Société Saint-Vincent de Paul - Society of Saint Vincent de Paul

National President's Letter

Penny's Piece - Fall 2011

Dear Brother and Sister Vincentians

Once again, the AGA has come and gone, as well as, the summer has gone so very quickly. We certainly will remember another awesome AGA in Victoria. Mary and her team are to be commended.

We will be moving forward with a greater focus on both Public Relations/Media, as well as, Systemic Change and its activities.

With the advent and launch of our National Society of Saint Vincent de Paul week we will need to enhance how we project ourselves to our members and to the public. This year will take on a low key approach with celebrations occurring at the Conference and Regional levels. Next year we hope to make a National Council effort. This will require structuring a National Team with the expertise to use to project the Society, its membership and its work. At the time of this writing we have one member from the Atlantic Region. We are hoping for one member from each region to form this national committee. Please scout around for possible candidates from your region. If you know someone who would enjoy this type of work, please contact your regional president who will then contact me.

Systemic Change as an activity has evolved from what we all know as the Advocacy Committee’s work. We still have advocacy work, but we must also focus on the wider picture of what the root causes are that lead to the need for advocacy. We have regional teams in place that will keep each region in tune with what is happening and what possible activities that will lead to change. Each region has their own particular and unique issues and concerns, but there are issues of national concern that we can all work together to address. Further, there are issues that we can also address internationally, e.g. with the USA Council who have issues much the same as our concerns, for example the environmental issues that face us each day.

We will have more to report about Systemic Change after the October meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana. I will attend along with regional representatives.

Of course, I must mention that next year will be the year of election of a new national president. We will be presenting the candidates at the AGA in Halifax. Please consider whether you may have a vocation in the ministry of administration.

In closing, I wish each of you health, happiness and much joy in your continued vocation of serving Christ in the poor.

“all one in truth and charity”.

Penny Craig, President

National President's Letter

Penny's Piece - Fall 2011

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