Susan Troy, VOTF Prayerful Voice Chair., noted that Fr. L.
Orsy, VOTF consultant, has said the laity is now the most
marginalized it has ever been in the history of the
Church. Dr. O'Callaghan agreed there is great power in
going back to early Church history.
Ted Breau, Needham VOTF, suggested that the proposals be
sent to institutions like colleges and organizations of
women religious in hopes of expanding discussion. "Sooner
or later they will have to deal with these issues; they
are not new ideas," said Breau.
The VOTF Representative Council business meeting began
with a report from President James Post - "Bearing
Witness, Bringing Change." The full report will be online.
Post cited the ways in which witness to VOTF goals has
been heard. "Don't underestimate the importance of our
work," said Post. "It is the right thing to do, but people
also take notice." He said we are producing sound and
solid Church reform ideas which arm people at the local
level to dialogue for reform. He finished with the story
of a small town priest whose parishioners decided to send
a portion of their stewardship collection to VOTF with a
supportive cover letter stating that we do good work.
VOTF treasurer Ann Carroll then gave a financial report
for the first quarter of the fiscal year, ending August
31. Net assets are listed at $223,794 on the unaudited
quarterly balance sheet. In answer to a Jim Walsh
question on comparison to last year, Carroll summarized a
situation familiar to us all: receipts are comparatively
better, but expenses rose more than 30 percent, primarily
in the salaries category. She noted that summertime has
been a slow time, but expected the year end appeal to
reflect the positive pattern of last year.
Reports from the Rep Council Steering Committee and the
Governance Committee on the progress of "4-sided"
governance discussions with officers and trustees followed
the treasurer's report.
Henry Dinger presented the position of the Representative
Council Steering Committee. Dinger explained the
convergence of the Steering Committee focus with overall
governance investigations of the second generation
governance committee chaired by John Ryan of Peoria.
Dinger outlined areas of agreement. The major area of
agreement is on a structure parallel to the existing USCCB
Church structure.
The Council Steering Committee has been pinpointing the
Council role in the VOTF structure since it's election and
has developed a proposal for the more effective
reorganization of the Council.
(This proposal, which calls for a model based on two
representatives from each of the 14 USCCB regions, by
which United States Catholics are organized, is on the
Council listserve).
The Council SC proposal creates a streamlined structure
for the substantial policy making function of a truly
national Council through democratic representation.
Dinger concluded with a representation of areas where
agreement has not been reached in the governance
discussions, including the number and function of the new
Council and the difference of opinion on whether the
Council or the Board of Trustees have final say on policy
making. The floor was opened to Council reps to offer
their opinions and questions.
Donna Doucette asked if thought was given to
proportionality of representation in the governance
proposal. Her concern was how the voice of the people
would get to those speaking for the people. She was
informed by the steering committee that no region would
have less than 500 members represented by two Council
members. Mary Ann Keyes, Parish Voice, offered the
opinion that people need not be concerned about
representation, but would see plenty of action at the
regional level. Susan Troy asked for an online listing of
Council Steering Committee and Governance Committee
members involved in the "4-sided discussions" with
officers and trustees of VOTF,Inc. In answer to a Jim
Walsh question from the floor on whether a 2/3 vote would
be required on the proposal, Dinger offered the opinion
that it would be imprudent to proceed without a
substantive majority.
James Post presented an overview of governance committee
activities. "We've had good people involved in governance
discussions for 2 1/2 years. Sentiment is in the right
place," said Post. He stressed the need to start on
nurturing regional structures by mid 2005. He noted "the
devil is in the details." On the policy formulation issue,
Post said the notion of shared responsibility for
different types of policy would be easier to deal with as
the Council gets stronger. He cited the need for VOTF,Inc.
to wait for clear legal opinion. >From the floor, Susan
Troy offered the Prayerful Voice perspective that we are a
unique organization grounded in Gospel vision and values,
describing VOTF as a "movement of the Spirit that needs to
organize." Sheila Pieffer, formerly of LI VOTF now with
Albany VOTF, noted the importance of connecting with the
voice of the people. She suggested that leadership list
discussion might be fruitful.
Nominating Committee Chair Elia Marnik followed with a
report that it was done smoothly in a short space of time.
Marnik thanked Jim Walsh and Svea Fraser for assistance
based on their past experience. Committee members and list
of candidates nominated are on the VOTF website.
James Post followed with an Election Committee report. He
noted that since the national election committee had not
come together, interim director Rick White had been asked
to follow the standard script and complete the election
process. He explained the problem with AOL and Optonline
bouncing back ballots. The AOL problem was addressed.
Post said that at the request of one of the candidates,
the situation required a conference call to all
candidates. As a result, the deadline has been extended to
Dec. 22, with results posted following Christmas.
From the floor, Anne Southwood asked the cost of jet mail
for ballots; Post response: more than six thousand
dollars. He said the committee will make recommendations
on the process for next year.
Candidates for national VOTF office at the meeting were
asked by hosting affiliate member Jim Alvord to stand and
offer the reasons why they were running for each office.
Tom Myles, Bill Fallon, Margaret Roylance, Gaile Pohlhaus,
Anne Southwood, Rose Walsh did so.
Closing out the meeting, an update was given on the
Worcester conference stating that attendance of more than
1,000 proves our viability. Ann Carroll gave an update on
the VOTF 2005 Indianapolis convention. She said the
location makes the statement that VOTF if not simply a
Boston organization. Anne Southwood and Sheila Pieffer
updated on the work of the Executive Director Search
Committee meeting every week until we have a new ED. The
job description is now being reviewed by the trustees
before going online, sent as part of a packet to a
developed referral list, and out for advertisement.
The meeting concluded with a group prayer facilitated by
Anne Southwood.
The next meeting will be Saturday 1/15 at Our Lady Help of
Christians, Newton at 10 am.
These minutes were prepared by Anne Southwood