‘Celebrating Joyful Service’ – Broken Bay Festival Day
Over 80 Broken Bay members attended a full day Festival event, ‘Celebrating Joyful Service’, on 19 March at Pennant Hills. The keynote speaker was Robert Fitzgerald AM, who spoke about ‘Good Governance and Good Works– How can good governance and structures enable the best support and hand up to people we assist?’ Denis Walsh, State Council President, also spoke about current challenges and future potential for the Society and about how becoming incorporated assists the Society to achieve its mission and vision.
These talks as well as the Q and A with Robert and Denis, were video recorded and now available for viewing on the Vinnies Youtube site.
Keynote Address by Robert Fitzgerald Good Governance for Good Works and the accompanying Good Governance for Good Works Powerpoint Presentation
Governance and Good Works in the Society Denis Walsh HB
Q&A with Robert Fitzgerald and Denis Walsh HB
GoodNews Stories from the Regions HB
The hope that members would gain a better understanding of the Society’s governance structures and how they support our good works was highly achieved according to the feedback from participants. Attendees also reported that they were inspired by the initiatives for enriching our service and engaging new people that they heard about in the ‘Good News Stories from the Regions’ and the two workshops they chose to attend selected from the following:
• Leading Joyfully: A workshop for Presidents
• Valuing the role of Treasurer
• Spirituality: Growing in faithful service
• Growing our Membership
• Appreciating our Retail Centres
• Social Justice in Action
• Year of Mercy and Resources for faith formation
• Raise our Voice with our young people time for members to share their current experiences and hear about new initiatives, ideas, and approaches.
Members were delighted to also be able to meet Bishop Peter Comensoli who spoke briefly in the afternoon offering his encouragement for the members and their work in our parishes and local communities.
Just prior to the Festival Day, Regional Council Presidents met for a ‘Round Table’ discussion led by the Member and Volunteer Services Engagement and Support Team from the State Support Office where they considered priorities for action.
The Festival Day wrapped up with vibrant discussions in Regional Council groups about the ideas, learning and initiatives they’d like to share with other members. Just before the Festival day the Regional Presidents participated in a ‘Round Table Discussion’ where discussed their ideas for recruitment and renewal. The Regional Presidents and some members who were inspired by Festival Day, are now considering opportunities to put some of these great renewal ideas into action.
If you would like to know more about the Festival Day, please contact John Donnelly, j.donnelly@ozemail.com.au or tel: 9451 4712.