In a Spirit of Thanksgiving and Preparation, NBA Board of Trustees Meets in Pomona
Dr. Lisa Enders Tunstall, founder of Broken, Mended and Restored
Members of the Board of Trustees for the National Benevolent Association of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) met November 7-9, 2019, for their fall in-person meeting.
As an annual practice, the NBA board meets once a year at or near the location of an NBA partner. With that, the NBA staff and board were excited to meet on the campus of Urban Mission Community Partners (UMCP) in Pomona, California. UMCP is an NBA Incubate partner with a mission to develop community partnerships that promote wholeness and sustainability in South Pomona. With outreach programs that include restorative justice for individuals in prison and jails as well as those re-integrating into society, to urban agriculture, and a wellness center, the NBA board was able to hear directly from the leaders of UMCP about their advocacy and community work, as well as the opportunities for growth and outreach in the communities which they accompany.
Also present at the NBA Board meeting was the founder and President,
Rev. Dr. Lisa Enders Tunstall with Broken, Mended, and Restored (BMAR). BMAR is the newest Incubate partner with the NBA grounded by a mission of bringing hope and wholeness to individuals impacted by domestic/partner abuse. Dr. Tunstall and leaders of UMCP participated in a panel discussion with the board engaging on topics from advocacy efforts, to new ways of ministry, and practices of self-care and sustainability.
In addition to learning more about Incubate partners, the NBA Board spent time in committee meetings and plenary which included a session with a consultant from Boardsource, a national nonprofit founded on inspiring and supporting excellence in nonprofit governance and board and staff leadership. Fulfilling the board’s fiduciary responsibility, the board reviewed financial reports and approved the budget for a new fiscal year beginning January 2020.
Mark Anderson, NBA President and CEO, shared his president’s report, titled “Responsive, Relevant, and Present,” which focused on the need for NBA and the church to continue being responsive to the justice issues in our communities and actively supporting Disciples-related nonprofits and nurturing strong leadership through formal programs and financial support. Part of the report featured several stories of donors to NBA including current and retired staff, new alums of the XPLOR program, and faithful Disciples across the church. Anderson emphasized how the generosity of individuals allows for innovative and meaningful ministry to take place.
To close the meeting on Saturday, the NBA staff and board shared in communion and offered prayers for NBA ministries, people, and communities across the life of the church.
As the health and social services general ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the National Benevolent Association partners with congregations, regions, general ministries, and a variety of Disciples-related health and social service providers to create communities of compassion and care. Founded in 1887 by six women responding to the needs of the day and on their doorsteps, for more than 130 years the NBA has continued to serve “the least of these.” Learn more at www.nbacares.org.
