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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 27, 2017


TableOfContents
Table of Contents:
To go directly to a certain article, simply click on the title
 
What's New in this Issue

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.)   

 
daveFrom your Servant Leader:

July 27, 2017

Every year at this time, Vincentians around the country ask if they are "invited to come" to the National Assembly.  Let's clear this up.

Yes.

Every Vincentian is invited. There are no leadership requirements or tenure requirements. Paid staff members are welcome, in fact encouraged, to attend along with volunteers.

The National Assembly is a commitment of one's time and dollars, no doubt. We try to keep registration fees to a minimum, and much of the fee is for meals provided for the event.  Transportation costs vary depending on where you live in relation to the event (this year in Tampa, next year in San Diego, after that Denver and St. Louis) and we move it around the country each year to make it accessible to you whenever we can. Some people drive; in fact some Councils rent a van and drive together. Others fly to attend, which can save time and in some cases is actually less expensive than driving. 

Many Councils and Conferences budget annually for one or more leaders to attend because they recognize that the coming together of Vincentians results in sharing of best practices, providing the national governance, learning from vendors and partners, and all the rest of the usual "convention" experience.

But National Assembly offers something unique.

Yours in Christ,


Dave



ofiaBrand-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!
Thursday, July 27 at 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 at 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
Click the links below for customizable social media:



For more information on EWTN, visit: www.ewtn.com .
 
Find the EWTN station in your zip code: http://www.ewtn.com/channelfinder/

To check the EWTN program schedule, click: http://bit.ly/1PuGBxa 



STAY TUNED!
QuestionsAndAnswers
 

Q:  Our Conference purchases food at a good price from our local food bank. The food bank requires that we provide them a list of everyone that we give food to. Is this a violation of confidentiality?
 
A:  Yes, it is a violation, unless you received authorization from those to whom you give food to share their information with other organizations. If you stay with the food bank and someone chooses not to authorize this sharing of information, you may have to refuse to give food from the food bank to them. They could be given food you purchase or get from other sources.
 
Q:  I know that Conferences are expected to follow federal, state and local laws but I can't find in the Rule where it states that.
 
A:  It is not stated in the Rule. However, it is in the Nationally Approved Bylaws for Conferences in Article 2. You will also find this in the Manual on Page 30 under two sections: "Legal and Financial Realities" and "Tax Laws and Financial Records."


   
Submit your questions to: 
Pam Hudson
National Director of Governance & Membership Services

 



ReentryNational Council welcomes New National Program Coordinator for the Vincentian Reentry Organizing Project


The SVdP National Council is excited to welcome Barbara McPherson as the new National Program Coordinator for the Vincentian Reentry Organizing Project.
 
Barbara is a California native who currently lives in Reedsburg, Wis.  She earned her Master of Science in Public Health Degree from the University of Illinois, Chicago in 1982. She went on to complete her law degree at Marquette University Law School in May of 1996.
 
Prior to coming to the Society, Barbara worked in the California State Legislature in the Legislative Counsel Office and then in the office of Senator Tim Leslie. She worked as a lobbyist and returned to the practice of law in Wisconsin in 2007
 
She has been a Vincentian since 1990 and has served various roles within the Society ranging from working in a food pantry, and assisting with lunch programs. She has served as a pro bono attorney for SVdP Councils in Wisconsin. Barbara also served as the vice-president of the Sacramento Council while she was living in California and the president of the Sacred Heart Conference in Wisconsin.
 
Barbara is married and has five children (two sons and three daughters). She also has three grandchildren.
 
"I believe that I have been training all my life for this important work in the Society. I am so pleased to be given this opportunity to serve and to work alongside my dedicated Vincentians.
 
To contact Barbara, you can email her at bmcpherson@svdpusa.org.  
gov  
The Need for Risk Management

Consider this:  Whether you run a Conference that focuses on visiting and helping the poor or a Council with special works such as stores, meal sites, housing units or free pharmacies, you should be aware of the need for risk management.  Obviously the scope of your activity might dictate how you go about this but the principles are the same.  For that reason as we near the end of one fiscal year and the beginning of another, this is a good time to bring you an excerpt from an article in the Smart Risk Management Manager's Training Workbook published by The Argos Group LLC.  The article keys on five core principles: (1) No Tolerance, (2) Observation, (3) Communication, (4) Empathy and (5) Fairness. 
 
The material we cite specifically refers to "managers" and "employees;" however, the principles stated relate to all leadership roles and all staff whether paid or volunteer.  Leaders at all levels in our Society can benefit from these principles.  
 
 
To learn more about Governance, contact:
Pam Hudson
National Director of Governance and Membership Services
(314)576-3993 ext. 214
___________________________________________________________________

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

mexicoAppeal 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.
  1. 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: mchandler@svdpusa.org or 314-314-576-3393 ext 225.


Agenda for the 2017 National Assembly
Meeting Highlights


Wednesday, August 30
 
Vincentian Formation Day  (9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.) - Ray Sickinger
Vincentian formation can be accomplished only through the collaboration of the president, spiritual advisor and formators. Therefore, it is important for Council and Conference presidents, spiritual advisors, formators and Conference support personnel to attend the Vincentian Formation Day.
 
National Stores Meeting (9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.) - Ray Dupont
 
Disaster Training - $25 (9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.) - Elizabeth Disco-Shearer
 
Lunch
 
Welcome Reception with National Assembly Sponsors (6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.)
Enjoy time with your fellow Vincentians, while visiting our sponsor tables and enjoying some wonderful flavors from Tampa, including a pasta station, quesadillas, salad bar, spring rolls and more!  Best of all; don't forget dessert, Bananas Foster!
 

  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

For those sending more than three attendees from the same Conference/Council and registering after the early registration deadline (July 15), we have a special discount code for $20 off per person. 
For more information, contact Michele Schurk.

  
Don't forget to book your room!

Questions? Contact:
Michele Schurk
Events Coordinator
314-576-3993 ext. 223

VincentianFormation
Vincentian Formation
Feast of the Transfiguration

On Sunday, August 6 the Church will celebrate the feast of the Transfiguration. 

______________________________________________________
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.

_______________ ___________________________________________

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.

       
To Order: Online at  www.svdpusa.org      
(Click on SVdP Members, scroll down and click on Order Materials)                        
or                                                                                                                           
Email order to: materials@svdpusa.org

For further information contact: 
Sister Kieran Kneaves, DC
National Formation Director

MCD
 
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.
 

NBCCTekaSVdP Works towards Diversity and Recruitment at National Gatherings

When we focus on extension and growing the Society as a whole, one of its major objectives is to increase diversity. This past month, SVdP representatives have been working towards that goal by attending two different gatherings of diverse Catholic audiences.
 
From July 6 - July 9, Vincentians represented the Society at the National Black Catholic Congress' 2017 Conference in Orlando, Fla.
 
The National Black Catholic Congress (NBCC) is an organization of African-American Roman Catholics that was founded in 1889. NBCC's mission is to improve and enrich the lives of African-American Catholics.
 
SVdP was an exhibitor at NBCC 2017 and had the opportunity to meet many unique and interesting people and discuss the benefits of being part of the Society and having a St. Vincent de Paul Conference in a parish.
 
The second event was the 2017 Annual Tekakwitha Conference which took place July 19 - July 23 in Rapid City, S.D.
 
The Tekakwitha Conference is the voice, presence and identity of indigenous Catholics of North America under the protection and inspiration of St. Kateri Tekakwitha, a young Mohawk/Algonquin woman of the 17th Century.
 
The theme of this year's gathering was, "Loving One Another through the Spirit of St. Kateri."
 
The Society had a table at the Conference and SVdP representatives spent time meeting and speaking with attendees about the Society.
 
Thanks to all those who participated in these two events and all those who work continuously to move the Society forward through extension and diversity!


For questions about membership or diversity, contact:
Pam Hudson                                                                                  
Director of Governance and Membership Services
314-576-3993 ext. 214

dsd
Disaster Services Division Update
Flood Safety, Preparedness and What to do After

Below is a list of resources to help before, during and after a flood. Click each link to read the resource.

__________________________________________________________________

SVdP DSD Disaster Preparedness Conference Wrap-up

 SVdP DSD hosted its annual Disaster Preparedness Conference last week in Chicago. 


*DSD would like to offer a special thanks to Joe Butkovich, the North Central Region Disaster Chair, for all of his hard work and efforts as the local host of the SVdP Disaster Services Annual Preparedness and Resiliency Conference. The conference was outstanding thanks to Joe's work and his continuous work to support the Society is much-appreciated!

For more information about the SVdPDSD or how to donate to the House in a Box ®  Program, contact:

Elizabeth Disco-Shearer
COO
SVdPUSA Disaster Services Division


Brooke Newton
Deputy Director
SVdPUSA Disaster Services Division 



storesNational 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

DevelopmentNews
_____________________________________________________________________

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!


For more information on Development, contact:

Steve Martinez
314-576-3993 ext. 213



Gerri Sample
314-576-3993 ext. 211

To Top 
VOP

SVdP featured on CatholicTV's
"This is the Day"
 
Tom Dwyer, SVdP Voice of the Poor committee chairperson, recently appeared on CatholicTV's "This is the Day."
 
The segment covered the Society of St. Vincent de Paul as well as the Voice of the Poor committee.
 
 
For more information about CatholicTV, click here:  http://www.catholictv.org/
 
To learn more about "This is the Day," click here:  http://www.catholictv.org/shows/this-is-the-day


_________________________________________________________
Personal Witness: 
A Vincentian Face gives intimate Meaning to the Health 
Care Coverage Threat
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.  


To Top 
youth
  
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

To Top 
grandparentsday
SVdP Grandparent's Day
Share your Vincentian Legacy

National Grandparent's Day celebrates 40 years on September 9, 2018!
 
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

SKDM"Same Kind of Different as Me" 
Full-length Film coming to Theaters this fall



To Top 
ext 
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
 
______________________________________________________________________
 
SVdP Extension Web Portal
 
 

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EWTN 
SVdP Television Special Available Online!

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.

Click here to watch and download the video from Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/195329687

Click here to watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPWp8Hvloss

If you have any questions, please contact:

Gary Stevens
Director of Marketing and Communications
314-576-3993 ext. 209



Michelle Boyer
Communications Administrative Associate
314-576-3993 ext. 201
mboyer@svdpusa.org
 


SVdP400400th Anniversary of the Vincentian Charism

2017 marks the 400th Anniversary of the Vincentian Charism.

Click the links below to view a new video about members serving their brothers and sisters in need.
 
 

 
symposium

Vincentian Symposium in Rome 
October 12 - 15

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
 
Please visit the website designed for the occasion: http://famvin400.info



For more information, contact:
Gene Smith

To Top 
inthenews 
International News
President General launches a 
Spanish-Language Book
FRANCE:

The book "In love with Charity and Justice" (original: "Apasionados por la caridad y la justicia") was published by the initiative of the Superior Council of Spain of the SSVP. Its author is brother Renato Lima de Oliveira, 16th President General of SSVP. There are 55 articles of spirituality that can be used as spiritual reading in the meetings of the Conferences and Councils.
 
The book, with 180 pages, counts on the preface of the brother Juan Manuel Buergo, vice-president of the Superior Council of Spain. He thus expresses himself on the publication: "in the book we find articles that tell us interesting personal experiences of the author, problems and solutions, in which we can see ourselves reflected, because it is the daily life of the Society."

  Read more.

MORE INTERNATIONAL SVdP NEWS

National News 
Dominicans serve at St. Vincent de Paul

LOUISVILLE, KY: 
Brother Frassati Davis assists a friend in need at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul's food pantry. Brother Davis and Brother Bartholomew Calvano, both students at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C., are spending their summer living at the St. Louis Bertrand Church and working at St. Vincent de Paul. (Photo: Jessica Able)

Dominican Brother Frassati Davis has spent his summer with the sole purpose of pointing others to Christ.

He and Dominican Brother Bartholomew Calvano have attempted to fulfill that mission during their summer assignment at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
 
The two young Dominicans are students at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C., where they are in formation to be priests. While in Louisville, they are residing at St. Louis Bertrand Church, which is administered by the Dominicans, and serving at St. Vincent de Paul.
 
Brother Davis, 25, said if he can help point people to Jesus, "then I have fulfilled my call to serve as a religious."

  Read More

MORE NATIONAL SVdP NEWS

 Calendar of Events

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



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

vinprayerlist
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 phudson@svdpusa.org and we will add the name to the prayer list on the SVdP website. Thank you and God Bless.
 

SocialMedia
SVdP Social Media



 
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!

  

ATTENTION COUNCIL PRESIDENTS & EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS: 

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If you or another member of your Conference is not receiving the E-Gazette email,  jwitzel@svdpusa.org.

 

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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: mboyer@svdpusa.org

(314) 576-3993 ext. 201