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Leveraging National Council Resources for State Advocacy 903 903 admin
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Leveraging National Council Resources for State Advocacy

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…

03-07-24 Questions & Answers 1200 628 admin
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03-07-24 Questions & Answers

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…

02-29-24 Questions & Answers 1200 628 admin
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02-29-24 Questions & Answers

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…

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

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…

02-22-24 Questions & Answers 150 150 admin
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02-22-24 Questions & Answers

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…

Society of St. Vincent de Paul Bylaws: What They Are and Why They Matter 1200 628 admin
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Society of St. Vincent de Paul Bylaws: What They Are and Why They Matter

The original Bylaws presentation was developed and presented by John Berry. This article was written by Mike Syslo. The Boring Stuff What are Bylaws? Bylaws are a nonprofit’s operating manual. Bylaws (or Bylaws and Articles of Organization) are the main governing document for a nonprofit organization. They are the main official documents of an organization,…

02-15-24 Questions & Answers 1200 628 admin
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02-15-24 Questions & Answers

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…

02-08-24 Questions & Answers 1200 628 admin
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02-08-24 Questions & Answers

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…

 Helping Others Serve the Poor 1200 628 admin
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 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…

Thrift Store Staffing Models & Engagement 1200 628 admin
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Thrift Store Staffing Models & Engagement

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…

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