Strategic Plan 2013 to 2016

One Societ y O n e Vo ic e St r at e g ic P l a n 2 0 1 3 t o 2 0 1 6

Message from the National President The St Vincent de Paul Society was founded by a group of Catholic university students who were willing to take a risk. They took the risk of responding to the glaring inequality and injustice emerging in their time. We who have come after them are guided by the same desire to do God’s Will through faithful service to the people who are pushed to the margins of society. Our calling will never change. Our historical focus on Christ’s Poor will never change. But the context in which we carry out our mission has changed. If we want to be truly faithful to our calling then we must look at how we should change in response to the signs of the times.

This Strategic Plan challenges us to be clear in our desire to serve Christ in the Poor, to fearlessly speak out against the causes of poverty and inequality, and to build a more sustainable St Vincent de Paul Society in Australia. The ultimate goal of this Plan is to equip us as members of One Society to give hope to all of the people we assist. Our message is that no matter how hard things get, we will always be there for them to give them assistance and to stand up for them with One Voice.

Anthony Thornton

Our Key Values Commitment Loyalty in service to our mission, vision and values Compassion Welcoming and serving all with understanding and without judgement Respect Service to all regardless of creed, ethnic or social background, health, gender or political opinions Integrity Promoting, maintaining and adhering to our mission, vision and values Empathy

Our Mission

Our Vision

The Society is a lay Catholic organisation that aspires to live the Gospel message by serving Christ in the poor with love, respect, justice, hope and joy, and by working to shape a more just and compassionate society.

The St Vincent de Paul Society aspires to be recognised as a caring Catholic charity offering “a hand up” to people in need.

We do this by respecting their dignity, sharing our hope, and encouraging them to take control of their own destiny.

Our Aspiration An Australia transformed by compassion and built on justice.

Establishing relationships based on respect, trust, friendship and perception Advocacy Working to transform the causes of poverty and challenging the causes of human injustice Courage Encouraging spiritual growth, welcoming innovation and giving hope for the future

Focus areas & s t r at e g ic objectives 2013 to 2016 Our priority focus areas, objectives and key strategies over the next three years are: • Spirituality & Sustainability • Service • Speaking Out

P r io r i t y F o c u s A r e a 1 Building a unified, spiritual and sustainable Society

Objective 1.1: Nurturing faith and the spiritual life of the Society

Objective 1.3: Growing a committed, active and skilled membership

1.1.1 We will strengthen the nurturing of faith and spirituality within all Councils, enabling shared spirituality at Conference and Council meetings to be a source of inspiration for members.

1.3.1 Regional Councils will develop a membership growth plan that enables new members, especially younger people, to feel welcome and inspired within their Conference.

1.1.2 We will enhance spiritual renewal programs throughout the Society, including promoting a life of prayer and reflection.

1.3.2 We will explore and develop innovative Conference models and encourage and introduce new volunteering models.

1.1.3 Councils will provide specific support to Conferences in this regard, including special support for Festival meetings.

1.3.3 We will address issues identified in the Project X Report.

Objective 1.2: One Society – a transformational plan

Objective 1.4: Improving the Work, Leadership and Communications of Councils

1.2.1 Through wide consultation, we will discern areas of need, commonality and alignment and develop a national plan for One Society.

1.4.1 Each Council will review and improve its communication strategies to Members, Conferences, Councils, and the wider community.

1.2.2 We will strengthen and renew governance processes at all levels, based on our key values including the principles of unity, collaboration, teamwork, subsidiarity and stewardship.

1.2.3 We will develop a set of nationwide plans, policies and systems that are clear and accessible, beginning with spirituality, membership and then Human Resources and other operational policies.

1.4.2 The work and reports of all Councils will be consistent with this National Strategic Plan.

1.4.3 We will further develop leadership within all Councils of the Society.

P r io r i t y F o c u s A r e a 2

Serving Christ in the poor with love, respect, justice, hope and joy (serving our neighbours in need) Objective 2.1: Providing ongoing support to members as they serve in hope

Objective 2.2: Regularly reviewing all services to ensure the best use of our resources in serving the people who are most in need

Objective 2.3: Identifying, pioneering and developing new services where appropriate based on emerging priority areas of need

2.1.1 We will empower Vincentians to carry out their ministry through education and formation.

2.2.1 We will conduct research on unmet needs.

2.3.1 We will develop a new appreciation of Australia’s role in the global community, especially through Twinning.

2.1.2 We will assist and enable Conferences to be more inspired and responsive in carrying out their ministry.

2.1.3 We will provide Vincentians with upto-date information on the changing conditions of social exclusion and inequality.

2.2.2 We will review the Society’s works, particularly in relation to the needs being met and the involvement of Members.

2.2.3 National Council will provide a report with recommendations on our special works.

2.3.2 We will implement new services including the areas of Reconciliation, working with Indigenous communities, and in environmental stewardship and protection.

2.3.3 We will work with particular communities of need to enable community development.

P r io r i t y F o c u s A r e a 3

Working to shape a more just and compassionate community – being a voice for the voiceless Objective 3.1: Widely and fearlessly telling our story to achieve our aspiration of an Australia transformed by compassion and built on justice

Objective 3.2: Informed by the experience of our members, actively and passionately speaking out on behalf of the people we serve

Objective 3.3: Working with others of like mind on behalf of people most in need of assistance

3.1.1 We will tell our story in a way that is true to our Gospel calling to take the side of the disadvantaged.

3.2.1 We will seek to change social attitudes and will be a social conscience to Australian Governments by engaging our Councils and members in proactive advocacy in areas such as social equality and community development.

3.3.1 We will collaborate with individuals and organisations, including those of other faiths, who share our vision in advocating for people most in need.

3.1.2 We will ensure consistency of content as we tell our story through our website, publications, media work and marketing campaigns.

3.1.3 We will seek new and diverse ways to ensure that our story is communicated effectively in the 21st century.

3.2.2 Following what we learn by working with people living on the margins we will advocate strongly on their behalf.

3.2.3 We will create the space and provide the means to enable people who are excluded and disenfranchised to speak for themselves.

3.3.2 We will collaborate with the global St Vincent de Paul Society, especially with our neighbouring countries, in advocating for people in need.

St Vincent de Paul Society National Council of Australia PO Box 243 Deakin West ACT 2600 P 02 6202 1200 F 02 6285 0159 E admin@svdp.org.au www.vinnies.org.au

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