TIME: 7:30 PM

OPENING PRAYER: Prayer Team

OPENING REMARKS: Mr. Dan Bartley, Co-Chair VOTF-LI

Opening remarks were made by Dan Bartley, Co-Chair of the LI-VOTF. He welcomed everyone and then introduced the new candidates for the six vacant seats on the Board of Directors. The elections are in October and the new members of the BOD will assume their seats on the Board in November. The candidates are as follows:
Johanna Di Giovanni
Ed Hartmann
Joan Hopkins
Jean Mc Quaid
Phil Megna
John Mulvey
Peggy O’Neil
John Ryan

Mr. Bartley also reviewed the new VOTF National Council. Mr. Bartley, of VOTF-LI, is one of three New York representatives to this council. Mary Pat Fox and Sheila Pfieffer, formerly of
LI-VOTF, are the other two members. Mr. Bartley explained that the Council had its first meeting recently and that it is full of energy and dedicated Catholics who are willing to work hard for VOTF and for constructive changes in our beloved Church. This new national Committee will, of course, have a national focus. One of the issues before the new committee is the “Nine Proposals.” This
is a list of nine proposals that have been put forth as proposals worthy of action for the future.
Since all nine proposals cannot be addressed simultaneously, the task before the VOTF members at the moment is to choose the three most important proposals as worthy of the immediate efforts of VOTF. All members are encouraged to complete the proposals questionnaire and submit it to VOTF by September 30th. The results will provide the direction for VOTF for the future.

Mr. Bartley announced that the October 13th Regional meeting will be held in Massapequa and the guest speaker will be Mary Pat Fox of the VOTF Conference Implementation Team and also a member of the VOTF National Representative Council.

Mr. Bartley reminded all members to complete the petition for the Diocesan Representative Finance Council.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

VIGILS:
Penny Duggan reminded the members of the importance of the Vigils and indicated that the next Vigil will be on 9/11 and 9/12 at St. Aloysius in Great Neck.

VICTIM SUPPORT:
John Ryan reminded all members of the importance of the work of VOTF supporting victims. Mr. Ryan related a story of a victim who had called him expressing gratitude for the work of VOTF. This victim was not yet ready to “go public” but he was grateful that others recognized the pain of victims.

FINANCE COMMITTEE:
Mr. Kevin Connors encouraged all members to remember that we “must become the change we want to see.” That change takes money! Mr. Connors encouraged all to be as generous as possible so that the work of VOTF can continue. The website must be maintained and even enlarged and a person has been hired to do that work. We must also continue to provide education for the laity by means of our Newsletter and the Vatican II classes.
Mr. Connors thanked all for their continued support and asked that this support be continued and even increased some.
VOTF will continue to “sing a new Church into being.”

GUEST SPEAKER: MR. DICK GRAFER, RETIRED PARTNER FROM THE ACCOUNTING FIRM OF ARTHUR ANDERSEN.

TOPIC: “HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH?”
A REVIEW OF THE FINANCES OF THE DIOCESE OF ROCKVILLE
CENTRE

Mr. Grafer captivated the membership with his clear and concise analysis of the finances of the Diocese. He spent over three months poring over fifteen different Diocesan financial statements and he indicated via his slide presentation and his commentary that the Diocese has been accumulating a large amount of “free cash reserves.” This amount of over $180,000,000. and
is in excess of what the financial industry calls an adequate free cash reserve. Why is this money not being spent for the poor and for the good works in the Diocese? What can we do about this issue? Some suggestions offered were as follows:

1.) Ask the Diocese to redirect these excess funds to specific charities.

2.) Restrict parish donations for parish use only.

3.) Write to the Bishop asking about these excess cash reserves and make suggestions for their use.

4.) Pray.

5.) Push for legislation that will force non-profit institutions to reveal all property and financial holdings.

6.) Continue to advocate for a representative (elected) Diocesan Finance Council.
Write to the Bishop and ask for this representative Finance Council!

A question and answer period followed Mr. Grafer’s talk.

CLOSING REMARKS: Dan Bartley

Mr. Bartley thanked Mr. Grafer for his incredible work and support for VOTF. Mr. Bartley also encouraged all VOTF members to speak up and “let your voices be heard!”
The next Regional meeting is on October 13th at Grace Episcopal Church in Massapequa.
Mr. Barley presented the new VOTF initiative: a petition for a Representative Diocesan Finance Council. He encouraged all VOTF members to sign the petition and to ask others to sign. This is not just for VOTF members. This matter concerns the entire Diocese! This petition will tell the Bishop that we, the people of this Diocese, want a representative Diocesan Finance Council!

CLOSING PRAYER: Prayer Team

Respectfully Submitted,

Anne Kerrigan