NATIONAL STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE REPORT FOR 2010-2011

The Strategic Planning Committee considers 2011 as a year of review, assessment and renewal as we move forward on a number of issues that will transform the Society into a position that will help us meet the many challenges in today’s world. We occupy a position of respect amongst other charities, agencies and governments. This is a position we’ve earned with our many years of service to Christ in the poor and one we can use to our advantage as we raise our public image and address the root causes of poverty.

I’d like to review the history of the strategic planning committee and all previous goals.

Our committee also spent a full day on Wednesday of this week to develop the framework for this year’s review and plan for a revised strategic plan for 2012-2016.

The idea of a strategic plan began at the 2002 AGA with the establishment of the original nine goals. These nine goals were

1 - Spirituality of the Society

There is insufficient observable evidence of spirituality within the Society.

Strategic Direction: Increase the observable spirituality within the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in Canada.

Strategic Goal: To integrate a deep spirituality within all activities of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in Canada.

Responsibilities: All conferences and councils.

Updates:

2008 –The National Council‘s Spirituality committee was formed and has been working well. A couple of examples of their work are articles written for our VincenPaul magazine and having a copy of the Handbook for Spiritual Advisors.  .The new National Council’s Annual report may also help to determine if Vincentian spirituality has improved.

2 - Mission Statement

The National Council of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in Canada does not have a clearly defined, understood and communicated mission statement for the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in Canada.

Strategic Direction: The National council of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul will develop a clearly defined mission statement.

Strategic Goal: To have a clearly defined, understood and communicated mission statement for the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in Canada...

Responsibility: National: Council-Board of Directors.

Update: Completed 2004. (To be removed from strategic plan.

3 - Membership

Membership in the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul is declining.

Strategic Direction: The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul will increase its membership.

Strategic Goal: To have more Society members.

Responsibility: All conferences and Councils.

Update: On-going.

The new Annual report should provide valuable information on current membership while helping to recruit new members.

4 - Financial

The defined Rule for the flow of funds is not being followed by all levels within the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul.

Strategic Direction: All levels of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul will follow the defined Rule for the flowing of excess funds to the next higher council.

Strategic Goal: To have all Conferences and councils flow excess funds as defined in the Rule of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul.

Responsibility: All Conferences and Councils.

Update: On-going. In 2004 a motion was passed to set the annual suggested pass up for all councils/conferences at $240.00. This has enabled the National Council to become more viable.

5 - Communication

There is an overall lack of communication and collaboration within and among all levels of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul.

Strategic Direction: The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul will increase communication within and among all levels of the Society.

Responsibility: All Conferences and Councils.

Update:-On-going.

One very important goal that we’ve achieved is on our National website-(www.ssvp.ca) which was created by the National Council to inform and allow interaction with Vincentians in Canada and elsewhere. A second improvement has been the Vincenpaul magazine. A full report will be presented by Nicole...

6 - Church Environment

There are no guidelines for Conferences when parishes close.

Strategic Direction: We will develop guidelines for Conferences when close.

Strategic Goal: To have written policies and guidelines in place for Conferences facing relocation and re-establishment of Conferences in communities when parishes close.

Responsibility: National Council-Board of Directors.  

Update:  Completed –Policy ADM PR002-church closing. The result will include the removal of the conference from our listings.  

7 - Church Environment

There are parishes where the clergy are not supportive of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul.

Strategic Direction: Work to gain the support of clergy in all parishes.

Strategic Goal: To have clergy support the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in their parishes.

Responsibility: All Conferences and Council’s

Update: On-going with more work to do.

8 - Age of Society members

The present Vincentian population/membership is aging.

Strategic Direction:  We will lower the average age of membership in the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul.

Strategic Goal: To have a lower average age of membership in the Society of saint Vincent de Paul.

Responsibility: All Conferences and Councils.

Update: On-going. Once again, the new Annual report should help to measure this issue. .

9 - Advocacy

There is no mechanism/guidelines for advocacy by, and on behalf of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul.

Strategic Direction: the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul will develop mechanisms and guidelines for advocacy on behalf of the Society.

Strategic Goal:  To have mechanism and guidelines for advocacy by and on behalf of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul.

Responsibility: National Council-Board of Directors.

Update: Voice of the Poor committee formed 2006.

We now have written guidelines that can be found on our website to assist and educate members. In addition, there is a strong emphasis on Systemic Change...

In 2005 the Strategic Planning committee identified three new issues to be included in the strategic plan. These were:

1 - Training

There is an overall lack of coordinated Vincentian training and training programs at all levels of the Society related to various topics and roles within the Society.

There is no human resource leadership related to training at the national and regional council levels.

Strategic Direction: The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in Canada will plan to have an identified Training Coordinator and training programs the national and regional council levels.

Strategic Goal: To have a National Training Coordinator position identified at National and regional levels of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in Canada.

Responsibility: National and Regional Councils.

Updates: The National Council president formed an Education/Formation committee in 2008.

Education/Formation Modules are being formulated and distributed.

2 - Public Relations/Media

There is an overall lack of official Public Relations/Media materials for all levels of Councils and Conferences to use in order to promote the Society.

Strategic Direction: The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul will develop a Public Relations/Media program and materials kit for use by all Councils and Conferences.

Strategic Goal: To have official Public relations and Media materials that promote the Society in Canada.

Responsibility: National Council.

Updates: On-going. The National president is in the process of forming a standing committee to address this issue that will develop strategies and tools to assist all councils.

3 - Administration

There is an overall lack of timely communication and administrative processes among all levels of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul in Canada.

Strategic Direction: The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul will develop a streamlined mechanism of communication and administrative processes between the National, Regional, and all other levels of the Society as required.

Strategic Goal: To have established and timely line sofa communication and administrative processes at all levels of the Society of Saint Vincent de Pail in Canada.

Responsibility: All Conferences and Councils.

Updates: 2007- There have been many new administrative procedures put into place. This includes new staff.  

Summary

Strategic planning is only successful if we develop goals and objectives that are both specific and measurable. In addition, we must identify what levels of the Society are responsible for each goal and objective. It is only if we have our membership understand and be committed to the strategic plan and its process that we can move forward as an organization.

There is no doubt we have a dedicated and devout membership that we consider a real blessing, but we as Vincentians must be open to change and innovation in addressing the issues of poverty as it is, in Canada today.

All Vincentians are encouraged to contribute to the ongoing development and identification of issues. Each AGA presents the opportunity for members to attend Strategic planning sessions and contribute information that will assist the members of the National Council of Canada’s Strategic Planning committee to do the work necessary to grow the work plans necessary to accomplish its work.

We would encourage members to attend these annual sessions at our AGA and any regional sessions that are scheduled. Your participation is essential if we are to gather the information we require.

Jim Paddon
Chair National Strategic Planning Committee