For Volunteer Programs : National Conference

2001 CNVS National Conference

Witnessing a Celebration of Collaboration at the National Conference

By TOM AND RENA GRANT
Co-Directors
Franciscan Covenant Program

In mid-November, during our sixth year as co-directors of the Franciscan Covenant Program, we joined 150 "committed volunteer types" in St Louis for the 2001 CNVS National Conference. We were honored when we returned to our home/office the following day and listened to Gerry Lambert's voice on our answering machine asking us to summarize our response to the conference (our first).

It is embarrassing and indeed shameful that we didn't prioritize the national conference during the first five years of our directorship - other things were scheduled that prevented our attendance until this year. Our hope and prayer here is to be able to convince our readers not to make that mistake for next year's national conference (in Philadelphia). Just say 'YES'! Now! Book it!

The theme for the St. Louis conference was "Gateway to Grace: Send Out,Explore, Give Thanks." It all happened. We entered the 'Gateway to Grace' with the opening song on Thursday evening: "Somos el Cuerpo de Cristo". (We are the Body of Christ . . . we've answered "Yes" to the call of the Lord.) . . . and we were off and running! Here we were in the middle of a room bursting with hearts full of enthusiasm for this volunteer ministry - all gathered in the spirit of joining hands in a collaborative effort to do more for God's people by sharing our journeys with one another - where we need help - what works - what doesn't work.

A well-planned and meaningful opening prayer preceded the introduction of the opening keynote presentation by Sr. Mary Rose McGeady, D.C. We were able to visit with Sr. Mary Rose for a few minutes as she sat on the stage waiting to give her talk. She is a strong woman with a total commitment to the care of young people . . . street kids who have essentially been left to survive on their own . . . the homeless and disturbed.

Statistics quoted in a presentation can often be boring . . . but Sr. Mary Rose gave us some statistics on the reality of poverty here in the U.S. that were staggering and sobering . . . like the poverty line is now defined as families with annual income of $28,000 or less, and that means 80,000,000 of us! And that the most recent income figures show that the average income for the lowest 20 percent of our population has decreased from $10,900 to $10,000 while the top 1 percent of our population has increased from $263,000 to $677,000 during the same period! "What is wrong with this picture?" comes to mind. Her closing challenge to all of us: "People volunteer generously . . . but when was the last time you (I/we) spoke-up for a social justice issue?" We need more courage . . . pray for us.

The Friday keynote presentation by Fr. Larry Gillick, S.J. and Sr. Connie Schmidt, S.S.N.D., was equally inspiring and informative and gave deep insight into many issues facing both directors and volunteers in our various programs. The real "grabber" for us was the focus on the value of tension in order to become a fully integrated person (and that an unintegrated person thinks there is no distance between dreams and reality ... which makes them unavailable for improvement). Does any of this sound too familiar to you . . as it did to us?" The bottom line here is learn to love and deal with and in fact value tension! This is how we, both directors and volunteers, grow!

Another gem: The difference between Charity and Tolerance: Charity - "I care enough about you to tell you something you will not want to hear."; Tolerance - thinking "I hope you go away soon." (How does this compare with your (my) definition of tolerance? Which is more accurate?)

The workshop choices for both the new and "seasoned" directors and staff were too good! Selecting only 3 each (out of 18) was the difficult part.

As co-directors we were able to attend 6 of the offerings - each one excellent: nurturing the volunteers, diversity, marketing, administrative issues, consuming for justice, and harnessing the power of technology. The facilitators were qualified, knowledgeable and prepared - our thanks to each for "sharing your wealth!"

We will interrupt this "business portion" to discuss food. The Airport Marriott gifted the attendees with quality food that was beautifully presented in colorful, seasonal buffets. We heard no grumbling about any of the meals - and many compliments. This type of benefit doesn't just happen - we know that Sr. Mary Catherine Dunn, D.C., and her planning committee went the extra mile in working on food planning and so many other details that seem to somehow go unnoticed and under-appreciated - things like Metrolink tickets given to participants (like us) who needed to go back and forth from downtown to the Marriott (for free vs. a $50 - $60 round trip taxi ride); and parking passes at the Conference site for those who drove; and schedules on the back cover of our individual folders (unnecessary to fish through loose papers to find out where to go next!). Bouquets to you and your committee, Sr. Mary Catherine! You spoiled us rotten! And not everyone was aware that she was recovering from an August heart attack, angioplasty and stent placement.

And then there was Andy Weir (Missionary Oblate Associates) and the Andy Weir clones who were everywhere selling the Gateway to Grace T-shirts - $10 each or 3 for $30.00! Such a deal!! And the genuine hospitality of folks like Tina Moreau-Jones and Lucien Clark and so many others who immediately made us first-timers feel like long lost family. During special time spent with Bill and Mary Frances Jaster, co-directors of the Colorado Vincentian Volunteers, we were able to compare notes on how a marriage can survive 25 hours a day of living and working and playing and praying and eating and sleeping and everything together. These are just a few of the "little things" that made this event so very meaningful to us.

We were unable to attend one presentation which earned glowing reports from those attending the Saturday morning session, "Stories of Hope: Life After Prison", presented by Jackie Toben, S.S.N.D., and a group of women ex-offenders. It was described as "gripping and full of emotion." Many tears were shed and a long standing ovation thanked Sr. Jackie and the women who participated.

The Liturgical section of the Conference Program - 17 pages of prayers and songs - was masterfully prepared and presented. All of the readings were so appropriate to the theme: Send Out, Explore, Give Thanks; and so sensitive to the spiritual needs of this wonderful volunteer ministry - thought provoking, uplifting and encouraging.

The closing Liturgy was provided by Paul Sheridan, S.J., whose ministry with youth in the St. Louis area, in which he serves on the board of many volunteer programs and schools, is widely recognized. Fr. Paul was inviting and personal and inclusive - a wonderful close to an unforgettable and fulfilling experience for us.

In our opening remarks, we said that the theme of the Conference: "Gateway to Grace: Send Out, Explore, Give Thanks," all happened. In her keynote presentation on Sunday morning, Edwina Gately made it all happen - she sent each one of us out to explore and give thanks for the volunteer ministries we all represent and to pray for more courage to "go through the door in faith when it opens!"

Edwina Gateley is an earthy and eloquent woman whose story is deeply credible because she's walked the walk with courage and persistence - when rebuked, she's gone back again and again to listen . . . and be there for someone in need - no matter what they smell like or how dirty they are. We all left knowing that being a "Holy Idiot" was okay!

And finally, profound thanks to those who made this gathering possible - to those who work all year on our behalf. In his welcoming letter, Executive Director Jim Lindsay prayed that this would be a productive and grace-filled time for all of us. Your prayers were answered, Jim. His closing remarks and summary of the conference on Sunday were masterfully prepared and presented.

Gerry Lambert, - thanks for your boundless energy and your accessibility and willingness to stop . . . and listen - and to all of the staff - those we met and those we didn't - we thank all of you for your contributions to this wonderful conference.

After four years of volunteer service with the Franciscans, beginning in 1992, our six-year term as directors of the Franciscan Covenant Program comes to an end on August 31, 2002 due to term limits! . . . so we may not be seeing you all in Philadelphia (unless we hook-up with someone else!) but please - for your own sake and the good of your program put "Philadelphia" on your calendar for November 7 - 10, 2002. You will be blessed, informed and refreshed!