Local Chapters

Slovak Catholic Federation Annual Appeal

The Local Chapters

Introduction

The former Speaker fo the United States House of Representatives, Thomas Phillip "tip" O'Neil, Jr (1912-1994) once remarked "All politics are local." In the Church, government and organizations, work must be done on the internationa and national levels; however, the true challenge comes when what is discussed or decided upon on the "highest levels" must be brought home to the local level for discussion and action.

Founded on February 11, 1911 by the Reverend Joseph Murgas at Sacred Heart of Jesus Slovak Church, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvanin , for almost 100 years, the Slovak Catholic Federation has attempted to address the ever changing pastoral needs of Slovak Catholics in America and abroad. As is the case, even with many of our Slovak Catholic fraternal benefit societies, the Slovak Catholic parish became the place for many activities which sought to gather our people together for spiritual, social and service-oriented experiences.

Due to the changing landscape of parochial life in the United States, our once thriving Slovak Catholic parishes are dramatically dwindling in number or due to a number of pastoral factors, no longer exist. The centers of Slovak Catholic life and activity are no longer present in the was they had been in the past.

Seeking to address this important issue of survival, at the 56th National Convention of the Slovak Catholic Federation, April 17-20, 2005 in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, the delegates to the convention were confronted with the reality of the need to broaden the scope and vision of the Slovak Catholic Federation in order to engage Slovak Catholics wherever they may be found. For too long, the Slovak Catholic Federation focused on maintaining contact with Slovak Catholics through age-old institution and societies. But, as these institutions and societies dramatically change or sadly disappear, energy must now be placed into developing ways to engage our people where they may be found - even outside the traditional institutions and societies.

This being the case, renewed emphasis was given into seriously promoting the development of Local Chapters of the ZSlovak Catholic where we may provide opportunities for our people to gather. The Slovak Catholic Federation highly commends those few Local Chapters which continue to be shining examples of what activity is possible when we provide leadership, a location and ideas for our people to gather around.

It is the hope, through this information bulleting, to provide direction on how to form a Local Chapter, what specifics are needed in order for the Local Chapter to be approved for membership in the Slovak Catholic Federation and ideas for possible activities for Local Chapter members to participate in as the Local Chapter grows.

The purposes of the Slovak Catholic Federation

shall be:
(A) to promote the Slovak Catholic heritage and its awareness among Slovak Catholics in
the United States;
(B) to continue the apostolic tradition of Saints Cyril and Methodius by promoting the
proclamation of the Gospel through works of faith and charity, education and
pilgrimage;
(C) to establish and maintain the bonds of hternal cooperation among Slovak Catholic
societies and Slovak Catholics in the United States and to foster such bonds by the
promotion and sponsorship of religious and social activities;
(D) to support vocations to the ordained ministry and religious life, both in the United
States and Slovakia;
(E) to assist the Catholic Church in the Slovak Republic, primarily by helping maintain the
Pontifical College of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Rome and by rendering financial
support for the formation of both clergy and religious;
(F) to create and maintain struc+mes which foster gatherings of Slovak Catholics in various
areas of the United States;

Local Chapters

Sec. 1. The local Chaoter shall serve as a center of mutual encouraeement and as an im~ulsfeo r
more energeti; and persevering activity in pursuit of the p ~ s eosf the ~lovak~atholic
Federation. Therefore, the Executive Board, through the office of the Second Vice-President
shall make every effort to encourage the e s t a b ~ i ~ eonf tsu ch local Chapters.
Sec. 2. Every Chapter shall select a patron by whose name it shall be known. Such a patron shall be
either a Saint of the Church or a prominent Slovak Catholic individual of good repute.
Sec. 3. Chapter officers shall be:
Spiritual Advisor
President
Vice President
secretary
Treasurer
Youth Director
Sec. 4. The necessary number of members for the existence of a Chapter is: 12 + 1.
Sec. 5. The formation of a local Chapter is subject to the approval of the Executive Board upon
receipt of Chapter Application form. In order for a Chapter to be recognized by the Executive
Board of the Federation, both the Chapter and its members individually must be dues paying
members of the Federation. The election of Chapter officers must also meet with the approval
of the Executive Board and terms of office shall coincide with National Conventions.
Sec. 6. Once approved, the Chapter F'resident/Representative becomes a voting member of the
Executive Board. For each Executive Board meeting, the Chapter F'resident shall provide a
written report of Chapter activities and financial &. .
Set. 7. Chapter dues, other than national membership, are suggested and may be established by local
discretion.
Sec. 8. The dissolution of a Chapter is the responsibility of the Executive Board. Any monies / assets
of the dissolved Chapter shall be submitted to the Executive Board for inclusion in the general
working account of the Federation.

The minimum number of members necessary for beginning and maintaining a Chapter is 12 + 1. (Symbolically: Jesus and the 12 apostles)

The formation of a local Chapter is subject to the approval of the Executive Board upon reciept of Chapter Application form. In order for a Chapter to be recognized by the Executive Board of the Federation, both the Chapter and its members individually must be dues paying members of the Federation. The election of Chapter officers must also meet with the approval of the Executive Board and terms of office shall coincide with National Conventions of the Slovak Federation.

Once approved, the Chapter President/Representative becomes a voting member of the Executive Board. For each Executive Board meeting, the Chapter President shall provide a written report of Chapter activities and financial status.

Chapter dues, other than national membership, are suggested and may be established by local discretion. (Possible sugested dues per Local Chapter member $2.00 per year)

The dissolution of a Chapter is the responsibility of the Executive Board. Any monies/assests of the dissolved Chapter shall be submitted to the Executive Board for inclusion in the general working account of the Federation.