Letter from President 05 March 2009

Firstly let me thank all those who kept me in their thoughts and prayers whilst 1 was severely
incapacitated around the Christmas period 2008, when I was suffering from the eye surgery at
Moorfield's Eye Hospital. It was very much appreciated. I know also, how Big Pat, who I
visited in hospital last week, is so grateful for all your prayers as he battles his cancer.

You will notice that John Ward has published the dates for our 2009 meetings at Blaisdon on
our Blaisdon website www.blaisdonbrotherhood.info. These being: 19th April 2009 and
29-31 August 2009. There is no detail at present as I am waiting to visit Blaisdon to sort out
the details of timings, venues etc. As soon as 1 am able to do this 1 will let John have the
details for him to update our website.

I am fairly sure I have obtained a place for a meeting before each of these reunions, close to
the Village Hall, where we can start a meeting at 1000, allowing for a 45-50 minute meeting.

I was unable to go to the last National Council Meeting due to health problems, but John
Ward was there in his capacity as National Vice President. He was able to report on the two
excellent reunions we were able to hold in 2008. My thanks to John for this.

At that National Council Meeting a draft Constitution for the National Council, for its own
purposes; was tabled for discussion by the Council. It was put to the meeting by National
President that each Local Association might consider using this as template for its own Local
Association's Constitution. (Copy Attached)

We need to consider our position in relation to the suggestion of our National President. In
the light of the above we need to determine our reaction to the proposal and I would hope to
be able to discuss this at our 2009 Reunions. However it is not necessary to wait for the
meetings, you can let me know your views by Email or by letter as soon as you wish. This
would clearly be needed if you will be unable to attend either of the Reunions. You will
notice that is does not cover most of the areas in our current Blaisdon Constitution.

I look forward to hearing from you in whatever timescale or method that suits you best, about
your views of substituting this proposal for our current Constitution.

I know some members are keen to support the National Mission Education Project in Africa.
This can be achieved at our two 2009 Reunions, or by sending these to our Blaisdon Treasurer
for logging. To gain the extra 28% gift Aid, at no cost to you, Cheques must be personal
cheques and made payable to "Salesians of Don Bosco"

Meantime I trust that you are all in good health.

Yours truly, / ^

. .. ^' "

Charles Springett - Blaisdon President

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Draft Statutes : Great Britain Federation of Salesian Past Pupils of Don Bosco    

1. Identity  

a) ‘Salesian Past Pupils of Don Bosco’ are persons who attended a Salesian school, youth centre, institution or other Salesian work and have received a preparation for life based on the principles of the preventive System of Don Bosco. [Past Pupils up to 30 years of age may also be members of a separate international organisation - ‘Young Past Pupils of Don Bosco’ (GEX).]

b) The Past Pupils of Don Bosco are the largest group in the Salesian Family with an estimated 3,000,000 past pupils world wide, and active members in 53 National Federations and 920 local associations. In Great Britain there are an estimated 25,000 former pupils.

The Great Britain Province of the Salesians of Don Bosco has five current schools - Battersea, Bootle, Chertsey, Farnborough and Thornleigh. Three schools at Blaisdon, Cowley, Shrigley are now closed but have active Past Pupil Associations.

2. Mission    

To promote social, sporting and continuing formation activities for the benefit of its members, and to share responsibility with the whole Salesian family for the development of Don Bosco's mission to the young and poor.

Don Bosco's education system is founded on the principles of 'Reason, Religion and Loving Kindness'. His Preventive System was designed to produce "Good Christians and Good Citizens" - and Past Pupils are expected to follow these principles in their family, professional, social and political life.

3 Key Activities

The Federation of Salesian Past Pupils of Great Britain will:-

a) Organise social, sporting and formation activities for all its members

b) Promote the Past Pupil Association to young people at Salesian Schools, helping them to understand the advantages of being a "Salesian for Life" and preparing them for membership. Pupils in Salesian Schools should be priority recipients of personal assistance, financial contributions and career counselling by Local Associations.

c) Build a strong relationship with the Salesian Family - both to receive continuing animation, and to actively contribute to the success of their work in Great Britain and worldwide :-

(i) Salesians of Don Bosco - The National Federation acknowledges, requests and relies upon the commitment of the Salesian Congregation (the Provincial and Rectors of the Salesian houses and their respective Delegates in the National Federation and Local Associations) in the role of animator of the Past Pupils of Don Bosco.

SDB Delegates, at National and Local Association levels, discharge their duties in the name of their Superior. They should participate in the programming and coordination of the Movement’s formative activities. They should be present, at all levels, in the directive and executive structures.      

At a National level, the Past Pupils will organise Annual Appeals in support of education and health projects in UK and in Salesian Mission territories overseas. Local Associations will organise support for their local schools, parishes, or local member connected activities.

(ii) The World Confederation of Past Pupils - participating and voting in European and World Assemblies.

(iii) Association of the Past Pupils of the Sisters of Don Bosco (FMA)

(iii) ‘The Salesian Cooperators’- sharing activities in support of the Salesian Mission.

(iv) Bosco Volunteer Action (BOVA) - encouraging volunteers from Past Pupils

d) Promote and witness the values and dignity of the Family, founded on the sacrament of Marriage, Christian education, the preventive education system, and realising the full potential of every child.

e) Contribute to the creation of a more just society by active involvement in cultural, moral, spiritual and religious campaigns and media communications, which have as their aim the resolving of problems affecting young people.  

f) Publicise all its activities to Past Pupils, the Salesian Family and all interested parties via the National and Local Association web sites, email, newsletters and mailings.

4. Organisation

a) The National Federation is administered by the   National Executive Council (NEC) comprising the elected Presidents of all Local Associations of the Province, and the SDB National Delegate appointed by the Provincial. [The SDB Missions Director will be a co-opted member.]

A National President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Communications Officer are elected annually by members of the National Executive Council.

Meetings - the NEC will meet at least twice a year at a northern and southern venue to receive reports from President, Delegate and Officers. Notice of Meetings and Agenda - minimum 4 weeks. The Quorum is 4 members. Decisions will be taken by majority vote. The President will have a second casting vote in the event of equal votes on any proposal.

Responsibilities - the NEC will :-

(i) produce a rolling 3 Year Strategy to set Objectives and develop Plans to carry out the Key Activities listed at 3. above.

(ii) co-ordinate all National Appeals and the application of funds to projects, reporting regularly on progress to all contributors. The full amount of all funds raised will be transferred to the SDB Trustees Mission Account.

(iii) receive reports on all Local Association activities

(iv) set an annual subscription from Local Associations to fund the annual subscription to the World Federation, NEC administration costs, and any costs more efficiently handled on a national basis.

[In practice, NEC members do not claim expenses for attending NEC meetings, but pre-approved expenses may be paid in cases of hardship. Receipts must be presented for any expenditure.      ]

  (v) call and organise a General Assembly of all Past Pupils whenever considered appropriate.

(vi) authorise and organise the conferring of awards on Past Pupils and on other deserving people

b) Local Associations are administered by Local Association     Executive Councils (LAEC) based on School locations. Local Presidents and Officers (Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Communications Officer) and other Council members are elected by Members at the Annual General Meeting. The SDB Delegate to each Association is appointed by the local Rector.

  Meetings - LAEC's will meet at least quarterly. Decisions will be taken by majority vote. The President will have a second casting vote in the event of equal votes on any proposal. NEC members may attend as ex officio but non-voting members of any LAEC.

Responsibilities - the LAEC will :-

(i) produce a rolling 3 Year Strategy to set Objectives and develop Plans to carry out the relevant local and national Key Activities listed at 3. above.

(ii) organise a Reunion and Annual General Meeting with reports to members on finances and all activities, proposal on annual subscription, and the election of officers for the next year.

(iii) maintain a member data base, a web site and communicate regularly with members

National and Local Executive Councils may co-opt specialists for temporary tasks, but they and any non-members attending meetings have no voting powers.

PJM 11/9/08

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