Pat Herrera-Duran facilitated the session. She led with a brief description of the purpose of the meeting and overview of the agenda.

Dee Dee Smith gave out handouts of the VOTF organizational structure, description of Parish Voice, and the Voice of the Faithful Story. Pat questioned how the council representatives had been elected. The two representatives, both from northern California, were elected last July online and by mail by national VOTF registered members from the western region (HI, WA, CA). It was agreed that we ask if a candidate could be drawn from the north (WA, northern CA) and another from the south (perhaps HI and southern CA) in the next election. It was also noted that our Regional Coordinator is in Boston. Dee Dee brought up that in the past the Regional Coordinator has served primarily an administrative function agenda

Charlie McDonough led the opening prayer.

There was some confusion over registration in the local affiliate (SOLA) and the national VOTF. The registration data does not transfer from local to national. A member must register individually in both to receive national and local information, ballots, etc. Dee Dee said that she would contact the national office and find out if an integration of membership data is possible or in the works. Dee Dee – I have spoken with Suzy Nauman in Boston and she reported that there is an ongoing project to develop an effective way of doing this. We’re not there yet, though.

Dee Dee also spoke of the beginning efforts to form a regional identity for communication and cooperation in actions. Several California VOTF members met in a teleconference last spring headed by Mary Ann Keyes, Suzy Nauman and others from national to discuss how to begin.

It was decided that members should download and print the annual report soon after its release for discussion at our monthly meeting. We will print a few copies to give new members or guests

There was a question whether we have bylaws. Charlie McDonough told how there was an effort early on to write somewhat of a draft version stating how to elect officers, etc. Dee Dee will be checking our files to find a copy of what was done in the past.

Pat began a discussion of the relationship between SNAP and other survivor support organizations and VOTF. Udo Strutynski clarified some misunderstandings about what SNAP is. For example, SNAP serves victims of abuse as children or vulnerable adults. The abuse may have come from pastors or religious of any religion as well as family or others. It was suggested that we ask a SNAP member to give an informational talk a regular VOTF meeting. Udo volunteered to do so.

Pat told members of an organization called Lamps which seems to have a mission very like that of VOTF. Udo gave an explanation of the purpose and activity of Linkup, now called Healing Alliance. Paul Baier’s Bishops Accountability website and Survivors First organization were both described.

Enola explained that Safeguard the Children is an educational program of the Archdiocese which uses a training program called Virtus to train adults in child abuse prevention. Virtus was developed by an insurance company before the 2002 scandal and then held back a while to let things cool. It is purchased by the L.A. Archdiocese and, per Joan Vienna, is quite expensive. Margaret Schtettler wrote to add that the Safeguard committees are specific to parishes. There are also options such as Good Touch, Bad Touch body safety education which can be given directly to children. She suggested that Joan Vienna would be willing to speak to VOTF.

Safeguard the Children gives a mixed message about it being a lay, volunteer program in which staff are not to be leaders, but that the school Vice Principal and Principal need to be on the committee. Enola stressed that it is important for the school management to be committee participants. It was determined that members should try to make sure that VOTF has a relationship with Safeguard the Children in their parishes. VOTF members should monitor what is being done and how well it is being done. Our mission to support survivors includes the prevention of abuse. Enola will prepare a fact sheet on Safeguard the Children.

At some point, it was brought up that Cardinal Mahony is out of town (and has been). Udo reported that he is on sabbatical. No one seems to know if this was announced. Margaret Schtettler responded to a draft of these minutes: “when the summaries were released, probably one of the most depressing weeks for most Catholics of the Archdiocese, there was no pastoral response from anyone in a position of pastoral leadership in the diocese—no word from the Cardinal, the regional bishops, the chancellor, vicar general, etc. No one from the diocese visited parishes where there were new revelations about priest abusers. The only voice I heard was that of the attorney, who seemed to be calling the shots and speaking for the absent Cardinal.”

GOALS

A 29th goal was added to the 28 on the agenda. A timeline was decided upon for each goal using a ordering system whereby 1 is begin now, 2 is begin within 3 months, 3 begin within 6 months, 4 begin within 12 months and 5 hold for next year’s plan.

Membership Communication -- 1 – currently communication is through email. Decision to mail postcards to those without email. Discussion of using a phone tree as well. Helen volunteered for the phone tree. Also, the idea was presented to have a “buddy” for new guests at VOTF meetings. This would not be an announced effort, but an assigned member would occasionally keep in touch by email, phone, note. Buddy could offer to give or arrange rides. Enola volunteered to be a buddy.

Membership Orientation – 1 -- Preparation of a VOTF Orientation Packet to include history, mission, goals, reading list, links, registration form, etc. Need committee members.

Develop Fact Sheet -- 1 – Discussion of who owns the assets. Udo updated us on the latest ruling. Pat earlier gave a sample of an LA County fact sheet to show that ours should look professional and attractive (on special paper, etc.). It was decided that this fact sheet would be a sort of rebuttal to false information disseminated by the archdiocese and others. An example was shown of the yellow sheet (no literary allusion intended, I’m sure) given out by the Archdiocese several months ago titled “Protecting Children in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles – Know the Facts.” Enola suggested that it be in both English and Spanish. Udo said he would help get financial figures (Hennigan’s costs, etc.)

Develop Newsletter –5

Support Letters to Priests –1 – This is the prayer project (priests of one parish per week to be prayed for by name/intention). Helen and Pat will finish this startup project.

Change Meeting Format –1—Pat introduced idea that meetings should consist of discussion of actions on agenda first – who, what, why, when, how to disseminate information. Everyone should remind each other to stay on track. After agenda items there will be time for other items and discussion. Charlie requested that the financial report be read first rather than just given as a handout. Members should read and print out minutes off the website ahead of meeting.

VOTFSola Listening Sessions – 1—It was noted that Fr. O’Byrne has a listening session scheduled at St. Catherine Laboure for the second Thursday of November. Enola later said that she would check with Mary Pitcher on this. Pat brought up the question of who sponsors listening sessions and are they connected to SNAP. It was determined that this series had been started by Margaret Schtettler and that Mary Pitcher had been active in setting them up. SNAP is the connection for speakers and support for speakers from fellow SNAP members. It was suggested that each VOTF member bring at least one other person with them when attending listening sessions. Kathleen Hawkins suggested that another version might be a small group listening/healing session. She quoted from the book Trauma and Recovery, saying that victims need a response from the community. They heal through a loving connection with others. Kathleen said she would speak to the parents support group about the idea.

Media Campaign – 3 -- It was agreed upon that this should wait until the support materials discussed are prepared. Dee Dee said that John Moynihan, VOTF Communications Director, is planning to have monthly teaching teleconferences on publicity methods and techniques VOTFSola needs a person to be act as our media representative.

Letter Campaign –5

Visits to Clergy/Bishops – 3 3 – Two local bishops have received VOTF visits. It was decided that all should be visited.

Sponsor Conference – 4/5 – Determined to be too ambitious at this point. Discussion of VOTF Santa Barbara’s event in January with Donald Cozzens speaking.Dee Dee will find out date and time. Suggestion to carpool to Santa Barbara to attend.

Sponsor Booth at RE Congress – 5 – Too late for 2006, decided to apply early for 2007.

Develop Website – 3 – All will search for a webmaster. While we have a simple site it was agreed that a very professional, informative site is very much needed.

Support SNAP – 1 – Udo was questioned as to what we could do to support SNAP. He said it would be most helpful if members attended events to hand out flyers, etc. There is an event at Union Station this afternoon at 4:30 to protest the honoring of Fr. Smolich, former Jesuit provincial, at a fundraising dinner. As earlier discussed, it was decided to have an informational speaker from SNAP (Udo) at a meeting.

Recruit New Members – 1 – Helen Grove suggested that outreach might be made to Jesuit young volunteers, especially in the interest of the diversity of membership that we desire. All will work on this goal although the above was the only concrete proposal.

VOTFSola Bishop Accountability – 1 – The Fact Sheet will be our first step toward this goal.

Change Church Structure –2 – At first, this goal was said to be too large and difficult to form actions around. Pat brought up vested pension plans for priests. It was immediately agreed upon that support for this issue would be a very strong small step toward changing church structure. Retirement security would empower priests to speak out. There was full agreement on this goal, but no immediate action plan.

VOTFSola Organizational Structure – 2 – Agreed that we would work on bylaws.

VOTFSola Banner – 1 – Agreement that a banner is much needed. It was decided that the national logo is too busy, hard to read. Udo suggested Kathleen might design a new one for the banner. Kathleen also said that she already has an idea for a button/logo symbolizing survivors/supporters. She will work on a design. Nancy McDonough will obtain information on production of banner.

Develop Library – 3 – Nancy said that concerns were that we have guests who often don’t return for another meeting and that this might be a problem in retaining books. This was determined to be a worthy project, but not pressing.

Speakers Bureau – 3 or 4 4 – VOTF members speaking to other groups. Look at this again in 6-12 months.

Disseminate Information – Not discussed in depth.

Improve Public Image – 2 or 3 3 – It was felt that the improved informational materials and a media representative would be addressing this goal.

Utilize Media Effectively – 2 – See Media Campaign. Pat asked how Mary Grant does this so effectively. Udo said there is a format with the 5 W’s. The fax numbers of all media outlets, TV, radio, print, are needed.

Educate Public –1 or 2 --The orientation packet would be used for this purpose. Also, the production of a “Truth Book” with concise reporting of the dollar cost of earlier payouts and cover-up, short versions of the documented scandals such as Boston, Philadelphia, plus stories such as arbitrary parish closings, priests being forced out on flimsy charges (Fr. Cuenin), etc.

Develop Functional Network – 5

Evangelize Former Members – not addressed

Identify Strength/Weakness – Not addressed.

Emergency Preparedness –2 or 3 -- Set up a committee headed by media rep.