Society of St. Vincent de Paul:

Membership Position Description

Overview: 

Members of the Society provide service to the poor and others in need, as a result of life’s challenges.  This ministry is about giving of yourself and allows you to both answer God’s call to service and to respond to needs within your immediate or wider community.  Although home visitations have traditionally represented the core work of the members, Vincentians and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul continue to respond to new needs and realities. (“No work of charity is foreign to the Society ” - The Rule, Schema I) 

Mandatory Activities/Responsibilities:

The Vincentian is a member of a Conference (generally parish-based) and, as such, commitments will include:

• Complying with the Screening Measures, listed below;
   

• serving the needy through activities determined by the local Conference.  These activities currently may include home visitations, holding the poor box after mass, handling finances and other resources, a Christmas assistance program, and clothing and food drives;
  
• actively and regularly participating in the activities of the Society, according to the principles set forth in the General Rule, and faithfully attending the meetings of the Conference;
  
• contributing to the spirit of fraternity, simplicity and Christian joy which are the hallmark of Conference meetings, and being an active participant in the process of collectively striving to improve services to those in need;
  
• responding to the need for involvement on committees or in an Executive position, as your talents and interests lead you;
  
• meeting and continuing to abide by the membership requirements, as detailed in Policy #1 (Membership) and Policy #2 (Member Screening/Risk Management), available from the Conference president or Central Office (416-364-5577).

Qualifications and Personal Traits/Qualities:

• 18 years of age or older (but the Conference president may approve 16 or 17 year old applicants, as per the procedures set out in the “Guidelines for New Members Under 18 years of Age”);
  
  
• As an expression of your faith and beliefs, a deep desire to serve the poor, and others in need, and to commit some of your time, talents and self to this ministry;
  
  
• The ability and the commitment to see Christ in those whom you will serve;
  
  
• A genuine spirit of humility and generosity;
  
  
• A deep sensitivity to, and respect for, the person and their range of needs;
  
  
• The ability to use good judgment without being judgmental;
  
  
• A sense of humour, especially about yourself;

Screening Measures:

Before becoming a full member, each candidate must: 

• Submit a completed Member Information Form, with references;
  
  
• Submit an appropriate Police Records Check report;
  
  
• Successfully complete the interview process;
  
  
• Sign a Service Covenant;
  
  
• Complete the Orientation Session.

Orientation and Training:

• Complete the member orientation session for new members (provided through Toronto Central Council);
  
  
• Become familiar with the Rule, available from the Conference president or Central Office (416-364-5577).
  
  
• Make a commitment to participate in ongoing training, as available.

Client Group:

People with a range of needs will welcome or seek out the assistance of the Society.  Some will require financial assistance, others a compassionate ear or some advice.  Assistance will usually be provided through home visitations.  In other cases, those in need might receive support and assistance at another appropriate location, such as the church hall.

Support, Supervision and Evaluation:

The most substantive and regular support and supervision is provided by the president and other members of your Conference.  Through regular attendance at Conference meetings, with its sharing of experience related to service, the member is able to self-evaluate and the group is able to assist and guide the member.

Where it is the opinion of the Conference president that, in spite of efforts to address the concern, a member is not providing appropriate service to those in need or is behaving contrary to the principles of the Rule, the process described in the Membership and Member Screening/Risk Management Policies will apply.

Length of Appointment:

A person may remain a member as long as they continue to be in good standing with a Conference and abide by the requirements for membership, including adherence to the principles of the Rule.

Benefits and Working Conditions:

You are provided with the opportunity to answer Christ’s call to serve and to respond to the needs of those less fortunate.  In order to do so, it will be necessary for you to be available to visit homes as the need arises, to attend regular meetings and to assist in other ways. You must be prepared to be generous with your time, talents and compassion.

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