LONG ISLAND VOICE OF THE FAITHFUL Board of Directors Hauppauge Village Hall, Hauppauge, NY Minutes of the Meeting January 20, 2005 Present: Board Members: Dan Barley, Joan Bedosky, Kevin Connors, Joe Kern, Anne Kerrigan, S. Regina McAuley, Phil Megna, John Mulvey, Joan Psotto, John Ryan, Pat Zirkel Guests: Leo Cuomo, Mary Farmer, Ann Gribbins, Tom Lloyd Excused: Tom Dowling, Janet and Jim Godfrey, Tom Myles The meeting was called to order by Pat Zirkel, and John Mulvey led the group in prayer at 7:30 pm. Approval of Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting of December 16, 2004 were approved unanimously. They will be posted to the website. Announcements: Intercommunity Mission Initiative Dan Bartley made a report of a letter re. an Intercommunity Mission Initiative. A group of 14 Sisters invited Dan to attend a meeting on February 5th in Queens to explore their newly formed group. Anne Kerrigan offered to go with him. Voice Of The Ordained Pat Zirkel went with Gene to a meeting with VOTO — Present were only 2 of the ordained working in the diocese. The other 4 men present were not in active ministry. 40–60 are on their mailing list, but only 7–13 attend meetings. They described themselves as a group that seeks to provide a voice for priests on issues affecting the life of the Church; to bring justice to the relationship between priests and the Bishop and to provide solidarity. They would like to have an ongoing piece in our Newsletter and have a VOTF member at each of their meetings. Board agreed to the Newsletter articles provided we use a general disclaimer to the effect that opinions voiced by writers in the Newsletter are not necessarily those of Voice of the Faithful. National VOTF Organizing Council Kevin Connors introduced the topic of an Organizing Council at the National VOTF level. This Council will seek ways to better systematize the National body. Tom Dowling was suggested as LI VOTF representative. [Tom has since agreed to represent us.] Membership Initiatives Tom Lloyd presented the topic of a “Public Persona” for LI VOTF and its importance to recruiting new members. It was agreed that we should all be ready to answer the question re. “Who are we” appropriately and positively. We are more than just a group looking to oust the Bishop and change the Church. We should be prepared to answer that we work to protect their children and present other positive aims. It was agreed that we should de-emphasize negative messages and present a positive image to our members. Tom Lloyd also presented on the National One-on-One Program — This aims to bond members of local PVs to create leadership, which then can move to sharing with and attracting new members. Strategies and tactics were explained. The program and objectives are spelled out and have great potential. Tom Lloyd and Kevin Connors were both interested and enthusiastic about getting the local PVs involved with such a program. The Board voted to adopt the National program unanimously. Other issues: Motion was made and seconded to organize a postal mailing to members encouraging each to sign up two new members. Approved unanimously. Issues Tabled from Prior Meetings On a recommendation from the Executive Committee, motion was made that PVs be asked to set up a Committee to nominate and interview applicants for Board seats in the 2005 election. The motion was approved. Joan Bedosky will approach the Province Coordinators to begin this process. It was agreed that all postal mailings to members should be vetted by the Executive Committee in their final form. Discussion of creating a permanent record of LI VOTF documents was tabled again in the absence of Tom Myles. VOTF Prayer Initiatives Motion was made that an Evening of Prayer be substituted for a Regional Meeting and that all members be invited. Approved. The date of such an evening is to be determined. Motion was made to have members ask their Pastors to invite VOTF to a parish Mass. Approved. Dan will organize a flyer that members can use in this regard. Committee Reports Communications Post card reminders of Regional Meetings may not be going out on a timely basis. It was agreed that a system for this needs to be set up. Compliance It was announced that Tom Myles is looking into what information is available on the Diocesan “Virtus” Program, so that our members can be educated about it. It was also announced that members have been e-mailed an invitation to join the Compliance Committee. Finance Discussion of “Think Piece” was led by Kevin. It is a model for long term financial planning for LI VOTF. It was suggested that a donation be made to a Congregation of Sisters for their nursing home needs. S. Regina promised she would check on the accuracy of the information on hand. Legislative All are invited to meet in Albany on January 25 with staffers from the offices of NYS Legislators Saland and McEnany to discuss bill concerning sexual abuse issues. This is the clergy mandated reporting bill. Liaison Team The Board received a brief report from Anne Kerrigan regarding a meeting with the Bishop’s team held the previous night. No further dates are planned at this point. Meeting Sites and Speakers It was agreed that a Regional meeting shall be devoted to priest support (probably in May). Planning/Events Phil Megna reviewed the plans for the March 19th event. Part of the morning presentation will be a panel. One speaker on the panel will be a Jesuit from Boston, James Keenan, whose topic will be “Models of Priest Support.” Paul Tonna also requested to be on the panel and S. Pat Duffy and Patricia McNulty may be panelists. The unsettled question is the hope for ending the day with liturgy. Prayer Team Pat Zirkel will meet with the Prayer Team re planning a Liturgy of the Word, (perhaps in conjunction with an evening of prayer in lieu of a Regional Meeting). Priest Support Ann Gribbons will coordinate with VOTO on updating our priests’ database. Survivor/Victim Support John Ryan and Ann Marie D’Angelo would be happy to be contacts for those who wish help. Their phone numbers will be publicized by an e-mail to members, e-mail to SNAP, and on the website, in our Newsletter, and perhaps in a flyer to be distributed at Regional Meetings. Vigils The pastor of Good Shepherd printed in the bulletin some of the positive notes he had received from the visit to the parish by the Lost Sheep Vigil. The group worked well with SNAP. The results of the time spent were given to the Diocesan Office. The experience was positive and the group looks forward to March — centering on Victims’ Support. Old Business There was no old business to take up at this time. New Business The issue of having a Spiritual Director present at Board Meetings was discussed without resolution at this time. Adjournment John Mulvey led the group in the Our Father to close the evening at 10:40 pm. Respectfully submitted, S. Regina McAuley, CSJ