Letter from President 05 March 2009
Salesian Past Pupils Blaisdon Hall 1935 - 1995
44
Bridle Path
Dresden. Stoke on Trent
Staffs ST3 4SB
Date
3rd March 2009
Dear Fellow Blaisdon Old Boys
2009 REUNIONS
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