Manual of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in the United States

National Database

Every organization depends upon effective communication to achieve its goals. The Society’s Strategic Plan calls for improved communications at all levels. The National Office staff strive to make sure that the National database has accurate and complete information on all members, so that they can keep everyone informed about important matters affecting the Society.

Members have a right to know what is going on and to receive information in a timely fashion. They also have an obligation to keep their contact information current. The vision of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is to “embrace the world in a network of charity.” Our membership database is the nucleus of that network. By keeping every portion of it accurate and up-to-date, we ensure that Vincentians across America stay connected and can embrace the world together.

Conflict of Interest Policy

Along with their families, anyone serving the Society in any capacity – member, employee, board member, etc. – should be careful to avoid real, apparent, and potential conflicts of interest. If a conflict is suspected or anticipated, the Council President should be consulted immediately. The Society’s official Conflict of Interest policy is intended to supplement applicable state and federal laws. A copy of this policy is available in the members section of the national website or from the National Office. Any questions concerning this policy should be addressed to the appropriate Council officer.

Speaking for the Society

Only the National President may “speak for the Society” on national issues.

2.4 The Council General
The Mission and Governance of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul are found in the Rule, Council and Conference Bylaws, and appropriate policies.

Introduction
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is united in its spirituality and management through an International Confederation of the Society, which is presided over by the President General. The Confederation’s head office is based in Paris, France.
The Council General was established in 1840 to aid the International President in animating and directing the Society. The structure of the Council General has changed over the years as the Society has evolved and expanded.
The Council General fulfills several essential purposes, the foremost being to assure the Society’s unity: in its spirituality and in its emphasis on person-to-person charity. Vincentian unity in these essentials does not mean the imposition of an all-encompassing uniformity and rigidity. While maintaining and promoting what is essential to the original spirit of the Society, the Council General recognizes and respects the cultural and circumstantial differences among countries.
As the very heart of the Society, the Council General stimulates growth and development by encouraging and assisting in the organization of new Conferences and Councils. Only the Council General can authorize the admission of new Conferences and Councils anywhere in the world, thus linking them to the first original Conference and to all Vincentians everywhere.
The Council General promotes bonds among Society units and members worldwide, particularly between wealthy and needy countries, the resulting linkage being known as Twinning. It serves to centralize Vincentian resources on behalf of the victims of catastrophes such as floods, earthquakes, droughts, and historical upheavals. It also establishes liaison and cooperation with other international charitable works and programs and with the various international aid organizations.

International Council and Twinning

In many parts of the world, the Society’s Councils and Conferences lack sufficient resources to carry out their mission to alleviate suffering. Councils and Conferences in more affluent countries reach out to help their sister and brother Vincentians with their work. Assistance may take various forms, but is most often financial.

Any Council participating in a Twinning program, whether giving or receiving, should be duly “instituted” and in regular contact with the Council General’s office. Any twinning Conference should be properly “aggregated.” Questions about the status of a twinning partner should be referred to the office of the International Council General. To ensure success, Councils or Conferences desiring to establish a “twinning” relationship should coordinate their donations through the Council General International and the National Councils of the country giving and receiving assistance.

The term “assistance,” as used in the following guidelines, may include financial assistance and spiritual assistance. It may consist of various types of projects. Many situations may require prayer and advice as to how the assistance may best be delivered. The International Council General’s office stands ready to help with recommendations on how to attain the desired goal of assisting brother or sister Vincentians in need.

The Spirituality of Twinning
We must create a culture of international solidarity and cooperation, where all – particularly the wealthy nations and the private sector – accept responsibility for an economic model that serves everyone, where the poor Lazarus can sit beside the rich man, sharing the same banquet and not feeding on scraps that fall from the table (Lk 16:19-31). Extreme poverty is a source of violence, bitterness, and scandal. To eradicate it is to do the work of justice and, therefore, the work of peace. (Incarnationis mysterium, par 12, Pope John Paul II, November 29, 1998)

The Society is a Christian family whose members share their resources. Twinning links brother and sister Vincentians in a special way; it cuts through language and cultural barriers. Through Twinning, Councils and Conferences implement the theological virtue of charity, heighten awareness of the catholicity of the Church, transcend provincialism, and fulfill the Church’s preferential option for the poor. An example for Vincentians, individually and corporately, is the story of the widow’s mite (Mk 12:44-44). Jesus tells his disciples to observe the poor widow: “They gave from their surplus wealth; she gave from her want.” In Twinning, Vincentians strive to give selflessly, not just from their surplus funds but from their want. Current Twinning Guidelines are available from the National Office.

The International Logo

The international logo of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul is a fish surrounded by a circle. The Greek word for fish, ICHTHYS, was used by the first Christians as an acronym for Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior.

The circle graphically symbolizes the world, Blessed Frederic Ozanam’s dream of embracing it in a network of charity, and the global status of our International Society.

The eye of the fish is the vigilant eye of God, seeking out the poor and underprivileged in our midst; its red color symbolizes charity, the love of God and neighbor, and the motive for our service.

The shape of the fish, a loop, symbolizes the solidarity among members and our union with the poor. The Society’s motto, “Serving in hope,” signifies the attitude Vincentians bring to those they serve.

2.5 Spiritual Advisors
Introduction
Because the primary purpose of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is to increase the holiness of its members, the role of Spiritual Advisor is essential to its life and mission. The Spiritual Advisor assumes responsibility for the spiritual growth, development, and life of either a Council or a Conference with full knowledge of and dedication to the mission and ministry of the Society.

Council or Conference leadership must select a person who is both willing and able to devote the necessary time and energy to the role of Spiritual Advisor. Spiritual Advisors are indeed full Council/Conference members, but they do not serve as officers; if ordained, they do not vote. Often a Catholic lay member of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul will be chosen, though an ordained priest or deacon, vowed religious, or parish pastoral staff may fill this role. Within the first Conference of Charity, the Catholic layman Emmanuel Bailly assumed responsibility for the spiritual health of the Conference and its young members and serves as a model for today’s Spiritual Advisor.

Function of the Spiritual Advisor
The Spiritual Advisor’s task is that of spiritual animator. The Spiritual Advisor enables members to better understand the meaning of charity and its practical application toward those in need, and assists with the development of their Vincentian spiritual life.
Spiritual Advisors play an important role in promoting the work of the Society. In keeping with changing times and needs, they provide inspiration and challenge for the adoption of new works. The Spiritual Advisor attends the meetings, participates in the discussions, and provides guidance to the Council or Conference membership on spiritual matters. As circumstances permit, Spiritual Advisors actively participate with other members in direct service to the needy.