NEWS

LET’S TALK ABOUT GOVERNANCE

Governance is not a favourite topic of most people but in our current environment it is an unavoidable fact of life. Even in the world of charitable non-profit organizations, where the focus is always on the persons served, governance is an essential tool in the day-to-day operation. There was a time when “business model” was not at the top of the list in the charitable non-profit world. Like-minded people got together to meet a perceived need and they did so mostly as volunteers. Financial concerns were a necessary evil, on the peripheral for most participants.

CLICK TO READ MORE
 

2022 FINANCIAL AND STATISTICS ANNUAL REPORTS

Great news!
Members can now access the new online annual reports and the Members Portal!

All 2022 annual reports should be entered online through the Members Portal by an administrator.

To access the reports, each conference and council must assign a member to be an administrator. Administrators will then complete the online form to request an account to access the Members Portal.

Request an account here: https://forms.office.com/r/0pT9m3qR63

The Members Portal is an online National Membership Database with restricted access that requires a login for access, it is located at: https://members.ssvp.ca

CLICK FOR MORE INFORMATION

SPIRITUAL REFLECTION

SIMPLE REFLECTIONS BY JOSE I. TORRES

We will be presenting a series of five reflections over the next newsletters. These reflections offer insights on how our human journey converges with our hope-giving faith journey. They invite us to contemplate on how day-to-day conflicts, grievances and other burdens are mended by our faith in our eternal God’s mercy and caring for others’ dignity.

Central to these reflections is the theme of sisterly and brotherly love, and service to others, including “listening with our hearts”, fostering deep relationships with those in need, sharing our gifts with them and growing our spirituality.

Conference and Councils may consider using them in their future regular meetings.
 

REFLECTION 3

LOVING ONE ANOTHER AND SHARING IN CHRIST’S STEWARDSHIP

“Brothers and sisters: Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another.” (Romans 13:8), “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)

Pope Francis in the “The Joy of the Gospel” speaks directly about our world being torn apart by wars and violence, and wounded by widespread individualism which divides human beings, setting them against one another as they pursue their own well-being.

He then implores us to admire how we care for another, and how we encourage and accompany one another, and rejoice in the gifts of each, which belong to all.

CLICK TO READ MORE

VINCENTIANS YOUTH

THE BREAD TABLE

The Table du pain (the bread table) is an extracurricular, community and mutual aid project. Carried out by students registered at Laval University (UL), this project is an initiative of the Catholic student association of Laval University (AEC- UL) and student members of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SSVP). Hence the name SSVP Marie-Guyart/La Table du Pain Conference.

CLICK TO READ MORE

VINCENTIAN ACTIVITIES

CONFERENCES RETREAT

The Conference from the Basilica of Our Lady in Guelph, Ontario held its first ever all Conferences Retreat on September 24, 2022. All members of the city's SSVP conferences were invited as well as those from the neighbouring towns of Fergus and Rockwood.

CLICK TO READ MORE

TWINNING

TWINNING WITH COLOMBIA

The Conference of Saint-Ambroise de la Jeune-Lorette, Quebec, is twinned with the Departmental Council of Antioquia, Colombia. The Antioquia Department, capital of Medellin, is the most populous in Colombia.

The main activities of the Council are visits and training of members of more than 120 conferences, housing assistance and small business owners. The SSVP Canada has 7 twinning partners with departmental conferences.

CLICK TO READ MORE

VINCENTIAN HONOURED

PETER YEARWOOD… 
100 YEARS BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS

Dedicated Vincentian, Peter Yearwood, is celebrating his 100th birthday on November 24, 2022. A member of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul for over 40 years, Peter is still active in his home Conference of St. Elizabeth of Hungary in Sidney, BC – attending social events and providing trusted guidance to the membership.

CLICK TO READ MORE


QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

QUESTION

Can a Conference accept a targeted donation with an ask to help a particular person in need or family?

ANSWER

The answer is "no." It is not proper for a conference to accept a restricted/directed donation from a donor who wants the donated funds to go specifically to an individual or family. We should not accept these types of donations.

 

QUESTION

When is it acceptable to accept restricted/directed donations?

ANSWER

It is appropriate for conferences to accept restricted/directed donations that are identified for targeted activities of the conference, such as assistance for food security, education assistance, etc.

IN CONCLUSION

We are always looking for Vincentian testimonials and conference/council activity stories. Send your stories to share with Vincentians across Canada to editor@ssvp.ca.

If you received this from a friend, you can subscribe to receive our newsletter directly.

SUBSCRIBE HERE