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Frederic's E-Gazette
An e-newsletter from the National Council of the
U.S. Society of St. Vincent de Paul
®
July 20, 2017
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Table of Contents:
To go directly to a certain article, simply click on the title
What's New in this Issue
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Disclaimer: (NOTE: The links in some of the articles are intended to take you to websites for a specific story, page, function or program approved for your use by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. The Society does not accept responsibility for, or grant approval of, peripheral advertising or stories that may reside on those websites.)
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From your Servant Leader:
July 20, 2017
Recently the IRS re-valued and increased the value of a volunteer hour. On one hand, great news, we all got an instant raise! At least in the value of what we give. On the other hand, well, what a crock.
When we get bills from lawyers, accountants, plumbers and the auto repair shop we see how different the sixty minutes of time can be valued. We know that the time value represents more than minutes. It also represents education, cost of the office the person spending the time sits in, equipment the mechanic uses and all sorts of other costs. It all gets compressed into one standard metric of time. It's perceived measurement but without real accountability.
The value of one's time is of course very relative. Time goes faster when we're having fun and slower when we're not. School and work days are long; vacation days are short. When we're young, time stretches out forever. As we age, we feel the time ahead shorten. Time is always precious but not always valued. Or else why would we watch so much television?
At some point in the world of nonprofits we all convinced ourselves that we should measure the time we spend on our mission. In annual reports we actually value more time, not less, spent on the same activity! Think about it - we usually want to show that we spent more time and helped more people. Sounds good, but wouldn't we - and the people served - be happier in many cases if we spent less time and helped more people?
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Brand-new Episodes of
"Our Faith in Action: Today's Society of St. Vincent de Paul"
These brand-new shows are scheduled to air in the "EWTN Gallery" slot which follows EWTN News Nightly. The programs feature a variety of Society activities such as home visits, programs for the homeless, a dental clinic, a pharmacy, the Friends of the Poor® Walk and much more.
Click here for a customizable flier that can be personalized to your Council / Conference and used to promote the show to your local area!
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Wednesday, July 26 6:30 p.m. Eastern
In this program, join Vincentians making a home visit with a family in need, deepening their spirituality and friendship during a Society Conference meeting and working the land to grow fresh produce for a food pantry to help feed the hungry.
Thursday, July 27 6:30 p.m. Eastern
In this episode, see Vincentians doing God's work from a pueblo in New Mexico, taking steps to end poverty in the annual Friends of the Poor® Walk event, helping a young girl gain the freedom to move around in her own home and teaching a class to promote healthy eating on a budget.
Friday, July 28 6:30 p.m. Eastern
In this presentation, accompany Vincentians as they help a family find relief from a high-interest payday loan, work with young people to instill the Vincentian charism and understanding for people in poverty and provide life-saving medicines and hope in a free pharmacy.
*The shows will re-air at 2:30 a.m. Eastern, 1:30 a.m. Central, 12:30 a.m. Mountain, 11:30 p.m. Pacific
EWTN Links
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Click the links below for customizable social media:
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STAY TUNED!
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Q: At a recent multi-Conference gathering, someone suggested that if someone in need requests assistance more than once, the individual will be asked to perform some sort of "community service" in order to be served beyond the initial time. This service might include stocking shelves at a local food bank, tending a community garden, or some other similar task. Is this in keeping with either the spirit or the letter of the Vincentian Rule?
A: The works of the Society have always been in imitation of Jesus. The assistance provided by Jesus was unconditional. He did not require those He helped to do anything in order to receive His assistance. "Systemic Change" calls for us to work on systems toward helping those in poverty to move out of poverty, to reduce or eliminate rules and systems that keep people buried in poverty, to change systems - not to impose more of a burden on those we serve. Once you require someone to do work in order to receive something in return (food, clothing, furniture, rent payment, utility bill payment, etc.), it falls into the realm of an employer-employee relationship and then there are laws that have to be followed in that respect. What you are describing is not something the Society endorses.
Q: We are having our annual awards banquet and I am chair for the nominations of awards. No one can seem to agree on the order of the awards. Which award is the very highest, which award next, etc.? Also, is there someplace I could find this defined?
A: Awards are unique to each Council and Conference granting them. There is no set order defined by the National Council. I'm not even aware of an order defined by tradition. Again, each Council and Conference grants their own awards and decides the order of importance.
Submit your questions to:
Pam Hudson
National Director of Governance & Membership Services
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National Council welcomes
Chief Financial Officer
The SVdP National Council is excited to welcome Nancy Pino as the chief financial officer.
Nancy is a St. Louis native. She earned her BSBA in Accounting from St. Louis University, and is a certified public accountant.
Prior to coming to the Society, Nancy worked in public accounting, and as the CFO of both a nursing home and a commercial real estate investment and management company.
She is an active Vincentian and has served as the treasurer of the St. Justin the Martyr and Holy Redeemer Conferences in St. Louis.
Nancy is married with three daughters and two grandsons.
"I am very excited to have this opportunity to combine my career with my service as a Vincentian," said Pino.
To contact Nancy, you can call her at (314) 576-3993 ext.202 or email her at [email protected].
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The Board of Directors and
Employee Health Insurance
Our last few articles have focused on the responsibilities of members of a board of directors. A recent article in BoardSource urged boards of nonprofit organizations to ask themselves an "incredibly important question" related to their stewardship: "Are our employee health benefits as equitable and valuable as they possibly can be for the amount of money spent on them?"
Has your Council board ever thought about this? The article cites the National Council of Nonprofits as saying that "Board members are the fiduciaries who steer the organizations toward a sustainable future by adopting sound, ethical, and legal governance and financial management policies, as well as by making sure the nonprofit has adequate resources to advance its mission."
If you are a board member of your Council, have the potential of becoming one or speak with the members of your Council's board you should consider asking what your Council is doing to meet the health insurance needs of Council employees. This is important not only from a standpoint of treating employees right but also because health care is ranked as the number one most important benefit by employees across all industries when looking for a job or deciding to stay in a current position.
To learn more about Governance, contact:
Pam Hudson
National Director of Governance and Membership Services
(314)576-3993 ext. 214
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Have you paid your Annual Solidarity Contributions?
We have now entered into our fourth quarter of fiscal year 2016-17. If remittance has not been made for your current solidarity contributions owed, please do so immediately.
The name 'Society of St. Vincent de Paul' is trademark protected for those who are practicing good governance, which includes remittance of annual contributions assessed. National Council solidarity contributions make up a significant portion of the national budgeted income and is an essential annual membership requirement. Click here for a listing of the Benefits of Solidarity. No SVdP entity can be exempt from annual solidarity dues contribution. Let us know if there is anything we can do to assist.
For payment advice or to discuss payment arrangement contact:
Pam Hudson
Director of Governance and Membership Services
314-576-3993 ext. 214
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Appeal to support the Mexico National Council
At the last National Assembly, National Council Resolution 143 was passed to assist in the strengthening of the Mexico National Council and its Conferences and Councils. This is not a disaster program but rather a long-term infrastructure support program. This campaign is independent of the other appeals and existing twinning relationships. Some U.S.A Society members, Conferences, or Councils may want to support this campaign in addition to or instead of the other campaigns.
More on the resolution: The resolution does not call for any additional solidarity or assessments. Giving will be voluntary from U.S. Councils and Conferences. The campaign is the result of a direct request from the SVdP Mexico National Council. Collected funds will be wired quarterly and the Mexico National Council has agreed to provide financial statements showing the use of the funds. This agreement will expire in five years.
- Goals of this special project with the Council of Mexico
- To assist the Council of Mexico to re-establish and staff a national office in Mexico
- Enhance the ability of the National Council of Mexico to increase communications with its Councils and Conferences
- Provide technical assistance to regions and Councils for training and Conference development
- Develop training materials for distribution to Councils and Conferences
- To assist the Council of Mexico to provide resources to Conferences for development and training
- Basic Ozanam formation
- Regional meetings on Conference development and training
- Develop training program
- To provide technical support to Mexico from Councils in the U.S.A
- Through adoption of Councils in Mexico by Councils in the U.S.A
- Through personal visits between members from Mexico and U.S.A Councils
PLEASE GIVE TODAY!
Click here to support this effort today!
On the Donation page, please write "Mexico Council" in the note field.
To give by check, write "Mexico Council" in the memo field and mail to:
National Council of the U.S. Society of St. Vincent de Paul
58 Progress Parkway
Maryland Heights, MO 63043
For more information, contact Mark Chandler: [email protected] or 314-314-576-3393 ext 225.
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Invitation for Renewal
Alumni Reunion at this Year's National Assembly
Celebrating the 15th Anniversary (2002-2017)
September 1, 2017
1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
SVdP Annual Meeting
Tampa, Florida
Spiritual Leadership:
The Quest for Integrity
Dr. Leonard Doohan
Together we will:
Discover:
The components of spiritual leadership
Realize:
The significant benefits of spiritual leadership
Discern:
Your own vocation/call to leadership
Explore:
Your responsibility and destiny in service to others
Encounter:
The stages of growth in an organization led by a spiritual leader
Dear IFR Alumni,
We hope this message finds you well and enjoying the summer!
Over several years, many members of the Invitation for Renewal Leadership Retreat have asked the team to explore an experience for the alumni that would be spiritually rooted, allowing them to delve deeper into the practice of servant leadership. The team has discovered a noted author Dr. Leonard Doohan, who is an expert in this most important skill and virtue. He examines the concept of servant leadership by connecting faith and a bold sense of spirituality, making leadership a reflection of how we model ourselves after Christ.
Dr. Leonard Doohan is professor emeritus at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, where he was a professor of religious studies for 30 years and dean of the graduate school for 13 years. He is the author of over 15 books and many articles; he has given workshops internationally and also organizes local and regional conferences on the topics of leadership in nonprofit organizations. His book on "Spiritual Leadership - The Quest for Integrity," will be the basis of his remarks as he leads our retreat and a special workshop just for alumni at the National Meeting of the Society in August in Tampa, Fla. We believe he has some exciting and new material to add to our ongoing formation as Vincentian leaders.
The Invitation for Renewal Team hopes you will make the effort to join us in Tampa for this exciting and growth producing experience! Together we will reignite our Vincentian hearts so that we can continue to renew the Society today and beyond!
Roger Playwin
Sheila Gilbert
Ralph Middlecamp
Dave Barringer
Sr. Kieran Kneaves
MEET YOU IN TAMPA!
Sign up today
Don't forget to book your room!
Questions? Contact:
Michele Schurk
Events Coordinator
314-576-3993 ext. 223
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Vincentian Formation
Order "Antoine Frederic Ozanam," by Ray Sickinger and receive a Discount Today!
The biggest discount of the dog days of summer book sale is here.
It's so hot that starting today Notre Dame Press is selling all cloth and paperback books on their website at a 50 percent discount. Shipping is free on all domestic orders within the U.S., adding up to tremendous savings.
Here's how to shop:
- Visit Notre Dame Press' site
- Select cloth and paperback books you want to purchase by clicking the titles to take you to their respective pages
- Use sale code NDSUMMER5017 at the shopping cart to receive the 50% discount; click "update" to see the sale prices
Stay cool, stock up on all your favorite books!
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Now Available:
Vincentian Leadership Council President 2017 (revised)
This manual is an important resource for the president of the (Arch)Diocesan and District Council. It addresses the key elements of forming Vincentian leaders to carry out the mission of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Leaders must study this manual frequently and Councils will conduct training using this manual as the guide.
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SPECIAL SALE
Ends September 27!
Celebrating the 400th Anniversary of the Vincentian Charism
All Modules of Serving in Hope (English and Spanish)
$1.00 each
"Vincentians are called to journey together towards holiness, because true holiness is perfect union with Christ and the perfection of love, which is central to their vocation and the source of their own faith and fidelity." (Rule 2.2)
Is your Conference:
- Desiring to grow in spirituality?
- Wanting to live our Vincentian vocation?
- Hoping to walk the journey towards holiness?
- Searching for Vincentian spirituality?
- Attracting new members?
Then SERVING IN HOPE is your answer!
Serving in Hope is a spiritual formation program developed by the National Office for the Conference level. As Vincentians we are called to "Serve in Hope" because we are called to bring the love of God to those who are poor and suffering, and therefore we must become rooted in the spirituality that is the heart and soul of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
(Click on SVdP Members, scroll down and click on Order Materials)
or
For further information contact:
Sister Kieran Kneaves, DC
National Formation Director
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Connect with the Multicultural African American Task-force on Facebook!
You can keep up with everything going on with the SVdP National Multicultural African American Task-force by following them on their new Facebook page.
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Disaster Services Division Update
SVdP Disaster Services Training at the
National Assembly
For more information about the SVdPDSD or how to donate to the House in a Box
®
Program, contact:
COO
SVdPUSA Disaster Services Division
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Brooke Newton
Deputy Director
SVdPUSA Disaster Services Division
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National Stores Committee
National Assembly, Tampa
August 30 Workshop Agenda
As you ponder registering for the National Assembly in Tampa, Fla., we would like to call your notice to the day of workshops sponsored by the National Stores Committee.
The National Stores Committee sponsors a day of workshops specifically for the attendees that are associated with running thrift stores.
If you have any questions regarding stores, contact:
Ray DuPont
National Stores Committee Chairperson
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SVdP National Partnership Program
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul's National Partnership Program can save Councils and Conferences money while improving efficiency. Learn more!
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For more information on Development, contact:
Steve Martinez
314-576-3993 ext. 213
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314-576-3993 ext. 211
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Personal Witness:
A Vincentian Face gives intimate Meaning to the Health
Care Coverage Treat
By: Tom Dwyer / Chair of the National Voice of the Poor Committee
Kelly Anderson / Chair of the Boise Voice of the Poor Committee
As the future of health care coverage in America rages in Washington with proposals, counterproposals, assertions, and statistics wildly bandied about, it is easy to lose sight of the faces and lives of those who would be impacted as we race to keep pace with the latest.
That's why the following personal witness from Kelly Anderson, a Vincentian in Idaho, is both so powerful and meaningful. In her message below, she describes what Medicaid coverage meant to her and her husband when he suffered a recent stroke, and how she has translated that individual experience into even stronger advocacy for the poor and marginalized who we all serve as Vincentians.
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Call for Information!
Do you know about a successful Young Vincentian group?
We want to hear about it!
For any questions regarding SVdP Youth, contact:
Suzanne Markiewicz
Youth Committee Chairperson
(724) 454-5430
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SVdP Grandparent's Day
Share your Vincentian Legacy
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National Grandparent's Day celebrates 40 years on September 9, 2018!
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Thank you to all the Vincentians who have
expressed interest in hosting a Grandparent's Day gathering for your adult grandchildren!
Thanks for sharing your planning ideas ,we're here to help as needed! Please contact Julie Witzel!
For help planning a Grandparent's Day at your Council, contact:
Julie Witzel
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"Same Kind of Different as Me"
Full-length Film coming to Theaters this fall
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Extension is on the Move!
If your Conference or Council is hosting an "Invitation to Serve" within the next six months, we want to hear about it!
Contact:
Kathy Jackson
National Extension Coordinator
314-576-3993 ext. 224
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SVdP Extension Web Portal
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The SVdP television special "Our Faith in Action: Today's Society of St. Vincent de Paul" is now available online for all Councils and Conferences to use to help tell our story.
This program provides an excellent overview of who we are and what we do.
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If you have any questions, please contact:
Gary Stevens
Director of Marketing and Communications
314-576-3993 ext. 209
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Michelle Boyer
Communications Administrative Associate
314-576-3993 ext. 201
[email protected]
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400th Anniversary of the Vincentian Charism
2017 marks the 400th Anniversary of the Vincentian Charism.
With the words: I was a stranger and you welcomed me (Matthew 25:35), the worldwide Vincentian Family inaugurated a Jubilee Year ... a time during which it celebrates the 400th anniversary of the origin of its charism of service on behalf of the poor.
Click the links below to view a new video about members serving their brothers and sisters in need.
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Vincentian Symposium in Rome
October 12 - 15
Dear Presidents, dear members of the International Structure,
This year we celebrate the 400th anniversary of our Vincentian charism. On this occasion, the Vincentian Family organizes an International Symposium in Rome from 12th to 15th October 2017 where all members of the Vincentian Family are invited. This event is open to all.
Please find attached the information provided by the Vincentian Family:
Download the invitation
I also invite you to visit the website designed for the occasion: http://famvin400.info
In Saint Vincent,
Julien Spiewak
General Secretary of the International Council General
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
For more information, contact:
Gene Smith
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International News
Evacuees turning to St. Vincent de Paul Society during Wildfire Crisis
CANADA:
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Country97's Kurt Flesher and Bernie Goold of St. Vincent de Paul |
The St. Vincent de Paul Society is the latest group to lend a helping hand to the displaced wildfire victims residing in Prince George.
"On the weekend we did clear our store out of blankets, pillows, and towels and have made it known if they need food for providing meals at the Evacuation Centre they can contact us," says Bernie Goold, chairperson with St. Vincent de Paul.
The increased foot traffic has resulted in evacuees looking for necessities Goold says. "We have seen quite a few people in our store access clothing and we're privileged to do that because we realize people had to go with very little belongings. We can help in any way possible."
Read more.
MORE INTERNATIONAL SVdP NEWS
National News
Local Workshop helps People in Poverty
GREEN BAY, WI:
A workshop at Saint Vincent de Paul is giving to those who want a second chance at life.
It's called "Getting Ahead." This is the first time St. Vincent de Paul held the 16 - 20 week workshop.
For Calvin and Laticia French, they wanted to succeed at more than just the day-to-day life.
They wanted to have safe place to live and learn how to be financially stable. So, they joined the program.
"I thought this would be a good idea because there were some things he was trying to teach me about our life that I really didn't even understand. So, it really helped me," said recent graduate Laticia French.
The couple is two out of the five graduates at Saint Vincent de Paul.
Read More
MORE NATIONAL SVdP NEWS
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Deadline for Frederic's E-Gazette articles submission: Every Wednesday by 12 noon for article to be included in current week's edition
Invitation for Renewal
St. Louis, MO (Pallottine Renewal Center)
August 9 - 13
National Assembly
Tampa, FL
August 29-September 2
Invitation for Renewal
St. Louis, MO (Pallottine Renewal Center)
December 6-10
Dates for 2018:
Board Meeting
St. Louis, MO
January 21
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Catholic Social Ministry Gathering
February 3 - 6
Washington DC
Midyear Meeting
April 11 - 14
St. Louis, MO
Board Meeting
June
St. Louis, MO
Invitation for Renewal
July 11 - 15
St. Louis, MO
National Assembly
August 27 - September 2
San Diego, CA
Invitation for Renewal
November 14 - 18
St. Louis, MO
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Vincentian Prayer List
Are you or another Vincentian you know in need of prayers from fellow SVdP members? Send the prayer intention to Pam Hudson at
[email protected] and we will add the name to the prayer list on the SVdP website. Thank you and God Bless.
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To print the E-Gazette
If you wish to print the E-Gazette and are having trouble printing it from your email,
click here
to print this issue and past issues of the E-Gazette in PDF format straight from the SVdP website!
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ATTENTION COUNCIL PRESIDENTS & EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS:
SOME OF YOUR MEMBERS AREN'T GETTING THE E-GAZETTE!
If you or another member of your Conference is not receiving the E-Gazette email,
[email protected].
WERE YOU GETTING THIS NEWSLETTER BUT NO LONGER ARE?
When an email address has been removed by the owner, or the email address holder designates "Do Not Mail," the email address cannot be re-added by the National Council office. The email address holder must sign him or herself up to resume receiving Frederic's E-Gazette at:
Is your Conference or Council doing something that you think should appear in the E-Gazette or on SVdPUSA social media?
Send your good news to me!
Michelle Boyer Communications and Administrative Associate Email: [email protected] (314) 576-3993 ext. 201
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