Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Marist Volunteer Network

The Board of Directors of the Marist Volunteer Network met from November 27 to 30, in Manziana. Present were Br. Benedict Umoh (Africa Region), Belén Salas (Europe Region), Alvanei Finamor (America Sur Region), Br. Chris Wills (Oceania Region), Br. Diego Zawadzky (Arco Norte Region), Br. Valdicer Fachi and Flaminia Filanci (CMI). Brother Teófilo Minga was present as interpreter.

The main objective of the meeting was to follow up on the priorities established at the Network Assembly held in April 2023, at the Hermitage, and to share the path of volunteering in each Marist Region.

The priorities of the Marist Volunteer Network established for the years 2023 and 2024 are:

1. Promote volunteering at a global level and encourage reception in Marist Communities.
2. Consolidate the Network through empowerment, communication, systematization and collaboration strategies.
3. Give priority to Reception Communities that are suitable for the Marist Family and volunteers.
4. Offer training opportunities for Marist Volunteers.
5. Investigate and propose possibilities for creating a fund to finance volunteering.

These Priorities seek to respond to the needs of the Provincial Volunteer Coordinators and collaborative work as a Network, both to send and receive volunteers.

The Marist Volunteer Network aims to:

1. Promote and promote Interprovincial and provincial Volunteering in the Institute.
2. Provide CPVs with an expanded vision of Marist life and mission, helping to forge an international mindset and global availability.
3. Create convergence in terms of training and support, language, vision and procedures.
4. Share materials, experiences and good practices.
5. Raise financial resources to finance volunteer costs.
6. Ensure the promotion, dissemination and valorization of volunteering at the Institute.
7. Work in synergy and collaboration with Marist organizations and others involved in volunteering.

In Manziana, recommendations were outlined for the CPVs, for the Regions and for the CMI with the aim that the priorities are effective with a view to creating safe processes for the development of Volunteering, both at the Provincial and Interprovincial levels. It is worth highlighting, for example, some initiatives that are being carried out: Training Course for Volunteers and Reception Communities at the Global level; Accompaniment guide for the Reception Communities throughout the Volunteering cycle; Study on the financing of Marist Volunteering, especially for the Provinces and Districts that are in greatest need; Adjustment, new functionalities and use of NEXUS – Volunteer management system.

Br Valdicer Fachi communicated about the change of name of the Network, going from the CPV Network to the Marist Volunteer Network. This change was approved by the General Council in the plenary session in September. What has changed has only been the name. The structure and operation of the Network continue.