COMMENTARY
On Our Watch
VOTF president Jim Post on VOTF’s Campaign 2006
The year 2006 will be the launch of "The Campaign" at Voice of the
Faithful. As we begin our fifth year, VOTF members are preparing to "shine
their light" on two problems that cry out for action in the Catholic Church.
Our national Campaign for Accountability will have two prongs: Protecting Our
Children and Financial Accountability.
Two Themes
In every poll taken since early 2005, Voice of the Faithful members have urged
us to concentrate on "Protecting Our Children" by holding perpetrators
and enablers accountable. In recent months, that commitment has drawn many
members to their state capitols where legislation is being drafted to help
survivors of abuse. In 2006,
we expect VOTF groups to become even more active to achieve this goal. Helping
survivors and protecting children are integrated goals.
The second area crying out for attention is "Financial Accountability" in
our Church. This initiative is different, because we can see a consistent pattern
of financial problems as we look at how our Church operates across the nation. There is a critical need
for the public reporting of audited financial reports at the diocesan and parish
levels.
At a recent meeting of campaign leaders, important elements of the Campaign
for Accountability were clarified. As you are reading this article, VOTF's
national officers and National Representative Council members are reviewing the entire
plan.
Timetable
February is a month of preparation as we get ready to launch this effort; VOTF
will pause to ask, “What am I called to do?” The tentative kickoff
date for the campaign will be in early March, as Catholics also move into a
season of spiritual preparation in our Church.
Organization
The organization of these campaign activities has been carefully mapped out.
Local leadership teams will be formed in each diocese for the financial accountability
campaign, or in various states for the legislative campaigns. In each case,
we will be working to attract members, link-up local affiliates, build critical
mass, and move toward action through prayer, both individually and in community.
Local leadership teams will be supported by VOTF experts from around the country
in the areas of finance and legislation. Every local team will have a "go
to" expert on a national financial accountability or legislative advisory
team. You don't have to be an expert in these areas, because VOTF has experts on call to help you analyze
issues, develop proposals, and prepare for success. A third advisory team,
known as the direct action advisory team, will work with local leaders to prepare
for the direct action phase. Here, too, VOTF will draw on experienced advisors to work with local members.
By connecting local leadership teams with these expert advisors, we can gain
the leverage of our entire organization.
Training and Support
Training and preparation of all kinds are essential for a national campaign;
a first workshop to orient and train local leaders will be held in late March/early
April. We expect to bring together 20-30 members for this workshop, with
others to follow as the process evolves. This will be an exciting opportunity,
so start making your plans to attend now!
A handbook is being prepared to assist leaders and members. This handbook
will provide background information, a step-by-step guide to organizing for
action, and dozens of tips about conducting these campaigns. It will be the
key information resource for local
leadership teams.
Media Plan
Finally, our leadership team is developing a national media plan to support
the early phases of the campaign. We want Catholics throughout the country
to know about the Campaign for Accountability. All change begins with an
awareness of the problem and a growing commitment to make a Spirit-driven difference. We are hoping
to attract many "sideline" Catholics to these initiatives.
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