Administration is important

[Christian]

Even though some members of our community do not truly understand the purpose of administration and are, in some cases, resistant to this aspect of the ICDS, it is nonetheless an important part of the community—indeed, the very part that, together with the vision, keeps it alive.
This year’s conference of the Dicastery for the Moderators of the Associations of the Faithful also addressed this by drawing our attention to the importance and specific aspects of administration.
I would like to share the summaries below of the presentations here and encourage further discussion.

First some key takeaways from it to think over:

• Subject: Leadership team

One of the issues discussed in small groups among the participants was the requirements for members of the management team. Other large and long-established associations also face the challenge of finding suitable and necessary candidates during elections. It cannot be expected that people with the appropriate qualifications will always be found, which is why it is necessary to train these individuals ourselves. This would present a concrete task for ‘Ongoing Formation,' where a number of interested parties or those to be recruited could undertake a sort of training course for leadership roles.

Members of the coordination team at all levels must also have mediation skills. To acquire such skills, courses are recommended, some of which are also available online. They must have a basic understanding of psychology, as they will sometimes be forced to handle delicate and difficult situations. It is also essential that they be or become “trusted individuals.” This is a point that must absolutely be included in the ICDS training and continuing education!

Candidates for leadership positions must be thoroughly familiar with the statutes and ROPs and understand their content (rationale, background, implications).
The vocation must be evident as a shining example (if you don't burn, you won't ignite!).

• Subject: Community

Every member of the association is also part of the administration and is responsible to it for ensuring that it functions well. This is also a sign of appreciation and respect for the community.
As the ICDS, we live in community with the awareness that we are not alone on the pilgrimage. Accordingly, it is important for everyone to become aware of who they are and what they are called to do. Everyone has their own task in God’s vineyard. Whoever thinks everything is the same and mixes everything together is ultimately part of NOTHING! (Pope Leo XIV)

Once again, the meeting made me realize the importance of working toward a genuine sense of community. For almost all other groups, this perspective is completely off their radar, and as a result, they face various difficulties because they never allow for a process of group dynamics. This is also something that must be worked toward even during the formation of Lay Salvatorians.
We must create an environment of co-responsibility.

• Subject: Administration

An annual report is important for the community and shows what has happened (even if nothing has happened!). It should list not only the celebrations and gatherings but also the regular activities, initiatives, plans, etc. It should reflect the vitality of the community. Imaginary figures regarding new members are irrelevant to the Dicastery; rather, it is interested in quality and commitment.
The report must also be available in case of a potential request from the Dicastery (this may become mandatory in the future).

• Subject: Ongoing Formation

Ongoing Formation (continuing education) within the ICDS framework must address the issues, questions, and challenges of today. This is not merely a matter of ecclesiastical, religious, and theological issues, but above all of the fundamental questions of life itself. For this reason, new members should be selected based in part on their openness to these responsibilities; otherwise, they will not be able to live out the Salvatorian universality in all its diversity.

The encyclicals of the popes may serve here as an example and inspiration, as they, too, continually seek answers to the challenges of the times in the light of the faith.

As mentioned above, it is necessary to acquire the required skills through ongoing training. In particular, I am thinking of computer skills (word processing, spreadsheets [Excel], simple bookkeeping and budgeting, presentations, databases, and graphics). These skills can be learned, for example, through YouTube videos.

• Subject: Communication

Our ICDS communication has to follow a crossed path:

We need to spread the word and convey how important it is to maintain a constant exchange in all directions. And with the tools available to most of us today, we can communicate. The only things standing in our way are a lack of will, a kind of unnecessary fear, and our own inertia. Something we should learn to overcome together.