A prophetic and servant leadership at the service of the global family

The general council dedicated the week of Sept. 9 – 14 to planning with the secretariats and the departments of the general administration.

The week began with the presentation of the new organigram of the Institute’s animation and the other days were dedicated to deciding the way in which the strategic plan will be carried out.

The strategic plan of the general administration for the animation, leadership and government of the Marists of Champagnat is a document prepared by the general council, with the help of the administrative units and the secretariats, which will guide the service of the general government until 2025.

Its content is articulated in three major programmes, which recall the calls of the General Chapter: Journeying (mission: to walk, move, educate, grow …), as a global (networks and global body: relationships, connections, bridges, co-responsibilities) family (Marist life: identity, community, vocation, spirituality).

Nineteen projects have been created within these three areas, each with different initiatives that will be carried out by the superior general, his council, the secretariats and the departments of the general administration. The strategic plan is intended for the general administration. Brother Ben Consigli stressed that the plan showed “how we wish to move forward over the next seven years as the General Administration”.

It is not intended for the government and the animation of the provinces, although it can be helpful for the administrative units.
The week served as an opportunity for each secretariat to begin to organise the initiatives of the projects it will carry out.
In addition to this practical aspect, Brothers Ben Consigli, Óscar Martín and Luis Carlos Gutiérrez, who coordinated the week, proposed reflections that underscored what kind of animation the Council proposes for the Institute, characterised mainly by two elements: synergy and leadership.

Sinergy
The Vicar General, Brother Luis Carlos Gutiérrez, stressed the importance of synergy in the Institute's leadership work. He recalled that “the key word of synergy is ‘us’”. And he described the fundamental attitudes needed as leaders affirming “we understand our role, we embrace our collaboration, we strive to make the project work, we commit ourselves to the team, we are flexible to eventually adapt ourselves during the process, we are optimistic regarding the projects that we will animate and we will carry out our goals with concrete actions.”

Clarity, empowerment and commitment are the three keywords related to synergy and that should be present in the animation of the Institute.

Service leadership
Leadership is another element underscored and incorporated into the strategic plan. Brothers Óscar and Luis Carlos reflected with the group on what kind of leadership is necessary to act on the Calls of the General Chapter. Recalling the reflections that have been made in recent years within the Institute and underlining the Marian nature of Champagnat’s charism, everyone is asked for prophetic leadership and service.

Brother Óscar invited everyone to be characterised by ‘Servant attitudes and servant actions, in the way of Mary.’ And Brother Luis Carlos asked that, as leaders of the Institute, everyone “goes from being a director to being a leader”. Let each one assumes “a prophetic and servant leadership, which closely accompanies life and mission,” continued the Vicar General.
Superior general Br Ernesto Sánchez concluded by saying that “we are blessed, as Marists, because we have the gift of Marian leadership”. And he reminded everyone to follow “the Marian Way: in relationships, in transparency, in being discreet and simple.”

Next steps
The secretariats and departments of the general administration are now developing the initiatives inherent to the projects of the strategic plan, which will be completed in October.

In the coming months, the communications department will publish the strategic plan developed by the General Council, which will be sent to all the Administrative Units.

Finally, from March 4 – 15, 2019, the strategic plan will be presented to all the provincials, who will meet in Rome with the General Council.