1. When my group has completed its collegial covenant group application, may we simply send it to the national Ministers Council office?
No, the applications are to be collected, reviewed and submitted by the regional Ministers Council office to the national office by October 31. If you do not you’re your regional officers contact information for them appears under "who we are" in the left column of this website home page. They are good folk to know.
2. If an incomplete or late application is submitted, will it still receive the facilitator and participant funding?
Applications received that bear all the requested information and are on time will be the first to be funded. In the event of overwhelming demand, incomplete and late apps will be at the bottom of the pile. Please try to be complete and timely!
3. Can clergy spouses who desire to form a support group access TIM funds?
Clergy couples may form a group and receive funding. While it may be beneficial for clergy spouses to gather as their own group, the TIM project covers only groups that involve ministerial leaders.
4. Why is the facilitator’s SSN required and at what point must it be submitted?
Since each facilitator will receive a check for $1,800 to lead a group for the year, a Form 1099 must be submitted for IRS purposes. The time to have that person submit his or her SSN is after notification that your group has been funded.
5. Which brings up the question – when will we be notified?
The intention is to review the wonderful work you all are doing to form groups as soon as humanly possible after the due date. Expect to hear in December.
6. How do national dues-paying members receive the $100 participant expense check?
That payment will be handled by the national Ministers Council office. Prior to submission regional Ministers Council treasurers are to verify that each person who claims membership on the application has remembered to pay dues.
7. Is it possible to have my group funded for more than 2004?
Thank God and Lilly, the Ministers Council has resources for collegial covenant groups through 2007. Just beyond mid-2004 your group contact person will receive a feedback form to let us know how your group is doing, along with materials to re-apply for 2005.
8. What if the group has fulfilled its purpose because its natural life is over and I want to form a different group?
We expect that some groups will disband after one year and others will form. However probably most groups will continue for a number of years.
9. Suppose my group wants to select one of us to serve as a peer leader and use the $1,800 to attend a retreat or a conference, or perhaps to read to works of an author and pay to bring that author to meet with us?
With our blessings you may create an alternative TIM model, write it up and submit it through your regional Ministers Council. If funds are to be allocated for a purpose other than facilitator expense, please indicate the name and contact info for an organizational treasurer (such as a church or pastoral counseling center) who will take responsibility for receiving the money and writing the necessary checks. Otherwise the individual who would manage the grant for the group would bear tax liability for money that does not belong to her or him.
10. Good work in writing a grant proposal for Together in Ministry! Now what else do I get for my Ministers Council dues?
Just check out this website for the answer to your question. Or feel free to email me at kate.harvey@abc-usa.org.
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