Frederic's E-Gazette
An e-newsletter from the National Council of the U.S. Society of St. Vincent de Paul®
April 16, 2020
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Stay Connected to SVdPUSA
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Table of Contents:
- A Letter from your Servant Leaders
- Questions and Answers
- Coronavirus Individual and Family Cash Assistance
- Continued COVID-19 Guidance to SVdP Members
- SVdP Safety Face Masks
- Disaster Services Coronavirus Hotline
- Vincentian Family Prayer Chain
- SVdP National Council searching for new Director of Stores Support
- Introducing "Fred Talks"
- Contemplation: Jesus Christ, Evangelizer & Servant of the Poor
- Ozanam Sunday - April 26, 2020
- The Friends of the Poor Grant Program Mideast and Midwest Regional Cycle has been moved up
- Managing Paid Staff
- Civility in a Time of Political Strife
- Getting Ahead Practitioner Call: "How We're adapting to the Coronavirus"
- 2020 Hard Copy Annual Reports Available!
- All 2019 Online Annual Reports are now due!
- In the News
- Dates to Remember
- How to keep up with SVdP
- Vincentian Prayer List
- Looking to Support SVdP Programs?
- Make sure your members are signed up for the E-Gazette
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A Letter from your Servant Leaders
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If you grew up in a poor family, you learned how to do without. You also learned what was most important. As we grew older, and hopefully wealthier, we likely added more creature comforts that without much thinking became the new “essentials," such as computers and cell phones, larger TVs, cars, vacations and better meals. Somewhere inside us, most of us still remember the days of less, and know that if needed, we could go back there and do just fine.
Over the last few weeks we have learned again what is most important, and what we can do without, as we try as Vincentians to continue our faith journeys and our community services. This period, unfolding during the Lenten season, reminds us of all the years we may have taken Easter, and certainly Holy Thursday and Good Friday, celebrations and services for granted. As we sit at home alone this year, watching Mass on television or reading the Magnificat, we think of our family together at past Easter dinners after a day of prayer. We remember the sense of Spring renewal that comes when watching the children dressed up for Easter Mass.
Our Vincentian charism has been renewed too this year, albeit in a different way. Over the years, our Conference and Councils may have added new rules, procedures, paperwork and process to become more fair and efficient. A little at a time, we keep adding more “stuff” that, while well-intentioned, may have diluted what’s most important in our Vincentian lives.
“I often see the face of Christ in the people I serve,” I am told often by Vincentians who are interviewed for our television show Our Faith in Action. The other words we hear often are that “I always get so much more out of my Vincentian service than what I put into it.” These are not rehearsed words; they are heartfelt summaries of the Vincentian experience across the world, and especially so by those making Home Visits.
The COVID-19 emergency forced Vincentians to re-think how and when we worship and serve. The Conference meetings we complained about needing so often feel more valuable now, don’t they, when we aren’t allowed to gather in groups those days. We long for the opportunity to visit someone’s home now that we are asked to stay six feet away from everyone. The food pantry dynamics changed overnight as people who are still hungry can’t line up anymore. Our stores are closed, so how do we deliver beds, clothing and household goods to those in need?
This is our wake-up call. What have we learned about what is most important in our Vincentian lives? What can we strip away now that we see we didn’t really need it, to get back to the essentials of our prayer and service lives? Forced for weeks to do without, what can we recognize as no longer really needed anymore? What is discarded, and what remains that is more highly valued?
There is a reason that Spirituality, Friendship and Service are called the Society’s Essential Elements. How have we been reminded of this over the last two months?
How can this shared yet isolated experience help us come together to have more impactful Conference meetings? More powerful spiritual reflections? Deeper conversations about our work and the families we try to help? Changes in strategies to incorporate more Systemic Change into our Conference and Council activities?
Every Easter, we are reminded of Christ’s Passion and sacrifice. While the benefit of His sacrifice is with us every day, the Easter week focuses us on the absolute basics of our faith, the Cross and Resurrection. This year, the major disruptions of COVID-19’s isolations, health scares and loss of resources serve to remind us as Vincentians of the continued need for our work, how much we value Vincentian friendships and shared worship, and how much our Church and communities value our presence as Christ’s disciples.
What will we take forward from this unique and challenging time to advance in Holiness together? How will we re-commit ourselves to our community, to each other and to Christ after this experience? What intentional changes will we make with what we have learned?
Yours in Christ,
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Dave Barringer
National CEO
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Q: A member of my Conference said our Regional Vice President does not have a vote at the National level. Can you verify this?
A:
According to National Council Bylaws, each of the eight Regional Vice Presidents is a voting member of the National Board of Directors. However, the Regional Vice Presidents do not have a vote on the National Council. The voting members of the National Council are the National President and the duly elected National Council Members (each representing a Catholic Diocese where the Society is present).
Q: We want to be contributing members. Is there some membership form or anything?
A:
Contributing Member status is available at the parish Conference level. No one should be considered a Contributing Member without the Conference as a whole agreeing to it. All new members should be formally approved by the Conference. There is no special interview process or checking that has to be done except that they meet the criteria specified in The Rule.
Contributing Members require no formal action for enrollment. Recognition of such status is simply granted by the Society in acknowledging the financial, material or time donations of generous or regular contributors. Contributors are invited to be present at general and special meetings. Contributing members also include those who regularly contribute resources other than money, such as food, clothing, etc.
Although their contributions are essential to our ministry, our National Council is no longer gathering information about Contributing Members. We are encouraging our Contributing Members to help us in our efforts by becoming Associate Members. Associate Members assist by helping in the direct service to our friends in need. Associate Members help us not only in direct service but also contribute financially and materially to our ministry.
Submit your questions to:
Pam Hudson Johnson
National Director of Governance & Membership Services
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Coronavirus Individual and Family Cash Assistance
The CARES Act passed by Congress to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic included cash assistance to help American households (called Economic Impact Payments). Individuals will receive up to $1,200 and married couples will receive up to $2,400. Individuals and families with children will receive an additional $500 per child.
Most people will receive the payment as a direct deposit from the IRS using the banking information provided on tax returns. However, many of our friends in need may not file tax returns, or may not have bank accounts. For these vulnerable households, completing additional steps will be critical to receiving this cash assistance. For more information about how we can help friends get this help,
visit this website
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Remember to stay tuned to
our COVID-19 Response
page for regular updates and additional information to help your Conference and Council respond to this unprecedented time in our nation.
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Continued COVID-19 Guidance to SVdP Members
As the country continues to adapt to the new reality of social distancing and impending scarcity, the Society is aware of the need for our services now more than ever.
Local Councils and Conferences shift their work from face-to-face services to creative and location-specific approaches. The National Council will continue its focus on support and value to the entire Society.
We are grateful for your good work to continue responding to shifting community needs. Thank you for all you do to fulfill our mission to feed, clothe, house, and heal friends in need across the U.S.
As a trusted nonprofit organization that already serves the most likely to be hurt by the economic devastation of the Coronavirus Crisis, the Society's work has never been more important!
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SVdP Safety Face Masks
OFFERS PROTECTION AND STYLE FROM AIRBORNE PARTICULATES.
Comfortable and breathable to wear. Made of 100% microfiber polyester so it is light weight and cool even in the summertime. When your mask is not needed, simply pull it down off your face and let it rest easily around your neck until you are ready to use it again. This fabric is color fast which means the SVdP logo will be attractive and bright for as long as you own the mask. It is totally washable and easy to maintain. Keep safe from harmful airborne particulates and show the SVdP logo at the same time.
Washable - Microfiber Polyester - SPF50 - Dry Wicking
To Order:
Visit the Magnalite Catholic Website, or
click here
.
Item: SFM-I Safety Mask $5.50/ea
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Making the best of the Current Stores Environment
One hundred years of thrift retailing tells us that lost sales day are not recovered. We see this every year with snow days, for example. Material donations may also be limited right now as people stay home. However, there are a few strategies that Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) stores can take to make the best out of the current store closure conditions.
- While the store is closed, it's a great time to take care of those repairs that were delayed. Contractors are exempt businesses and they appreciate the work. It may be easier to manage the work while the store is empty.
- Likewise, this is the time to clean the store thoroughly. Get that floor shined up. Do some small paint jobs. Clean out the clutter from the sales floor as well as the back room!
- If you are keeping employees on the job, this is a great time to dig into those stored or warehoused bulk goods and process everything for the sales floor. Fill those racks during this interim, and be ready to re-open with a full store. For those who are not currently working in the stores, make sure to keep these employees updated with information on plans for reopening.
- However possible, keep the flow of donated goods coming into the system. Empty the drop boxes. Have someone available for drive-up donations at the store, just as the restaurants are doing. When donations are coming in keep donations separate from items already in your store. Sanitize incoming hard-goods items to help prevent the spread of the virus.
- This is Spring Cleaning time! Advertise this to the homebound as a perfect way to spend their new time at home cleaning out their closets, even if they deliver the goods to you later.
- When you re-open, consider it - and advertise it - as a Store Grand Re-Opening to attract returning and brand new shoppers. Don't offer discounts, as we need the funds to do our mission work, and discounts give away profits! However, offer a discount or coupon that comes when they bring donated goods to the store.
- Upon opening, have two weeks extra stock available from what you have saved. Take advantage of all the new customers by having stores with full racks.
Any business interruption can be harmful. In this case with closed SVdP stores, closures give us the opportunity for new customer first impressions as we spring back to life. What can you be doing now during the closure to prepare for a bright new future for your store?
-The National Council Stores Committee
Questions? Contact:
Lori Bedwell
Stores Support Director
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Disaster Services SVdP-USA has set up a Coronavirus Hotline to support St. Vincent de Paul Councils and Conferences in the United States and can be accessed by calling 1 (800) 604-5759. You can learn more about Coronavirus resources and guidance at
https://www.svdpdisaster.org/node/150
/
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Vincentian Family Prayer Chain
The Council General requests Vincentians throughout the world to invoke the intercession of Mary just in a very simple prayer which we can say slowly and reverently:
- One Hail Mary
- And this prayer, dedicated to Vincentians around the world …
Our Lord and Our Father,
As Vincentian we are dedicated to doing your work to help those in need around the world. Please protect all Vincentians from communicable diseases in our home visits and in our many other forms of service which we do in your name. Please protect those that are now afflicted with the Coronavirus and help this global pandemic to pass. For this we humbly pray. Amen
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SVdP National Council searching for new Director of Stores Support
To inquire or apply, contact:
Anna Filson
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Introducing "Fred Talks"
We are happy to introduce to you Fred Talks! These short videos offer information on topics of Vincentian Heritage, Traditions, and Spirituality in five minutes or less – what Vincentian can’t spare time for that?
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Contemplation: Jesus Christ, Evangelizer & Servant of the Poor
As Jesus began announcing his ministry in the Gospel of Luke, he pointed to the scripture that said, “
He has sent me to bring good news to the poor
…”
During his life on earth, Christ was fully dedicated to healing, feeding, comforting, and serving “the least among us” teaching us by His example to do the same. He also told us that we would be judged by how we treated them, just as if we had done it to Christ Himself.
Because he held Christ’s personal example as the driving force of his own spirituality, St. Vincent said that “Jesus Christ is the Rule of the Mission.”
The same may be said of the Society of St Vincent de Paul: we seek to follow Christ’s teaching by following His example. That is why we are called not only to
see
the face of Christ in those we serve, but to
be
the face of Christ in bringing them hope.
Recommended reading this week:
Contemplate:
When have I sought to
be Christ
in my service?
Questions regarding Formation, contact:
Tim Williams
National Formation Director
314-576-3993 ext. 207
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Ozanam Sunday - April 26, 2020
Click here
for a list of materials available to order to celebrate this special Vincentian day.
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The Friends of the Poor® Grant Program Mideast and Midwest Regional Cycle has been moved up
We are already seeing what the Coronavirus pandemic will mean to our critical work and have made the decision to move up our last regional grant submission cycle to April instead of May to assist Conferences and Councils with the upcoming surge in need.
Submission Cycle Opens April 13
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Deadline April 30th!
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Council Operations
Council operations is the focus of this week’s excerpt from the pages of
Vincentian Life: Council.
Click here
for helpful information on the topics of Process, Meeting Agenda, Election – Council President, Management, Obligating the Council, Planning, and Crossing Into Another Council’s Area.
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Special Notice
Policies are the operational guidelines for SVdP. Councils and Conferences should continually (at least every two years) analyze their policies to identify any that need to be updated or changed or need to be created.
The National Governance Committee has posted 40 sample policies covering a wide range of subjects at Governance-in-a-Box on the National Council website. The policies shown are intended to be examples of how such policies could read. They are not meant to be adopted as is but rather to serve as examples only. It is always recommended that local legal counsel be sought to ensure that the policies your Council or Conference adopts are compliant with the laws of your state and municipality.
Questions? Contact:
Pam Hudson Johnson
Director of Governance & Membership Services
314-576-3993 ext. 214
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Getting Ahead Practitioner Call: "How We’re Adapting to the Coronavirus”
The COVID-19 pandemic has halted Getting Ahead programs, but staying connected and continuing to build trust is still important. If you’re running a Getting Ahead program that has been interrupted by a stay-at-home order, or had a start date postponed, join us for a conversation about how to help friends in need continue to “Get Ahead” even when meeting in person is not possible.
Monday, April 20, 2020
1:00-2:00 PM ET
Questions? Contact:
Tom Mulloy
Director of Poverty Programs
314-576-3993 ext. 215
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2020 Hard Copy Annual Reports Available!
The hard-copy 2020 annual report forms are now available. The reporting period for Vincentian assistance and services provided to our friends in need is for the period of FY Oct 1, 2019 - Sept 30, 2020.
Quarterly report hard copy forms are also available!
NOTE: The online data entry program for the 2020 annual reports will be available after the start of the new fiscal year 2020-21 after October 1, 2020
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All 2019 Online Annual Reports are now due!
The Society's fiscal year is Oct 1-Sept 30. Here are the official annual report due dates for each level of our organization:
- Conference annual reports due Nov 30
- District Councils annual reports due Dec 31
- (Arch)Diocesan Councils annual reports due Jan 31
- Special Works & Thrift Store reports are due the same date as the Conferences/Councils that owns/operates them
For information regarding Annual Reports, contact:
Pam Hudson Johnson
Director of Governance and Membership Services
314-576-3993 ext. 214
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In the News
International
CGI:
AUSTRALIA:
IRELAND
IRELAND:
National
MADISON, WI:
DALLAS, TX:
SEATTLE-KING CO, WA:
ALPENA, MI:
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Dates to Remember
North Central
Regional Meeting
June 11-13
Milwaukee, WI
South Central Regional Meeting
June 22-27
Oklahoma City, OK
Eastern Regional Meeting
June 27
Emmitsburg, MD
Invitation for Renewal
July 29 - August 2
St. Louis, MO
National Assembly
September 2-5
St. Louis, MO
Invitation for Renewal
November 4-8
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 Johnson 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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Looking to Support SVdP Programs?
Click here
to access the online donation portal. Use the drop down menu to choose from a variety of national SVdP programs to support.
If you would like to donate by check, please send it to:
SVdP National Council
58 Progress Parkway
Maryland Heights, MO 63043
*In the memo field please write the program you are supporting
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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].
Have you Opted Out?
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:
http://bit.ly/1GKXYJ6
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 us!
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