MIFA History II continued The Smith-Dempsey Partnership Bob Dempsey soon became involved in MIFA activities. On July 1, 1973 the former Catholic priest was named Co-Director of MIFA. It is characteristic of both Smith and Dempsey that each gives credit to the other for the changes that began to occur in MIFA. According to Julia Allen, “Bob Dempsey was the turning point of moving from a church organization to the vehicle through which change occurs. He brought the strategies for dealing with community leaders and government and was a good grantsman. Smith describes himself as a block builder who likes to proceed step by step while Dempsey is a visionary with an all-encompassing view of the present and the future. In debating ways to improve the community, Bob would ask, 'What is the world like?' I would ask, 'What can we accomplish?'” Both the general AND the particular were thus considered. The result of their teamwork was the organization structure and process that became MIFA as we know it. A comprehensive system for evaluating program possibilities was developed. Proposals progressed from feasibility study to planning, development, start-up and operation. MIFA began to categorize its programs either as delivery of service or as systemic change. The Board found itself endorsing new areas of ministry including transportation, health, housing, welfare, human rights, law and economics. As the co-directors coordinated the shift in focus from communication to direct action, they also worked to build cooperation among congregations and board members. Increasingly, the Board came to be more diverse. Jeanne Dreifus, named to the Board as the representative of the Jewish Community Relations Council, believes that friendships forged during MIFA's early years have endured to benefit Memphis, maintaining that “MIFA has inspired other groups to work together.” Early MIFA Board member Mattie Sengstacke, Black civil rights activist and community leader, adds that she “liked MIFA's ecumenical basis and felt that something good had to come from so many diverse groups working together.” In addition to creating a structure for project development and a strong, diverse interfaith Board of Directors, the Executive Directors recognized the need and began to develop a sound support base of both funding and volunteers for MIFA. Their successors, Allie Prescott, who succeeded Smith in 1989, and Margaret Craddock, Executive Director of MIFA since July 1997, have continued this functional duality. Next: The VISTA Impact