Significant happenings in last two months include:

• Proposal for TMC to purchase a revenue producing building as our new headquarters. The building would have space for other men’s organizations to rent and use.
  
  
• First-time mailing to local churches was accomplished with help from Scott Benson.

Financially speaking; TMC received a special stock gift ear-marked for building fund reserves (its market value at the time of gift was $8,138). Andy Mickel has made a special mailing to 352 EX-Members who have not renewed TMC membership since 1995. His goal is to have 300 active members at year end. The special meeting Sept. 13, on facility alternatives has given TMC an excellent opportunity to purchase a building. This building offers: 1)Creditability/Visibility, 2)Cash Flow, 3)Equity, 4)Owner Financing-nothing down, 5)Parking on site and nearby, 6)Property Management operational support for one year, 7)Opportunity to expand, 8)Consolidate Men’s services-Synergy, 9)Location in improving neighborhood near freeway. The board is continuing to work on the proposal and will probably have a special VOTE at the Annual meeting on Sat. January 13, 2001. We need a Volunteer to step forward to develop TMC Corporate Membership program.

Program committee reported: The Fall Picnic was well attended. The monthly Sunday Brunches continue to have over a dozen attendees. Next social event will be the December Holiday party. All existing support groups are doing okay in attendance but could still have larger contributions per visitor. It appears that over 4,000 visits will be made to our support groups this year. The bi-monthly Facilitator meeting is being discontinued due to a lack of attendance.

Outreach activities were: There is still an IMMEDIATE NEED FOR A DESKTOP PUBLISHING person for MEN TALK outer shell composition (Quark software experience required). Thanks to all those who have helped at both the MenTalk and Church mailing parties. Special first time informational mailing was made in August to 1,239 local churches. February Therapist mailing program is now complete. TMC will participate in Catholic Charities Separated and Divorced Conference Sept. 30. Profile brochures for each support group will be sent out on Nov. 1.

The Executive committee actions were: Anger Management program review and plans for the Fall program were primary topics of discussion. The Exec Director project has taken back a seat to the building facility exploration of options.

Remember the Men’s Center is important to me and you; it is important to the Twin Cities community; and it is important to the Men’s movement in the United States. I hope that you all will see and realize this importance and VOLUNTEER your time and talents by serving on our committees or by filling some of the HELP WANTED positions.

Hoping you see Glory in your life,

-- John Kuyper, Board Chair/MENTALK Coordinator

-- Randy Genrich, TMC Office Staff