Adventist Community Services Strategic Planning Study Conducted for the North American Division by Monte Sahlin Center for Creative Ministry

Source of Data Two surveys were conducted in the fall of 2013 using questionnaires developed specifically for this study. A total of 67 local and union conference ACS directors and coordinators were asked to respond to one survey and 42 did so (63%). A sample of 250 local ACS leaders were ask to respond to the other survey and 127 did so (51%).

Services Provided by Local Units

Location of Local ACS Programs

Number of Local Churches Sponsoring Local ACS Program

How well developed are these ACS ministries in your Conference?

How aware are you of these ACS ministries?

How ACS Units Relate to Community Health Programs

How ACS Units Relate to Youth Activities

Extent of Community Service Programs in Conferences

Local Leaders: How recently have you had a disaster?

Local Leaders: What did you do to respond?

Conference Directors & DR Coordinators: How recently have you had a disaster?

Conference Directors & DR Coordinators: Did your conference respond?

Conference Directors & DR Coordinators: What did you do to respond?

Conference Directors & DR Coordinators: How was the response managed?

What do you see as the future of ACS in your area/conference?

Local ACS Leaders: How much emphasis should NAD ACS give to each of these ministries?

Conference Directors: How much emphasis should NAD ACS give to each of these ministries?

Conf Dir: Understanding of Disaster Response Protocols

Local ACS Leaders Views of Assets for Community Service

Conference Directors Views of Assets for Community Service

Assets for Community Service Comparing View of Conference & Local Leaders Percent indicating excellent & enough

Local Leaders Descriptions of ACS Operations in their Community

Conference Directors Descriptions of ACS Operations in their Territory

Problems Faced by ACS

Extent of Funding from Various Sources as Reported by Local ACS Leaders

Extent of Funding from Various Sources as Reported by Conference ACS Directors

Training Needs of Local ACS Leaders

Training Needs of Local ACS Leaders 2

Training Needs of Conference Directors

Training Needs of Conference Directors 2

How Training Delivery Systems Meet the Needs of Local ACS Leaders

How Training Delivery Systems Meet the Needs of Conference ACS Directors

Strategic Options for the Future of ACS

Strengths of ACS as Seen by Local Leaders Dedicated volunteers (31%) Specific local programs of many kinds (31%) Local programs based on needs assessment and targeting local needs (12%) Collaboration with other organizations (11%) Support from the church (10%) The compassion that is demonstrated (8%) Strong local ACS leadership (7%)

Strengths of ACS as Seen by Conference Directors Dedicated volunteers (36%) The impact in certain communities (24%) Training events (16%) Disaster Response activities (16%) Food pantry programs (16%) Community development projects (12%)

Weaknesses of ACS as Seen by Local Leaders Lack of enough volunteers (33%) Lack of sufficient funding (27%) Limited capacity and facilities (19%) Lack of training or need skills (10%) Weak support from the church (8%)

Weaknesses of ACS as Seen by Conference Directors Not enough conference staff (28%) Lack of enough trained people (24%) Advanced age of local leaders (16%) Need for leadership development (16%) Lack of funding (16%) Church members not informed about ACS (12%) Weak support among the pastors (12%) Some local programs are weak (12%)

Opportunities for ACS as Seen by Local Leaders Specific new programs needed locally (43%) New population segments for which specific outreach is needed (19%) Community health program possibilities (18%) Local, specific opportunities for collaboration with other groups (12%) Poverty is a major issue in the local community and ACS could help (11%) Opportunities for witnessing (10%)

Opportunities for ACS as Seen by Conference Directors Develop new programs (58%) –Including but not limited to those already launched (YES, Elder Care, Crisis Care) Collaborations with other, non-Adventist community organizations (17%) Base new programs on local community assessments (12%) Capacity building (12%)

Threats to ACS as Seen by Local Leaders Reduced funding from all sources for community service (24%) Decline in volunteering (21%) Decrease in supplies of donated grocery items from all sources (11%) Internal dysfunctional elements in the Adventist denomination (11%) Local community relations issues (10%)

Threats to ACS as Seen by Conference Directors General apathy about getting involved in helping others (30%) Reductions in funding because of the economy, etc. (17%) Competition from other nonprofit organizations (13%) Internal problems (17%)

Age Profile

Gender Profile

Ethnic Profile

Immigration Status

Education Profile

Remuneration

Local ACS Leaders: Tenure as a Baptized Adventist

Local ACS Leaders: Average Attendance at Your Church

Respondents to the Survey of Conference and Union Directors

Employment Status of Conference and Union ACS Directors & Coordinators A total of 40 percent are volunteers

Conference Directors: How much of your time is devoted to ACS?

An advisory panel reviewed the survey questionnaires and gave input on this project: Dr. May-Ellen Colon, Dr. Rhonda Whitney, Minnie McNeil and Maitland Dipinto. The staff of the Center for Creative Ministry under the supervision of Paul Richardson, executive director, assisted with data processing and graphics. (c) 2014, North American Division; Adventist Community Services, Inc.; and Center for Creative Ministry

To Get a Copy or Ask Questions Similar surveys can be done for conferences or local churches. Contact Monte Sahlin –(800)