Present: Tim Power, Shari Steffen, Colin LaVergne, Tom Garvey, Suzanne Severson (minutes)
Absent: Jim Ayers ( on vacation)

1. Opening Prayer of Summer

2. Review of Top 2008 Goals:
A) Increase Membership thru Outreach:

• Call members in each parish, or parish staff ( eg Justice miniters, Pastoral Ministers, Befrienders, ect) with a concrete action, such as : Will you bring 10 persons from your parish to our event of ....Abbott Klassen, Justice Ann Burke, etc.

• Bring an article or published piece to each meeting to share with members

• As news emails from Suzanne arrive, suggest to her those which should be distributed to members

* Tom will call Kerri Kemp ( of Religious Formation Dept at Basilica) for input on how to welcome home those who have left the Church, particularly regarding those who have left due to the abuse crisis, whether they left generally or due to personal experiences.

B) The Victims are Still with us/ Crisis has not Gone Away:

• Write an article for the Spirit when Abbot Klassen is re-scheduled

• Get them to write a story for any VOTF sponsored event

C) Annual Apology Service

• Nov 11 or 18 suggested. Tom will contact Basilica ( Kerri Kemp) to see if they are interested in hosting esp in view of the co-mission of re-connecting lost sheep. St Richards is in reserve and Shari will contact if necessary.

3. Events Scheduling:
• Apology Service for Nov 11 or 18
• Abbot Klassen for Oct or Nov on a Thursday evening at Basilica( Colin to contact both)
• Justice Ann Burke: April or next fall - Purpose is to raise awareness of & movitation around clergy abuse issue. Shari to contact her office. Possibe co-presenttion with Michael O’Connell.

4. Priest of Integrity Award:
• Michael O’Connel to be asked if OK to nominate - Tim and Suzanne to coordinate. Backup award to Abbot Klassen if O’Connel declines. Deadline for submission to National VOTF is July 15. Tim or give Suzanne text for submitting nomination. S will implement.

5. Critique of Response to National VOTF Goal 2 Statement:
Draft letter reviewed and discussed. Suzanne to finalize and disseminate.

6. Discussion of Local Issues:
• Feedback on diocesan priests’ meeting. Timing (Sept) and content of letter to bishops ( meet with VOTF reps, host apology service, write letter to be read at our apology service). Mention of nomination for Priest of Integrity Award. Colin will draft a letter for review at our August meeting.

7. Set Summer Meetings:
• Next meeting date: Thursday, August 7, 5-6:45 pm Pax Christi. We will return to Meetings at Joan of Arc in September. Members have standing committments on Monday and Tuesday evenings. Check your availability on Weds and Thursdays for the season.