What We Do
Financial Support
- Raise funds from individuals and organizations that share its vision.
- Provide logistical and financial support to qualified organizations in the Caribbean region engaged in training and equipping ministry leaders to revitalize and/or plant churches that will transform their communities for God’s glory.
- Sponsor leadership training and development conferences, seminars, and workshops for ministry leaders
- Provide financial and logistical support for evangelistic outreach
Human Resources
In addition to its networking capabilities, MERI has competent Bible teachers/ministry leaders who assist with the ongoing development of leadership at every level in local churches globally through conferences, seminars/workshops, and consultation.
Bible Teaching Resources
Meri’s Bible teachers have developed a plethora of written Bible study aids, articles and papers on a variety of relevant subjects. They are also constantly working on additional study materials, and are equipped to develop materials of interest to churches and para-church ministries
How it Works!
Giving Guidelines
Four guidelines are used in distributing the financial resources God has entrusted to MERI:
Principle 1: While the Purpose Statement of the Articles of Incorporation is the basic guide for board actions, the Scriptures are the foundation for its service.
Principle 2: Gifts are disbursed in keeping with an annual, board-approved budget. This budget allocates the funds available for distribution to churches and organizations.
Principle 3: Gifts are made after careful evaluation and investigation, including approval of the pastors/elders (if an assembly/church) or of the board of directors (if a ministry organization) of the group submitting the proposal. evidence of not-for-profit status (if an organization), financial data reflecting economic viability and scope of support, evidence that funds are not being used to support terrorism and other information deemed necessary for the evaluation process.
Principle 4: Gifts are given primarily for rejuvenation of churches or leadership training.
Governance
The organization has an active governing body that is responsible for setting the mission and strategic direction of the organization and oversight of the finances, operations, and policies of the organization. The governing body:
A. Ensures that its board members or trustees have the requisite skills and experience to carry out their duties and that all members understand and fulfill their governance duties acting for the benefit of the organization and its public purpose;
B. Has a conflict of interest policy that ensures that any conflicts of interest or the appearance thereof are avoided or appropriately managed through disclosure, recusal or other means; and INDEPENDENT SECTOR 4 Statement of Values and Code of Ethics for Nonprofit and Philanthropic Organizations;
C. Ensures that the organization conducts all transactions and dealings with integrity and honesty;
D. Ensures that the organization promotes working relationships with board members, staff, volunteers, and program beneficiaries that are based on mutual respect, fairness and openness;
E. Ensures that policies of the organization are in writing, clearly articulated and officially adopted;
F. Ensures that the resources of the organization are responsibly and prudently managed;
G. Ensures that the organization has the capacity to carry out its programs effectively.
Fundraising
Organizations that raise funds from donors or from donor institutions are truthful in their solicitation materials. Organizations respect the privacy concerns of individual donors and expend funds consistent with donor intent. Organizations disclose important and relevant information to potential donors. In raising funds from Christians/friends of MERI, the organization will respect the rights of donors, as follows:
1. To be informed of the mission of the organization, the way the resources will be used and their capacity to use donations effectively for their intended purposes;
2. To be informed of the identity of those serving on the organization’s governing board and to expect the board to exercise prudent judgment in its stewardship responsibilities;
3. To have access to the organization’s most recent financial reports;
4. To be assured their gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given;
5. To receive appropriate acknowledgment and recognition;
6. To be assured that information about their donations is handled with respect and with confidentiality to the extent provided by the law;
7. To expect that all relationships with individuals representing organizations of interest to the donor will be professional in nature;
8. To be informed whether those seeking donations are volunteers, employees of the organizations or hired solicitors;
9. To have the opportunity for their names to be deleted from mailing lists that an organization may intend to share;
10. To feel free to ask questions when making a donation and to receive prompt, truthful and forthright answers.
Ministry Evaluation
The organization regularly reviews Ministry effectiveness and has mechanisms to incorporate lessons learned into future programs. The organization is committed to improving program and organizational effectiveness and develops mechanisms to promote learning from its activities and the field. The organization is responsive to changes in its field of activity and is responsive to the needs of its constituencies.
Inclusiveness and Diversity
The organization has a policy of promoting inclusiveness and its staff, board and volunteers reflect diversity in order to enrich its programmatic effectiveness. The organization takes meaningful steps to promote inclusiveness in its hiring, retention, promotion, board recruitment and constituencies served.
Legal Compliance
The organization is knowledgeable of and complies with all laws, regulations, and applicable international conventions.