Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Conference Presidents, please share this monthly news with your members to keep everyone connected with what is happening at all levels of the Society. Particular and Central Council Presidents, please share this monthly news with your Vincentian members who may not belong to a Conference, and feel free to email questions or comments to linda@ssvp.on.ca.

Check out ONRC calendar of events

SPIRITUAL MATTERS
The November spiritual reflection reminds us that there are so many things to pray for. Contact denise@ssvp.on.ca should you have questions on spiritual resources.

WORLD DAY OF THE POOR
Pope Francis has declared the Third World Day of the Poor to be November 17, 2019. We encourage and would love to see every Conference, Council and Store do something in recognition of World Day of the Poor Campaign.

Promotional materials are available at
https://www.ssvp.ca/world-day-poor-tools-members and
http://ssvp.on.ca/en/php/docs/PovertyHandout.pdf

We have the support from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB). They encourage Vincentian Councils to establish regular and ongoing lines of contact with their respective Bishops.

Please email linda@ssvp.on.ca to share your story of what you did in your community in recognition of World Day of the Poor.

YOUTH
As discussed at our Fall ONRC meeting, we are launching a program designed for young people to come out to our stores, kitchens, etc. and volunteer with our Society. This is an exciting initiative and it is specifically designed to have young people KNOW WHO WE ARE! On our website you will find a letter for members, letter for schools/youth coordinators, and 2 posters. Please encourage your members to print out the documents on our website to distribute to high schools, youth groups, etc. in your area.

SOCIAL JUSTICE & ADVOCACY
Thanks to advocacy from many groups including SSVP, the Transition Child Benefit is no longer being cut back by the government as was previously planned.

Jim Paddon, National Social Justice Chair, has news to share with Social Justice representatives.

TWINNING
Thank you to the Conferences and Councils who currently have a twinning relationship with a Conference or Council in a developing country. If you currently do not have a twinning relationship, please consider starting one as it’s a very rewarding experience and helps Conferences in developing countries take part in activities to help persons in need. Contact guido@ssvp.on.ca or twinning-chair@ssvp.ca for more information.

ANNUAL REPORTS
The annual report forms are now available on the national website. We ask that Treasurers please complete the annual reports by the due dates noted below and pass up to the next higher Council. Please contact terry@ssvp.on.ca should you have any questions.

Conferences by January 30
Particular Councils by February 20
Central Councils by March 10
Regional Councils by March 31

NATIONAL Check out the Vincenpaul-Canada newsletter (Vol 3 No. 7 – October 2019), Social Justice Edition

Below are highlights from the recent National Board meeting:

• Leadership Development training was shared with the Board and a plan will be developed to launch this training to the regions.
• Heard from a consultant re: communication strategy.
• There are SSVP websites & Facebook pages that are not active, and these should be shut down as inactive sites are damaging. We ask that you please help to keep your SSVP website or Facebook page active or shut it down if it’s no longer being used.
• Newman College spirituality courses are now available online. Courses include Catholicism, The Founders of the SSVP, At the Heart of SSVP, Scripture, Jesus Christ and the Sacraments.
• The National Social Justice Action Committee is creating an action plan for the National Housing Campaign that “safe, secure and affordable housing is a human right” which will be shared with regions later this year to assist Councils/Conferences.
• The revised Rule and Statutes voted on at the National AGA has been sent to International, and we should hear back on approval mid-December.

INTERNATIONAL
Our International President General Renato Lima asks us to send to send suggestions to cgi.circularletter@gmail.com by November 30 for the 2020 Circular Letter (dedicated to Félix Clavé)
https://vincentians.ssvpglobal.org/en/actualite/the-president-general-takes-up-suggestions-regarding-the-2020-circular-letter/

BEST PRACTICES
The Best Practices section on the website shares great ideas and activities being done across the province. Should your Conference or Council have a best practice activity/project to share, please email phil@ssvp.on.ca.

Feel free to contact linda@ssvp.on.ca or sarah@ssvp.on.ca at any time should you have questions.

Thank you for all the amazing work you do reaching out and helping persons in need.

Linda Dollard
President