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  • Lori Pattison

12-19-24 Weekly Questions & Answers
12-19-24 Weekly Questions & Answers 1200 628 Lori Pattison

Q: If you have a pantry in your Conference, are you allowed to change the shopping list, for example, in the past a family of 6+ could receive 10 canned goods and then reduced to eight; plus, other items were also reduced on the sheet?

A:  This is a local issue and should be addressed to local leaders.  However, the reality is that, when you are providing food to individuals, you want the meals to be nutritious and well-balanced; and it doesn’t hurt to customize the manner in which food is given to families in need.

 Q: The President has appointed an assistant pantry manager who is not Catholic.  This manager has virtually become the main person in this operation which is, by far, the biggest activity of the Conference.  Is it okay for an associate member to take such a position?

A: It is not a problem for an associate member to become a pantry manager.  An associate member can do a lot in Conferences, but it does not give them extra authority for Conference decision making.  Decision making is done by active Conference members only.  Also, keep in mind that associate members do not vote as do full members who must be Catholic.

P: Si tiene un almacén de alimentos en su Conferencia, ¿les es permitido cambiar la lista de compras?, por ejemplo, en el pasado una familia de 6+ podía recibir 10 productos enlatados y luego reducirlos a ocho; Además, ¿también se redujeron otros elementos en la hoja?

R: Este es un problema local y debe ser dirigido a los líderes locales.  Sin embargo, la realidad es que, cuando se proporciona comida a las personas, se quiere que las comidas sean nutritivas y bien equilibradas; Y no está de más personalizar la forma en que se da la comida a las familias con necesidades.

P: El Presidente ha nombrado a una persona que no es católico, como asistente del administrador del almacén de alimentos.  Esta persona se ha convertido prácticamente en la persona principal de esta operación que es, con mucho, la mayor actividad de la Conferencia.  ¿Está bien que un miembro asociado ocupe esa posición?

R: No es un problema que un miembro asociado se convierta en administrador de despensa.  Un miembro asociado puede hacer mucho en las Conferencias, pero eso no le da autoridad adicional para la toma de decisiones de la Conferencia.  La toma de decisiones la realizan únicamente los miembros activos de la Conferencia.  Además, tenga en cuenta que los miembros asociados no votan como lo hacen los miembros de pleno derecho que deben ser católicos.

 

  • Lori Pattison

Haiti Daughters of Charity Thank You
Haiti Daughters of Charity Thank You 289 269 Lori Pattison

Dear Benefactor Friends,

We are entering a new liturgical year, inviting us to reflect on the great mystery of God, who leans toward humanity by sending His Son, Jesus, made man, to give us the fullness of true life. Pope Francis is proposing a year of prayer and a journey of hope for the Holy Year 2025. The Advent season is a time of Hope, grounded in faith in God, who is love. The most beautiful proof of this love is the Father sending Jesus and Jesus’ self-gift on the cross for the salvation of humanity. Let us be pilgrims of hope, following in Christ’s footsteps and, in imitation of Him, proclaim to our brothers and sisters the boundless love of His heart.

This past year has brought many blessings and challenges to our land of Haiti, where we are witnessing the exodus of a people sinking deeper into social instability. Yet, this people lives in hope, believing that one day the light will shine brightly!

Let us pray for all the children, youth, adults, and elderly who live in suffering and uncertainty. Our presence among them is a sign of hope, supporting their daily efforts. Let us be attentive to our brothers and sisters around us, offering them a word, a gesture of closeness, or material aid. For them, these are manifestations of God’s tenderness, bending to hear the cries of the afflicted.

Your timely contributions in aid of Haiti are not in vain. On the contrary, they are drops of water that increase the sea of solidarity with this people.

Dear Benefactor Friends, be assured of our prayers for you and for all your loved ones. Receive the best wishes of our brothers and sisters living in poverty for the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

May God fill you with grace and blessings forever.

The Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul

https://members.ssvpusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Haiti-Thank-You-Images.docx

COMPAGNIE

Chers Amis bienfaiteurs.

Nous voici à une nouvelle année liturgique qui nous invite à réfléchir sur le grand mystère de Dieu qui se penche sur l`humanité en envoyant son Fils Jésus fait homme pour nous donner la plénitude de la vraie vie. Le Pape François nous propose une année de prière et un parcours d`espérance pour l`année sainte 2025. Le temps de l`Avent est le temps de l’Espérance fondée dans la foi en Dieu qui est amour. La preuve la plus belle de cet amour est l`envoi de Jésus par le Père et le don de Jésus sur la croix pour le salut des hommes. Soyons pèlerins d`espérance, mettons nos pas dans ceux du Christ et à son imitation, annonçons à nos frères et sœurs tout l`amour de son cœur.

Cette année qui s’achève, nous a porté pas mal de choses bonnes et moins bonnes dans notre terre d`Haïti où nous sommes en train de vivre un exode d’un peuple qui va de mal en pire dans une instabilité sociale ; et pourtant ce peuple vit dans l’espérance qu’un jour on verra briller la lumière !

Prions pour tous les enfants, les jeunes, adultes et personnes âgées qui vivent dans la souffrance et l`incertitude de vie. Notre présence au milieu d`eux est un signe d’espérance les soutenant dans leurs efforts quotidiens disant nos frères et sœurs qui vivent autour de nous. Leur offrir une parole, un geste de proximité, une aide matérielle est pour eux la tendresse de Dieu qui se penche aux cris des malheureux.

Votre apport ponctuel d’aide en faveur d`Haïti n`est pas vain, au contraire ce sont des gouttes d’eau qui font augmenter le volume de la mer de solidarité avec ce peuple.

Chers Amis bienfaiteurs, soyez assurés de nos prières pour vous et pour tous ceux qui vous sont chers ; Recevez les souhaits les meilleurs de nos frères et sœurs les pauvres pour les festivités de Noel et du nouvel An.

Que Dieu vous comble de grâce et de bénédictions à jamais.

Les Filles de la Charité de St Vincent de Paul

 

  • Lori Pattison

12-12-24 Weekly Questions & Answers
12-12-24 Weekly Questions & Answers 1200 628 Lori Pattison

Q: Some of our Conferences receive donations in the form of gift cards to supermarkets and places like Target which they then distribute to friends in need during Christmas. These gift cards have cash value, and so I am thinking the Conference treats them as such. Should they be reported under 5E: Other-Misc. Receipts?

A: No. The gifts cards received as donations would be treated as in-kind. When they are distributed, they have a specific value for the purpose for which you give them (food, clothing, etc.). They are not cash so they would not be treated as 5E. They cannot be deposited to your account and show up in the balancing of your accounts.

 Q:  Can a person be registered in one parish and belong to a SVDP conference of another parish?

A: Yes, a person can be registered in one parish and belong to a SVdP Conference at another. The Rule does not require Vincentian members to belong to the parish in which they worship.

P: Algunas de nuestras Conferencias reciben donaciones en forma de tarjetas de regalo para supermercados y lugares como Target, que después las distribuyen a los prójimos en necesidad durante la Navidad. Estas tarjetas de regalo tienen un valor en efectivo, por lo que creo que la Conferencia las trata como tales. Se deberían de reportar bajo la sección 5E: Otros-Misceláneos. ¿Ingresos?

R: No. Las tarjetas de regalo recibidas como donaciones se tratarán como en especie. Cuando se distribuyen, tienen un valor específico para el uso que usted lo entrega (comida, ropa, etc.). No son en efectivo, por lo que no se tratarían como 5E. No se pueden depositar en su cuenta y no aparecen en el saldo de sus cuentas.

P: ¿Puede una persona estar registrada en una parroquia y pertenecer a una Conferencia SVDP de otra parroquia?

R: Sí, una persona puede estar inscrita en una parroquia y pertenecer a una Conferencia de SVdP en otra. La Regla no exige que los miembros Vicentinos pertenezcan a la parroquia en la que practican su culto.

  • Lori Pattison

Helping Others Serve the Poor
Helping Others Serve the Poor 1198 1198 Lori Pattison

Helping Others Serve the Poor

Excerpted from Vincentian Life: Conference

When someone considers reaching out to help the poor and calls the parish office for a contact person or organization, the name given is usually someone involved in the St. Vincent de Paul Conference.  Why?  It is because they are active, visible and available.  They are the ones to contact who will channel the desire to serve or volunteer in the right direction.  For it is by our visibility within the parish community, not our anonymity, that we help others come to serve the poor.

AT THE CONFERENCE LEVEL

BEING ACTIVE

Active Members of the Society are actively involved in the works of the Conference, and at least knowledgeable if not involved in the work of the District and Diocesan Councils.  We’ve all heard the phrase, “If you want something done, ask a busy person.”  That busy person may not be able to help, but he or she usually will know where to send someone to get help.

BEING VISIBLE

Each of us, regardless of the talents God has given us, can be a leader.  We lead by example.  Even the most introverted among us can lead by doing – doing the Conference food and clothing drives, bundle Sundays, Christmas programs and all the other activities that the parish Conference is involved with.

Through the parish bulletin let your fellow parishioners know what you are doing and how you are serving the poor.  This gives others’ ideas on how they can help.  Monthly news items in the parish bulletin about Conference activities are recommended.  Monthly news items, consistently appearing over several years, begin to make a lasting impression.

Give the people in your parish a name (a person to contact) or a telephone number (office or Conference number – not a member’s personal number) and repeat that often.  If you have a good thing going (and we do), tell the world.  People like to join an organization that is active, with lots of things happening.

You also need to make known the needs of the Society as well as the Conference, along with the opportunity to help the poor.  We have a message of hope for the poor.  We also have a way to help, for those who aren’t poor.

BEING AVAILABLE

To be available is to make a great gift – the gift of your time.  The work of the Society is, according to the Rule, subordinate to your commitments within your family and job.  So, your “available” time comes out of your recreation or “fun” time, and that’s the sacrifice.

Many Conference members are available to the poor but aren’t willing to talk about what they do for others.  Some of us aren’t instinctively saleswomen and salesmen, but we must all become communicators.  There are people in the parish and outside world who want to know what, why, where and how of what we do.  We need to tell them.  Everything we do requires volunteers to make it work and enthusiasm to make it happen.  Once others hear about these things, they too can be a part of it.

AT THE UPPER COUNCIL LEVEL

The work of the Society often meshes with the objectives of other groups, even commercial organizations.  Mutually beneficial activities can be scheduled that serve the needs of these groups and the poor at the same time.  Even activities which appear self-serving (e.g., the professional athlete showing up to serve in a charity dining room) can have many beneficial effects.  The poor can thrill to see the star, and the athlete can have his heart touched by what he sees and begin to take a deeper interest in the poor and the work of the Society.

Other community groups, such as those dealing with domestic violence, can find their efforts flower when they join with the Society to serve those who are suffering.  In a synergistic effect, Vincentians are able to do their work better and more productively while the other groups can extend their assistance into more troubled homes.

Contacts with CEOs or large business interests are probably out of the reach of the average Conference.  However, if that CEO or business executive is a member of your parish community or a personal friend, who knows what can be achieved?

Who knows what initial contact got Eddie Basha (owner of a food store chain), Bill Keane (popular cartoonist), Joe Garagiola (baseball player and commentator) or Mohammed Ali (champion boxer) involved with the Society?  Perhaps it was simply a Vincentian enthusiastically talking about our work with someone they knew only as a friend or neighbor.

Leadership by example.  Active.  Visible.  Available.   You can do all four.

  • Lori Pattison

12-5-24 Weekly Questions & Answers
12-5-24 Weekly Questions & Answers 1200 628 Lori Pattison

Q: I have a store committee that wants to fundraise in the community, so they can have a Christmas party for employees and volunteers. It does not sound right to me, but I want to make sure that I am not being too conservative, and I say no to something that is not against any Rule or standards. I need guidance. 

A: As long as the community knows that the fundraising is for a Christmas party for employees and volunteers it is okay to do so, so long as funds are not collected for another purpose and then used for a Christmas party.  We must be very careful with this because then it looks like SVdP is collecting money to serve ourselves (employees & volunteers). No fundraising is acceptable under false pretenses.  As always, use your best judgement.

 Q: We are getting ready for a small fundraising campaign and in our advertising, we want to use the SVdP logo in a special way.  What restrictions are there on its use?

A: In 2006, the National Council passed Resolution number: 12-2-2005/6 11 assigning its Chief Executive Officer with the task of approving special uses of the SVdP Logo.  The National Council’s Brand Guidelines document describes the preferred uses and color for the Logo.  Basically, the logo design itself can’t be changed, and nothing else in a larger design can touch the logo. We recommend you draft how the logo will be used and submit it to the national Chief Executive Officer for review and approval.  This should not significantly delay the project.

P: Tengo un comité de tienda que quiere recaudar fondos en la comunidad, para los que los empleados y voluntarios puedan tener una fiesta de Navidad.  No me parece correcto, pero quiero asegurarme de que no estoy siendo demasiado conservador y digo que no a algo que no va en contra de ninguna regla o pauta. Necesito orientación.

R: Siempre y cuando la comunidad sepa que la recaudación de fondos es para una fiesta de Navidad para los empleados y voluntarios, está bien hacerlo, siempre y cuando los fondos no se colecten para otro propósito y luego se utilicen para una fiesta de Navidad.  Debemos tener mucho cuidado con esto, porque daríamos la impresión de que SVdP está recolectando dinero para servirnos a nosotros mismos (empleados y voluntarios). Ninguna recaudación de fondos es aceptable bajo pretensiones inciertas.  Como siempre, use su mejor criterio.

 P: Nos estamos preparando para una pequeña campaña de recaudación de fondos. En nuestra publicidad, queremos utilizar el logotipo de SVdP de una manera especial.  ¿Qué restricciones existen para su uso?

R: En 2006, el Consejo Nacional aprobó la Resolución número: 12-2-2005/6 11 asignando a su Director Ejecutivo la tarea de aprobar los usos especiales del Logotipo de SVdP.  También hay un documento que proviene de la Oficina del Consejo Nacional titulado “Manual de Identidad” que describe los usos preferidos y el color del Logotipo.  Básicamente, el diseño del logotipo en sí no se puede cambiar, y nada más en un diseño más grande puede tocar el logotipo. La recomendación es redactar el borrador de cómo se utilizará el logotipo y presentarlo al Director Ejecutivo Nacional para su revisión y aprobación.  Esto no debería retrasar significativamente el proyecto.

  • Lori Pattison

Donation Acquisition
Donation Acquisition 1200 628 Lori Pattison

Donation Acquisition

By Bryan Engel-Director of Operations – Mid-Atlantic Region, Diocesan Council of Pittsburgh

Do not tell anyone, but at one time, I worked for another thrift store organization. My title was Donations Acquisition Coordinator. I only worked there for two years before seeing the light and coming over to St. Vincent de Paul. But, during that time, I was able to raise their donations from 300,000 pounds of donations to 1.2 million pounds of donations in that timeframe. How did I do it?

  1. Fun-raising … To get their name out there, we reached out to other non-profit organizations, schools, churches, and sporting organizations. For two hours, we would show up with a truck and collect donations on site. After that two-hour period, the truck closed. The donations were weighed, and we paid 10 cents per pound to the non-profit hosting the drive. No need to sell cookies, candy, hoagies … just donate to a non-profit and feel good about raising extra money for your school, church, or sports team.
  2. Promote on Social Media … To book a fundraiser, non-profits were required to promote the event for at least 3 weeks (anything less did not help them or the charity). That got their logo out to the community without us having to do anything (other than create a flyer). If you can get other organizations to promote your brand for free … that 10 cents per pound also includes FREE advertising.
  3. Word of Mouth … At EVERY event, I would print out flyers with a QR code on how to schedule a donation drive. You would be surprised by how many people on the softball team have family members at another school in the band. Eventually, the word spread. I went from doing ONE event to THREE every Saturday. At some drives, we would schedule two trucks because they would fill them. It became a contest. “Let’s make more than the other school!”

If paying for donations is not for you, here are some other options:

  1. More donations bins in high traffic areas.
  2. Extended Hours. In Pittsburgh, we just opened our stores on Sundays from 11am-5p. Guess what? We got donations on Sundays too! More people donate on the weekend, so we are making it convenient for them.
  3. Email your donor database.
  4. Discount Coupons for Donors.
  5. Partner with Real Estate Agents … pre-Covid, we saw a spike in furniture donations by reaching out to local Agents … you would be surprised how many of them need to clean out a house quickly and will pay to do so (win-win).
  6. Use social media – it is FREE!

I hope this helps you get more donations for your stores or your friends in need. If you want to see how SVdP Pittsburgh promotes our donation drives, click the link https://svdppitt.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/donation_drive_video.mp4 … check me out as a cartoon.

If you have questions or have a topic for a future Stores Corner article, please email our Director of Stores Support-Jeff Beamguard at jbeamguard@svdpusa.org.

 

  • Lori Pattison

A Time For Thanks
A Time For Thanks 1198 1198 Lori Pattison

At this special time of the year when our thoughts turn to giving thanks, it is appropriate to reflect on the many reasons Vincentians have to be grateful.

Perhaps the two most important are the ongoing guidance of Divine Providence, which has been wondrously at work on behalf of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul during the past 191 years, and the constant inspiration of the Holy Spirit evidenced so beautifully by the way Vincentians respond every day to the challenges we face in serving Christ’s beloved poor.

We are privileged to participate in the perpetual miracle of our Society:  Ordinary people doing extraordinary things which restore hope to those who have none and change their lives for the better.  Our countless benefactors, whose generosity makes it possible for us to help so many people in so many ways, deserve our gratitude as well.

On the most personal level, going to the essence of Vincentian spirituality, we should be thankful to those we serve for the blessings they bestow on us which transform our own lives.

Very importantly, we have each other, truly something to cherish.  Loving and supporting one another while helping the poor is an integral part of our mission.

Vincentians have been graced by God to be members of one family throughout the world living Blessed Frederic’s divinely inspired vision of a global network of charity and social justice.  We should thank God for our Vincentian vocation, a blessing of eternal value.

And, ultimately, how blessed we are with the gift of faith, and in that faith Christ’s greatest gift – the Eucharist.  How fitting it is that “eucharist” means “gratitude.”

 

  • Lori Pattison

11-27-24 Weekly Questions & Answers
11-27-24 Weekly Questions & Answers 1200 628 Lori Pattison

Q: Our Conference was given a considerable amount of canned goods for our Food Pantry Special Works.  We cannot use all of it so we decided to give some to another Conference.  Is this “twinning”? 

A: What you are describing is indeed twinning and not “in-kind.”  The Conference receiving donated food from another Conference does not report the donation on its annual reports. Only the Conference that initially received the food donation from an outside source and passed it on to another Conference reports the donation as “in-kind.”

Q:  Are all three levels of membership eligible for the Top Hat Award?  Is the ‘spirit’ of the Top Hat Award to nominate someone who is an Active or Associate Member, but not necessarily someone who is a Contributing Member?

A:  The Top Hat Award is a local award given by the local SVdP Council, who decides the requirements and eligibility for the award. The National Council has no guidelines for this award and does not determine which membership level is eligible to receive it. This is a decision solely for each local Council.  Also, the National Council no longer separately recognizes Contributing Members.

P: Nuestra Conferencia recibió una cantidad considerable de productos enlatados para nuestros Trabajos Especiales de la alacena de Alimentos.  No podemos usarlo todo, así que decidimos donar algo a otra Conferencia.  ¿Es esto “hermanamiento”?

R: Lo que usted está describiendo es, en efecto, un hermanamiento y no “en especie”.  La Conferencia que recibe alimentos donados de otra Conferencia no informa de la donación de estos productos en sus informes anuales. Solo la Conferencia que inicialmente recibió la donación de alimentos de una fuente externa informa que la donación fue “en especie” y que la pasó a otra Conferencia.

P: ¿Los tres niveles de membresía son elegibles para el Galardón Top Hat?  ¿El “espíritu” del Galardón Top Hat es nominar a alguien que es un Miembro Activo o Asociado, pero no necesariamente a alguien que es un Miembro Contribuyente?

R: El Premio Top Hat es un Galardón local otorgado por el Consejo local de SVdP, que decide los requisitos y la elegibilidad para el premio. El Consejo Nacional no tiene pautas para este premio y no determina qué nivel de membresía es elegible para recibirlo. Esta es una decisión exclusiva de cada Consejo local.  Además, el Consejo Nacional ya no reconoce por separado a los Miembros Contribuyentes.

 

 

  • Lori Pattison

11-21-24 Weekly Questions & Answers
11-21-24 Weekly Questions & Answers 1200 628 Lori Pattison

Q:  We have a Food Pantry at our parish, and as long as I can remember, it’s been SVdP Food Pantry to our Parish and our community. I am told by our District President that it isn’t SVdP Food Pantry, but our church’s pantry run by Vincentians, and funds from our SVdP account cannot be used to purchase food. Can you please clarify?

A:  Your District President is correct in that we are not permitted to give funds to outside organizations.  However, the key words in the phrase are “run by Vincentians.”  If the pantry is indeed run by Vincentians, it is a work of the Society and can be funded by the Conference.  Keep in mind that, if the phrase is only used loosely and if a member or two only occasionally help out, then this does not qualify as a SVdP work.  The essential question is: Is this a SVdP program, or a parish ministry? That distinction dictates our Society independence, and therefore, our financial support.

Q: One of our Conferences noted that in the SVdP Manual on page 10 (2nd to last paragraph), there is mention of “obtaining plenary indulgences on the day of their admission to the Society….”  We were wondering if there is a special SVdP ceremony that will suitably achieve the granting of the indulgence on the participants.  I could not find anything in the Vincentian Celebrations Manual.  We are looking for an official description of such a ceremony that would result in the granting of the indulgences.

A: There are no ceremonies associated with indulgences.  You fulfill the requirements of the indulgences, and they are granted – not by us, but by God. The requirements are specified in the paragraph you referenced in the Manual.  You can review the Guideline for Indulgences document on our website to learn more.

P: Tenemos un almacén de alimentos en nuestra parroquia y, desde que tengo memoria, ha sido ‘Almacén de alimentos SVdP’ para nuestra parroquia y nuestra comunidad. Nuestro Presidente de Distrito me dice que no es el Almacén de Alimentos de SVdP, pero el almacén de nuestra iglesia administrada por Vicentinos y los fondos de nuestra cuenta de SVdP no se pueden usar para comprar alimentos. ¿Podría aclarar, por favor?

R: Su Presidente de Distrito tiene razón en que no se nos permite dar fondos a organizaciones externas.  Sin embargo, las palabras clave en la frase son “dirigido por Vicentinos”.  Si el almacén es realmente administrado por Vicentinos, es una obra de la Sociedad y puede ser financiada por la Conferencia.  Sin embargo, tenga en cuenta que, si la frase solo se usa de manera vaga y si uno o dos miembros solo ayudan ocasionalmente, entonces esto no califica como un trabajo de SVdP.  La pregunta esencial es: ¿Es este un programa de SVDP o un ministerio parroquial? Esa distinción dicta la independencia de nuestra Sociedad y, por lo tanto, nuestro apoyo financiero.

P: Una de nuestras Conferencias señaló que en el Manual de la SVdP en la página 10 (penúltimo párrafo), se menciona “obtener indulgencias plenarias el día de su admisión a la Sociedad…”  Nos preguntábamos si hay una ceremonia especial de SVdP que logre adecuadamente la concesión de la indulgencia a los participantes.  No pude encontrar nada en el Manual de “Celebraciones Vicentinas”.  Estamos buscando una descripción oficial de tal ceremonia que resultaría en la concesión de las indulgencias.

R: No hay ceremonias asociadas con indulgencias.  Cumple usted con los requisitos de las indulgencias y le son concedidas, no por nosotros, sino por Dios. Los requisitos se especifican en el párrafo al que usted hizo referencia en el Manual.

 

  • Lori Pattison

Owners And Stakeholders – Part Two
Owners And Stakeholders – Part Two 1198 1198 Lori Pattison

Owners And Stakeholders – Part Two

The source of this article is Governance: Council and Board, the original version of which was authored by former National Vice President Terry Wilson.

Last week we discussed five groups of people who should be considered stakeholders in what we do as Vincentians.  Here are five additional groups:

  • Collaborative Nonprofit Organizations
  • Governmental Entities
  • The Community At Large
  • The Local Bishop (in the case of all Catholic organizations)
  • Pastors and Clergy (in the case of any Catholic organization supported by a parish)

Other nonprofit organizations are stakeholders. We all share a com­mon goal to some degree.  All nonprofits influence other nonprofit or­ganizations in their community.  Especially important are those nonprofits that we partner with. If the Society does something to dam­age its reputation, then those that collaborate with it also may suffer collateral damage.

Every nonprofit needs other nonprofits to accomplish larger projects.  With diversity of missions nonprofits can share the overall needs of those served by sharing our strengths with each other.  For example, a person may need shelter that is provided by another nonprofit while the same person also needs clothing or food that is available from our Society.

The city, county, state and federal govern­ments are additional stakeholders.  Nonprofits and their volunteers are significant contributors to the support of the responsibilities of all these governmental entities.  If federal and state governments did not allow donations to nonprofits to be tax-deductible, much of our work would be impossible to fund.  If nonprofit organizations did not exist, it would be left up to the gov­erning bodies to provide necessary services to the public.  Government agencies are very interested in what is done, how it is done, and the level of effectiveness and efficiency with which it is accomplished.  They are also responsible to ensure that all laws are followed and that services provided do no harm to those who are served.

The entire community is a stakeholder. It has an interest in how those in need are served. The overall community and its image are improved when the disadvantaged are taken care of.  The community is then thought of as a better place to live, raise children and experience a better quality of life. Where the care of those in need is provided by nonprof­its, the taxes necessary for broader social services are lessened.

Residents of the community often consider themselves “owners” of our Society.   Because the people of the community see our work, some become donors, some volunteer, and some know of someone who was served.  Most agree with our work and readily identify with what we do even though they may not be directly involved. They may simply know that the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is in their community and helping the poor.  That knowledge is im­portant to them.

The finances of the nonprofit corporation are also more important to a wider community than the finances of a for-profit.  Everyone who contributes in some way, who receives services, or who simply knows about its work consider themselves an owner or stakeholder.  There is a perceived level of stewardship by the community.  They expect the nonprofit to be run efficiently and that the money donated or granted to it goes toward intended programs.  In fact, many people believe that nonprofit organizations should have plain, inexpensive offices and equipment.   To them it is an indication that most of the donations are given to the poor and not to the people running the nonprofit.  The people of the community will not tolerate what they consider to be excessive salaries.  In their eyes a nonprofit employee is really a dedicated volunteer and does the work because of a love of the mission and not for a well-paid job.  For many employees that is a reality.

In our Society we recognize the need to maximize the amount of our donations that goes directly to those in need.  But that maximization cannot come at the expense of our employees who deserve adequate wages.  The Society’s Voice of the Poor Committee has developed a policy about a just wage for our employees.  That policy has been approved by the National Council Members.

In the case of Catholic organizations, the local Bishop is responsible for all activities related to the Church in his Diocese.  Because our Society is in the Diocese at the pleasure of the bishop, he is a stakeholder.  He allows us to be in the parishes because of our close relationship to the Church and the work we do for Christ’s poor.  Because the way we operate directly reflects on the Diocese in the eyes of the community, and because our Society also contributes to the spiritual growth of its members and evangelizes by its members’ actions, the bishop has great interest in what we do.  He knows that we assist in fulfilling the Church’s preferential option for the poor.  This vital relationship requires regular and close attention.  Keeping your Bishop informed about the activities and achievements of your Council should be a high priority.

Pastors and Clergy are stakeholders for reasons similar to those of the bishop.  Our presence in the parish helps the pastor and other clergy serve the poor and relieves the parish burden of responding to the needs of people coming to the Church for assistance.  Always keep in mind that St. Vincent de Paul serves in the parish with the pastor’s permission.

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