Contribution to the strategic planning process
At the beginning of 2017, the Marist Mission Committee came together for the first time, a committee constituted for a two-year period. Since then, the General Mission Committee has worked on several initiatives considering our Marist global mission.
Now, July 23 – 27 2018, the Mission Committee came together again for the third of their formal meetings.
Present at the meeting were Frank Malloy, Paulo Sirino, Br Gregorio Linacero, Br Marciano Guzmán, Br Ador Santiago and Mr Mike Greeff.
From the General Administration, the Committee was joined by Marzia Ventimiglia, Luca Olivari, Br Libardo Garzón (Econome General), Br Luis Carlos Gutiérriez (Vicar General) and Br Ben Consigli (General Councillor).
The meeting was planned and organised by the Secretariat for Mission, Brothers Carlos Rojas (Director) and Mark Omede (Deputy Director). Br Teófilo Minga was the translator.
The five days of the meeting were intense and considered several broad areas. Firstly, the concept of shared services; what is in place, the further analysis undertaken and what is possible. This included an analysis of the global education market. Strategy and strategic planning was the next area of focus. Further discussion took place on the Mission Committee contribution to the strategic planning process and then Br Luis Carlos and Br Ben Consigli presented the overall strategic plan of the Institute.
On Wednesday, the Committee considered various forms of legal structures and what might be appropriate in our Marist world at all levels. Finally, the focus shifted to networking and structural matters, all in the light of the previous discussions.
A study was presented about networking within the Institute and a pilot proposal for the launch of a Global Network of Marist Schools.
On Friday, Br Luis Carlos led the discussion on future expectations of this Committee, its work, its form and its support to the General Council. Flowing from the meeting will be input to the next plenary of the General Council.
This will inform the shape of the support that this team can give to the General Council as we continue to follow the Calls of the Chapter.
The business of the Committee as described above was interwoven with the richness of relationships and interactions on a more informal basis.
A closing sentiment of everyone who worked so closely together for the week was that the sense of real momentum and progress is growing as the team gels and develops.
The diversity, experience and commitment of the General Mission Committee team is a strong support and resource to the new leadership of the Institute.
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Mike Greeff