SERVANT LEADERSHIP AND CONFERENCE OFFICERS

1. SERVANT LEADERSHIP AND CONFERENCE OFFICERS September 2015

2. A Leader is one who • Organizes, deputizes and supervises • Doesn’t do all of the work • Selects others who can help • Delegates authority and then supervises - Sees each part contributes • - Ensures harmony and peace

3. Actions of a Good Leader • Organize • Communicate • Delegate ServeCoach • Innovate • Stimulate • Encourage

4. Servant Leadership • Leadership positions in the Society, at any level, are always to be accepted as service to Christ, to the members and the poor. Servant leadership is done in imitation of Jesus who said: "For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Rule: Part 3, Statute 11) Every member is a Servant Leader

5. Presidents as Servant Leaders • Presidents, at all levels, are Servant Leaders. • Talents of members are identified and developed • Special responsibility for promoting Vincentian spirituality

6. A Servant Leader • Searches and listens • Members need to be led • Open to inspiration • Everything depends on the Providence of God • Becomes a listener-leader • Challenges members to grow • Looks for practical solutions

7. Conference Leadership Qualities • Respect for others • Desire to serve • Consensus builder • Well informed • “We” attitude • Learns from Mistakes • Listens well • Able to compromise • Able to “lose face” • Sense of priorities

8. Introspection Tips Asks appropriate questions of self • Self-examination related to approach • Self-examination related to coaching ability • Self-examination related to interpersonal relations • Self-examination related to aspects of Society

9. Conference Leadership Actions • Attract new members • Consider the diversity of community • Develop new leaders • Improve member participation • Increase charitable work • Increase meeting attendance • Provide meeting agenda • Keep meetings focused

10. Conference Leadership Actions Cont’d • Members treated with respect • Ruleis followed • Solidarity and insurance are up-to-date • Audits • Submit reports • Enhance charitable services

11. Conference President • Progress of Conference. • Supports Conference members • Succession planning • Conference/Council communications • Develops relationships with parish and other organizations • Represents the Conference to the Community

12. Conference President Cont’d • Dedicated to the service of the poor • Responds to needs of Conference • Follow up on non-attendance • Maintain and increase membership of Conference • Presidency a responsibility, not an honor. • Compliance with the Rule and other Governance documents President does not deny authority when ensuring compliance with Governance Documents

13. Conference President Cont’d • Explains indulgences • Important member of the District Council • President represents his/her Conference • If unable to attend, should designate a proxy to attend District Meeting

14. Conference President Cont’d • Elected through a secret vote for a three year term – renewable once • Maximum two consecutive terms • Term starts on October 1 and ends on the last day of September (3 years) • Service

15. Conference Officers • President appoints Officers after consultation with the Conference • Includes at least one Vice President, a Secretary and a Treasurer • Other members may be entrusted with particular duties • Officers term ends when a new President takes office

16. Conclusions For success For your background • Learn about society • Comply with Rule and other Governance documents • Make “the Mission Statement” your guide • Use resources available On Vincentian Leadership • Serve and teach • Officers and Spiritual Advisor a top priority • Run good meetings • Communicate

17. Conclusions For success Improve the conference • Sustain Aggregation • Develop successors • Meet all reporting requirements • Assess --- “How is the Conference doing?” • Resolve issues with the Members

18. Servant Leader Performance Three foundational questions: • Do those served grow as persons? • Do they become wiser, freer? • What is the effect on those we serve?

19. Summary of Conference PresidentServant-Leadership • Serves Conference – not vice versa • Conference members make decisions and are in control • Majority rules – by consensus – then by vote, if necessary • Full disclosure to Conference of all matters • Listens and provides guidance • Encourages group to develop themselves • Communication maintained and clear • Referee when disagreements occur • Correct errors • Compliance

20. Other Conference Officers • Vice Presidents • Secretary • Treasurer Spiritual Advisor is required – but is not an officer

21. Vice President (VP) • Two Vice Presidents can be useful • First Vice President - develop SVDP activities • Second Vice President - recruitment of new members • Replaces the President when the President is unable to attend • Kept informed on all aspects of Conference • Organizes election of next President • Charged with specific duties • Performs other duties as assigned

22. Secretary • Prepares and reports the minutes • Minute Book contains copies of Reports. • Records and reports statistical and clerical work • Maintains Resolutions/Motions Book • Maintains membership records • Processes administrative functions • Develops assistants/back-ups • Coordinates with treasurer • Coordinates with District Secretary where needed

23. Treasurer • Responsible for funds, budget, and accurate and appropriate records and reports • Follows Council defined process • Audit annually • Up-to-date financial reportat every meeting • Develops assistants and back-ups • Coordinates with Secretary • Coordinates with District Treasurer as needed • Conference records to be kept seven years

24. Treasurer (cont’d) • Funds deposited regularly and promptly • Funds kept separate from Treasurer's personal assets and parish funds • Bank balance reported at every Conference meeting and verified • Invoices, statements and receipts for all expenditures • Payments by check • Credit of the Conference must be safeguarded Treasurer Functions are of great importance to the Society

25. Weekly, Bi-weekly Monthly, Quarterly Annual Case report X Secretary Work Sheets X X Treasurer Financials X X X President Annual X Data and Report Schedules X

26. Spiritual Advisor (SA) • Each Conference must have a spiritual advisor. • Development of the spiritual life of the members • Attends meetings on a regular basis • Reading for meditation may be supplemented with spiritual reflections given by the SA • Presence of the spiritual advisor strengthens bonds between activities of Conference and apostolic activity of Church

27. Spiritual Advisor (Cont’d) • Priest, deacon, member of a religious order or a lay member • Must be properly trained by the Council Formation Committee • Full Conference member • Clergy can not be an Officer or signor for an account

28. Spiritual Advisor (Cont’d) • Meeting prayers, spiritual reflections and discussions • Compliance with Rule and Gospel values • Seeks material and aids • Special masses and Vincentian celebrations • Coordinates with District Council Spiritual Advisor • Retreats, Days of Recollection, etc. • Attends Spiritual Advisor training

29. Spiritual Advisor Functions Assist members: • Deeper faith awareness • Spiritually • Friendship, openness and respect • Vocation • Person-to-person service • Community

30. Summary • Conference officers - Vice President(s), Secretary and Treasurer • Vice President - Election of the next President • Secretary – minutes, records and reports • Treasurer - Conference funds, budget and required reports

31. Summary Cont’d • Payments made by check • Spiritual Advisor (SA) strengthens bonds • SA - help members reach a deeper faith awareness and to grow in friendship, openness and respect for each other • SA coordinates with District Council SA