Dear friends,

It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as President of Voice of The Faithful for the past two years.

When I ran for office in 2008, I promised to focus on four primary areas: empowerment, collaboration, partnership and growth. Additionally, if elected, I promised to foster a servant leadership model throughout the organization that encouraged all of us to ask ourselves: “How can I help?”

Recognizing the fact that many of our members have a passion for a particular aspect of   our mission and goals, I was convinced that if we created opportunities for our members to focus their talents they would be energized and empowered to do great things. I was equally convinced that we needed to adopt a team approach with regard to how we conduct ourselves by cultivating a spirit of active collaboration . I also thought it would be helpful for us to explore ways in which we could partner with other Catholic organizations in areas where we share common interest.

I am very pleased to report that, with your help, we have made significant progress towards achieving these goals. As a result of your input and the active collaboration with numerous VOTF leaders throughout the country we were able to set in motion the “Voices in Action” campaign.

Voices in Action provides a practical pathway for transforming our Church through local, regional, and national action. Our focus is on improving our parishes and dioceses by fostering greater accountability in ourselves and our leaders; healing survivors; protecting children; ensuring financial transparency; supporting clerical collaboration with laity; and encouraging systematic transformation and growth in the universal Church. A team of talented VOTF members is in place and actively working towards the successful implementation of this campaign. Many of you have volunteered to serve as members of Voices in Action’s five leadership teams.   

In addition to the introduction of Voices in Action, VOTF recently hosted a high- energy, well-attended, national conference that featured two internationally renowned Catholic commentators, Sr. Joan Chittister and Fr. Tom Reese. Many of those that attended left with a renewed sense of hope that the transformation of our beloved church can be more than just a dream. 

Further, the American Catholic Council, an idea that first germinated among VOTF leadership, has been set in motion. A growing number of Catholic organizations are working towards an historic gathering to be held in Detroit in 2011to celebrate and reinvigorate the realization of Vatican Council II. VOTF members will be encouraged to participate in local synods in preparation for this momentous event.

With your help and support we have accomplished much during these past two years; yet there is still much that remains to be done. It would be my honor and privilege to serve as your president and continue the work that is well under way.

Together we will “Keep the Faith and Change the Church.”
 
Dan Bartley, President
Voice of the Faithful