwide. She also provides consultation services.

Jake Stoltzfus was the President of Leland Engineering in White Pigeon, Michigan for 30 years. In a semi-retired position now he continues as a consultant to Leland Engineering. He serves on the Depot Board of the MCC Resource Center and as congregational chair at North Goshen Mennonite Church. Fri, 8 Jul 2005 01:18:50 GMT Event Kicks Off New Year - 09/22/05 http://www.michianameda.org/Events/Past_Events:CB2=KickOff-09-22-05.html@CB2 Event Kicks Off New Year

The 2005-06 Michiana MEDA program year was kicked off with a dinner event on Thursday, September 22. Keynote speakers were Greg Lintjer, President of Elkhart General Hospital and chairman of the Elkhart County Economic Development Corp (EDC), and Mike Yoder, Michiana MEDA member and Elkhart County Commissioner who also serves on the EDC board.

They spoke about the current issues that the EDC is addressing in trying to diversify and grow the economy. The EDC is working to bring in new businesses and to strengthen the existing ones. Tue, 25 Oct 2005 01:16:52 GMT Investing in One World - 10/20/05 http://www.michianameda.org/Events/Past_Events:CB2=October 2005.html@CB2

Investing in One World

by Lowell Nafziger

Members attending the October 20 Michiana MEDA chapter meeting held at Greencroft Senior Center heard Gil Crawford speak on microfinance. Gil, general manager of MicroVest Capital Management, has over 20 years experience with microfinance institutions and capital markets and has worked extensively in Latin America and Africa, as well as in Asia.

MicroVest Capital Management, LLC, founded by MEDA along with CARE and Seed Capital Development Fund, allows select clients, including the Calvert Foundation, with their microfinance investment goals.

Microfinance is a powerful development tool that has created economic independence for 100 million women and men over the past 25 years. Microfinance is about creating wealth. Two-thirds of the people in the world don’t have access to credit or finances. Loan sharks get ten percent interest per day. Microfinance charges its customers 40% interest on the loans. Loan sharks charge over 300% interest on a loan. The reason 40% interest is charged is because administrative costs are high on small loans. The average loan is for $200 and is unsecured. 

Anyone can invest in MicroVest with a minimum of $1,000 a year. The mPower Investment Program provides investors with the opportunity to make a difference in the fight against global poverty while earning a financial return. MEDA owns 45% of Microvest. Sarona Fund Investors were transferred to MicroVest. Fri, 28 Oct 2005 01:14:25 GMT Lowell Nafziger Jayco Family Business - 01/21/06 http://www.michianameda.org/Events/Past_Events:CB2=Jayco 012106.doc@CB2 Jayco Family Business - 01/21/06 Wed, 1 Feb 2006 00:05:31 GMT Annual Meeting - 3-23-06 http://www.michianameda.org/Events/Past_Events:CB2=Annual Meeting 3-23-06.doc@CB2 Annual Meeting - 3-23-06 Sun, 26 Mar 2006 21:43:49 GMT Elkhart County Innovation 5-26-06.doc http://www.michianameda.org/Events/Past_Events:CB2=Elkhart County Innovation 5-26-06.doc@CB2 Elkhart County Innovation 5-26-06.doc Mon, 5 Jun 2006 00:15:02 GMT September 2006 Kickoff http://www.michianameda.org/Events/Past_Events:CB2=September Kickoff 2006.doc@CB2 September 2006 Kickoff Wed, 18 Oct 2006 00:31:32 GMT Reinventing Downtown Goshen 10/12/06 http://www.michianameda.org/Events/Past_Events:CB2=October 06 meeting.doc@CB2 Reinventing Downtown Goshen 10/12/06 Sat, 21 Oct 2006 12:53:57 GMT Nappanee Tour 1/20/07 http://www.michianameda.org/Events/Past_Events:CB2=Nappanee tour.doc@CB2 Nappanee Tour 1/20/07 Sat, 10 Feb 2007 14:53:19 GMT Nonprofit World at The Depot 3/15/07 http://www.michianameda.org/Events/Past_Events:CB2=Nonprofit World at The Depot 3 15 07.html@CB2

Entrepreneurship in the Nonprofit World

A few individuals with strong entrepreneurial skills and a vision were able to turn a non-descript building next to The Old Bag Factory into a highly successful nonprofit entity that now provides funding for MCC. Michiana MEDA members gathered at The Deport located at 1013 Division Street, Goshen, for a catered dinner on Thursday, March 15.

Keynote speakers included Bob Lambright, chair of The Depot board, and Susan Nelson, education coordinator of Ten Thousand Villages. Following the program, the shops were open to wander and shop.

The Depot is home to Ten Thousand Villages, Whistle Stop, Switch Yard, Michiana Oak, Choice Books, Books Abroad and at Home, Mennonite Publishing Network, Africa Inter-Mennonite Mission, Central District Conference of MC USA, MCC Great Lakes regional office, and Sharing Services Agency/MAX.

Sun, 18 Mar 2007 18:04:47 GMT