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  • Jill Pioter

Leveraging National Council Resources for State Advocacy
Leveraging National Council Resources for State Advocacy 903 903 Jill Pioter

As former Speaker of the House Tip O’Neil famously stated, “All politics is local.” This year, SVdP Councils in Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, and Michigan have utilized the National Council’s E-advocacy system Voter Voice to mobilize state advocates on homelessness, taxation, housing, and payday loans.

District Councils can make a big impact in their state legislature by mobilizing Vincentians to email their state legislators. We have seen success where local Councils are part of larger state coalitions that are vocal about a specific issue. Councils that work closely with their state Catholic Conferences on grassroots issues also see success.

In the four campaigns mentioned above, which last about 2 – 3 weeks each, have sent over 200 messages to state legislators and have resulted in 115 new advocates for St. Vincent de Paul. This was Georgia and Kentucky’s first foray into mobilizing advocates using Voter Voice, and their campaigns brought in the bulk of those 115 new advocates.

How do you get started?

State Diocesan/Archdiocesan presidents, District Council Presidents, Executive Director(s) are empowered to work on state legislative issues. When they agree to bring forward a potential grassroots campaign, they need to sign off on the campaign. They should notify their regional representative and Chair of the Voice for the Poor Committee and their Regional Vice President. Then they will work with Steve Uram, National Director of Poverty Programs, to draft the alert and the message to advocates and to the state legislators. You can find the process explained in our State and Advocacy Toolkit.

As Exodus 22:20-26 reminds us, we shall be judged if we oppress the poor or vulnerable — God will hear their cry. Let us build up the Kingdom of God with justice by advocating for our neighbors in need.

  • Jill Pioter

03-07-24 Questions & Answers
03-07-24 Questions & Answers 1200 628 Jill Pioter

Q: I was told that our National Council has about 128 voting members. Do you know approximately how many votes can be cast at our General Council in Paris? 

A: In the U.S., there are 128 National Council Members eligible to vote at Midyear and National Assembly business meetings. According to The Rule, Part II, the Presidents of all instituted Superior (National) Councils or Assimilated Councils are voting members of the International Confederation. Assimilated Councils are lower-level Councils or Conferences that have been officially designated as representing the country where they are located. The Society is located in more than 150 countries and territories, so potentially there are more than 150 voting members.

Q: Is it proper for a Conference to take some funds from a bequest and place them into Certificates of Deposit (CDs) with different maturity dates?

A: It is okay to put money in CDs as long as there is a specific plan for reducing those funds to zero, such as building a new program or facility. Our purpose is not to build bank accounts or earn interest. The issue of hoarding comes into play when decisions are made to keep money in the bank instead of helping someone in need. Will the Conference readily cash in the CDs in order to help those in need, rather than allow the CDs to go to maturity? Conference funds are not to be used for “endowments” unless the funds were specifically collected for that purpose with the donor’s direction.

ESPAÑOL

P: Me dijeron que en nuestro Consejo Nacional hay alrededor de 128 votos que se pueden emitir. ¿Sabe usted aproximadamente cuántos votos se pueden emitir en nuestro Consejo General en París?

R: En los EE. UU. hay 128 miembros del Consejo Nacional elegibles para votar en las reuniones de negocios de mitad de año y de la Asamblea Nacional.

De acuerdo con la Regla, Parte II, los Presidentes de todos los Consejos Superiores (Nacionales) o Consejos Asimilados instituidos son miembros con derecho a voto de la Confederación Internacional. Los Consejos Asimilados son Consejos o Conferencias de nivel inferior que han sido designados oficialmente como representantes del país en el que se encuentran. Estamos ubicados en más de 150 países y territorios, por lo que potencialmente hay más de 150 miembros con derecho a voto.

 P: ¿Es apropiado que una Conferencia tome algunos fondos de un legado y los coloque en Certificados de Depósito (CD) con diferentes fechas de vencimiento?

R: Está bien poner dinero en certificados de depósito siempre y cuando haya un plan específico para reducir esos fondos a cero, como la construcción de un nuevo programa o instalación. Nuestro propósito no es crear cuentas bancarias ni ganar intereses.  El problema del acaparamiento entra en juego cuando se toman decisiones para mantener el dinero en el banco en lugar de ayudar a alguien que lo necesita. ¿Aceptará la Conferencia cobrar fácilmente los certificados de depósito para ayudar a los necesitados en lugar de permitir que los certificados de depósito lleguen a su vencimiento?  Los fondos de la conferencia no deben utilizarse para un “fondo dotacional” a menos que los fondos se hayan recaudado específicamente para ese propósito con la aprobación del donante.

  • Jill Pioter

02-29-24 Questions & Answers
02-29-24 Questions & Answers 1200 628 Jill Pioter

Q: Resolution 114 says that a Conference can be “suspended” and mentions an appeal process. But I’m not finding anything that tells us what needs to be done to suspend a Conference. For example, if a Conference refused to give us annual financial reports, according to Resolution 114, they can be suspended. But who tells them? Is it a local decision (e.g., Archdiocesan Council)? Does it have to be in writing, etc.? Guidance? Where do I find this information?

A: Only the National President may suspend a member or a Conference. Here’s the process. The Council must submit a letter to the National Vice President for the region showing the specifics of why the Conference should be suspended/dissolved. This letter must also include everything that was done to correct the situation. If convinced the information is sufficient, the National Vice President will submit the suspension request to the National President. If the National Vice President or the National President is not satisfied with the information given, he/she will advise the next steps. If the National Vice President does not feel that the information is sufficient and refuses to forward to the National President, the Council may appeal directly to the National President.

Q: Our store has been up and running successfully for a while. We now are getting a large number of “walk-in” friends in need. We have hired a current Vincentian who is experienced with the Home Visit process as an intake coordinator. We will continue to use the Home Visit process, but will have the coordinator do intake documentation, refer to other sources of help, coordinate volunteers for Home Visits, and handle immediate service for basic human needs emergencies.
We would greatly appreciate any documentation on position descriptions, words of wisdom, or other guidelines to get started with this process. 

A: Here are some considerations:

  1. You are hiring a Vincentian to be the intake coordinator, which means this individual will not be eligible for a role as an officer of the Conference. Paid staff are not allowed to be officers. This person can still be a member, but not an officer.
  2. The interview and decisions for assistance should be done by two Vincentians, with someone working with the intake coordinator during interviews to decide what basic assistance should be provided.
  3. There is no national documentation such as a job description describing an intake coordinator.

ESPAÑOL

P: La Resolución 114 dice que una Conferencia puede ser “suspendida” y habla de un proceso de apelación. Pero no encuentro nada que nos diga lo que hay que hacer para suspender una Conferencia. Por ejemplo, si una Conferencia se niega a presentarnos informes financieros anuales, de acuerdo con la Resolución 114 puede ser suspendida. Pero ¿quién se lo dice? ¿Es una decisión local (por ejemplo, el Consejo Arquidiocesano)? ¿Tiene que ser por escrito, etc.? ¿Orientación? ¿Dónde puedo encontrar esta información?

R: El Consejo debe presentar una carta al Vicepresidente Nacional de la Región en la que se indiquen los detalles de por qué la Conferencia debe suspenderse o disolverse. Esta carta también debe incluir todo lo que se hizo para corregir la situación. El Vicepresidente Nacional, si está convencido de que la información es suficiente, presentará la solicitud de suspensión al Presidente Nacional. Si el Vicepresidente Nacional o el Presidente Nacional no están satisfechos con la información proporcionada, aconsejarán los próximos pasos. Si el Vicepresidente Nacional considera que la información no es suficiente y se niega a transmitirla al Presidente Nacional, el Consejo puede apelar directamente al Presidente Nacional. Sólo el Presidente Nacional puede suspender a un miembro o a una Conferencia.

P: Nuestra tienda estuvo funcionando con éxito durante un tiempo. Ahora estamos recibiendo un gran número de prójimos que necesitan ayuda “sin cita previa”. Hemos contratado a uno de nuestros Vicentinos actuales, que tiene experiencia en el proceso de Visitas Domiciliarias, como “coordinador de admisión”. Continuaremos usando el proceso de Visitas Domiciliarias, pero haremos que el coordinador haga la documentación de admisión, refiera a otras fuentes de ayuda, coordine a los voluntarios para las visitas domiciliarias y maneje el servicio inmediato para emergencias de necesidades humanas básicas.
Agradeceríamos mucho cualquier documentación sobre descripciones de puestos, palabras de sabiduría u otras pautas para comenzar con este proceso.

R: Estas son algunas consideraciones:

  1. ¿Está contratando a un Vicentino para que sea el coordinador de admisión? Esto significa que esa persona no podrá desempeñar el cargo de miembro de la Mesa Directiva de la Conferencia. El personal remunerado no puede ser funcionario. Esta persona puede seguir siendo miembro, pero no funcionario.
  2. La entrevista y las decisiones de asistencia deben ser realizadas por dos Vicentinos, con alguien que trabaje con el coordinador de admisión durante las entrevistas para decidir qué asistencia básica se brindará.
  3. No existe documentación nacional, como una descripción del puesto de trabajo que describa a un coordinador de documentación de admisión.
  • Jill Pioter

How Can Facebook and Instagram Help My Thrift Store?
How Can Facebook and Instagram Help My Thrift Store? 1200 628 Jill Pioter

By Bryan Engel, Director of Operations
Diocesan Council of Pittsburgh, Eastern Region

If your Marketing budget is on the lower end (or nonexistent), you may not feel like there are any opportunities to promote your stores. What can you do if you cannot afford billboards, radio, TV, or even newspapers? Have you tried free social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram? For thrift stores, these platforms offer opportunities to connect with customers, showcase products, and ultimately drive sales. Let’s explore the benefits of social media marketing (particularly on Facebook and Instagram) for thrift stores:

1. Increased Visibility and Brand Awareness (free)

Social media platforms boast billions of active users worldwide, providing thrift stores with an expansive audience to showcase their unique offerings. By maintaining an active presence on Facebook and Instagram, thrift stores can increase their visibility and reach a larger audience beyond their physical location. Consistent posting, engaging content, and strategic use of hashtags can help boost brand awareness and attract potential customers to your store. What is consistent posting? At least three posts per week — at most, 3 – 4 posts per day.

2. Showcase Unique Inventory (free)

The great thing about the inventory  in your store is that you only have ONE of that item. Use Facebook and Instagram to create FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out). If someone wanted to buy an item that they missed out on, they will be checking their feeds more regularly for the deals and inventory that you have to offer. So, make sure that you are posting those rare finds.

3. Targeted Advertising (paid)

One of the most powerful features of social media marketing is the ability to target specific demographics based on interests, location, and behavior. Thrift stores can leverage this feature to tailor their advertising efforts and reach audiences most likely to be interested in their products. By refining targeting parameters, thrift stores can ensure their marketing efforts are reaching the right audience, maximizing the return on investment.

For our Mattress ad in Pittsburgh, we targeted: 10-mile radius from each store,
less than $50k income, and looking to purchase a mattress or box spring within the next year.
For the store’s ad, we targeted specific zip codes around each store.

4. Engage with Customers and Build Community (free)

Social media platforms foster two-way communication, allowing thrift stores to engage directly with customers and build a sense of community around their brand. Responding to comments, messages, and tags promptly demonstrates excellent customer service and encourages meaningful interactions. Building a loyal online community not only drives repeat business but also generates word-of-mouth referrals as satisfied customers share their experiences with others.

5. Drive Traffic to Physical Store Locations and E-commerce Platforms (free)

While social media provides a platform for showcasing products, its ultimate goal for thrift stores is to drive traffic to physical store locations or e-commerce platforms. Incorporating location tags, store hours, and directions into posts makes it easier for customers to find and visit the store.

If you need help with writing your ads or promoting your stores, I suggest Chat GPT or an outside agency. In Pittsburgh, I use Chat GPT (a free and paid service … I use the free version) to write or give me ideas on the best way to reach customers or write a message. You can also search your local area for advertising options. Overall, there are a lot of advertising opportunities out there. If you are not doing it now, you need to find the time to start. Social media is a FREE option that will benefit your stores immediately.

Hopefully you or another SVdP Council/Conference/Store member will be attending the Mid-Year Meeting in St. Louis, MO in March. Please consider attending the Stores Meeting on Wednesday.  Agenda here.

  • Jill Pioter

02-22-24 Questions & Answers
02-22-24 Questions & Answers 150 150 Jill Pioter

Q: Is there a particular protocol to follow when a friend in need threatens to harm him/herself?

A: For members of the Society, there is no legal obligation to report such findings. There is a moral obligation when there is strong suspicion or if the behavior is witnessed. This question should be presented to your diocese, who can give helpful contact numbers for referral.

Q: A member of my Conference said our region’s National Vice President does not have a vote at the National level. Can you verify this?

A: According to National Council Bylaws, each of the nine Regional Vice Presidents is a voting member of the National Board of Directors. However, the Regional Vice Presidents do not have a vote on the National Council. The voting members of the National Council are the National President and the duly elected National Council Members (each representing a Catholic Diocese where the Society is present).

ESPAÑOL

P: ¿Hay algún protocolo particular a seguir cuando un prójimo en necesidad amenaza con hacerse daño a sí mismo?

R: Para los miembros de la Sociedad, no existe ninguna obligación legal de informar sobre tales hallazgos. Existe una obligación moral cuando hay una fuerte sospecha o si el comportamiento es presenciado. Esta pregunta debe ser presentada a su Consejo Diocesano, quien puede proporcionar números de contacto útiles para la referencia.

P: Un miembro de mi Conferencia dijo que el Vicepresidente Nacional de nuestra región no tiene voto a nivel Nacional. ¿Puede usted verificarlo?

R: De acuerdo con los Estatutos del Consejo Nacional, cada uno de los nueve Vicepresidentes Regionales es un miembro con derecho a voto de la Mesa Directiva Nacional. Sin embargo, los Vicepresidentes Regionales no tienen voto en el Consejo Nacional. Los miembros con derecho a voto del Consejo Nacional son el Presidente Nacional y los miembros del Consejo Nacional debidamente elegidos (cada uno representando a una Diócesis Católica donde la Sociedad está presente).

  • Jill Pioter

02-15-24 Questions & Answers
02-15-24 Questions & Answers 1200 628 Jill Pioter

Q: Who makes up the executive board of a Conference? 

A: The vast majority of all Conferences use Bylaws document 1. Therefore, there is normally no executive board for Conferences. The Manual and Rule speak of a Conference board. This is not a formal Board of Directors.  It is also not an executive board which has specific authority granted to it. The Conference board is simply the slate of officers (President, Vice President(s), Secretary, and Treasurer). They have no specific authority other than representation of the Conference and requirement to fulfill specific tasks. All decisions are made by the Active Members of the Conference as a whole.

However, if the Conference is incorporated separately (using Bylaws document 2 or 10), there may be legal requirements for a formal board of directors, and the word “Executive” is used for an Executive Committee, a governance subset of the Board. This board membership should be in the same manner as the non-incorporated Conference board unless specifically required otherwise by state nonprofit etc., laws.

 Q: Can you give me some examples of how The Rule was changed several years ago in regard to more emphasis on spirituality?

A:  In the old Rule and Manual, there were essentially less than a handful of mentions of spirituality. The second chapter in Part I addressed spirituality. The Rule also briefly indicates the need for a Spiritual Advisor. The Conference meeting agenda also included a spiritual reading and discussion. The Manual also had occasional mentions of spirituality.

In the new Rule, Part I has several Articles (2.1 through 2.6) specifically related to spirituality. Part I continues with additional articles spread throughout referencing our relationship to the Church and the Church’s social teachings. Part III addresses spirituality in the first four statutes and then liberally throughout the rest of Part III. The Manual devotes essentially the entire second half of the book to spirituality.

ESPAÑOL

P: ¿Quiénes conforman la Mesa Ejecutiva de una Conferencia?

R: La gran mayoría de las Conferencias utilizan el documento 1 de los Estatutos. Por lo tanto, normalmente no hay una Mesa Ejecutiva para las Conferencias. El Manual y el Reglamento hablan de un Conferencia con Mesa Directiva. Esta no es una Mesa Directiva formal. Tampoco es una Mesa Ejecutiva la que se le otorguen facultades específicas. La Mesa Directiva de la Conferencia es simplemente la lista de funcionarios (Presidente, Vicepresidente(s), Secretario y Tesorero). No tienen ninguna autoridad específica más allá de la representación de la Conferencia y el requisito de cumplir tareas específicas. Todas las decisiones son tomadas por los Miembros Activos de la Conferencia en su conjunto.

Sin embargo, si la Conferencia se incorpora por separado (utilizando el documento 2 o 10 de los Estatutos), puede haber requisitos legales para una Mesa Directiva formal, la palabra “Ejecutiva” se usa para un Comité Ejecutivo, un subconjunto de gobernanza de la Mesa Directiva. La membresía de la Mesa Ejecutiva debe ser de la misma manera que la Mesa Directiva de la Conferencia no incorporada, a menos que las leyes estatales sin fines de lucro, etc., exijan específicamente lo contrario.

P: ¿Puede darme algunos ejemplos de cómo se cambió La Regla hace varios años con respecto a un mayor énfasis en la espiritualidad?

R: En la antigua Regla y Manual, había esencialmente menos de un puñado de menciones de espiritualidad. El segundo capítulo de la primera parte abordó la espiritualidad. La Regla también indica brevemente la necesidad de un Consejero Espiritual. La agenda de la reunión de la Conferencia también incluyó una lectura espiritual y una discusión. El Manual también contenía menciones ocasionales a la espiritualidad.

En la nueva Regla, la Parte I tiene varios artículos (2.1 a 2.6) específicamente relacionados con la espiritualidad.  La primera parte continúa con artículos adicionales que hacen referencia a nuestra relación con la Iglesia y las enseñanzas sociales de la Iglesia.  La Parte III aborda la espiritualidad en los primeros cuatro estatutos y luego liberalmente en el resto de la Parte III.  El Manual dedica esencialmente toda la segunda mitad del libro a la espiritualidad.

 

  • Jill Pioter

02-08-24 Questions & Answers
02-08-24 Questions & Answers 1200 628 Jill Pioter

Q: We have a retired priest now living in our church parish. Can he serve on our Board of Directors and be a voting member?

A: The Rule, Statute 15 refers to the “ordained,” meaning Bishops, Priests, and Deacons as being prohibited from holding officer positions including serving as a Board Member.  The Rule prohibits priests and deacons from being an officer or a voting member, but does not prevent them from going on Home Visits or doing the other things Active Members do.  This all applies to those who are retired as well, as their fealty remains to the Church.

Q: Our Conference is required to tithe with our Diocesan Council. We do send some money each month, but not always the percentage requested. Is this an acceptable policy?

A: The National Council Bylaws define the governance within the Society in the United States. You are under the governance structure of the Diocesan Council. Such decisions are made by the Diocesan Council, by vote or consensus. Once the decision is made, all members must abide by the decision.

The Rule, Part III, Statute 24 requires Conferences to provide financial support to the District and Diocesan Council in the form of solidarity contributions. It is up to each Diocesan Council to determine what each entity in their Diocesan Council should pay toward that total solidarity contribution. If no Diocesan Council exists, the District Council may assess a solidarity contribution from its Conferences, stores, and special works. It is up to the local Council to grant any exceptions to the required tithe that they have established, so this question needs to be directed to them.

ESPAÑOL

P: Tenemos un sacerdote jubilado que ahora vive en la parroquia de nuestra iglesia. ¿Puede formar parte de nuestra Mesa Directiva y ser miembro con derecho a voto?

R: La Regla, Estatuto 15 se refiere a los “ordenados”, es decir, a los obispos, presbíteros y diáconos, que se les prohíbe ocupar puestos oficiales, incluso el de ser miembros de la Mesa Directiva.  La Regla prohíbe que los sacerdotes y diáconos sean funcionarios o miembros con derecho a voto, no les impide ir a las Visitas Domiciliarias o hacer las otras cosas que hacen los Miembros Activos.  Todo esto se aplica también a los sacerdotes jubilados, ya que su lealtad sigue siendo a la Iglesia.

P: Se requiere que nuestra Conferencia contribuya con nuestro Consejo Diocesano. Nosotros enviamos algo de dinero cada mes, pero no siempre el porcentaje solicitado. ¿Es esta una política aceptable la que estamos haciendo?

R: Los Estatutos del Consejo Nacional definen el gobierno dentro de la Sociedad en los Estados Unidos. Ustedes están bajo la estructura de gobierno del Consejo Diocesano. Tales decisiones son tomadas por el Consejo Diocesano, por votación o consenso. Una vez que se toma la decisión, todos los miembros deben acatar la decisión.

La Regla, Parte III, Estatuto 24 requiere que las Conferencias proporcionen apoyo financiero al Consejo de Distrito y Diocesano en forma de contribuciones solidarias. Corresponde a cada Consejo Diocesano determinar lo que cada entidad de su Consejo Diocesano debe pagar por esa contribución solidaria. Si no existe un Consejo Diocesano, el Consejo de Distrito puede evaluar una contribución solidaria de sus Conferencias, tiendas y Trabajos Especiales. Corresponde al Consejo local conceder cualquier excepción a la contribución requerida que haya establecido, por lo que esta pregunta debe ser dirigida a ellos.

  • Jill Pioter

 Helping Others Serve the Poor
 Helping Others Serve the Poor 1200 628 Jill Pioter

(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 the 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.

  • Jill Pioter

Thrift Store Staffing Models & Engagement
Thrift Store Staffing Models & Engagement 1200 628 Jill Pioter

By John Thelen, Mideast Region – Diocese of Lansing

Throughout the country, there are three SVdP Thrift Store Staffing Models. Stores are either staffed by paid employees, staffed by volunteers, or some combination of the two. Whichever staffing model is used, a key factor in a store’s success is staff engagement. If staff/volunteers are not invested in the work of our great mission, the store will not reach its full potential.

It is important for staff/volunteers to be aware of our mission. Why do we do what we do? Let us be honest, sorting socks and underwear is not a very glamorous job. However, when you know why you are doing what you are doing, it makes the most tedious jobs tolerable.

What might help keep your staff/volunteers engaged? Make sure they are aware of your store’s mission. What do you do with your store proceeds after expenses are paid? In addition to providing employment/volunteer opportunities, do you help our Neighbors in Need with clothing, furniture, and household items? Does your store have a food pantry or assist Neighbors with rent, utilities, prescriptions, car repairs, etc.? Make sure everyone is aware of the types of assistance your store provides.

Another way to increase engagement is regularly (monthly) sharing pertinent statistics that staff/volunteers might find interesting, including the total number of donations received, total number of requests for assistance, and gross sales for the month. Maybe list the statistics you would like to share by month, showing every month of the fiscal year for comparison purposes.

Celebrate your successes. You can always find a reason to provide some type of treat to your staff/volunteers.  If you hit a high month in donations or sales, put a sign in the break room and pick up Klondike Bars and tell staff/volunteers to help themselves from the freezer. Be sure to have enough to cover all shifts for a particular week. Maybe grill hot dogs/brats and provide chips when the weather is conducive to grilling. Most people like pizza — let staff know you will be providing pizza to say ‘Thank You’ for all they do to support our mission. Maybe have an annual Christmas Dinner after work and invite staff/volunteers and guests. Share a brief program letting everyone know the impact they are making to help our Neighbors in Need.

If your staffing model does not currently include volunteers, think about reaching out to your parish members to make them aware of volunteer opportunities. Personally invite parishioners to a group gathering at your store to let them know the types of volunteer activities you have available. If you are not sure who to ask, start the process by going through your parish pictorial directory. This will help recognize people that you think might be interested in supporting our SVdP mission. Another volunteer recruitment option is a short bulletin notice in neighboring parish bulletins. You might consider sending it to other denominations to collaborate with the churches in your community.

Volunteers are great advocates to tell our story in the community. If your volunteers feel engaged, they will tell/invite others to become involved. When they are engaged, they feel more committed to showing up for their shift(s). Make sure your volunteer shifts are manageable lengths of time and encourage your volunteers to take a break partway through their shift to converse and build relationships with other volunteers. Once they get to know one another, they look forward to coming in.

Provide snacks in the break room. Maybe offer individual bags of snacks, chips, crackers, fruit snacks, peanuts, pop, coffee & water.

If you have a large number of active/regular volunteers, make sure the volunteers know what they are scheduled to do when they arrive. Either post a schedule or have someone assigned to let them know what you would like them to do for their shift. To know who will be there on a particular day, create a schedule for the day/shift, so you are aware of your workforce for each shift. If volunteers know they will not be able to come on a particular shift, have a monthly wall calendar where they can note if they will not be coming for a particular shift.

Volunteers & staff can be great advocates to tell your story in the community.

Hopefully you or another SVdP Council/Conference/Store member will be attending the Mid-Year Meeting in St. Louis, MO in March. Please consider attending the Stores Meeting on Wednesday.  An agenda is included in this article. New this year will be a Stores Committee table in the Vendor area on Wednesday and Thursday. Please stop by to meet and talk with some of the Store Committee members.

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

  • Jill Pioter

02-01-24 Questions & Answers
02-01-24 Questions & Answers 150 150 Jill Pioter

Q: As a Conference, can we limit the amount of money we pledge to those we serve, and can we put a limit on how many times a year we can serve the same person?

A: This question goes to the heart of the Principle of Subsidiarity. These are decisions that should be made at the local Conference level, based on the circumstances unique to that Conference. What resources exist? What number of people are seeking support? How many Vincentians are available to provide quality encounters with the people being served? All these questions can only be answered by the Conference members. So the decision is yours; it is not mandated by the higher-level Councils or by the National Council. However, as you prayerfully discern what to do, you should also treat each case on its own merit. While determining the amount of assistance to give (based on the request and resources available), and saving funds for people who might come in the future might seem prudent, consider that that is not what our Lord is asking us to do. He asks us to love the one in need who is sitting here in front of us, in the best way possible. If you place an arbitrary limit on the amount, then you cannot fulfill what our Lord is asking.

As far as the number of times a year to serve the same person, the same criteria essentially holds true. If you limit the number of times, then you turn people away before you even hear about their circumstances and what they are asking for. You don’t have to say “yes” to every request, but listen and to be open to helping in any way possible. St. Vincent asks us to be “creative to infinity.” Remember that providing service does not always mean giving money. Listening and prayer are also two essential services Vincentians provide  — hopefully without limits.

Q:  The LDS church has contacted our Conference offering volunteers to help with our service. I know there are major doctrine differences, so we would like to know how SVdP responds to such a request.

A: Members of the LDS church (as well as others) can be Associate Members, meaning they can participate in the works and possibly attend meetings (without a vote), but they cannot be officers. If your Conference has special works, such as a pantry or a store, they can assist as volunteers in that.  If your Conference has special seasonal programs such as Thanksgiving or Christmas, they can help with that.  Primarily, non-Catholic Associate Members help us with our works of service.

ESPAÑOL

P: Como Conferencia, ¿podemos limitar la cantidad de dinero que prometemos a aquellos a quienes servimos, y podemos poner un límite a la cantidad de veces al año que podemos servir a la misma persona?

R: Esta pregunta va al corazón de lo que realmente es el principio de subsidiariedad. Se trata de decisiones que deben adoptarse a nivel de la Conferencia local en función de las circunstancias propias de esa Conferencia. ¿Qué recursos existen? ¿Cuántas personas buscan apoyo? ¿Cuántos Vicentinos están disponibles para proporcionar encuentros de calidad con las personas a las que sirve? Todas estas preguntas sólo pueden ser respondidas por los miembros de la Conferencia. Por lo tanto, la decisión es suya, no es una disposición de los Consejos de nivel superior ni del Consejo Nacional. Sin embargo, a medida que discierne en oración lo que va a hacer, también debe tratar cada caso por sus propios méritos. Si bien tomar su decisión en cuanto a la cantidad de ayuda que debe dar en función de lo que se solicita y los recursos que tiene disponibles, y ahorrar fondos para las personas que podrían venir en el futuro puede parecer prudente, considere que eso no es lo que nuestro Señor nos está pidiendo que hagamos. Nos pide que amemos al necesitado que está sentado aquí frente a nosotros de la mejor manera posible. Si pones un límite arbitrario a la cantidad, entonces no puedes cumplir con lo que nuestro Señor está pidiendo.

En cuanto al número de veces al año que se debe atender a la misma persona, se emplean esencialmente los mismos criterios. Si limita el número de veces, entonces rechaza a las personas, incluso antes de escuchar lo que están pidiendo y sus circunstancias. No tienes que decir “sí” a todas las solicitudes, escuche y este abierto a ayudar de cualquier manera posible. San Vicente nos pide que seamos “creativos hasta el infinito”. Recuerde que prestar un servicio no siempre significa “dar dinero”, la escucha y la oración también son dos servicios esenciales que brindan los Vicentinos sin límites.

P: La iglesia mormona se ha puesto en contacto con nuestra Conferencia ofreciendo voluntarios para ayudar con nuestro servicio. Sé que hay grandes diferencias doctrinales, por lo que me gustaría saber cómo responde SVdP a tal solicitud.

R: Los miembros de la iglesia mormona (así como otros) pueden ser miembros asociados, lo que significa que pueden participar en los trabajos y posiblemente asistir a las reuniones (sin voto), pero no pueden ser Oficiales. Si su Conferencia tiene Trabajos Especiales, como un almacén de despensa o una tienda, pueden ayudar como voluntarios en eso. Si su Conferencia tiene programas especiales de temporada, como el Día de Acción de Gracias o Navidad, pueden ayudar con eso también. Principalmente, los Miembros Asociados no católicos nos ayudan con nuestros trabajos de servicio.

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