VOTF Canidates for Election
Election Information

Canidates for Council Moderator
Tom White
Maura M. O'Brien

Tom White
Statement of Purpose

As crucial a year as 2002 was for Voice of the Faithful, I believe that 2003 will be even more important. While last year our agenda was principally driven by outside events, this is the year that we must be the driving force in determining what type of group and, more importantly, what type of Church we want. Essentially the most important task before VOTF for 2003 is the development of a Strategic Plan. I want to make the Council an integral and fundamental part of this process.

To accomplish this plan, I would see a Council that would be open to a wider and fuller debate on the purpose, direction and focus of what we want VOTF to be, and what role it can and will play in the broader contest of Church reform. As such I see a Council more focused on topics that might be discussed over perhaps a couple of sessions rather than one called upon to discuss and vote on very discreet questions. I would also like to see the Council be more inclusive and accessible to all our members. Therefore, I see a Council that would hold meetings in different parts of the region and country. I would especially want Council meeting in those dioceses that have and are still enforcing bans against VOTF.

In the final analysis I would want to use the Council and the council process to:

• Drive the strategic plan and agenda
• Spur membership by making Council attendance more accessible to more and more members
• Avail ourselves of the wide ranging and unique gifts of all our members from across the country
• Transform VOTF into a truly national organization

Thank you.

Maura M. O'Brien
Background

1. VOTF Council Moderator June 2002 - January 2003.
2. Elected member of Wellesley, MA representative Town Meeting since 1983.
3. Former Wellesley Board of Selectmen Chair and Advisory (Finance) Committee Chair.
4. Co-founder and chair, St. John the Evangelist Parish Ministry Forum.
5. Legal research consultant and former staff attorney, Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts.
6. VOTF Trustee and liaison to legal counsel.

I believe that I can make a contribution to the evolution and maturation of the VOTF Council as a vibrant and effective policy-making body. My experience as a member of a local Town Meeting and as an elected official, have taught me some of the processes that work well in group decision-making. It is an energizing challenge to facilitate the discussions by which Council representatives make policy for VOTF. Every meeting is proof that the laity has many gifts to offer the Church.

As we worked with the town meeting model this year, I have seen the strengths and limitations of that approach in the VOTF context. VOTF needs to continually refine the representative Council structure and procedures to permit and encourage effective participation by Council members in dioceses other than Boston, by members new to being representatives, by those who prefer action to talk, and those who are experienced with other decision-making models. VOTF will grow as a truly representative body to the extent we can successfully integrate and benefit from all these traditions. I ask for your vote so that I may continue to contribute to this effort as Moderator.