2011 Provincial Chapter Planning Committee met for the first time on 9th February. Present were Pamela Molony (Chair), Rhonda Cumberland, Naomi McClements, Julie McQueen, Monica Walsh, Michael Yore, Jo Thitchener (Minutes) and Jill McCorquodale (Facilitator).
SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION & OUTCOMES
The role of the Chapter Planning Committee is to plan for the Regional Chapter Meetings being held around the province in June & July and for the Provincial Chapter (24-28 October in Melbourne).
The Committee revisited material from the Chapter Planning Day held in Melbourne in October 2010. Key points were
- Building creative partnerships and co-responsibility
- Strengthening our Good Shepherd connections & relationships
- Deepening our understanding & engagement with Good Shepherd mission & spirit
- Building different pathways
- Using a variety of communication methods including social media such as facebook, twitter, chapter blog
The Committee next addressed the Regional Chapter Meetings.
These will focus on present & future priorities of Good Shepherd mission for GSANZ as a whole . This is about the broader vision – the big picture (not the specifics of individual agencies nor sisters’ ministries). It’s about taking the mission forward. Key themes identified by the Planning Committee are:
- Communications
- Identity
- Relationships
- Mission
- Spirituality
To do this effectively there needs to be material for reflection and opportunities for “deep communal listening”. The Mission Statement from the 2005 Provincial Chapter , the Direction Statement from the 2009 Congregational Chapter and the 2010 GSANZ Strategic Plan provide a wealth of matter for further reflection and discussion. Monthly reflection sheets will be prepared to assist this process.
The Provincial Chapter will have representation from the GSANZ network and will be a forum for showcasing
- the sisters’ individual ministries,
- the work of individual agencies & their priorities,
- for a report from the Province Leadership Team and
- for refining the feedback from the Regional Chapter Meetings regarding future priorities.
A letter from Brigid Lawlor, Congregational Leader, requests the process to include:
1. Review of Congregational priorities 2008 – 2009.
2. Province priorities: list top 5.
3. Reflection on creative restructuring/networking/collaboration within and outside the province.
4. Reflection on qualities of province leader. (sisters only)
5. Future leadership potential and preparation. (sisters only)
Towards the end of the Provincial Chapter the sisters will elect a new Province Leader and team.
A Skype conference was held with Rosanne Smith to explore possibilities for web streaming, daily web updates including photos to enable as many as wish to keep informed of the Provincial Chapter progress. It was agreed to investigate professional help for video recording of key aspects from first day & closing ceremony.
To bring everything together the Planning Committee established 4 Committees to be responsible for specific areas.
Reflections & Ritual Committee will draw on Good Shepherd material to prepare reflection sheets, Chapter prayer and ritual. Membership: Monica Walsh (Convenor), Michael Yore, Anne Dalton, Kay McGrath, Fran Jenkins, Jill McCorquodale.
Communications Committee will plan & prepare how to share information with the wider network from the Reflections Committee and Province Leadership team. Membership: Rosie Hoban (convenor), Naomi McClements & Julie McQueen.
Logistics Committee will oversee the operational activities to help coordinate and ensure smooth running of the Regional & Provincial Chapter meetings. Membership: Jo Thitchener (Convenor), Christine Wong, Joan Murphy and Area Leaders.
IT Committee will ensure all IT and audio-visual requirements for Chapter Meetings are met. Membership: Rosanne Smith (Convenor), Rhonda Cumberland, Christine Wong
Next meeting of Planning Committee: 15th April
