 Frederic Ozanam, Principal Founder of the SVDP 1813-1853 |
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Diocese of Cleveland |
 St. Vincent de Paul, Model for the SVDP 1580-1660 |
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Organizing District Councils in Greater Cleveland(Cuyahoga, Lake/Geauga, and Lorain Counties) The SVDP Diocesan Council is organizing new District Councils in Cuyahoga, Lake/Geauga, and Lorain Counties. If desired, smaller informal groupings within the new District Council may be formed to enhance communications within neighborhoods and cities and serve the needy more effectively. The proposed new District Councils are East Cuyahoga County, West Cuyahoga County, and Lake/Geauga Counties. Below is some information that may be helpful to Conferences and members. Basic Structure: a new District Council is made up of the presidents of each parish Conference in that geographic area. They will elect a president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer selected from the SVDP membership of the local Conferences. An officer need not be a Conference president. The Conference presidents will meet on a regular basis to discuss area concerns, share information about resources, etc. In order to serve the poor more effectively, the District Council will continue their relationships with all parish groups who serve the poor. The Council president is automatically a member of the next higher Council---the Cleveland Diocesan Council. After a short period of time, the new District Council will need to apply for Institution papers from the International SVDP which makes the District Council officially part of the International SVDP; incorporation in the State of Ohio will also be needed at some point. Other issues/concerns: The Diocesan Council and Central Office are working with the Diocese's Legal Department and Catholic Charities to provide continuing tax exempt status and liability insurance for all Councils, parish SVDP Conferences, and SVDP members in the Diocese of Cleveland. The end result will be very similar to the structure of the Knights of Columbus whose local Councils are part of a National group exemption; they have a status under civil law and canon law that makes them separate from the local parish but still are able to work very close with the parish they may be affiliated with. Minutes from Recent District Council Formation Meetings(June 2010): West Cuyahoga and Lorain Counties
Minutes from Recent District Council Formation Meetings(April 2010): West Cuyahoga and Lorain Counties
----------------- Resources: Below are some resources that may be helpful. District Council Model Bylaws-these can be used as the basis for developing District Council Bylaws. These were approved by the National Council members(Diocesan Presidents from the United States--about 112 members) in 2005. Conference Model Bylaws-these can be used by all Conferences in the Diocese of Cleveland. These were approved by the National Council members in 2005. Conference Aggregation Application-parish groups should apply for Aggregation about a year after formation. This makes them officially part of the International SVDP which Frederic Ozanam and his companions formed in 1833. Ceremony for New Members-Attached in WORD is a copy of a possible ceremony to accept new members in the parish Conference. This can be adapted by the parish Conference. New Member Form-Attached in WORD is a form the Diocesan Council would like all new members to complete and forward to the SVDP Central Office. Other Information: The Diocesan Central Office/Council would continue to coordinate special collections/programs(e.g. Back to School, Blanket Sunday, Cleveland area Ozanam Centers, etc.), annual reports, dues, membership lists, training, etc. More Questions? Please contact the SVDP Central Office as listed below. |
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SVDP Central Office Phone: 216-696-6525, ext. 3150(1-800-869-6525, ext. 3150); FAX: 216-861-3200 e-mail webmaster: larry-svdp@att.net
Last Updated: Saturday September 04, 2010 |
