December Sojourner Continued

Grass Roots continued…

In the beginning we set out to prove that we could create a sustainable program on the merits of our ideal without the trappings of contemporary fundraising and sponsorship. We’ve noticed that regardless of the amount of communication on our part, there has been a lack of a reciprocating presence on the other side of the scenario in the Dominican Republic. Well intentioned partners are more concerned with making a living (out of necessity) than committing time and resources to a sustainable program. This is where we have decided to modify our approach.

At this time we are working with a group in the Dominican Republic that is already functioning with little to no aid from Mercy League. This has allowed us to make some headway, with a small number of children in the children’s home there. Increasing the number of sojourns to the project also increased the level of communication between Mercy League International and the Dominican wing.

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Morocco and a Change of Leadership continued...

No matter how much we have tried to avoid it, we realize that in each place we are in need of a self sufficient agent to oversee communication between our partners abroad and Mercy League International.

The director of Mercy League, Shane Mattenley, will be stepping down and taking a post in Morocco with his wife and children. Beginning in June 2010 Mercy League will have a new director. We will begin searching for a replacement beginning in February. Shane will stay on until June of 2010.

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501(c)3 Status continued...

Mercy League began in 2003 as a Corporation Sole, which represents about 5% of the non-profits registered in the United States. These types of organizations are similar to priesthood, monarchy, or elected official. One example of this is the Catholic Church which is involved in non-profit work in every corner of the world.

We have chosen to add a 501(C)3 corp. status because it offers us a more mainstream acceptance within other organizations, funding sources (grants and online credibility), and governmental partnerships.

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