A NOTE FROM THE PRESDENT'S DESK

It is a pleasure to serve as president of the Board for 2001. I became a volunteer with TIHAN four years ago because I saw a need to educate people in my faith community about HIV and AIDS and to be a friend and make a difference in the lives of people living with HIV and AIDS.

TIHAN is about people: people from diverse backgrounds coming together to provide HIV awareness programs and to provide compassionate service to and with those living with HIV and AIDS.

TIHAN started out small. No office space, no staff. Since we began, we have done so much with and for so many. Our volunteers have made and continue to make a great difference.

TIHAN continues to work to fulfill our mission to provide awareness programs and to provide compassionate service to those living with HIV and AIDS. Last year, the Board took a look at how TIHAN can best continue our mission over the next three years. Our strategic planning committee met to review TIHAN and the needs of TIHAN. Then the Board met at a retreat to prioritize the recommendations of the strategic planning com­mittee.

Our priorities for the year 2001 are:

1) An expansion of office space to adequately house staff and volunteers,
2) An increase in staff to better support our volunteers and programs, and
3) An expansion of the Poz Cafe program.

We have outgrown the generously donated space at St. Francis. The time has come to update equipment and space so that we can continue to be a significant presence in the community. To achieve this, the Board has formed an ad hoc committee to research office space options. One option is to move from our present space to a more central location, renting space in a retail or office complex, in another congregation, or a properly zoned house. The other option is to finance the expansion of our present office space at the wonderfully supportive St. Francis/Congregation Ner Tamid location.

A full-time education coordinator will be hired to oversee awareness and education to congregations and volunteers by coordinating volunteer training sessions, congregational out­reach, and continuing education updates. A half-time program coordinator will be hired to coordinate and support our vital Poz Cafe and CareTeam programs.

In order to retain and attract the best staff possible, TIHAN will move toward updating and increasing benefit packages for all present and future employees.

Please review our Action Plan for 2001, which appears in this newsletter. We encourage all of you to continue to support TIHAN through continued financial support, continued use of your time and talents, and your continued prayers. With exceptional TIHAN volunteers, all things are possible.

Peace

Beth Daum, President of the Board

Exploring Options for Office Space

TIHAN is expanding to better fulfill our mission and support our HIV+ CarePartners and our volunteers!

TIHAN will be hiring two individuals, and if you have seen our office you can see that we need space for them. Our options are to move and rent space, or to finance an addition onto our current space at St. Francis.

If we move, we will have more monthly rent and utilities to pay, as well as costs associated with moving. We will have to lease/purchase telephones, copy equipment, etc. But, we could be in a more central location.

If we stay at our current space, the break-even point for the expansion will be in 3 years. Another advantage will be that we will still be under the "umbrella" of St. Francis who has been such a good friend and supporter.

We have been looking at commercial/retail property, and also we will be investigating the feasibility of staying at St. Francis.

Another option would be to lease an appropriately located and zoned house from someone interested in receiving tax benefits for such a donation to a charity.

We need to make some decisions soon, so if you have suggestions for suitable property, please let us know!

TIHAN Training for New Volunteers
Saturday, March 31, 2001 8:30am - 4:30pm

Call the TIHAN office for more information, and to register 299-6647

Building Upon the Success of Poz Cafe,
New "Poz Social" Program Debuts
Due to popular request, Poz Cafe is expanding!

The new Poz Social program will begin on February 22. Each Thursday afternoon (except the 3rd Thursday of the month, when the Poz Cafe lunch is served) from 1:00pm -4:00pm, there will be an informal drop-in social event for HIV+ persons.

The social will take place at the site of Poz Cafe at St. Francis in the Foothills UMC, and will feature a special "movie of the week," apeer-led rap group, art projects, and games.

In some ways similar to Poz Cafe (same location, fabulous people, informal, and fun), there will also be some differences (just snacks instead of a big meal, a smaller group of people, solely for HIV+ persons [without guests], more time to hang out, more social options, no reservations required, and the event will happen more than just once a month!).