As you read this column, I will be in Haiti visiting the four schools where our US Society members provide scholarships for hundreds of children. I'll also visit the new tilapia fish farm just getting underway with its first "crop" of fingerling fish.

In both cases we see systemic change at work, though in different forms.

Q:  Additional information related to this question from last week: If abuse or neglect is noticed on a Home Visit, are we required to call authorities?  If we don't, can the Society be held responsible and then be sued afterwards by the victim?

A:  In the case of abuse or neglect, there is no legal responsibility for a Vincentian, although many social workers at various agencies are legally bound to report.  Then, you have to consider this from a moral standpoint. Do you have a moral obligation to report? This is a choice you have to make.  But, please keep in mind, that generally when you call Child Protective Services (CPS) or Adult Protective Services (APS), they will take the information and check into the matter.  However, you will never hear back from them as to any investigation or results.  The only time they may get back with you is if they have to verify something you told them.  CPS and APS don't reveal the source of their information so it is unlikely that anything will come back to the Society or the visitors.

                I have been informed that in one particular state, SVdP was informed by the Attorney General's office, that members are mandated to report elder abuse.  In another state, SVdP has chosen to internally mandate the reporting since they are not sure if they are mandated by the law to report. Another Vincentian felt that my response related to moral obligation was not strong enough.

                It is difficult to provide an answer that covers all 50 states and all 180+ dioceses in the U.S. Here is what I recommend that you do in relation to suspected child or elder abuse.  The laws in each state will vary but will generally follow a particular theme. The Society has made a commitment (Resolution 91 passed by the National Council in 2011) that our Vincentians will follow the policies related to Safe Environment defined by each diocese. The policies may vary slightly from one diocese to the next; however, they will generally follow a similar theme.  Please contact the office in your diocese that is responsible for the Safe Environment policies and seek their guidance. The fact of the matter is that none of us wants to see a child or a vulnerable adult abused and we should do whatever we can appropriately do to protect someone we suspect is being abused. Again, contact the office for Safe Environment in your diocese to determine what action you should take and when. One important aspect of seeking advice from your diocese is that they can give you specific contact numbers to use.

Q:  When attending a Midyear meeting, does the National Council member have to be from a Council that is "instituted?"

A:  Article 16 of the National Bylaws clearly states: "Each National Council member has one vote."  So in order to vote or effectively participate in any meeting, you must be a National Council member or his/her valid proxy.  Article 11 refers to membership in the National Council being Presidents of "instituted" Councils.  So, whether it is the Midyear or the annual National Assembly, the requirement is that the voting member must be from an "instituted" Council.

Q:  A question has come up at our Conference about the need to have two members interview a client. We make some home visits and for the most part interview clients at our office. Sometimes, at the office, a single member interviews.   Your thoughts?

A:  Interviews with those in need require two Vincentians, whether in their home, in an office, or at a mutually agreed to location.  Person-to-person member visits with those we serve should always be in twos.  This also includes the occasional times when members provide transportation to those seeking help (i.e. taking someone to a doctor's appointment). One other consideration is if your Conference is covered by our National Group Insurance program.  Doing our activities in twos is part of our basic Vincentian philosophy.  Doing things contrary to the Vincentian way could nullify insurance coverage.

Q:  One of my new District Council Presidents is asking for a meeting template --- I searched my copies and I do not have one.  Is there such a thing?   I know the Rule has the Conference Agenda.

A:  On page 36 in the Manual, it states that The Rule, Part III, Statute 7 has the agenda that should be used for Council Meetings.  This is the same meeting agenda as expected of Conferences.  Every Council has its own set of special considerations and the agenda should be modified at each Council to accommodate its special programs and needs.

PART 2 - BENEFITS TO THE SOCIETY

Vincentians have a general misunderstanding of what taking on leadership positions within the Society truly means, especially when it comes to assuming the office of President of a Conference or Council.Members might not appreciate the benefits of assuming the role of a Conference or Council leader. With this in mind, we sought input from a number of Council Presidents around the country who were selected randomly. This paper is based in large part on their feedback and experiences. Believe it or not, leaders told us there were personal benefits to be gained from serving as a Conference and Council president and, of course, there are benefits to the Society which translates into being better able to serve those in need. Please read on.

Benefits to the Society

At the same time leaders provide a major service and benefit to the Society. Without leadership, service to the poor becomes ineffective and chaotic and sustainability of individual conferences and councils becomes a concern. St Vincent de Paul stated that for charity to be efficient it must be organized. It is a time tested truth that emphasizes that leadership is as important to the service of the poor as any other role in the Society.

Leadership is essential to help make the Society a more effective source of help to the needy and allows fresh ideas to be brought into the operation of Conferences and Councils.  It helps take the stress off of other Vincentians and allows one to move the Society forward by promoting the Rule and the formation of goals and objectives. 

Leadership in the Society is based on an understanding of our Vincentian Vocation and our Spirituality.  Its success is based on Servant Leadership and an ability to listen and promote group decisions. The servant-leader is servant first.  It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve and a conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead. The best test is: do those served grow as persons: do they, while being served, become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, more likely themselves to become servants? And, what is the effect on the least privileged in society: will they benefit or, at least, not be further deprived?