Tresurer's Workshop - Generalate - Rome 10-30 April 2012

A Three Week Journey

A formation session for treasurers, organised by Sr. Yolanda Borbon, congregational treasurer was held in the Generalate From 10th to 30th April 2012. We were ten sisters from
Myanmar, Pakistan, South Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Burkina Faso and Brasil.

This formation was in line with the 2009 Congregational Chapter, the objectives of which included strengthening resources and practices in administration (accounting, cash flow, networking), so as to be more effective for mission. The session helped us to see administration for mission as an integral part of our religious life. Its holistic approach incorporated the values of our consecrated life, the charism of the congregation, our constitutions, canon law, management styles, as well as training in the use of a new accounting programme ‘Banana.’

This was an opportunity for us to share about our management styles in our various units. The training workshop enabled us to standardise our accounting practices and to take a new method back to our provinces and units, in the form of these new guidelines for administration and management. We realised that this mission of management requires professionalism, transparency. The goods which are entrusted to us are not ours, but are held in common and belong to the Congregation. We were called on to familiarise ourselves with Book Five of Canon Law, on the administration of goods, and with certain articles in our Constitutions on the same topic. The basic concepts of accounting and practical exercises taught us to record data, to classify it, to summarise it and to interpret it. We also received training in developing personal, community and province budgets.

We shared on the qualities of a province treasurer, on the role and job description, as well as on the role of a treasurer in a local community. We are aware of the importance of a province management committee to motivate us to work at developing this structure in our various units.

During this formation, we also had the opportunity to have a session with Mrs Cristina Duranti, the    Mission Development Office director and Mr Bernhard Warner the consultant of MDO.
We got a clear understanding of the role of MDO in our congregation and our indispensable responsibilities in contributing to its growth. MDO is a precious jewel for our congregation. We treasure it.  Mr. Bernhard spoke about Social Media.
 
A short session on Communication facilitated by Sr. M. Francoise Mestry our Communications coordinator was also included in the formation allowing us to get informative and helpful lessons on Communications, Website, and PowerPoint presentation.  Being together allow us to experience a bonding like a support system which enabled us to appreciate the mission of financial administration entrusted to us and take this mission with greater confidence and commitment.
A visit to Assisi and different parts of Rome were much appreciated by all of us
 
We thank God for giving us this opportunity for formation at the Generalate in Rome.
At the end of this month of formation, we thank Sister Brigid and the Congregational Council, the Generalate Community which made us feel at home and, in particular, Sr. Yolanda Borbon, our Congregational Treasurer for all that she shared with us – values and practical knowledge during this time of formation.
  We return home with a great desire to commit ourselves to serving our provinces and missions with greater awareness and efficiency.

The Participants at the workshop
Visit  our Album

http://www.buonpastoreint.org/album/asehoy/a4fb17a1cdde23