Our members, both individually and in affiliates, work locally within their parishes and dioceses to enhance lay participation in the governance of the Church, to make accountable those local Church entities that benefit directly from our contributions (both financial and personal), and to install programs that aim to protect our children and to carry out VOTF goals and mission.
Members elect National Officers, who spearhead VOTF efforts to reform and renew our Church, who supervise the day-to-day operations carried out by VOTF’s Executive Director and national staff, and who articulate for the public the VOTF policies developed in conjunction with members, elected Representatives, and the Board of Trustees.
Members may participate in the VOTF National Working Groups, which develop the resources needed to support survivors (Survivor Support), support priests of integrity (Priest Support), shape structural change (Structural Change), remain centered in prayer (Prayerful Voice), protect children (Protecting Our Children), and educate ourselves to be responsible members of the Church (Voice of Renewal/Lay Education).
Members also staff the teams who pursue our Voices in Action initiatives, which focus on five major areas for action: spiritual and communal growth, child protection and survivor support activities, local action, networking and partnerships, and universal Church reform.
The Board of Trustees, which is responsible to the entire organization for its financial health, works with the National Officers, the Executive Director, and the National Representative Council to develop policies and ensure project financing.
Finally, VOTF’s Executive Director and the national staff provide the framework needed for daily operations and maintain the communications infrastructure necessary for an internationally dispersed membership to work together.
Within and through each of these elements, VOTF members commit themselves to working in a collegial and collaborative manner and to working within the Church to attain our goals. The current focus for collegial activity is the Strategic Plan for 2009-2010.
Bylaws (as amended March 2010; see 2006 bylaws here)
National Representative Council
