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8/17/07
UPDATE from President Ernest Doclar re: dialogue about Serra International's proposed organizational restructuring
PROSPECTS FOR RECONCILIATION TAKE A DIFFERENT PATH AT SERRA INTERNATIONAL BOARD MEETING
Prospects to begin a fruitful dialogue between the Serra International Board and the USA Council Board took a different path on Monday, August 13, 2007, in Atlanta. The Serra International Board voted to defer ratification action on a proposal to approve an agreement negotiated by the respective executive committees on Friday, August 10, 2007, in Atlanta. According to SI, the reason for deferring the action on the proposal was so that its executive committee might first listen to parts of the audio tape from the recent dialogue session hosted by Cardinal Justin Rigali in Philadelphia on July 31, 2007. It was estimated that this process might delay the reconciliation efforts by up to 90 days.
Some slight progress had been made by the parties in Philadelphia, based on an early draft of a compromise by then Serra International President-elect Lloyd Crockett. The details were to be fleshed out by a future committee to be appointed by Crockett. However, before he took office, the outgoing Serra International Board took action in an attempt to force its original proposal onto the USA Council.
When USA Council representatives became aware of the Serra International Board resolution, the USA Council Board passed a unanimous resolution calling Serra International’s attention to the possible disastrous effects of such an action.
After this exchange of resolutions, both boards realized that the process was becoming counterproductive. Shortly thereafter, both sides’ executive committees entered into a heart-to-heart discussion for the good of Serra, and with relief agreed to withdraw their respective resolutions and begin a serious point-by-point dialogue of the issues of concern.
It was this agreement that the Serra International Board voted to sidetrack. (After the action, it appeared that some of the other council representatives of Serra International may not have been fully informed of some of the discussion and actions that had already taken place.)
In a related matter, by action of the delegates, Serra International amended its minutes of last year’s delegates meeting (held in July 2006 in Spokane) to clearly reflect that delegates had recommended that Serra International’s “policy to restructure the councils by the Serra International Board at its January and June meetings be not implemented for two and one-half years so that the policy and structure of Serra can be dialogued by all the councils and interested parties.” This latter motion passed. This wording is finally consistent with the position that the USA Council has taken for the last year and which it believes Serra International is required to follow.
Finally, in another positive step, Serra International President Lloyd Crockett announced that another dialogue negotiating session will be scheduled in November with Archbishop Elden Curtiss of Omaha serving as moderator.
7/31/07
UPDATE from President Ernest Doclar re: July 31st meeting in Philadelphia
Representatives of Serra International and the USA Council of Serra met on Tuesday, July 31, at the Philadelphia Archdiocesan Chancery to take part in the “dialogue” directed by the resolution regarding restructuring passed at the Spokane convention. Moderating the session was Archbishop Eldon Curtiss. Cardinal Justin Rigali, archbishop of Philadelphia, took part in the afternoon part of the meeting. Facilitating the meeting was a consultant engaged by Serra Intl. On the USA side were President Gary Davis, President-elect Ernest Doclar, President elect-elect Mike Strong, and Executive Director Ed Verbeke. SI President-elect Lloyd Crockett was there. SI President Bob Wright chaired the meeting. Serra Intl Foundation personalities were also present. Please know that, as always, USAC volunteers personally paid all their own expenses to take part.
The meeting agenda was drawn up by the Serra Intl. reps. Much of the agenda items tried to legitimize the steps to restructure the USA Council that have been proposed by Serra International. President Davis countered eloquently all the steps proposed to disestablish the USA Council. The best that could be said of the meeting is that we discussed all matters like civil Catholic laypersons. USA reps and Crockett urged that all restructuring matters be further discussed before any further action is proposed. We want all to take full advantage of the remaining 1½ years of time provided for in the Spokane resolution. Our impression is that Serra International is bent on pursuing their restructuring strategy.
We urge that all USA Serrans continue to do the work of Serra which is vocations. Do not be deterred by the restructuring matter. Know that we leaders of the USA Council will do our best to keep supporting our country’s Serrans in their vocation work. If you attend the convention as a delegate, please come prepared to vote to retain our USA Council as it is. Come with proxies representing clubs without delegates. Please also attend our Thursday afternoon board meeting and annual meeting. Please pray for a peaceful outcome of this matter.
Ernest Doclar, President-elect, USA Council of Serra Intl.
June 27, 2007
Subject: Various matters of interest to USA Council of Serra members
To: All USA Council regional directors and district governors
From: USA Council Executive Committee
This letter aims to bring you up to date with a few matters of general interest. Addressees are asked to disseminate this information as widely as possible to clubs and individuals.
If you attended the 2006 Serra International Convention held in Spokane, Wash., you will remember the resolution regarding the restructuring question that was accepted by delegates. It suggested Serra Intl. and the USA Council leaders to dialogue during the following 2½ years to discuss the restructuring proposal. Since that convention the USA Council leaders have made themselves available for dialogue but so far there has been very little of that until recently. Serra International has invited all its councils to send no more than three representatives to a July 31 meeting in Philadelphia to discuss a “strategic plan.” The term “restructuring” was noted in the same invitation. We assume that the plan has to do with restructuring. The three officers listed below will attend. We shall apprise USA Serrans of what results from this meeting. That summary may come first at the Thursday, August 9, 12 noon meeting of the USA Council board at the Atlanta convention. All are invited to attend.
We hope that all USA Council Serrans will make every effort to attend the Atlanta convention. It is an opportunity to refocus on vocations, take part in memorable liturgies, hear inspirational speakers address the question of vocations, strengthen one’s appreciation and understanding of the Catholic faith, and meet new Serra friends and renew old acquaintances. If you have not received convention registration materials and a delegate proxy form, access the web site, www.serra.org, and you’ll find all the information you need to register, book a room, and appoint a club delegate or a proxy. We hope to greet you personally in Atlanta. USA Serran Lloyd Crockett will be installed as Serra International President. Let’s turn out to give him a rousing welcome.
Your USA Council leaders are unaware of any contentious matters that may arise at the Atlanta convention. HOWEVER, to be prepared for any eventuality, all USA club presidents are asked to certify delegate credentials. If a club does not plan to send a delegate, it should certify a proxy delegate with the proper documentation. Club presidents may check with the district governor if one does not know of a Serran to act as the club’s proxy. He or she will help you find a proxy. If you wish, designate one of us signed below as your proxy. Mail the form to the USA Council office. It is essential that the USA council be adequately represented by delegates or proxies.
In August the USAC-maintained web site, www.priestsunday.org, will contain a number of downloadable aids to help clubs with their October 27-28 celebration of Priesthood Sunday. A three-year grant of $10,000 annually from the Serra International Foundation was promised. However, after the first $10,000 was given to the USAC, the foundation withdrew its remaining two years support. Therefore the USAC is funding this project on a reduced basis with $3,000 from our Bishop Britt Fund. An issue of The Serra Leader to appear in August will contain essential elements to help organize a club/parish observance of Priesthood Sunday.
Gary A. Davis, President, USA Council of Serra International
Ernest P. Doclar, President-elect, USA Council of Serra International (with the authority of the president, pursuant to delegation effective July 1, 2007)
Michael Strong, President-elect-elect, USA Council of Serra International