MEET AN ASSOCIATE – FEBRUARY 2004
This month, the Leadership Training Program for CSJ Associates
in Toronto is outlined by Sister Virginia Varley.
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Left to right: Ursula Matthews, Shannon-Lee Maguire,
Sister Virginia Varley, Brian Farrell, Carole Sauvé
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Following the General Chapter of the Toronto Congregation
in 2000, the Leadership Team was given the mandate to carry
out a viability study of the Congregation. The study relates
to our future and will lead us to make decisions as to how
to proceed. It also considers our Associate Program and how
this may be sustained into the future.
In a March 2003 meeting called by Sister Roberta Freeman
(Director of the Associate Program) to talk about the viability
study and how it would affect our Associate communities, the
conclusion was reached that two areas needed to be addressed:
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Inviting more Sisters to become part of our Associates
communities as resource and support persons.
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Developing leadership training for some of our
Associates.
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A committee made up of Sisters Marie MacNamara, Grace Sauvé
and Virginia Varley was formed to develop a leadership program.
Chaired by Sister Virginia, the Committee designed a training
program and following approval of the general principles by
the Toronto Leadership Team, the program was implemented as
follows:
- A two-year program
- Made up of four Associates each year
- With five day-long meetings each year.
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The first session was held in September 2003 with Brian
Farrell, Ursula Matthews, Shannon Lee Maguire and Carole Sauvé
as the first participants.
As part of the program, participants will be given opportunities
to exercise leadership as they are ready. Each training session
has three parts.
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During the first year of training, our story as
a congregation is emphasized, including our foundation
in France, coming to the "new world",
and coming to Toronto.
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Our spirituality is emphasized through consideration
of our charism and characteristics of our spirituality
as expressed in the maxims.
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Skills are presented – for reflection, for
conversation. The participants then take part in
presenting their understanding of the foundations
of these skills and in leading a portion of the
sessions.
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Having the opportunity to use these skills and other elements
that the participants are learning is critical to the success
of the program. To this end, csj communities and local communities
of sisters are encouraged to invite one of the participants
to make a presentation or to lead a process for their community.
We are relying on everyone to help in this important formation
for leadership that is underway.
Back to Meet an Associate
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