SVDP How Are We Organized

“No Work of Charity Is Foreign To The Society” 1

Conferences(4,745 Conferences)

District Councils

(366 District Councils)

Diocesan Councils

(117 Diocesan Councils)

Council General(142 Countries, 6 Continents)

USA National Council

National Committees

(7 National Committees)Regions

(8 Regions)

Society of St. Vincent de PaulOrganization


Council General

• Council General − Empowered to Institute New Councils

and Aggregate New Conferences of the Society

− Unites the Society in spirituality and management

− Presided over by the President General

• The President General − Represents the Society before the Holy

See and all the religious and lay international bodies.

− Located in Paris, France-- the location of the founding of the Society

− Current President – José Ramón Diaz-Torremocha

Conferences

District Councils

Diocesan Councils

Council General


National Committees Regions


Council of the United States

The Council Of The United States is composed of:

− National President− Appointed Officers− National Council Members

• Presidents of Diocesan Councils• Presidents of Oldest District Councils

Supported by:

− National Board of Directors− 7 Permanent Committees− The National Office

Conferences

District Councils

Diocesan Councils

Council General



• Located in St. Louis, Missouri• Current President – Joe Flannigan• Webpage: www.svdpusa.org

http://www.svdpusa.org/

http://www.svdpusa.org/


Council of the United States

• Council of the United States− Informs Members, the Council

General, Religious and Civil Authorities of Activities Through Regular Reports

− Provides the Rule for United States− Provides Resource Materials for

Training− Provides Reporting Structure for

Accountability− Provides Disaster Relief to Councils

• President of the Council of the United States− Elected for a Six Year Term

Conferences

District Councils

Diocesan Councils

Council General




National Council - Technology Services

• National Council Communications− Annual Reports− Ozanam News Magazine− Quarterly Newsletter

• Publications• Technology

− Computerization− Database− Websites

• Vincentian News− VincentPaul− Circular Letter− Regional/Council − Best Practices− Stores Newsletter

• Aggregation/Institution• Recruitment• Recognition• Archives

Conferences

District Councils

Diocesan Councils

Council General




National Council - Development Services

• Annual Giving• Programmatic Solicitations• Online Giving• Planned and Major Gifts• Grants• Endowment Fund• Corporate Sponsorships• Donor Tracking System• Consultation and Collaboration with Other SVDP Fund Raisers• Development Strategic Planning• Development on the Webpage• MBNA• Volunteer Resources• Public Relations

Conferences

District Councils

Diocesan Councils

Council General




National Council - Formation Services

• Projects− Serving In Hope− Forming the Formators− Weekly Reflections− Invitation for Renewal− Ozanam Orientation

• Workshops− Leadership Development− Trustees− Executive Directors− Spiritual Advisors

• Spiritual Formation− Presentations− Retreats

• Vincentian Family

Conferences

District Councils

Diocesan Councils

Council General




Northeastern Region• Connecticut• Maine• Massachusetts• New Hampshire• New York• Rhode Island• Vermont

Eastern Region• Delaware• District of Columbia• Maryland• New Jersey• Pennsylvania• Virginia• West Virginia

Southeastern Region• Alabama• Florida• Georgia• Louisiana• Mississippi• North Carolina• Puerto Rico• South Carolina• Tennessee

Midwestern Region• Colorado• Iowa• Kansas• Missouri• Nebraska• Wyoming

8 Regions of the United StatesMid Eastern Region• Indiana• Kentucky• Michigan• Ohio

South Central Region• Arkansas• New Mexico• Oklahoma• Texas

North Central Region• Illinois• Minnesota• North Dakota• South Dakota• Wisconsin

Western Region• Alaska• Arizona• California• Hawaii• Idaho• Montana• Nevada• Oregon• Utah• Washington


The SVDP Conference

• Small Groups Typically (8-15 members)

• Frequent Meetings/At Least Twice Monthly

• Grow Spiritually Together/Weekly Meditations

• Read and Reflect on the Gospel Using Spiritual Reflections Provided By National Office

• Each Conference Must Have Spiritual Advisor

• Service to the Poor and Needy

• Resources (Black Bag, Poor Boxes, etc.)

• Close Relationship with Pastor

• Led by a President elected for 3 year term

Basic And Essential Unit Of The Society

Conferences

District Councils

Diocesan Councils

Council General




Guidelines for a Successful Conference

• Reachable (clear and check messages regularly)• Meets Regularly (The RULE requires a minimum of two meetings

monthly)• Genuine Commitment to Spiritual Purposes

− Conference Prayers and Reflections are Never Omitted• Genuine Commitment to Christian Cordiality

− The Poor are Visited Promptly, Regularly, and Attentively• Take Initiatives

− Always Ask “Can the Conference be Doing More?”• Made up of members who want to grow (Read, Study, Attend Training

Sessions and Lectures)• Recruitment is an ongoing responsibility


Guidelines for a Successful Conference

Effective Conferences Have:• Leaders Who Handle Their Specific Duties With Whatever Competence

They Have Naturally or Can Cultivate• Working Ties in the Neighborhood and Community• Relationships with Other Public and Private Agencies• Awareness of Responsibility to Participate in the Activities of District

and Diocesan Councils• Support for Special Works, Contributions to Poorer Conferences• Looks Beyond Its Own Boundaries• The Ideal Conference is Both Wealthy and Poor

− Made Up of Members Who Encourage Generosity from Friends of the Society

− Does Not Hoard for a Rainy Day


The Society’s International LogoThe circle signifies the global or worldwide stature of The Society Of St. Vincent de Paul, an International Society.

The eye of the fish is the vigilant eye of God seeking to help the poor and underprivileged in our midst.

The crossing at the tail (or a tie-knot) represents unity and oneness among members, and also union with the poor.Serving in hope