Click the links in the header to share the E-Gazette on your personal social media page with just
the push of a button!
STAY CONNECTED TO SVdPUSA
Frederic's E-Gazette
An e-newsletter from the National Council
of the U.S. Society of St. Vincent de Paul®
March 16, 2017
*Please note that there will be no E-Gazette published
next Thursday, March 23 due to the SVdP Midyear Meeting. The E-Gazette will
return to its normal publishing schedule on Thursday, March 30.
Table of Contents:
To go directly to a certain article, simply click on the title
What's New in this Issue







Convocation of Catholic Leaders
Job Opening: International Twinning Coordinator and Admin. Assoc.
SVdP 2017 Midyear Meeting is Next Week!
2016 Annual Reports are due NOW!
Governance: Four Big "Ds" to guarantee an Exciting Journey
Disaster Services Update
Young Woman brings SVdP to Young Members of Woburn Community
In Every Issue







Letter from your Servant Leader
Q&A and Q&A Index
Development Department News
Vincentian Formation
Extension News
Connect with SVdP on Social Media and Mobile App
In the News
Don't Miss






Appeal to support the Mexico National Council
Call for Presenters at 2017 National Assembly in Tampa
Plan to Attend: The North American Vincentian Family Gathering
"Our Faith in Action: Today's Society of St. Vincent de Paul" Now Available
Online to watch and download
Call for Information about SVdP Youth Conferences
Support the Haiti Adopt-a-Student Program
Disclaimer:
(NOTE: The links in some of the articles are intended to take you to websites for a specific story,
page, function or program approved for your use by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. The Society
does not accept responsibility for, or grant approval of, peripheral advertising or stories that may reside
on those websites.)
From your Servant Leader:
March 16, 2017
While at a Spring Training game last week, I was reminded that just
about all I need to know about marketing was learned years ago from a
peanut vendor at Dodger Stadium.
He would stand at the top row of a section of seats, carrying his tray of
peanuts. First he would whisper. "Nuts" was all he said. Then he
repeated the word over and over again, each time getting just a little
louder. After about a half dozen times, others would join in. I doubt
they even knew they were doing it, but repeating is one of those things
that baseball fans do, like clapping rhythmically or yelling "Let's Go (fill
in name of favorite team)!" again and again.
After about 20 repeats of "nuts!", now at a fevered pitch by nearly everyone in the section of hundreds
of seats, the vendor would then run down the steps to the front of the section and yell "Okay, who
wants some?" Money would come from everywhere, across and then down the rows, as he would start
throwing bags all over the place to the suddenly peanut-deprived. When the legume frenzy finally died
down he would go the next section, which at this time was wondering what the heck was going on in
the section to their side. He would start all over, again with a whisper. And now, maybe with a little
smile too.
Read more
Yours in Christ,
Dave
To Top
Will you be attending the Convocation of Catholic
Leaders with your Diocese?
If so, we want to know immediately!
Contact Kathy Jackson, National Extension Coordinator.
Contact:
Kathy Jackson
National Extension Coordinator
(314)576-3993 ext.224
[email protected]
To Top
SVDPUSA. NET Maintenance
Please be advised that svdpusa.net, the National Membership Database, will be unavailable
beginning Friday, March 17th for site maintenance. All applications within the national
membership database, including annual reports, will be inaccessible to everyone including
National Council Office staff. During this time the site will display a maintenance message
rather than the National Database login page.
This is not an upgrade or launch of a new membership database. It is simply maintenance to
the current database applications.
The length of the downtime associated with this maintenance should be limited but could be
up to 24hours
To Top
Q: We had a reporter contact us about whether or not the Society helps people pay their
medical bills.
A: One-time medical co-pay assistance is not an issue. Medical bills are generally for substantial
amounts far exceeding financial resources of Conferences. Hence, strong consideration by
Conferences, with all members in agreement, is needed to assist with medical bills. It is possible that a
one-time payment contribution for a portion towards the total medical bill could occur.
Q: All Conferences submit financials for transparency and oversight on the part of the
Council. What authority do Councils have to request such information?
A: According to the Rule, Part III, Statute 27: "When deemed appropriate, Council presidents should
require audits or audit reviews of the Conferences (at minimum, an internal review), or of Councils,
and Special Works under the auspices of their Council." A Council president, through his/her Council,
may "require" annual audits of all Councils and Conferences under his/her jurisdiction.
Click here to download this week's Spanish version of the Q&A
Click here to download this week's Q&A
Q&A Index
Submit your questions to:
Pam Hudson
National Director of Governance & Membership Services
[email protected]
To Top
Appeal to Support the Mexico National Council
At the National Assembly, National Council Resolution 143 was passed to assist in the strengthening
of the Mexico National Council and its Conferences and Councils. This is not a disaster program but
rather a long-term infrastructure support program. This campaign is independent of the other appeals
and existing twinning relationships. Some USA Society members, Conferences, or Councils may want
to support this campaign in addition to or instead of the other campaigns.
For more information about this appeal, click here.
PLEASE GIVE TODAY!
Click here to support this effort today!
https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E135450&id=21
In the Donation Program drop down menu, choose International Disaster. Please write "Mexico
Council" in the note field.
To give by check, write "Mexico Council" in the memo field and mail to:
National Council of the U.S. Society of St. Vincent de Paul
58 Progress Parkway
Maryland Heights, MO 63043
For more information, contact: Steve Martinez: [email protected] or 314-314-576-3393 ext 225.
To Top
Job Opening: International Twinning Coordinator and
Administrative Associate
The National Council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul seeks someone to coordinate its program
for sharing of funds from its U.S. Councils and Conferences to other National Councils internationally
and to provide administrative support (fundraising department and general office).
Duties will include: tracking donations, international communications, answering the phones, preparing
correspondences, and other duties as assigned. Must be fluent in Spanish, both oral and written.
Personal values consistent with Catholic Social Teachings are critical to the successful execution of the
job description.
Click here to read full job description.
Interested candidates please send resume and salary requirement to:
Steve Martinez
Chief Development Officer
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
58 Progress Parkway
Maryland Heights, Missouri 63043
or
Email at: [email protected]
To Top
SVdP Midyear 2017 is next week!
See you in St. Louis!
SVdP Midyear meeting is next week, Thursday, March 23 - Saturday, March 25.
There is still time to register to attend. The registration fee is now $265. If you haven't already
done so, register today!
The deadline to make your reservation to stay at the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark has
passed. You can reserve a room based upon availability.
Please get your rooms booked today!
Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark
March 23 - 25, 2017
Click here to register!
For further information please contact:
Michele Schurk
Events Coordinator
[email protected]
314-576-3993 ext. 223
To Top
2017 Annual Reports Are Here!
New & Improved!
Streamlined, saves time!
Hard copy forms are NOW available! Click here:
http://www.svdpusa.org/members/Documents/Annual-Report-Forms
The 2017 online annual report data entry program will be available after the end of this fiscal year.
Be sure to enter your 2016 reports online TODAY! Click here:
https://www.svdpusa.net/reporting3/login.php
The login is the same one you use to login to the National Membership Database.
For questions, contact:
Pam Hudson
National Director of Governance and Membership
314-576-3993 ext. 214
[email protected]
__________________________________________________________
2016 Annual Reports are due NOW!
Except for those few SVdP entities whose fiscal year ends Dec 31st. Your report deadline is
no later than March 31st!
Online administrators, click here to enter your 2016 annual report online onto the National
Council Membership Management website: www.svdpusa.net.
The login will be the same one you would use to login to the National Database.
For questions contact:
Pam Hudson
314-576-3993 ext.214
[email protected]
To Top
Vincentian Formation
SSVP Resource for 2017 - Year Dedicated to Bailly
In his first Circular Letter as President General of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Renato Lima de
Oliveira announced that 2017 is the "Year Dedicated to Bailly." Emmanuel Joseph Bailly was the
first president of the SSVP. This memorable man created the appropriate conditions for a group of
young people to organize and create the "Charity Conferences" in France in 1833. It is worth learning
about Bailly's story in detail.
Many thanks to Ralph Middlecamp, president-elect of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA, for
sharing this presentation with Famvin.
To see the presentation and for more information, click here.
_________________________________________________________________
Lenten Letter from Tomaz Mavric, CM Superior General
Click here to read a Lenten letter from Tomaz Mavric, CM Superior General, in
honor of the Lenten season.
For further information contact:
Sister Kieran Kneaves, DC
National Formation Director
[email protected]
To Top
Four Big "Ds" to guarantee an Exciting Journey
Looking for excitement, surprises and a memorable trip, try a special Walk. Known as "Walking the
Vincentian Pathway," it is a process for ongoing formation as a Vincentian and a way to ensure you
will grow in Vincentian Leadership. No kidding, you will find hidden treasure, special people and
amazing surprises if you take this incredible Walk. It's your call when to start and it's up to you how
long the journey will take but you will be amazed, inspired and encouraged, and most assuredly
transformed.
Walking the Vincentian Pathway
A Process for Ongoing Formation as a Vincentian
Click here for a wealth of information and resources on "Walking the Vincentian Pathway."
To learn more about Governance, contact:
Pam Hudson
National Director of Governance and Membership Services
(314)576-3993 ext. 214
[email protected]
___________________________________________________________________
Have you made your Annual Solidarity Contributions?
The fiscal year 2016-17 solidarity invoices contributions deadline has passed. If your
Conference/Council has not sent your remittance to the National Council, please do so
immediately. The name Society of St. Vincent de Paul is trademark protected, and solidarity
contributions make up a significant portion of the National Council's budgeted income. It is an
essential annual membership requirement. Click here for a listing of the Benefits of Solidarity.
Thank you for your annual support. If payment has not been made email or call me to discuss payment
schedule arrangements!
For more information regarding Governance, contact:
Pam Hudson
Director of Governance and Membership Services
314-576-3993 ext. 214
[email protected]
To Top
Disaster Services Division Update
South Carolina FEMA Invitational Training
Elizabeth Disco-Shearer, COO of the SVdP Disaster Services Division and Brooke Newton, deputy
director of SVdP Disaster Services Division, completed a two-city week long training in South Carolina
by invitation of FEMA and South Carolina Emergency Management.
This week-long training was provided in conjunction with our National Voluntary Organizations
Active in Disaster (NVOAD) partners: World Renew and Lutheran Disaster Services. They traveled to
Florence and Charleston in South Carolina where community members gathered for training on
disaster casework, disaster case management, financial controls, long-term recovery group training, and
construction management.
This was a pilot program that they hope to continue in the future with NVOAD in other cities struck
by disaster that need some basic training on navigating their long-term recovery. This training was well
received in both communities and was overall a positive experience.
To see more photos from the South Carolina FEMA Invitational Training, click here.
_______________________________________________________________________
Click here to view a promotional video for the SVdP Disaster Services Disaster Preparedness
Conference.
For more info. about the SVdPDSD or how to donate to the House in a Box® Program,
contact:
Elizabeth Disco-Shearer
COO
SVdP-USA Disaster Services Division
[email protected]
Brooke Newton
Deputy Director
SVdP-USA Disaster Services Division
[email protected]
To Top
Systemic Change Progress Tracking Report
Is your Conference or Council running a Systemic Change Project? The Systemic Change Task Force
wants to hear about your progress!
Please take a moment to fill out this brief survey and let us know how it's going:
https://goo.gl/forms/biLZhKrupcDR8vEo1
If you have any questions, contact:
Tom Mulloy
National Director of Poverty Programs
[email protected]
Irene Frechette
[email protected]
To Top
Development Department News
SVdPUSA Mobile App goes International!
The SVdPUSA mobile app is currently being used in over 28 countries.
Apple or Android?
Twice as many Android phones have downloaded the SVdPUSA mobile app.
What is the #1 page visited?
Vincentian Reflections (English and Spanish)
Get connected; view the E-gazette, current events and so much more! Download the app today! It's
free!
To download the free SVdPUSA mobile app, please follow these instructions:




On your mobile phone or tablet, visit "Google Play" or the "App Store" and search
"SVdPUSA."
Download the app.
Select "Yes" for offline caching (this allows you to access the app information when not in
WiFi range).
Select "Yes" to allow Push Notifications (this allows you to receive important alerts and
messages).
__________________________________________________________________________
Click here for more Development Department news.
For more information on Development,
contact:
Steve Martinez
314-576-3993 ext. 213
[email protected]
Gerri Sample
314-576-3993 ext. 211
[email protected]
To Top
International Twinning Program Announcements
Cut-off day for received checks to be processed is being changed to the 20th of the disbursement
month.
The International Twinning Program donations are scheduled to be wired to recipient countries on
March 31, 2017. All donations received on or before March 20, 2017 will be sent to the National
Councils of the receiving countries on the scheduled date. Checks that are usually received by the 20th
of the disbursement month will be disbursed quarterly, and anything received after the 20th of the
disbursement month will be sent the following quarter's disbursement month. Disbursements occur in
March, June, September and December. Contributions are sent quarterly via bank wire, on the last
business day (earlier for month of December only) and are wired to the National Council in the
receiving country, who is responsible for allocating the funds to the receiving Conferences.
____________________________________________________
Twinning Opportunities
If your Conference/Council is being called by the Holy Spirit to international twinning with an
aggregated Conference in a country approved by the International Commission, please consider
twinning with Conferences in Haiti, which are in great need of twins, especially after Hurricane
Matthew hit Haiti in October 2016. Please pray about these opportunities.
If you have any questions or concerns, or would like additional information about the
opportunities to twin in Haiti, please contact:
Lizzette Garcia
International Twinning Coordinator
[email protected]
Thanks for your generosity.
Peace and blessings to all.
To Top
We are looking for presenters for the National Assembly
Under the following topics inspired by our
Cultural Beliefs & Key Results:

Increasing the number of Active and Associate Members



Increasing the number of Councils and Isolated Conferences utilizing Systemic Change
Increasing the number of people served each year
Increasing the income of Councils and isolated Conferences
If you or someone you know would like to present one of these topics at our 2017 National Assembly
in an uplifting, interactive format, please contact Michele Schurk at (314) 576-3993 ext. 223 or
[email protected].
Submissions need to be received by April 1, 2017; notifications will be given no later than May 1, 2017.
*2017 National Assembly in Tampa, Fla.
August 29 - September 2!
Stay tuned for more information
To Top
SVdP Television Special Available Online!
Download a Copy from Vimeo
The SVdP television special "Our Faith in Action" Today's Society of St. Vincent de Paul" is now
available online for all Councils and Conferences to use to help tell our story.
The half-hour program shows Society of St. Vincent de Paul members on their spiritual growth
journey through service to people in need. This special shows Vincentians on a home visit with a
family in need, helping the homeless in a downtown shelter and working with returning citizens
through prison ministry. This program provides an excellent overview of who we are and what we do.
The episode is available 24/7 at the locations below.
Click here to watch the video from Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/195329687
-You can download a copy of the program directly from Vimeo.
Click here to watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPWp8Hvloss
If you have any questions, please contact:
Gary Stevens
Director of Marketing and Communications
314-576-3993 ext. 209
[email protected]
Michelle Boyer
Communications Administrative Associate
314-576-3993 ext. 201
[email protected]
To Top
Young Woman brings SVdP to Young Members of
Woburn Community
Katie Young is an adult member of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Society in Woburn,
Massachusetts. She has been instrumental in starting not one, but two Young Vincentian Conferences
in her parish...one for high school students at St. Charles Borromeo Church, and the other for middle
school students at St. Charles School.
The high school chapter which she is directly in charge of, started with two students last August, but
now includes 19 students. All are from Woburn and most attend the town's public high school;
however, some of the students come from various Catholic high schools and vocational/technical
schools in the area. With the help of the religious education director, one of the youth ministers, Jared
Blake, and St. Charles school's Principal, Cara Blanchette, Katie recruited 14 members at the middle
school.
Click here to read more
________________________________________________________________
Call for Information!
Do you know about a successful Young Vincentian group? We want to hear about it!
Contact your regional youth representative today!
Northeast Region: Terri Zenobio
(516)822-3132 ext.113
[email protected]
North Central Region: Gayle Westfahl
(608)442-7200 ext. 440
[email protected]
Eastern Region: Alice Garvey
(301)448-8113
[email protected]
Mideast Region: Will Matson
(614)370-1261
[email protected]
Midwest Region: Elaine Murphy
[email protected]
Southeast Region: Sr. Teresa Daly
(314)608-2449
[email protected]
South Central Region: Leigh Anne Cipriano
(214)394-5886
[email protected]
Western Region: Gennette Medina
[email protected]
For any questions regarding SVdP Youth, contact:
Suzanne Markiewicz
Youth Committee Chairperson
(724) 454-5430
[email protected]
To Top
Are you starting a new SVdP Conference?
We want to hear about it!
All applications for new Conferences should be sent to Kathy Jackson, National Extension
Coordinator.
Extension is a big part of Goal #3 of the Society. We want to recognize the good work with
extension going on in the Society.
Send new Conference applications to:
Kathy Jackson
National Extension Coordinator
314-576-3993 ext. 224
[email protected]
______________________________________________________________________
SVdP Extension Web Portal
Click here to visit the SVdP Extension Web Portal for helpful materials
To Top
Education is a Human Right
Support the Haiti Adopt-a-Student Program
Recently, one of Dave Barringer's Servant Leader letters reflected on the amazing work being done in
Haiti supported by Vincentians. In the midst of so much adversity and destruction, the Haiti Adopt-aStudent Program continues to provide the stability of education in children's lives. For just $200 per
student, the Society provides a year of education, books, uniforms, and at least one meal in a Catholic
school for hundreds of Haitian students.
Education is one of the best tools any community has for fighting poverty and creating systemic
change. Making sure Haiti's children can stay in school is one of the best ways to invest in Haiti's
future and break the cycle of poverty.
Support Haiti's Children Today!
Choose Haiti Scholarship Program from the drop-down menu
For more information, download our FAQs or email Tom Mulloy, National Director of Poverty
Programs.
Students at the Ecole John Paul II in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, participate in daily instruction. Thanks to our Haiti
Scholarship Program, these students and hundreds of others receive a Catholic education. Photo: John
Fitzpatrick, president of the St. Mary Magdalene Conference in the District Council of San Bernadino, Calif.
To Top
Vincentian Family Gathering of North America
June 9-11, 2017 in San Antonio, TX
The Gathering will include the voices of immigrants and refugees, two keynote presenters, and five
workshops.
Two Keynote Presenters:
Dr. Victor Carmona is Assistant Professor of Moral Theology at Oblate School of Theology in San
Antonio. He previously worked with the Mexican Catholic Conference of Bishops and with the
Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate as a member of their Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation
Committee. He will address the Theology of Migration.
Ashley Feasley is the Director of Migration Policies and Public Affairs at the United States Conference
of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Prior to working at the USCCB, she was the Director of Advocacy for
the Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC). She will articulate how the Vincentian Family can
advocate and collaborate with others on behalf of the strangers in our midst.
Confirmed workshops include
Rev. Craig Mousin, Ombudsperson in the Office of Mission and Values at DePaul University,
facilitates effective dialogue to handle issues or conflicts. He is a lawyer and author and dedicates his
time to pro bono work to aid refugees in Chicago.
Jonathan Ryan is a lawyer and Executive Director at Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and
Legal Services (RAICES) in San Antonio, Texas.
To Top
SVdP Social Media
Click here to keep up with SVdP on social media and join our mobile network!
Download the free SVdP mobile app now by clicking here!
Click here to connect with Voice of the Poor on social media!
To Top
SVdP in the News
International News
Argentine SSVP Youth Meeting
ARGENTINA:
From the 5 - 8 of January 2017, at the "La Consolata
and Juan Cinotto" Institute of SSVP, was held the IX
SSVP Argentine National Youth Meeting
(ENAJUVI). Under the motto "Let's transform the
world in the manner of Ozanam," 50 young
Vincentians gathered in the town of Sampacho,
province of Cordoba, to celebrate together another
ENAJUVI. The participants included young people
who came from San Francisco del Chañar, La Plata,
Bahia Blanca, Navarro, Tucuman and Formosa.
The meeting had ten lectures, distributed over three
days, each one of them connected to a key word
(Protagonism, Identity, SSVP and union). It also carries out activities of games and recreation, prayers
and visits to important points of the locality where the meeting was held.
Read more.
More International SVdP News
SRI LANKA: The SSVP in Sri Lanka: new website launched on the occasion of the President
General's visit
IRELAND: Together we can be stronger in Welcoming the Stranger
Click here to read more International SVdP News
National News
St. Vincent de Paul buying Saginaw Trailer Park north of
Cottage Grove
SAGINAW, OR:
The St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lane County is furthering its
efforts to buy and rehabilitate mobile home parks for low-income
tenants with the purchase of the Saginaw Trailer Park north of
Cottage Grove, the nonprofit organization's spokesman said.
The mobile home park will be St. Vincent's sixth such purchase,
spokesman Paul Neville said. The organization is striving to
preserve the shrinking stock of trailer parks, which provide affordable housing for low-income
families, he said.
St. Vincent also invites social workers to each park it acquires to work with residents on issues such as
alcohol and drug addiction, health care and financial management, Neville said.
"The social services component is really essential to changing the culture in the parks and improving
the quality of life for the people who are there," he said.
Read more.
MORE NATIONAL SVdP NEWS
PHOENIX, AZ: St. Vincent de Paul, a Legacy of supporting Communities in Need
FARIBAULT, MN: Lawmakers pursue legislation to curb homelessness in cities like
Faribault
Click here for more National SVdP News
____________________________________________________________
Calendar of Events
Deadline for Frederic's E-Gazette articles
submission: Every Wednesday by 12 noon for
article to be included in current week's
Mideast Regional Meeting
edition
Notre Dame, IN
June 16-17
Dates for 2017:
2017 Midyear Meeting
St. Louis, MO
March 23-25
Click to register
Board Meeting
St. Louis, MO
May 6
Western Regional Meeting
Portland, OR
May 25-27
Northeast Regional Meeting
Tarrytown, NY
June 2-3
Click here for more information
North American Vincentian Family
Gathering
San Antonio, TX
June 9-11
North Central Regional Meeting
St. Charles, IL
June 22-24
Eastern Regional Meeting
Emmetsburg, MD
June 24
Annual Disaster Preparedness Conference
Chicago, IL
July 20-23
Invitation for Renewal
St. Louis, MO (Pallottine Renewal Center)
August 9 - 13
National Assembly
Tampa, FL
August 29-September 2
Invitation for Renewal
St. Louis, MO (Pallottine Renewal Center)
December 6-10
South Central Regional Meeting
Victoria, TX
June 15-17
To Top
______________________________________________________________
*If you wish to print the E-Gazette and are having trouble
printing it from your email, click here to print this issue and past
issues of the E-Gazette in PDF format straight from the SVdP
website!
ATTENTION COUNCIL PRESIDENTS & EXECUTIVE
DIRECTORS:
SOME OF YOUR MEMBERS AREN'T GETTING THE E-GAZETTE!
If you or another member of your Conference is not receiving the E-Gazette
email, [email protected].
Have you Opted Out?
WERE YOU GETTING THIS NEWSLETTER BUT NO LONGER ARE?
When an email address has been removed by the owner, or the email address holder designates "Do
Not Mail," the email address cannot be re-added by the National Council office. The email address
holder must sign him or herself up to resume receiving Frederic's E-Gazette at:
http://bit.ly/1GKXYJ6
Is your Conference or Council doing something that you think should appear in
the E-Gazette or on SVdPUSA social media? Send your good news to me!
Michelle Boyer
Communications and Administrative Associate
Email: [email protected]
(314) 576-3993 ext. 201
National Council of the United States-Society of Saint Vincent de Paul,
58 Progress Parkway, Maryland Heights, MO 63043-3706