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  • Lori Pattison

Smart Shopping: The Benefits of Online Supply Shopping for Thrift Stores
Smart Shopping: The Benefits of Online Supply Shopping for Thrift Stores 1200 628 Lori Pattison

By Viktoriya Kotyash, Store Manager – West Region – Diocese of Sacramento

Many stores still rely on petty cash rather than business credit or debit cards for purchasing supplies. They designate employees or volunteers to visit local store chains to buy general supplies. This can be beneficial to support local stores that support your store’s mission.  When this isn’t the case, stores can greatly benefit from having products delivered rather than making these purchases in person. Here are a few reasons why you should consider it:

Safety Benefits:

  1. Reduced Liability: Employees and volunteers face lower risk of theft and accidents while traveling, especially in unfamiliar or dangerous areas and bad weather.
  2. Lower Risk of Injury: Heavy lifting, navigating crowded stores, or dealing with bulky items can lead to injuries. Online ordering allows items to be delivered directly, minimizing the need for physically handling them until they arrive.

Other Benefits:

  1. Time Efficiency: Staff and volunteers can focus on the store’s mission and operations rather than spending time shopping for supplies. This efficiency can lead to better allocation of human resources.
  2. Cost Savings: Online shopping often provides access to competitive prices, tax exemptions for non-profits, discounts, and bulk purchasing options, which can help stretch the store’s budget further.
  3. Wider Selection: Online platforms usually offer a broader range of products, including specialized items that may not be available locally. This can be particularly useful for finding specific types of equipment or supplies.
  4. Streamlined Inventory Management: Online ordering systems often offer features like automatic reordering, tracking of past purchases, and inventory management tools.
  5. Convenience: Online ordering allows for easy comparison of products, prices, and reviews, enabling more informed purchasing decisions without the need to physically visit multiple stores.

Retailers to consider: 

  1. Amazon Business: (National Partner)

-Offers bulk purchasing options and discounts on a wide range of products.

– Free shipping on eligible items with a Business Prime account and quick delivery at times as soon as the same or next day.

– Access to business-only pricing and analytics tools to track spending and optimize purchases.

–The Amazon Tax Exception Program (ATEP)

Best For: General supplies, office equipment, cleaning products, and miscellaneous items.

  1. Sam’s Club or Costco:

– Access to bulk purchasing, which is ideal for stocking up on essentials at a lower cost.

– Savings on shipping with business memberships.

Best For: Bulk items, office equipment and supplies, and janitorial supplies.

  1. Uline:

– Offers a wide variety of essential items like shelving, storage bins, and packing materials.

– Fast shipping and dedicated customer service for businesses.

Best For: Production equipment, shelving, storage solutions, and cleaning supplies.

  1. Store Supply Warehouse (National Partner)

– Specializing in store fixtures, displays, and retail supplies.

– Known for their wide selection, competitive prices, and customer service tailored to the needs of small businesses, including thrift stores.

-Special pricing and branded items for SVdP.

Best For: Mannequins, clothing racks, shelving units, hangers, and other items necessary for retail stores.

  1. Magnalite Catholic – SVdP (National Partner)

– Offering St. Vincent de Paul branded merchandise.

Best For: Prayer cards, medals, banners, and branded clothing or linen.

  1. Grainger:

– Extensive inventory of industrial supplies, tools, and safety equipment.

– Offers fast shipping and bulk purchasing options.

– Specialized products that are often difficult to find elsewhere.

Best For: Maintenance supplies, safety equipment, and industrial tools.

  1. Home Depot or Lowe’s:

– Large selection of tools, hardware, and building materials.

– Discount programs and credit lines available for businesses.

– Online ordering with in-store pickup options.

Best For: Tools, hardware, building supplies, and fixtures.

  1. Nonprofit-Specific Suppliers: TechSoup (technology and software) and Good360 (surplus goods).

– These suppliers cater specifically to nonprofits, offering deep discounts on software, hardware, office supplies, and more.

– TechSoup provides software and technology at a fraction of the retail price.

– Good360 offers access to donated goods from major corporations.

Best For: Technology, office supplies, and donated goods.

By leveraging these retailers, stores can maximize their budgets, streamline operations, and access a wide variety of equipment and supplies.

If retailers are interested in learning how to become a National Partner, encourage them to reach out to Director of Stores Support Jeff Beamguard.

__________________________________________________________________________

These best practices and processes are available through the revised National Store Committee website, https://thriftstores.ssvpusa.org.

National Store Committee members are available in each of your regions as mentors and guides to assist you. https://thriftstores.ssvpusa.org/about-us.

If you have a topic that you would like addressed in a future Stores Corner article, please e-mail our Director of Stores Support Jeff Beamguard at jbeamguard@svdpusa.org.

 

 

  • Lori Pattison

Governance Resources
Governance Resources 1198 1198 Lori Pattison

By Joe Riley, Phoenix Council Board Member

Three Major Areas Of Board Responsibility

The beginning of a new fiscal year is typically a good time for Boards to discuss, or at least review, their responsibilities as a nonprofit’s governing body to ensure that all members understand their individual duties.  Most Board members recognize that their basic duties include, but are not limited to, defining and approving policies, selecting and supervising a CEO/Executive Director, ensuring programs are consistent with the organization’s mission and monitoring program effectiveness, as well as protecting the organization’s assets whether it is financial and/or social capital.[1]  From a broader and legal perspective, Boards have three major areas of responsibility:  Duty of care, duty of loyalty and duty of obedience.

Duty of Care:

A Board member is expected to act as any ordinary, prudent person in similar circumstances. This requires diligent, attentive, informed participation; i.e., reasonable care when making decisions in stewardship of the organization.

The duty of care is evident in the following activities:

  • The Board holds regularly scheduled meetings.
  • Board members have received and read the bylaws and policies.
  • Information is provided to the Board in a timely manner and in advance of meetings.
  • Board members arrive at meetings prepared, having read the minutes and advance material.
  • Financial reports are furnished on a regular schedule and are reviewed by the Board.
  • The Board makes informed decisions based on information provided.
  • Minutes accurately reflect Board votes and decisions, including dissent.

Duty of Loyalty:

Board members are expected to act in good faith, giving undivided allegiance to the organization, when making decisions that affect it.  They should not operate for personal gain against the best interests of the organization.

When a conflict arises between the interests of a Board member and the well-being of the organization, the Board member should immediately disclose the matter and recuse from both the discussion and the decision-making.  If the matter proceeds, the terms of any transaction with a Board member must be at least as favorable to the organization as that which could be obtained from a party with no ties to it.

Board members should observe confidentiality regarding the Board’s deliberations and decision-making, and respect and adhere to all Board decisions, regardless of whether they voted in favor of the motion.  Only designated spokespersons (usually the President) may speak publicly on behalf of the organization.

Duty of Obedience:

A Board member is expected to act in a manner that ensures the organization operates in keeping with its mission and bylaws and in accordance with the laws and regulations governing its formation and status.

In order to maintain the public’s trust as a nonprofit organization, Board members must be fully conversant and compliant with the organization’s mission, bylaws and policies, and ensure that the policies, goals and activities (including competent management of its funds and other resources) are executed in accordance with the mission.

Source: Anne Dalton, “Three Major Areas of Board Responsibility,” The Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc., 2014.

[1] Boards should not involve themselves in the day-to-day operations of the nonprofit as this is the primary responsibility of the executive director.

 

  • Lori Pattison

Survivor Story From Western KY – Part 2
Survivor Story From Western KY – Part 2 150 150 Lori Pattison

Many of the people we serve through our Disaster Services are already in need of assistance in their day-to-day when a tornado, flood, earthquake, fire, or hurricane hits.  With every disaster, our neighbors show us the power of resilience: trusting in God, their families, their communities, and themselves that they will recover. What a blessing it is when we get to witness them doing just that! One example of a survivor’s resilience is in the story of a husband and wife from Charleston, Kentucky.

J and D are both in their nineties and were asleep when a tornado hit their farmhouse in May of 2024. They had no warning, no time to seek shelter, and could only lay in bed as their entire house was destroyed around them—all except the bedroom they were sleeping in, miraculously left intact enough to protect them (pictured in E-Gazette). Since the loss of their home, they found an assisted living facility to move into, but had no furniture or housewares, and both had additional needs due to health and mobility concerns. Fortunately, J and D had the advantage of a strong and caring community.

The couple’s family connected with the local St. Vincent de Paul conference, which was able to provide two twin beds, appropriate bedding, and two lift chairs. “They are very supported by their family,” said a Vincentian who aided the couple. “Other neighbors even called to tell me how special they are to the community.”

The couple has struggled with their health since the storm, and one complicating factor is husband J’s dementia, the symptoms of which worsened with the stress of being displaced. Our Vincentian explained how moving into this new facility with necessities provided by the St. Vincent de Paul Society allows them to move forward. “Getting them into a home today is going to help them get stabilized,” she said. “I am so happy to get this couple into a safe and comfortable place with the help of SVdP!”

Our neighbors are tough, and we are blessed to witness their resilience as we assist them through disaster relief.

Yours in Christ,

The Disaster Services Team 

 

  • Lori Pattison

9-5-24 Weekly Questions & Answers
9-5-24 Weekly Questions & Answers 1200 628 Lori Pattison

Q: Is there any SVdP policy statement or position that addresses a Vincentian member’s “private” donation of food, clothes or money to a neighbor being served?  That is, a donation action that would not first come before the Conference members?

A: Conference members must understand that the works of the members are works of the Conference.  This is not a Conference members personal charity.  No member should give their own money to someone the Conference is serving without being reimbursed by the Conference.  The same holds true if the member goes out and purchases something with their own money to give to a person in need.  In addition, if the decision of what should be given to the person in need was made specifically by the Conference and the member doesn’t agree and wants to do more, then the member is dishonoring the other members of the Conference by doing more.

 Q: Do Conferences have the choice to either join their Council 501c3 tax exemption option or apply for their own?

A: It is up to the Council to decide which Option they will use to make sure their Conferences are tax exempt.  All of the forms and instructions for the three options can be found at 501(C)(3) Information – St. Vincent de Paul USA Member Site (ssvpusa.org). Email Sherry Brown at sbrown@svdpusa.org for additional questions.

P: ¿Existe alguna afirmación de política o posición de SVdP que aborde la donación “privada” de alimentos, ropa o dinero de un miembro Vicentino a un prójimo al que se sirve?  Es decir, ¿una acción de donación que no se presentaría primero a los miembros de la Conferencia?

R: Los miembros de la Conferencia deben entender que los trabajos de los miembros son trabajos de la Conferencia.  Esta no es una caridad personal de los miembros de la Conferencia.  Ningún miembro debe dar su propio dinero a alguien a quien la Conferencia esté sirviendo sin que la Conferencia le reembolse.  Lo mismo ocurre si el miembro sale y compra algo con su propio dinero para dárselo a una persona necesitada.  Además, si la decisión de lo que se debe dar a la persona necesitada fue tomada específicamente por la Conferencia y el miembro no está de acuerdo y quiere hacer más, entonces el miembro está deshonrando a los otros miembros de la Conferencia al hacer más.

 P: ¿Tienen las Conferencias la opción de solicitar su propia póliza 501c3 de excepción de impuestos o de unirse a la póliza del Consejo?

R: Depende del Consejo decidir qué opción utilizará para asegurarse de que sus Conferencias estén exentas de impuestos.  Todos los formularios e instrucciones para las tres opciones se pueden encontrar en 501(C)(3) Information – St. Vincent de Paul USA Member Site (ssvpusa.org). Envíe un correo electrónico a Sherry Brown en sbrown@svdpusa.org  para preguntas adicionales.

  • Lori Pattison

National Council Announces New Friends of the Poor Grant Recipients
National Council Announces New Friends of the Poor Grant Recipients 150 150 Lori Pattison

We received 92 grant applications totaling $443,850.00.

There were 23 grant awards for this round totaling $66,500.00.

Through a simple application process, SVdP Conferences and District Councils can apply for up to $5,000 from the National Council’s Friends of the Poor® Fund. The Friends of the Poor® funds available to grant is normally limited to the amount raised and/or approved by the National Council budget process. Individual grant award amounts may vary from the application amount but will not exceed $5,000.

Grants are targeted to specific areas of need, above and beyond available Conference resources: assistance for rent/housing, utilities, food, clothing, medical, transportation, and baby/children needs. No systemic change or building projects.

 

Friends of the Poor® Grant Awards – August 2024
 

Conference/Council Name

  

Region

  

City, State

 Award Amount  

Purpose of Grant
Annunciation Mideast Brazil, IN $2,000.00 Food assistance
Corpus Christi St. John Neumann Mideast Cincinnati, OH $2,000.00 Rent and utility assistance
District Council of St. Joseph County Mideast South Bend, IN $2,000.00 Household care and hygiene items, diapers
St. Andrew the Apostle Mideast Indianapolis, IN $2,000.00 Utility assistance, food and gas cards
St. Anthony of Padua Mideast Clarksville, IN $5,000.00 Housing and utility assistance, clothing
St. Genevieve St. Maurice Mideast Livonia, MI $2,000.00 Housing and transportation assistance
St. John St. Patrick Mideast Fort Wayne, IN $2,000.00 Rent and utility assistance, food vouchers
St. Joseph Mideast Hamilton, OH $2,000.00 Rent and utility assistance
St. Julie Billiart Mideast Hamilton, OH $5,000.00 Rent and utility assistance
St. Louis Mideast Owensville, OH $5,000.00 Rent, utility and transportation assistance
St. Martin of Tours Mideast Martinsville, IN $5,000.00 Rent and utility assistance
St. Mary Mideast Franklin, KY $2,000.00 Rent, utility, food and gas assistance
St. Mary Mideast Painesville, OH $2,000.00 Rent and utility assistance
St. Monica Mideast Indianapolis, IN $5,000.00 Housing assistance
St. Thomas More Mideast Troy, MI $2,000.00 Rent assistance
St. William Mideast Walled Lake, MI $2,000.00 Rent assistance, car repairs, food
Cristo Rey Midwest Lincoln, NE $2,500.00 Homelessness prevention, utility assistance
Holy Name Midwest Omaha, NE $2,000.00 Rent and utility assistance
Immaculate Conception Midwest Clarksville, TN $5,000.00 Homelessness prevention
Our Lady of the Lake Midwest Hendersonville, TN $2,500.00 Rent and utility assistance
Sacred Heart Midwest Crystal City, MO $2,500.00 Rent and utility assistance
St. Bridget of Kildare Midwest Pacific, MO $2,500.00 Car repairs
St. John Vianney Midwest Gallatin, TN $2,500.00 Rent and utility assistance
    Total Awards $66,500.00  
  • Lori Pattison

Governance Resources
Governance Resources 1198 1198 Lori Pattison

By Joe Riley, Phoenix Council Board Member

Good leadership is one of the keys to every successful organization.  With this in mind, the following are among the projects and materials the National Governance Committee has developed.  It is our hope that these will help everyone become a better servant leader whether as a Conference or Council President, Officer, member of the Board of Directors, or Committee member.

GOVERNANCE TRAINING – We’ve put together a Governance Training program.  Although we have presented this live in a few locations, we know this may not be practical for everyone and so we recorded a presentation (click here for the video link:  https://vimeo.com/showcase/9185786). Click here to download the training guidebook: https://members.ssvpusa.org/leadership/, then click on “If You Have A Board” to locate.

GOVERNANCE WEB PAGE– We’ve grouped much governance-related material into one convenient location.  Search this site for information you need.  The direct link to the governance web page is https://members.ssvpusa.org/governance/    When you open this site you’ll find a summary of each of the posted categories and a guide suggesting what documents you should review based on whether you are or are not in leadership and if you are in leadership, based on the position you hold.

MENTORING – We continue to place mentors for new Council Presidents and new CEOs/Executive Directors through our National Mentoring Program.

PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN CEOs/EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS AND COUNCIL PRESIDENTS – We prepared a paper that explores how to develop and maintain an effective relationship for the good of the Society.

SUCCESSION PLANNING – We also produced a paper titled “Who Me? Why In The World Should I Become A Vincentian Leader?” along with talking points and a list of resource materials.  There are significant personal benefits to being a Vincentian leader and the Society needs leaders.  Another paper titled “Succession Planning – A Brief Primer” offers guidance on this important subject.

RECOMMENDED SAMPLE POLICIES FOR NONPROFITS – All policies that appear here are meant to be examples of how such policies could read.  They are not meant to be adopted as is but rather to serve as examples only.

QUESTION & ANSWER MASTER INDEX – If you have a question ranging from the Rule to how best to operate a Conference or Council or the correct way to go about the day-to-day activities of a Vincentian, there’s a pretty good chance it’s been answered in Frederic’s e-Gazette.  For this reason we have a Master Index of questions previously asked and answered posted on the national website Governance page.

We suggest you take a look at the variety of leadership materials on the national website.  Take advantage of Leadership Training materials (click here https://members.ssvpusa.org/leadership-training/) and Leadership Mentoring (click here https://members.ssvpusa.org/leadership/).  Promote these materials among your fellow members.

We all belong to the Society because of a desire to help people, to live the Gospel message, and to grow in our faith.  It should follow then that as we provide assistance it be done in the best possible way, using best practices of our time, following the Society’s Rule, and complying with federal and state laws.  In this way we will ensure the good reputation of and the public’s confidence in the Society.

  • Lori Pattison

Save the Dates! Vincentian Heritage Pilgrimage 2025
Save the Dates! Vincentian Heritage Pilgrimage 2025 293 168 Lori Pattison

Paris: September 5-13, 2025

Join fellow Vincentians to walk the streets of Paris, visiting the churches of St Vincent, St Louise, Bl. Rosalie, and Bl. Frédéric. We’ll visit the Chapel of the Miraculous Medal, Frédéric’s beloved Sorbonne, the Rue Mouffetard, where Rosalie served the poor for 54 years, Sacré-Coeur, the tombs of all four of these Vincentian founders, and much more.

Lyon & Chatillon: September 13-15, 2025 (Optional Add-on)

In this optional add-on, we will visit the place where the Vincentian Family was born with the founding of the first Confraternity of Charity in 1617, and we will take a walking tour of Lyon, the city of Frédéric’s childhood.

 Your guides will be:

Ralph Middlecamp, 1st Vice President, International Council General

Tim Williams, Sr. Director, Formation & Leadership Development

 Sign Up to Receive More Details:

Send email to Tim Williams: twilliams@svdpusa.org

 

 

  • Lori Pattison

08-29-24 Weekly Questions & Answers
08-29-24 Weekly Questions & Answers 1200 628 Lori Pattison

Q: A recently deceased member of our Conference bequeathed a large donation to us. No decision has been made yet on how to use this donation. Is this hoarding?

A: Donors typically give funds to the Society to help those in need. Some bequest instruments have specific donor intentions, and these should be followed whenever possible.   Holding the funds in an interest-bearing account is NOT a violation of the Rule unless the Conference makes decisions not to help individuals in favor of earning interest in the bank.  Then it becomes hoarding.  Not deciding on how to use the funds leads to hoarding.  Unless specified otherwise, donors expect the funds to be spent in helping people in need as soon as practical.

The National Council recommends that Conferences consult with their next higher Council in accordance with the Rule, Part III Statute 24.  It is appropriate to make a plan to use the money in a limited time period, such as 5 years.  If the funds exceed the need of the Conference in the established time period, Conferences should consider using funds to support other Conferences less fortunate through domestic and international twinning, or perhaps helping with our national Disaster Services projects.

Q: What is the importance of sustainability when it comes to helping our neighbors in need? Should sustainability be questioned or sidelined during this period of financial uncertainty?

A:  Although sustainability is what we hope to achieve with those we serve, it is not the goal of the Society and not questioned.  It is our role to love those in need in the best way possible.  Sometimes we help people now because it is the right thing to do, even if it means they will come back to us next week.

P: Un miembro de nuestra Conferencia, recientemente fallecido, nos legó una gran donación. Todavía no se ha tomado una decisión sobre cómo utilizar esta donación. ¿Es esto acaparamiento?

R: Los donantes suelen dar fondos a la Sociedad para ayudar a las personas en necesidad. Algunos instrumentos de legado tienen intenciones específicas del donante, y estas deben seguirse siempre que sea posible.   Mantener los fondos en una cuenta que devenga intereses NO es una violación de la Regla a menos que la Conferencia tome decisiones de no ayudar a las personas en favor de ganar intereses en el banco.  Entonces se convierte en acaparamiento.  No decidir cómo usar los fondos conduce al acaparamiento.  A menos que se especifique lo contrario, los donantes esperan que los fondos se gasten en servir a las personas en necesidad tan pronto como sea posible.

El Consejo Nacional recomienda que las Conferencias consulten con su Consejo superior inmediato, de conformidad con la Regla, Parte III, Estatuto 24.  Es apropiado hacer un plan para usar el dinero en un período de tiempo limitado, como 5 años.  Si los fondos exceden las necesidades de la Conferencia en el período de tiempo establecido, las Conferencias deberían considerar el uso de fondos para apoyar a otras Conferencias menos afortunadas a través de hermanamientos nacionales e internacionales, o tal vez ayudando con nuestros proyectos nacionales de Servicios de Desastres.

P: ¿Cuál es la importancia de la sostenibilidad cuando se trata de servir a nuestros prójimos en necesidad? ¿Se debe cuestionar o dejar de lado la sostenibilidad durante este período de incertidumbre financiera?

R: Aunque la sostenibilidad es lo que esperamos lograr con aquellos a quienes servimos, no es el objetivo de la Sociedad y no se cuestiona.  Es nuestro papel amar a los necesitados de la mejor manera posible.  A veces ayudamos a las personas ahora porque es lo correcto, incluso si eso significa que volverán a nosotros la próxima semana.

 

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