Question:

The question sent to the candidates is: I have not found VOTF national very helpful with our specific issues here in the Diocese of Yakima. We have needed help in bringing national attention to local problems which has not been forthcoming.SNAP has taken an active role in assisting our VOTF affiliate in exposing diocesan mis-behavior. How do candidates understand the relationship between the national office and local affiliates and how can the national office more effectively work with local affiliates to deal with specific issues?

 

Answer:

Dear Robert: First of all, thank you for your sincere and key question for any national organization. Voice of the faithful national is aware of the obvious gap between itself and the affiliates. The Local Action initiative is established to address some of these problems. However, we have a long way to go. In the short term, I would suggest pushing your local issue until it gets the national attention and desired pressure on your local church that you intend to create. Building relationships with VOTF staff and officers is key as well and maintaining regular communication about the local issues can foster a better understanding of the problem. In the long term, the best way for a national organization to assist local affiliates is to set up a network that builds and supports a mutual relationship structure where regular communication and information is exchanged. Immediately, I can think of the Knights of Columbus as an organization. They have a national office and state and regional councils that relate to their local councils. This is true for civic groups and associations as well, like Boy Scouts of America. These groups are continuously relating with each other and produce a working relationship that is generally beneficial to both the national and local activities. With VOTF's success and your support, I pray that this can become an affective structure for us as well. Sincerely, Dr. Nick Mazza