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National News
Report from Kris
Ward, Chair, Charter Task Force
The members of the Voice
of the Faithful Task Force for the Charter for the Protection of Children
and Young People have re-assembled for a review of the revised Charter passed
by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops at its June 2005 meeting
and awaiting Vatican approval or disapproval before it goes into effect as
the revised Charter.
The anticipated time that
we will learn of the Vatican’s decision regarding the “recognitio” is the
November 2005 meeting of the Bishops of the United States.
The members of this Task
Force are Pat Gomez (MA), Tom Myles (NY), Jim Jenkins (CA), and Kris Ward
(OH). This group plans to work in cooperation with the VOTF Protecting
our Children Working Group. Stay tuned to the Vineyard for updates
and suggested action items.
A Note from VOTF
Executive Director Ray Joyce
rjoyce@votf.org
As you know, this movement
of the spirit is about change, in this case, for the sake of our children
as well as survivors, families of victims, priests, lay religious and ultimately
the renewal of our Church. VOTF is also going through change itself as it
has evolved from its Boston founding to a national organization with a worldwide
reach. With the recent election of a national representative council and
some staff turnover, we are transitioning to best meet our goals and mission
statement. We're hiring a new Communications Manager, a Development Officer
and an Office Manager (see below). We're also implementing a unified database
and enhancing our IT support, which will improve communications and efficiencies
at all levels. I'm confident these changes and new investments will ensure
the future success of our mission. I welcome your suggestions of changes
we can implement in the national office.
Following are the job descriptions
for the Development, Communications and Office Manager positions Ray notes
above. All positions are at our Newton, MA office. To apply for either position
email your resume, cover letter and salary history to:
Ray Joyce, Executive Director, Voice of the Faithful, at rjoyce@votf.org or
mail to Ray Joyce, Executive Director, Voice of the Faithful, PO Box 423, Newton
Upper Falls, MA 02464. No phone calls please.
Development Officer
(Full time)
Voice of the Faithful is
looking for a Development Officer to help lead fundraising efforts to finance
expanding programs and services worldwide.
The ideal candidate for
this position is a professional who has a proven track record in the following
areas:
- annual fund solicitations
through direct mail fundraising, donor acquisition programs, and phoneathons;
- maintenance and expansion
of a major gift program, including prospect identification, cultivation
of existing donors, and solicitation;
- foundation proposal
writing;
- and working with a
volunteer fundraising committee
Familiarity with Donor
Perfect or similar development software programs preferred.
Communications
Manager (Full time)
Reporting directly
to the Executive Director, the Communications Manager needs to
be equally comfortable promoting a press release to the media and writing
copy for a promotional brochure or the web. The ideal candidate will:
- maintain regular contact
with local, national and international media covering issues involving
the Catholic Church;
- write press releases,
press statements and op-ed pieces, frequently on short deadlines;
- develop communications
for our members and potential members, including email blasts, short brochures,
website copy, advertisements, etc.;
- and work with the Development
Officer, Executive Director, volunteers and consultants to develop strategies
for growing membership in Voice of the Faithful and awareness and support
for the organization’s work among Catholics.
Office Manager
(pt 32 hours/5 days a week)
Reporting directly to Executive Director, the Office Manager
is responsible for day-to-day administrative activities related to financial,
personnel, legal, IT, physical plant and special projects, as well as the training
and supervision of volunteers. The ideal candidate will be a seasoned office
administrator able to fill the following needs:
- implement and oversee
standard procedures for purchase orders, supplies inventory, timesheets,
filing, mail, and general organizational needs;
- recruitment, management,
training and delegation of volunteers for a variety of tasks including
phone reception, order fulfillment, data management, fundraising research,
event planning, etc.;
- act as liaison between
office staff and IT vendor to help resolve computer-related issues;
- ability to draft, finalize
and/or proofread all forms of correspondence;
- managing a variety of
assignments, working well under pressure and deadlines.
For all these positions
excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communications skills are essential.
The ability to work collaboratively with staff and volunteers is key. These
positions also requires expertise in MS Word, Excel, and Outlook,
internet savvy, as well as strong general computer knowledge.
Convocation Notes
"Feed my sheep.” John
21:1-19
Thanks to Alice Campanella
from the VOTF National Office for providing the following gem.
Fifty-six people who had
participated in the Many Hand, Many Hearts training during the past year
got together for dinner on Friday night in Indianapolis. It was the end of
a challenging, busy and productive day that covered the training gamut with
two rounds of training sessions. We were tired but energized and looking
forward to unwinding together before the Saturday program. We went to a nearby
Italian restaurant and were served family style. After the meal, there was
a good deal of food left over. (Some of us wondered if Aimee planned it that
way!) Aimee spoke to the restaurant management and said she wanted ALL the
leftovers. One or two of us reminded Aimee that it wouldn’t keep very well
in a hotel room, wouldn’t travel well, etc., etc. We had no idea what she
had in mind.
Aimee then asked for individual
containers and we divided the chicken, pasta and garlic bread among about
fifteen containers. The restaurant provided us with plastic knives and forks
and told us about an alley where the homeless congregate. Aimee had decided
that we would feed as many of the area homeless as we could. So Aimee, Rita
(from Pittsburg), Gerry (from Louisiana) and I set off from the restaurant
with shopping bags in search of the homeless, not knowing exactly where we
would find anyone. We didn’t have to go far, though. Less than a block from
the restaurant, we came upon two or three of the homeless sitting on street
corners. They gratefully accepted the meals and asked where we were going.
We told them we’d been told about an alley on Constitution Avenue and one
of the men warned us, “Nice ladies like you shouldn’t go there at night.”
When we got to the alley
there were about fifteen people there, lying on the sidewalk on both sides
of the alley. Many of them had their belongings tucked closely around them,
getting ready for sleep. We approached each person and if they weren’t already
asleep, we asked them if they would like dinner. Each of these people accepted
the meal politely and gratefully. It was a very humbling and gratifying experience.
As we left the alley, we
looked back and saw about half the alley population sitting up happily consuming
their meal.
The processional for Mass on Saturday evening continued
a VOTF tradition at multi-regional and multi-parish gatherings - affiliates
with their parish banners. |
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Margaret Roylance,
Caroline Troy and Bob Ott making music for our liturgy. |
The
now-“famous” conclusion of Mass on Saturday evening. Celebrant Fr. Bill
Munshower and VOTF secretary Gaile Pohlhaus leaving the altar hand-in-hand
to the recessional “We Are Called” |
- The “Faithful Voices” video,
produced by VOTF Cincinnati and so well received in Indianapolis, is available
for purchase from the National office. Call Ruth Kiley at 617-558-5252.
See the June issue of In the Vineyard for more details.
- John and Mary Lou Bowen
provided some excellent coverage of the convocation for a regional newspaper The
Republican.
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