Interview with Michael McLaughlin, February 18, 1991

Interview Summary

Michael "Mike" McLaughlin is the president of Christian Appalachian Project as of the time of this interview. In this interview, he talks about Christian Appalachian Project's relationship with the Committee on Religion in Appalachia (CORA). McLaughlin talks about the various types of organizations that apply for Christian Appalachian Project's grant program. He talks about how the decisions regarding which organizations receive grants from CAP are made. McLaughlin talks about how Christian Appalachian Project receives grants for its own operations. He talks about how much state and federal government funding Christian Appalachian Project receives and how it is used. He talks about two of the issues CAP has lobbied for: the Right to Life movement and services for the deaf. McLaughlin talks about the physical property and buildings owned by Christian Appalachian Project in 1978. He talks about buying a new property for CAP through a donation by the Cowden family which allowed them to consolidate their operations into one location. McLaughlin talks about Christian Appalachian Project's growth in the late 1970s and early 1980s which led to the need for more organized administration and management. He talks about the formation of the management team and discusses some of its original members. He talks about how administration at CAP became more standardized and professional. He talks about issues during the transition of Christian Appalachian Project's administration, as well as their budgetary process. McLaughlin gives examples of problems he faced when he first arrived at Christian Appalachian Project in the late 1970s and early 1980s including funding, fires, floods, personnel issues, and other hazards. McLaughlin gives examples of problems he is currently facing at Christian Appalachian Project at the time of this interview. He talks about some of the communication issues within such a large, geographically distant organization. He talks about the Christian Appalachian Project board of directors and how Father Beiting's various accidents and health issues have made people at CAP more aware of his mortality and what will become of the organization when he is gone. McLaughlin talks about criticism from outside sources regarding Christian Appalachian Project.

Interview Keyword

Christian Appalachian Project (CAP) Christians in Appalachia Religion Volunteering Volunteers Voluntarism. Committee on Religion in Appalachia (CORA) Father Ralph W. Beiting Funding Grants Budgets Finances Infrastructure Management Administration Camp Nelson Board of directors

Interview LC Subject

Appalachian Region Appalachian Region--Economic conditions Appalachian Region--Social conditions Christian Appalachian Project McLaughlin, Michael McLaughlin, Michael--Interviews Social service, Rural Appalachia. Appalachian Region--Economic conditions. Appalachian Region--Religion. Communities. Community development. Community involvement Community Community-based family services. Community-based social services. Nonprofit organizations. Financials Finance. Grants-in-aid.

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Interview Usage

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