About the CCPI

Quadrennium - 2004 to 2008

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During this 2004-2008 quadrennium, all U. S. annual conferences received annual distributions from UMPH. Much of this money—often referred to as the "Cokesbury check"—was turned over to GBPHB to help fund the CCPI effort. In 2007 alone, 61 of the 63 U. S. annual conferences forwarded their funds to CCPI in support of this important work. In April 2006, $100,000 from this growing fund was released in the form of "emergency grants" —with every identified retiree and surviving spouse in Africa receiving a single payment during that spring and early summer. In April 2007, that emergency grant process was repeated and expanded to include Eastern Europe and the Philippines.

The emergency grant process accomplished two things: (1) Most importantly, it provided financial support in many areas where the current level of support was either insufficient or absent. (2) It allowed a system to be implemented to verify that these funds were being properly handled, distributed and signed—for by the intended recipients. The concept of support with accountability was essential to this effort, assuring that the funds were received by those who needed them.

In the fall of 2006, CCPI selected Liberia as the first funded conference, and began a pilot project there. This program is now providing quarterly retirement funds to more than 590 retirees and surviving spouses. Existing systems are being monitored, and new systems are being established to ensure appropriate management and distribution of funds.

2006 also saw CCPI authorize and conduct a study to gauge the potential success of a fundraising program. Based on information gathered in that study, a campaign is now under way to fully fund the central conference pension needs by raising $25 million in gifts and pledges. These funds will be held and invested by GBPHB. All earnings will be distributed to the central conferences that need assistance supporting their retirees and that have adequate systems in place to assure funds can reach them.

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