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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
®
October 25, 2018
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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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October 25, 2018 
The Vincentians in attendance were, to say the least, a bit confused. Where was the hope? Where was the charity? And what happened to Vincent?
When it launched during last year's Symposium event at the Vatican, the "FindingVince400" film festival promised to be a new way for our charism to blend with the artistry of film and share the globalization of charity. Building on the lessons not only of St. Vincent de Paul himself but on his legacy of the many organizations he created and inspired, the festival's films could illustrate how poverty may still exist but that hope and charity exist as well all around the world.
Along the way, the festival, in my opinion, lost its way.
Since we Vincentians are not known for our film festival organizing skills, it made sense to ask for help. Organizers with experience at festivals such as Sundance came in and pulled together the distribution and marketing needed to attract the filmmakers and offerings to make a successful festival. In fact, more than 4,000 scripts, short film and feature film entries were submitted to FindingVince400, a success by any standard.
Yours in Christ,
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"Storms of a Lifetime" - Hurricanes Florence and now Michael
Devastation in the Southeastern states
Hurricane Michael hit land on October 10, 2018, following Hurricane Florence's devastation and destruction, both among the strongest storms to hit the Southeast since Hurricane Andrew in 1992. Hurricane Michael, which ripped a wide path through coastal and inland Florida communities, flattening buildings, tearing up roads and knocking out power to entire counties, had maximum wind speeds up to 155 mph. In total, the storm has killed 32 people across four Southern U.S. states. More than 2,500 structures are damaged and at least 162 have been destroyed. Tens of thousands of people are still without power and several hundred are still living in emergency shelters.
Hurricane Florence dumped over 18 trillion gallons of rain (30 or more inches in places), and left 900,000 households without power. During the storm, 35 deaths were reported, and damages are estimated at as much as $22 billion.
Nearly 10,000 people were displaced by the super storm.
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Elizabeth Disco-Shearer, CEO of SVdP's Disaster Services Corporation (DSC) is asking for Vincentians to support the efforts of the DSC and their Rapid Response Teams.
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We need funding to help our Conferences in the Carolinas, and soon in Florida, but most importantly wherever a natural disaster hits to cover the cost of utility
deposits, hotel stays, prescription medication assistance, food, fuel and other unmet needs for disaster survivors not covered by FEMA, state programs, or other Voluntary Organizations Active
by DSC.
Click here for more information about the SVdP's Domestic Disaster Appeal.
Your donation TODAY will help to support the SVdP DSC with resources needed to respond to disasters across the United States. Thank you if you have already made a donation and for your continued support.
The DSC is a national organization formed by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul specifically to aid local Councils in responding quickly and effectively to natural and manmade disasters.
 If you prefer to support SVdPUSA's disaster relief efforts by check, please send it to:
National Council of the United States
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
58 Progress Parkway
Maryland Heights, MO 63043
(Be sure to write "Domestic Disaster Relief Fund" in the memo field)
We are deeply thankful for all you do to give glory to God by giving to those in need!
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Q: We are establishing an advisory board for a special project we are embarking on. There are a lot of good people in the community who can help us, but not all are Catholic. We heard that the advisory board must be all Catholics. Is this true?
A: An advisory board is essentially a committee. Within the Society, the committees, where possible, should be made up of Vincentians. But, in some cases, it is necessary to draw committee members from the community because of their background and influence. As long as the leadership of the committee is Vincentian, the other members do not have to be Vincentian or Catholic. The group is "advisory." This means that the ultimate decisions will be made by Vincentians.
Q: We have been receiving grants from United Way and this year they are requiring our Conference to present to them a formal CPA-level audit. Does SVdPUSA have a requirement that all Conferences with EINs, or those included in the Group Exemption, have a full external CPA audit each year?
A: The Society does not require a formal CPA-level audit. It is recommended for larger Councils and for Conferences that have a lot of special works. Those Councils and Conferences that have a formal audit are doing so primarily so they can apply for grants; the audit is a basic requirement of most of them. For a small SVdP Conference, it would probably cost more for the audit than you would get in the grant. The IRS does not require it. However, if you want to continue to receive grants from United Way, and if they continue to require the audit, I recommend you try to find a CPA (possibly a member of your parish) who would be willing to do a pro-bono audit for you. Since you are a small entity, it would be an easy job.
Submit your questions to:
Pam Hudson
National Director of Governance & Membership Services
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Gil Peters retiring from National Office
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is like one big extended family and this week, our family at the National Office is preparing to say goodbye to one of our own.
Gil Peters, materials / sales specialist, will be leaving the National Office after nearly five years of service to the Society.
"Gil will be missed around the office," said Julie Witzel, national membership and extension manager. "He was always available to crack a joke or lend a helping hand when needed. He was very dedicated to his job and to making the Society the best it can be. I expect he will take that into his retirement with him."
Today, October 25, will mark his last day working here, and we wanted to take this opportunity to recognize the tremendous contribution he has made to the National Office!
"Gil has brought meaning to the word 'warehouse.' His organizational skills and enhancements to the warehouse have been a tremendous asset. Gil will be missed, but we all know his retirement is well-deserved," said Laura Kamper, senior director of finance, personnel and facilities.
"Gil brought the Materials Department a quantum leap in professional and generous service in the Vincentian spirit and we stand in gratitude," said Sr. Kieran Kneaves, national formation director.
While we will certainly miss Gil, we are excited to welcome Patrick Maessen to the SVdP family as our new resident materials guru.
Goodbye Gil. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your years of true Vincentian service. May God bless you and your family, as you move forward in this next chapter of your life.
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National Council Office welcomes new
Materials / Sales / Building Manager
The SVdP National Office is excited to welcome Patrick Maessen as the new Materials / Sales / Building Manager.
Patrick spent his early years in Southern California before settling down in St. Louis where he has lived for over 30 years.
He comes from an automotive distribution background with an emphasis in operations.
Patrick and his wife, Kathy, have been married for more than 22 years and have three children, twins Brett and Christian, and Jarod.
When not working, he enjoys bowling. He volunteers as a bowling and baseball coach at a local high school. He has been a coach for over 28 years.
"I am excited to begin this new adventure in my career," said Maessen. "This opportunity will not only allow me to grow professionally, but permit me to help the Vincentian community continue to grow."
To contact Patrick, you can reach him at (314)576-3993 ext. 210 or [email protected].
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World Day of the Poor - November 18, 2018
Pope Francis states, "Let us love, not with words but with deeds."
"The poor man cried, and the Lord heard him." (Psalms 34: 6)
Sunday, November 18 is the second annual 2018 World Day of the Poor.
"Psalm, 34 allows us today, surrounded as we are by many different forms of poverty, to know those who are truly poor. It enables us to open our eyes to them, to hear their cry and to recognize their needs."(Pope Francis).
This day can be an opportunity to promote your Conference within your parish; a way to remind the pastor and parishioners about the people in poverty around us and the Society's good works to help them.
It is a good time to remind your parish community that every day is a "Day of the Poor" with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, as Vincentians grow spiritually by putting their faith into action as they serve people in poverty.
Possible ways to tie into World Day of the Poor to help promote your Conference/Council:
- Ask your pastor to mention SVdP in his homily
- Ask your pastor if you can make a pulpit announcement
- Set up a table after Masses with information about the Society
- Place an announcement or ad for the Society in the bulletin or parish website
- Hold an open house in your food pantry or special work
Click here to access World Day of the Poor materials to customize for your Conference/Council.
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Vincentian Mentors
We are in need of experienced, acting and former Council presidents and current or retired executive directors to become a part of a group available to mentor new Council presidents and new executive directors.
If you are interested and have attended Invitation for Renewal (IFR), will you consider serving as a mentor? If so,
click here
to download and submit your application today!
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New Grant provides Catholic Bibles, prayer books and God with Us Bible Study Courses
for Prison Ministry
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul members work in prison ministry every day. In 2017 alone, we made 16,322 visits to our brothers and sisters who are incarcerated. The Society has been awarded a grant to help with this ministry.
Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, we have partnered with the national Dismas Ministry to provide Catholic Bibles, (the "complete" Bible as the inmates express it), as well as prayer books and Bible study courses for the prison ministers to distribute to their inmates and use in their work.
The Bibles, prayer books and Bible study course materials are provided free of charge. The only cost involved is the shipping. The Bible study course and the postcard to order the materials brochure are available online or by contacting Barbara McPherson at
[email protected]
. The current limit is 50 Bibles for each prison ministry. We encourage you to use this wonderful resource.
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"Our Faith in Action:
Today's Society of St. Vincent de Paul"
Next airing, as of press time today:
Saturday, October 27 at 6 p.m. EDT and Tuesday, October 30 at 4 a.m. EDT
Click here to check local listings to find out when OFIA airs in your area!
For
information
about where to view and download full episodes and individual segments, click here.
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Vincentian Formation
Vincentian Leadership Resources
1. Servant Leadership Workshop DVD
2. Council President Guide
For further information contact:
Sister Kieran Kneaves, DC
National Formation Director
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Easy-to-use SVdP Client Tracking Software Offered
The National Council of the United States Society of St. Vincent de Paul has partnered with ServWare nationally. ServWare is a Vincentian developed client tracking software, customized for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul's Councils, District Councils and Conferences.
"We developed this software from first-hand knowledge of the needs of our local Society of St. Vincent de Paul Conference in Dayton, Ohio," said Mark Stine, co-founder of ServWare. Mark's wife Catherine recognized the need for tracking software, as so many Vincentians have observed, while serving with her local Conference. They knew it had to be low cost, be easy to learn and use, provide 21st century technology and be customizable to meet any Vincentian needs.
"You can track client services from anywhere that has the Internet," said Mark. Utilizing Amazon web services, the system provides excellent security and backup of data. The cost is very affordable:
- Conference/District Council: Set-up fee - $75.00
- Monthly subscription fee - $25.00
- Address import - $200.00
ServWare can link all Conferences and Councils together to enable Councils to view the activities of all their Conferences easily. The system reduces client fraud, as it tracks all visits, disbursements and other activities a client experiences within their Council or Conference.
Vincentians are adopting this system across the U.S., including Conferences in Wisconsin, South Carolina, Indiana and Ohio.
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In-Store Radio for Your Council or Conference
In-Store Radio offers customized radio programming to up-sell and promote specific products and services within St. Vincent de Paul:
- Thrift Stores
- Dining Rooms
- Soup Kitchens
- Food Pantries
- Dental and Medical Clinics
- Any Public Venue
The messaging can not only help to increase awareness of your services, but also promote the impact you are making on the local community and increase donations.
Pricing
Through this national partnership, Councils and Conferences will receive a 46% discount over retail pricing.
Brian Roberts, owner, notes that offering In-Store Radio can be often pay for itself through increased sales and productivity. "It costs less per day than a typical cup of coffee," he said.
Popular Music
In addition to messaging that promotes mission and good works, In-Store Radio offers popular music, which can encourage people to stick around and shop longer within our thrift stores. The programming includes top recording artists such as the Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, Matchbox 20, Lady GaGa and U2.
Custom Licensed Music
In-Store Radio creates music stations customized to meet your needs. This music is licensed, meaning instead of legally being required to pay royalties for use of copyrighted music, In-Store Radio's programming provides peace of mind from knowing you'll never be in trouble for copyright infringement.
For more information about In-Store Radio, please contact:
Brian Roberts
(866) 218-2353
For more information regarding Development, contact:
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Steve Martinez
Chief Development Officer
314-576-3993 ext. 213
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Three Major Areas of Board Responsibility
The beginning of a new fiscal year is typically a good time for boards to discuss, or at least review, their responsibilities as a nonprofit's governing body to ensure that all members understand their individual duties. Earlier this year we had an article about board responsibilities. This article provides some reinforcing thoughts and takes a look at the subject from a different perspective.
Most board members recognize that their basic duties include, but are not limited to, defining and approving policies, selecting and supervising an executive director, ensuring programs are consistent with the organization's mission and monitoring program effectiveness, as well as protecting the organization's assets whether it is financial and/or social capital.[1] From a broader and legal perspective, boards have three major areas of responsibility: Duty of care, duty of loyalty and duty of obedience.
Duty of Care:
A board member is expected to act as any ordinary, prudent person in similar circumstances. This requires diligent, attentive, informed participation, i.e., reasonable care when making decisions in stewardship of the organization.
To learn more about Governance, contact:
Pam Hudson
National Director of Governance and Membership Services
314-576-3993 ext. 214
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SVdP Disaster Services Update
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Disaster Services Corp., SVdP-USA and the Meaning of Community Stewardship: Combining Service and Faith
Click here to read this month's guest blog post now.
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Shakeout Earthquake Drill Information
Click here for Shakeout Drill Information for Businesses.
Click here for Shakeout Drill
information
for nonprofits.
Click here for Shakeout Drill information for stores.
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For more information about SVdP Disaster Services,
click here or contact:
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Poverty in America and Our
Communities
, 2017
If you missed our webinar last week on the Census Bureau's recently updated poverty stats for 2017, you can download the presentation slides, a link to the archived recording, as well as a brief guide to accessing statistics for your community,
from the National Voice of the Poor Committee website.
Click here to access now.
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Getting Ahead Facilitator Training - Winter 2018
*Registration now open
Wednesday, November 28 and Wednesday, December 5
6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Eastern
Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin'-by World is a licensed work of aha! Process, Inc. The National Council of the United States Society of St. Vincent de Paul is a licensed provider of facilitator training for the Getting Ahead program.
For more information, contact:
Tom Mulloy
National Director of Poverty Programs
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Voices of SVdP Thought Leaders -
Guest Writer, Daniel Malone
Periodically, we feature voices from SVdP thought leaders. This week's contribution is from Daniel P. Malone, CEO, of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul - Detroit.
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First Annual National SVdP Young Adult
Video Call a Success
This past Sunday evening, young adult Vincentians from across the country digitally gathered together on a video call to discuss their work in the Society.
More than 30 young adults from seven different Councils and Conferences and in five different states talked about their personal involvement in SVdP. They discussed what each of their SVdP groups do locally, like activities, recruitment, marketing, spirituality and more.
See below for pictures of some of the participants! It is great to see young adult Vincentians sharing their passion for the work of the Society with each other! Keep it up!
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2018 Online Annual Reports Data Entry
now available
To determine the number of members serving in the Society in the United States, the collection of active and associate members has returned to the 2018 Annual Reports forms and online program.
The login is the same one you use to login to the National Membership Database.
Hardcopy forms are available at:
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Annual Report Deadlines
Thrift Store & Special Works Annual Reports: The owner (Conference or Council) of the store or special work has to do these reports first since the owner needs the store and special work information for their (Conference or Council) report.
For information regarding Annual Reports, contact:
Pam Hudson
Director of Governance and Membership Services
314-576-3993 ext. 214
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501 (c) (3) Tax Exemption Notice
A letter regarding the Group Exemption 5496 was recently sent to any Conference or Council still on the national group. The intent of the letter was to insure that all ineligible participants are taking steps to secure their own tax exemption. Many are in the process or have completed the transition and the National Council needs to be notified of your status so we can update our database. Please rest assured that your tax exemption is not in jeopardy if you have not completed the process by the deadline. You just need to be taking the steps necessary to obtain your tax exemption independent of the Group.
Information, templates and directions to complete this process are available on the national website. Follow this link to access the documents regarding the 501(c)(3) transition at
http://www.svdpusa.org/members/Documents/501-c-3. A tax attorney is also available at no charge by the National Council to answer questions if you still have concerns.
There is a light at the end of this long tunnel.
For questions regarding the transition, contact:
Sherry Brown
314-576-3993 ext. 200
*National has also arranged for additional legal support should you require it beyond the training materials and local professionals.
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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
International News
15 Years - Rule and Confederation International SSVP
On October 18, 2003, in Rome, an assembly of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul was held where the network of charity that Federic dreamt of became an international confederation, with a modern rule that we must know, care for, love and follow.
Until the year 2003, the General Council was not juridically an international entity, being a French association. In other words, there was no legal link between the different societies in the world.
The new Rule, in the second part, establishes the statutes of an international confederation as an entity of French law composed of various higher Councils who voluntarily request their incorporation into the Confederation and establish their internal statutes as part three of the Rule.
MORE INTERNATIONAL SVdP NEWS
AUSTRALIA:
National News
Mary Queen of Peace Couple finds the Face of Christ in others through Work with St. Vincent de Paul
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Joseph and Nancy Mueller sat on the couch in their living room on Oct. 16. The couple received the Missouri Catholic Conference Citizen Recognition Award at the assembly Oct. 6. They have a long history of serving the poor and will celebrate 58 years of marriage in November. Photo: Jennifer Brinker / The St. Louis Review
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Joe and Nancy Mueller recently received MCCCitizen Recognition Award.
Joe Mueller remembers as a child sitting with his mother and brother in his parents' car while his father made home visits as part of his work with the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
It was around the 1940s and '50s, when people were recovering from the Depression. Seeing his father's care for others in need left an impression on him, said the now 83-year-old Mueller.
"They were having a hard time, and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul would help them - very quietly," he said. While there were never specific discussions about the clients receiving assistance, "I was profoundly grateful for his conduct and so proud of what he was doing."
MORE NATIONAL SVdP NEWS
CAMPBELLSVILLE, KY:
JUNEAU, AK:
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Calendar of Events
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Dates for 2018:
Invitation for Renewal
November 14 - 18
St. Louis, MO
Dates for 2019:
Catholic Social Ministry Gathering
February 2 - 5
Washington D.C.
Midyear Meeting
April 24 - 27
St. Louis, MO
Western Regional Meeting
May 23 - 25
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Eastern Regional Meeting
June 14 - 15
Emmitsburg, MD
North Central Regional Meeting
June 20 - 22
Marshfield, WI
Invitation for Renewal
July 10 - 14
St. Louis, MO
National Assembly
August 28 - 31
Denver, CO
Invitation for Renewal
November 6 - 10
St. Louis, MO
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SVdP Social Media and Mobile App
Stay Connected in 2018!
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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 Marketing Communications Specialist Email: [email protected] (314) 576-3993 ext. 219
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