ECDV Secretariat Meeting
Saturday, June 8, 2002
Minutes of the Meeting of the Secretariat of Cursillo in the Diocese of Virginia
The meeting took place at St. George's, Fredericksburg.
Present were: Bill Burk, Spiritual Director; Jo Freeman, Lay Director; Geoff Davis, Assistant Lay Director; Gwen and Joel Atwood, Region XV; Yvonne Mulligan, Region II; John Shaw, Treasurer; Mark Hopkins, Region 12; Fay Cochran, Region 7; Connie Smith, Secretary, and Harry Furney, Rector of Weekend #123.
Bill Burk opened the meeting with devotions. He read Luke 24:44 ff. and Acts 1:6-8. Both are resurrection appearances of Jesus, right before Pentecost. For homework, the Secretariat is to read the first chapter of Luke; the last chapter of Luke and the beginning of Acts. Based on the vision of the apostles (which we identify as too small and narrow), how do they change and expand their vision? What happens to them and how do they respond? What do they do? Then he talked about the three parts of the Group Reunion: personal growth, group building, and task or mission.
Minutes. The minutes of the last meeting received two corrections. John Shaw's name was erroneously listed as John Walsh (sincere apologies.) Bill Burk cited the Town Hall meeting model and the Marine model only as extremes; anything in between is also possible. The minutes were approved as corrected.
Report on Weekend #123. Harry Furney as Rector reported on Weekend #123. They lost several team members including the music director, but another member of the team pitched in - then called with laryngitis just before the weekend. They had a great Head Cha and three great Spiritual Directors. They had six team meetings, and these moved location to all four corners of the area the team was from. Some members made only one team meeting. The supplies seemed to be in some confusion; some things were not returned or cleaned from previous weekends. No team manuals were available. Some things had not been re-stocked or re-ordered.
The Day of Deeper Understanding needs to be included in the Fourth Day Packet, included in the Ultreya talk, and advertised and promoted. They felt it should be more than a week following the weekend. The new Cursillistas should attend a Day of Deeper Understanding before they serve on Team, but they should submit applications right away. Putting them in the Fourth Day Packet was a good decision. The Agape was simplified - just strawberries and pita bread and non-alcoholic beverages. The presentation of the talks needs to be updated, perhaps with power point or graphics. The Community needs a publication; the website is great but not a substitute for regular contact, even a post card. He recommends that the Lay Director and the Spiritual Director sit down with a new rector to discuss the budget; such a discussion might precede a rector's acceptance. Being a Rector is a new responsibility, and the guidelines are not always clear. Harry also read printed feedback from other team members. The team did decide to give out Bibles; the Meditation Guides were included in the Fourth Day Packet. The different versions of the directions to the Abbey caused unfortunate confusion; the Abbey itself was a great facility and Brother Jeff good to work with.
Bill Burk asked Harry to make at least a short list of action items to consider as the team training manual is being revised and we have the opportunity to clear up confusion.
Both John Shaw and Geoff Davis agreed that the Head Cha need to have clear guidelines and that there needs to be a full inventory of supplies. Geoff urged that the team needs to know their responsibility and commitment. John suggested longer team training.
Treasurer's Report. We have deposited $6200.00 in checking; we have savings and Certificates of Deposit which are just under $4000, so the Community has approximately $10,000. Expenses have included two (2) weekends, music books, exhibitor registration and some supplies. Some monies are designated for scholarship, but since this is not a separate fund, some of this sum may have been used for the operating budget. This needs to be clarified. The Treasurer has received all monies from Team for the last two weekends; however, no records were kept of monies collected on Thursday nights of the weekends. These checks are being identified.
Weekend Sites for 2003. The sites currently used by the Cursillo Community are: the 4-H Center at Front Royal, Shalom House, and Mary Mother of the Church Abbey. Gwen and Joel Atwood will look into available dates.
Regional Weekend. Yvonne Mulligan is looking to the Secretariat for guidance and direction. Region II is lacking some leadership because the strongest leaders are deeply involved in Kairos. She has some "eager beaver" new Cursillistas ready to serve. Geoff suggested that they get new rectors qualified. The region sees a rotating core team, giving the same dynamite talks more than once. The regional weekends would be supported by the Community as full weekends. They would like to have the first one next Spring and hope to attend an ECLW first. There may be one next February; Jo is in dialogue with Southern VA to see about putting on a joint event. Region II is looking at St. Margaret's as a site. The regional council has already offered support, including financial support. She needs a list of qualified team members from the Secretariat. Also she has the permission of the body to create a "Dog & Pony Show" to promote the regional weekend.
Assistant Lay Director's Report. Geoff Davis reminded us that US postage is going up at the end of this month. Region II would like to put out their own newsletter; Yvonne asked if it was OK to sell ads. It is OK to ask for donations in exchange for ads. He reminded the group that applications and monies are processed through Jan, Ed and Jo, using the Filmore Avenue address. He has continued to collect data on the term of Lay Director in other communities. Of the data he has received, 25% have one-year terms; 71% have two- to three-year terms, and a small percentage have unlimited terms. The National Committee is looking for the presidency to go to a two-year term as well. So a two-year term is a trend nationally. Perhaps communication is getting better. Joel Atwood is putting out 100 newsletters in his area, and it is definitely helping.
Spiritual Director's Report. Bill Burk reported that Robert Robillard and Valentine Han have agreed to be Spiritual Directors for the October weekend; he is still looking for a third. He agreed that our most pressing action item is to find sites for 2003 weekends.
The meeting adjourned at 12:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Constance Fletcher Smith
Secretary
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