In Step with Change

by John Woodward
Executive Director of Serra International and the Serra International Foundation

For the some 920 Serrans who were in Toronto for our 2002 annual convention, there were many special moments that will live in the memory for years to come. To our hosts, the Serrans of Canada, we owe a debt of gratitude for organizing a first-class program of speakers, workshops and entertainment. Thank you to all those who made a special effort to attend. In the two weeks before the convention, there was an unusually strong rally of registrations which resulted in a very good attendance, particularly when the difficult travel environment is considered.

One of the highlights of the Toronto convention to me was the delegates’ meeting at which two important matters were decided. Firstly, the delegates voted to approve the amendment of Article XI of Serra International’s bylaws to introduce a new system for determining international dues for all our member countries, using the World Bank index of gross national product on a purchasing power parity basis (referred to as the “PPP index”)

The new system requires the establishment of a “dues base” to which the relevant PPP index can be applied. Because of the economic standing of the U.S.A. and its large membership of Serrans, it was decided to nominate as the dues base the annual amount of international per capita dues (currently US$23.00) payable by Serra clubs in the U.S.A.

As in the past, the delegates must approve any change in the dues base. That new dues base will then remain for three years before being subject to change by the same process. Under the new system, any changes in the dues base and/or the relevant PPP index are automatically reflected in the amount of international dues payable by each and every country outside the U.S.A.

As a result of all of this, Serra International now has a sound and transparent system for determining international dues in all of our 38 countries (and in many new countries where Serra will soon be established) which is responsive to changing social and economic circumstances, particularly in the developing countries, as well as international exchange rate fluctuations.

Secondly, against a background of budget surpluses and reduced operating expenses, the delegates wholeheartedly approved the proposed 2002-2003 budget which included a significant capital injection to re-equip the international office. That will greatly assist me in meeting one of my goals, i.e. the provision of an efficient and responsive central office function that will drive and support the work of Serra worldwide. Thank you for the vote of confidence.

As I reported to the delegates, the 2001-2002 fiscal year was one of transition for Serra in a number of important areas. Much was achieved but there is still much to be done. As I have stated quite often in the past year, one of my major goals is the creation of a strong and effective working relationship between Serra International and its Foundation. I want to place on record my gratitude to the Board of Trustees of the Foundation for their understanding and generous support during the past year, without which much of what was achieved would have been much more difficult. In the process, there has developed a stronger, more mature relationship between Serra International and the Serra International Foundation that will enable both entities to operate more effectively for the good of Serra.

In conclusion, let me share with you a heartfelt message from one of the many dedicated Serrans who have written to me this past year with their thoughts and advice. A medical doctor from California, he is responding to the articles in The Serran about the vocations congress in Montreal, Canada that many Serrans attended in April 2002. He makes the point very strongly that, because only God grants vocations to the priesthood and religious life, he wants us to realize that only prayer - and fasting – will gain for us our need for “other Christs.” It’s well worth reflecting on in these times of difficulty for the Church. As Serrans, we must remain committed to asking God to send laborers into his harvest, fellow laborers with Christ to spend and consume themselves for souls.

May God bless you and our work for Church vocations.

Return to Top