“Why a DDRE Forum Blog?”

On November 16, 2004 we asked the question, “Why a DDRE Forum Blog?” Read the post here.

A time to select our leadership

During NCCL's National Conference & Exposition being held in Chicago April 30 - May 4, 2006 we will have the opportunity to elect new leadership. As you know this is an important election. We think it is essential for the members of the DDRE Forum to take time to get to know the members of each slate and their vision for NCCL. The contact information for each member of the slate is available in the Membership Directory on the NCCL web site here. Now is the time to contact the members of the slates and talk with them about NCCL.
The two slates are:

• Harry Dudley - President
• Charleen O’Connell - Vice President
• Marc Gonzalez - Treasurer
• Kathy Gallo - Secretary
  

• Mary Ann Ronan - President
• Fr. David Loftus - Vice President
• Loraine DeLuca - Treasurer
• Sr. Janet Schaeffler - Secretary

Join the email discussion group and discuss your vision for NCCL and the skills and talents we need in leadership positions. Click here to access the DDRE Forum discussion group.

Proposed DDRE Forum Gathering Agenda

The forums will take place Tuesday, May 2, 3:30 - 5:30 p.m. as part of the 2006 NCCL National Conference & Exposition being held in Chicago.

Agenda for the Forum Gathering:

3:30 Prayer

3: 45 Developing a Catechetical Plan for the Diocese
The NDC directs dioceses to develop a catechetical plan. This segment of the gathering will present a process to help Directors network and resource one another on this vital issue. . The results of each roundtable discussion would be provided to the directors afterward.

4:30 Reflections on the Symposium: The New Catechetical Reality
This segment will give directors a chance to process insights gained at the recent symposium with Richard Gaillardetz. It could add further “meat” for the discussions about the diocesan catechetical plan. The results of each roundtable discussion would be provided to the directors afterward.

5:00 Election of New Animators
Replacements for Jim and Mary Kay will be elected at the gathering.

5:15 Other Business Items
This segment might include a brainstorm session on future symposium possibilities and topics.
Also, a chance for the DDRE Forum to communicate anything as a group to NCCL or possibly to propose a resolution regarding a current issue in NCCL or on the national scene.

Share your thoughts on the agenda with the animators at DDREForum@gmail.com.

Nominations for the Role of Animator

At the NCCL Annual meeting in Chicago two new animators will be chosen. The role description for forum animators:

• Animators are elected for a three year term
• Plan and facilitate the Forum Meeting at the NCCL Annual Meeting
• One animator will represent the Forum on the Representative Council
• One animator will serve on the Leadership Discernment Committee
• Solicit suggestions for membership on the Animating Team and conduct elections
• Solicit names for conference leadership
• Facilitate networking among forum members
• Help plan forum events to meet the needs of the membership throughout the year
• Communicate with other forums, the board of directors, and the executive committee, and the executive director

Nominations and background information must be submitted to Jim Kemna by April 17, 2006. E-mail Jim at DDREForum@gmail.com.

Let the discussion begin

At a recent meeting of the MINK region we discussed our inability to take advantage of technology in our ministry. On arriving home I read an interesting observation on JP Rangaswami Blog, “Confused of Calcutta” that made our discussion all the more depressing. Rangaswami works for an investment bank in London and he said:

“My son Isaac takes two minutes to critique a mobile phone. My daughter Orla holds a dozen IM sessions in parallel while doing her nails, her homework and listening to music. And the youngest, Hope, gets frustrated as only a seven-year-old can, when she can’t install the game she’s bought because of poorly designed parental control filters that should affect web browsing and not CD-ROM installing. They are the future.”

I’m convinced we must become more aggressive in our use of technology and digital media. It is not enough to have a web site while those around us have TV and radio networks, podcasts, IM channels, blogs and wikis. Adding an RSS feed to the NCCL web site, making it easier for members to keep up-to-date on changes made to the site, would be a small step forward. With technology we are far behind and the longer we wait the harder it will be to get back in the game.

We also heard from at least one publisher that publishing companies are looking for some guidance from organizations like NCCL and the Directors’ Forum on Safe Environment resources. The question is what would we like to see included in textbooks for Safe Environment Education? Since we are expected to provide Safe Environment training for participants in catechetical programs it seem logical for some of that material to be included in textbooks. So, what advice would we give to the publishers?

Don Kurre

Congratulations to the Diocesan Staff Forum

I want to congratulate the Diocesan Staff Forum for their use of NCCL's web site to share information about Forum activities during The 2006 NCCL National Conference & Exposition April 30 - May 4, 2006. Here is the link to download a copy of the Forum's agenda during the Conference.

Don Kurre