News & Updates

Q: What process does the Society take to endorse any legislative efforts? A: The National Voice of the Poor Committee identifies legislation that affects the people we serve and involves the National President in the process. Only the president speaks for the Society. The Society may not participate in any campaign activity for or against…

Q: Why does SVdP require meeting twice in a month? A: The Society wants Conferences to meet weekly (52 meetings per year); however, the international Rule allows for every other week (26 meetings per year). In the United States, we allow for twice each month (24 meetings per year) while still promoting that weekly meetings…

Q: Does the IRS care if a Conference violates the SVdP Rule and gives to another non-SVdP charity that agrees to spend the money wisely? A: The IRS indeed cares if a nonprofit violates its own mission, organizational documents, and rules. The Society cares if an SVdP entity violates its Rule. The IRS is not…

Q: What can we include in our volunteer hours? Is working at a funeral, serving food, choir, sacristan, driving an elderly neighbor to an appointment, or babysitting for a family in need or the members’ grandchildren also allowed to be included in volunteer hours? A: Any member activities that are directly associated with SVdP Conference…

Q: Are Conferences permitted to own land and buildings separate from their Council? A: If a Conference is separately incorporated and has its own tax-exemption, it may own property. If the Conference is using the EIN and tax-exemption of a District or Diocesan Council, it is part of that legal entity, and ownership of property…

Q: I have always been told that $.30/mile was acceptable. Has the Society increased the reimbursement for mileage due to the fuel price increases? This is not for Home Visits or serving the poor, it is for travel expenses in growing new Conferences or traveling to national meetings. A: The rates are determined by the…