Wise Stewardship for people in poverty

A workshop for members of the Vincentian family examining principles and practices of Vincentian asset management.

The workshop, sponsored by the Vincentian Studies Institute of DePaul University, will take place at the Motherhouse of the Daughters of Charity in Paris from August 9-11, 2013 with an optional excursion day to Folleville and Amiens on the 8th of August. The three days of the workshop will include presentations, case studies and discussions centering around five key themes of asset management as viewed primarily from the perspectives of Catholic Social Teaching, and the Vincentian tradition.

There is no fee for participation in the symposium. Lodging is available, at a very reasonable cost, at rue de Sèvres and rue du Bac. Cf. online registration information, as below.

The key themes will be:

• Transparency featuring Christine Peeters, Former Treasurer for AIC International, from Belgium.
• Stewardship featuring Roger Playwin, Executive Director of the USA Society of St. Vincent de Paul, St. Louis Missouri, U.S.A.
• Sustainability featuring Sr. Joyce Weller, D.C., Executive Director of Daughters of Charity Foundation, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
• Collaboration featuring Mark McGreevy, Group Chief Executive of Depaul International, London, United Kingdom
• Corruption featuring Susan Braatz, Senior Forestry Officer for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy

A keynote address will be delivered by Dr. Carolyn Woo, President and CEO of Catholic Relief Services of the United States.

The workshop will conclude on Sunday, August 11 with an evening reception.

Expected Outcomes – Participants will

• reflect upon the spiritual insights of Saint Vincent de Paul, Saint Louise de Marillac, and Blessed Frédéric Ozanam, as well as contemporary Catholic Social Teaching, with respect to using the patrimony of the poor wisely through the practice of careful and sustainable asset management.
• reflect upon the management of specific types of assets: human, financial, investment, property, physical plant, fund-raising, governmental, green practices, etc.
• share concrete experiences through case studies (e.g., means by which provinces/institutions have become self-sustaining, difficulties in dealing with corruption, sensitivity to cultural and ecological concerns).
• vision a model for sustainable Vincentian asset management in the present world climate to share widely with the international Vincentian family.

Symposium Website and Registration:

Please visit the Vincentian Family Symposium website for further information on the workshop and schedule.

If you are interested in attending this workshop, register today. Participants can register for the optional Folleville and Amiens excursion, three-day workshop and lodging at the St. John’s University Center at the Maison-Mère des Lazaristes at rue de Sèvres (for any participants) or at the Maison-Mère de la Compagnie des Filles de la Charité at rue du Bac (for Daughters of Charity, other Sisters, and lay women).

For those attending the CM Provincial Treasurers’ Gathering, you may use the Provincial Treasurers’ Gathering Registration Form to register for the Treasurers’ Gathering, optional Folleville and Amiens excursion and three-day workshop.

For more information, contact Scott Kelley (skelley6@depaul.edu).