VOTF NATIONAL News Update
On Friday November 3, VOTF National will offer the only FREE seminar opportunities
available to attendees of CTA’s annual gathering in Milwaukee, WI, Nov.
3-5. These seminars focus on many of the major issues confronting our Church
today. VOTF National’s John Moynihan will join all of the speakers noted.
ARRIVING EARLY will get you a place at one or all of the following:
9:00 – 11:00
Parish Closings – What can I do about it? Showing
of “Closed on Sunday” – Award-winning documentary
on parish closings in the Archdiocese of Boston. Speakers: Chris Schenk,
FutureChurch
11:00 – 12:00
Clergy Abuse Scandal – What can I do about it? Showing
of “Our Lady’s”, an award-winning documentary film. Speaker:
Barbara Blaine, SNAP
12:30 – 1:30
Campaign for Accountability – Analysis of a National
Campaign of Action. Voice of the Faithful introduced its “Campaign
for Accountability” through ads in the National Catholic Reporter in
March, 2006. The Campaign has two parts:
(1) Financial Accountability – seeks to obtain financial
accountability for parishes and dioceses through the implementation of
effective finance councils, which are mandated by Canon Law but which
are often ignored; and the release of all financial documents
necessary to ensure financial transparency at both the parish and diocesan
levels.
(2) Protecting Our Children – seeks to implement
state laws
directed toward mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse and the
extension of Statutes of Limitations on crimes dealing with child sexual
abuse.
This presentation will outline the Campaign and chronicle its progress
reporting on both the successes and failures to date. Learn how to
organize a national grassroots campaign. Learn how to bring financial
transparency to your parish, your diocese. Learn how to organize
a
state-wide legislative action. Speaker: Janet Hauter, VOTF Chicago
1:30 – 2:45
Voice of the Faithful – Where have we been? Where we are
Going?
Leaders of one of the country’s largest Catholic reform groups discuss
their
past, present and future. An informational DVD will be shown. Speaker: Janet
Hauter, VOTF Chicago
DRAFT Agenda for Nov. 10-12, 2006 NRC Meeting
Meet us in St. Louis? The National Representative Council will meet in St.
Louis, MO Nov. 10-12 with a full agenda. In keeping with past practice, the
Council meetings are open to all registered VOTF members. This meeting will
be the first convening of newly approved Standing Committees: Mission, Goals
and National Impact; Membership Growth; Affiliate Development; Budget; and
Elections.
The Council will have a discussion to consider top needs and issues,
both ongoing and "next" actions when the Accountability Campaigns
end. Candidate priorities cited to date include membership growth, fundraising,
relationships with bishops, relationships with external organizations, promotion
of parish Child Safety Programs, resolutions specifying the details needed
in financial reports, communication and coordination, universal call for diocesan
listening sessions (as in Philadelphia), assessment of Council member diversity.
Presentations will include: NRC Representatives on Board of Trustees, followed
by Q&A; Region reports; update on the Accountability Campaign; Financial
Accountability Advisory group; David Clohessy, a guest speaker on the overall
outlook for SOL extensions and other legislative initiatives that support survivors;
Elections Committee; and VOTF Convention 2007.
The meeting will conclude by noon on Sunday.
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