District Councils

1. District Councils September 2015

2. The District Council • Primary purpose to support Conferences • Provides services and run programs too large or complex for a Conference • Determines and assesses programs • Ensures • Resources exist • Best use of resources • Council wide program • Consistent with Governance documents

3. Operating Structure • Conferences – Members make decisions • District Councils – Assist and support Conferences • Diocesan Councils – Assist and support Districts and Conferences and make decisions affecting SVdP in the Diocese • National Council – Assist and support all Conferences, Districts & Diocesan Councils and make decisions affecting SVdP in the United States • International Council- Responsible for the entire world-wide SVdP Society as described in the Rule, Bylaws and Policies

4. The District Councils • All Conference Presidents are members with a broader responsibility for all of the poor in the council area • Authority to manage all SVdP assets within its area of responsibility • Conduct training courses • Combine all Conferences into a strong union • Exist to serve and provide support to all Conferences • May determine annual solidarity contribution • Maintain communication and unity among Conferences

5. DistrictCouncils Cont’d • Provide for • Spiritual and Vincentian formation • Celebration of festival meetings • Friendship among members • Develop communications • Help with reports, collaboration, outreach and advocacy • Manage special works • Compliance – Rule and governance • Expand Vincentian horizons

6. District Councils Cont’d • Assist Conferences to determine appropriate reserve • Help Conferences to • develop spiritual life • intensify service • diversify activities • always be responsive to those who suffer • Expand Society and its works • Protect against the dangers of isolation • Develop a Strategic Plan

7. District Councils Members All Conference Presidents are members of the Council and are responsible to: • Attend Council Meetings • Create new Conferences • Help existing Conferences to expand • Support Special Works • Provide and promote training courses • Determine District Policy/Procedures

8. DistrictCouncils Members Cont’d • Foster cooperation with Vincentian Family • Promote cooperation with other organizations and Institutions • Develop friendship between members in the same area • Bring Vincentians together • Provide communication to/from Conferences/Councils • Promote sense of belonging

9. District Council President • Conducts Meetings • Ensures the Rule is being followed • Visits Conferences • Addresses Conference needs • Installs New Conference Presidents • Ensures training and Spiritual Development • Collaborates with other organizations • Oversees Special Works • Encourages Twinning and Projects • Makes the work of Society known • Effective unit in Diocesan and National Councils

10. Reasons Councils go out of Business(or get into serious trouble) • Lose track of mission • Focus on special works – not Conferences • Failure to raise funds • Bankruptcy • Loss of tax exempt status • Loss of legal entity status • Kicked out of diocese • Noncompliance with the Rule, removal from the Society

11. Summary • Conference Presidents have an important responsibility in planning and working to meet the needs of all the poor in the district • The District Council exists to serve all the Conferences The Council • Creates new Conferences • Helps existing Conferences to expand • Conducts and promotes training • Brings Vincentians together • Promotes the sense of belonging

12. Summary Council President • Ensures the Rule is being followed • Visits Conferences • Installs New Presidents • Ensures training and Spiritual Development