Role of
the coordinator in Faith and Light
1. THE FAITH AND LIGHT LEADER, A SERVANT
2. ACCOMPANIMENT: who supports the leader?
1. THE FAITH AND LIGHT LEADER, A SERVANT: Within Faith and Light, whether accompanying or coordinating, the Leader’ is essentially a servant following Jesus who came to serve (John 13,1-17). She is called by God to serve brothers and sisters for a specified period of time, the duration of her mandate. She spends time alone in prayer in order to be led by the Spirit of God and to learn to be “meek and humble of heart”. The leader’s first qualification is to love persons with an intellectual disability ~ to be close to their parents and family members and to be able to invite and to engage friends - especially young people. He is a disciple of Jesus in His Church. He also desires and makes efforts to learn how to better understand, serve and be with those for whom he is responsible. In order to serve others well, he recognizes his needs and takes good care of himself also.
The leader accomplishes her role by being, a Servant of the Vision, a Servant of Communion (mainly in Accompaniment), and a Servant of Organization (in Coordination), with an awareness of the value and gifts of all the members of Faith and Light. As a Servant of the Vision, the leader sees the importance of persons with intellectual disabilities and their family members in God’s plan and understands how much they need true friends and a Community, and has a deep understanding of Faith and Light as expressed in the Charter and Constitution (vocation , inspiration ,goals and structure of Faith and Light) and works according to their inspiration and direction . Being Servant of the Vision is the primary responsibility of the Leader in Faith and Light. He has to make sure he is not overloaded by all the activities he has to organize or even by the accompaniment of community members or other leaders.
1 ‘Leader’ is a generic term within Faith and Light. It designates either the correspondent, (temporarily appointed for a leadership role), or the elected coordinator for a community, region, country, zone, continent. Within each circle of responsibility, the leader (coordinator or correspondent) is a lay person. The coordinator can be elected either individually as one person, or as a married couple. In the latter case, the couple has one vote. Both members of the couple are invited to participate in Council meetings, general meetings, and gatherings that they coordinate and of which they are a part. However, where accompaniment/ guidance/visits are concerned, the decision whether one or both go will need to be discerned in the light of different criteria. These can be the needs of the situation, the different gifts of each leader, the complementarity of their gifts, the understanding of their shared role and also the financial situation.
2. The leader may be a man or a woman. To acknowledge this and keep the text clear and simple, we alternate gender specific pronouns.
3. In each circle of responsibility, the mandate is twice renewable. However, change is encouraged and a third mandate should be seen as exceptional.
4 We have kept the expression "intellectual disabilities” in this text. The terminology has evolved considerably over time and in different cultures. Each Country should utilize the expression commonly used, providing it conveys respect for the person. Losing sight of the vision leads to becoming lukewarm and the gradual erosion of the quality of community life.
A Servant of Communion, the leader carries in her heart and prayers the persons entrusted to her, allowing each one to find his/her place and the space needed for their growth and the exercise of their talents. The leader listens, is patient, confronts the conflicts that may arise, knows how to forgive and how to work with people different from her, encouraging an atmosphere of reconciliation. She is humble. She strives to become a good shepherd, coming to know each one by name. She is an architect of unity...
As a Servant of Communion, the leader is called to ACCOMPANY others in their life in Faith and Light. In the community, helped by the coordinating team, the leader accompanies each person and each relationship towards deeper human maturity
As a Servant of Organization, the leader is responsible for organizing and coordinating activities that nourish community life and that address the needs for growth for each person. He is never alone regardless of the responsibility entrusted to him. He is helped and supported by the team that chose him and with whom he works. Together they share responsibility: they carry the life of Faith and Light in prayer, they plan and evaluate, they recognize and engage gifts of all members, helping each member to grow and to find a place of belonging, they see needs and set priorities. Often the greatest service is to offer others the opportunity to use their gifts and talents in a way that builds up and makes a contribution. The leader is someone who can delegate and who is willing to work through difficulties and conflicts. Each leader is confirmed and encouraged by the leader who accompanies her or him.
Confronted with the importance of the responsibility entrusted to us by our election, we can be filled with fear and doubt: we don’t have the needed qualifications; we don’t have the wherewithal to be Leaders. To exercise a responsibility is a gift from God. We will request help from our brothers and sisters in our areas of weakness. God is close to those who fulfill Leadership positions and strive to exercise them humbly and in a spirit of service. We can count on this: we are not alone.
ACCOMPANIMENT: To
ACCOMPANY COORDINATORS IN THEIR LEADERSHIP ROLE
On the road to Emmaus Jesus walked with two disciples. In this passage of the Gospels Jesus gives us a clear model of what accompaniment is, and wily we need accompaniment. Jesus took the initiative and became their companion — Jesus walked with them, asked them questions, listened to their pains, talked with them in a way that the fire of love was burning in their hearts, Jesus interpreted their reality, challenged them and reminded them of the way things needed to be done, Jesus kept some distance and gave them the possibility of them inviting him to stay, Jesus stayed with them when night was falling, and broke bread with them. Jesus truly nourished the disciples, so they became stronger in their beliefs, and full of enthusiasm. He left them so they could carry on the mission for which they were called. The disciples were free to express themselves, did not feel condemned, listened to what Jesus had to say, and became aware of the fire burning in their hearts. Those who were once afraid, running away from the call, were able to go back to their brothers and sisters and announce the good news.
Just like these two disciples, you are not left alone as a leader. Someone will be walking with you, asking questions, challenging, interpreting, listening, staying with you when darkness comes and you feel tired. Someone will journey with you and be your companion. And in your turn, as a leader, you will also be the one to walk with others, be their companion in such a way that you reveal to them their inner fire of love for Faith and Light.
The type of accompaniment Faith and Light provides There are different types of accompaniment: spiritual, personal and functional. It is the responsibility of each individual to seek and to find a person who is able and formed to provide spiritual and personal accompaniment. Leaders are called to receive and to provide functional accompaniment to other leaders and teams.
Functional accompaniment in Faith and Light is focused on the role (function).
“How am I living this role? How am I in this role?” “How am 1 fulfilling this responsibility? How am I helping others fulfill their role?” It is not primarily a “work relationship”, not a supervisory relationship, but a personal relationship focused on the role, which does not belong to us, but was entrusted to us.
The goal of the accompaniment process is to allow each person to grow and become a better Leader, and to help Faith and Light realize its vocation and its goals.
Accompaniment is a journey toward communion... It is important in this accompaniment relationship to work at establishing bonds of trust which will allow us to be real, transparent and to express in simplicity our needs and our concerns, to share our experience, to recognize our strengths, to be open about our weaknesses and difficulties, to listen to each other and to ask each other questions, to pray, and to laugh together. It’s also a matter of keeping one another informed.
Fundamental choices
Some fundamental choices must be made for a successful accompaniment process to occur within Faith and Light
To love the persons entrusted. In Faith and Light we do not choose those whom we accompany or those who accompany us, yet we are called to love them. How do we do this, especially when there may be differences or problems? We try to get to know them, we work to see and acknowledge the gifts, the good and the love present in the other. We pray for and, when possible, with them. To be faithful to the, vision of Faith and Light. The leader is concerned about the growth of the leader and teams he accompanies, however his ultimate goal is the growth of the communities and their members as expressed in the Charter and Constitution.
To journey in humility and truth.
Authority is service, following the example of Jesus. We do not need to be afraid of. “authority” when exercising or receiving accompaniment. Authority is not authoritarianism. . Authority is always rooted in truth — the truth about Faith and Light, the truth about the needs that we see, the truth about the role that we have, the truth about the persons involved. Part of accompaniment in Faith and Light is always seeking the truth together. Truth liberates.
Who accompanies whom?
Leaders in Faith and Light accompany the community
Regional Coordinator accompanies the Community Coordinator
National Coordinator accompanies the Regional Coordinator (or the Community Coordinator if there are no Regions)
Zone Coordinator accompanies the National Coordinator
Continental Coordinator accompanies the Zone Coordinator,
(and the National Coordinator when the Country is not yet part of a Zone)
International Coordinator accompanies the Continental Coordinator.
The National and International Coordinators can count on the assistance of the Vice-Coordinators where they exist.
In the case where a person is elected as a coordinator to a wider area of responsibility, the accompaniment of one’s own community, region or country will be decided in dialogue with that person’s accompanier. It is usually difficult to accompany a situation that one has had responsibility for previously. (e.g. A Regional Coordinator accompanying the community where he was previously Coordinator.) Where countries are attached directly to the Continent, or where countries are on long-time probation, it is the Zone or Continental Coordinator who will accompany communities (in formation, in probation or recognized).
Where and When to Accompany
To accompany is to assist a Leader in his task on a regular basis, to walk side by side when all is well, to help the Leader to deepen her roots in Faith and Light. It is also to assist in special situations: when the Leader is newly discerned (transition period) or when he faces problems, when his Council does not help, etc... In given circumstances, because of distances special or difficult situations, or if the leader has more than five people to accompany, he can delegate an accompaniment to another person. The delegation can be of long or short: duration with a specific mandate, and is done in agreement with his own accompanier. Faith and Light countries may be multiplied into “Faith and Light Provinces” to promote better accompaniment. Every time the word National or Country is used, it also applies to “Provincial” or “Faith and Light Provinces”.
Person to Person
Accompaniment can happen during informal or formal person-to-person meetings, where the accompanier and the accompanied person agree to meet and spend time together. They can use other events to take time together (during Councils, Meetings, Formation sessions, Retreats, Discernments....). In-between meetings, it happens through personal contacts (phone, fax, letters, e-mail...).
Group Accompaniment occurs: when the accompanier comes to visit the community, attend team and council. sessions, or on the occasion of a regional, national, zone or continental meeting, This provides an opportunity to accompany the group (community, team or gathering) as a whole.
Mid-mandate review it is valuable for the accompanier to lead the team (or Council) to see how the leader and the team are doing in light of the mandate the leader was entrusted with at the time of election: looking at and confirming where the leader is doing well; eliciting suggestions for areas in need of improvement and inviting the team to re-commit themselves to support and to assist in the mission that is still before them; blending their gifts with those of the leader.
How to Accompany
Who initiates
A contact or visit between the accompanying leader and the persons she accompanies may be initiated by either person. The establishment of a mutually agreed upon schedule of contacts can be most helpful in certain circumstances (a phone call every 15 days... weekly e-mails...). It is good to schedule in advance those meetings that require the accompanier’s presence as described in the Charter and Constitution (discernments, meetings...).
How To ‘Be’
The accompanier knows how to be present when needed, humble and discreet. He knows how to be close but also keep at a distance so he can have an outside and global perspective. He is free of any preconceived idea of the person he is accompanying, and of what needs to be done. He does not project his own needs or views and keeps his focus on the particular reality. True listening leads him to a better knowledge and understanding of the person, the circumstances, the group and its culture.
He knows how to keep matters in confidence as needed.
He prays for the leaders, teams and communities he accompanies.
What To Do
To interpret the situation and reality. Because he is an outsider, the accompanier has perspective and can help read and clarify as well as defuse a situation. He can even help others see the hidden beauty in other people, in his community or team,
To Help Evaluate, to review the strengths, the weaknesses, and challenges in relation to the team, or in relation to the life of Faith and Light in the different circles of responsibility (Community, Region, Country, Zone, Continent). Such an evaluation allows for an update of the true priorities.
To Announce and Remind of the Vision, To Inspire: every day, life and its problems tend to make us forget who we are called to be. We need to be reminded of the goals and vocation of Faith and Light.
To Challenge. The accompanier can ask the right questions that foster reflection and positive action. He calls people to explore new paths.
To encourage members to move forward, after they are reminded of the vision
To Confirm. It consists of showing the road covered and progress made. It is to encourage, thank, and to reinforce people’s self-confidence. It is the opportunity to point out once more to the Leader the trust the team that elected him has in him; it’s the chance to remind him of his gifts and competencies. This is not flattery.
To Counsel: This may relate to general questions or to concrete situations, such as the preparation of the agenda for a formation session or Council meeting, the accompaniment of another Leader, etc...
To pray with the leaders, teams and communities he accompanies. No one has the answer; we all need God’s guidance and mercy.
To Support and lend a Helping Hand when needed and accompany the Leader in a new or delicate task such as how to welcome a religious authority, how to be present at a difficult meeting, how to prepare a formation session, etc...
To help provide the support needed by the Leader.
- Suggest relevant documents
- Invite and encourage to participate information sessions, retreats...
Help the Leader to seek other persons who can provide help as needed:
who can offer spiritual and personal accompaniment
who have the same kind of responsibilities
who are experts in specific areas (conflict management, difficult elections, running a workshop, ecumenism, maturation and growth of the persons with disabilities, grieving process of parents...)
The accompanier, as any leader in Faith and Light, cannot, and is not expected to be, the provider for everything!
COORDINATION
IN FAITH AND LIGHT
Faith and Light is a community movement within an international family. Every community and movement needs organization with leadership, cooperation and direction.
Coordination in Faith and Light is the service of organizing the community or circle of responsibility around the world in the light of its unique vocation and mission. It relies on loving, clear, direct, timely, accurate communication. Faith and Light believes that every member is responsible for the life of our rnoyement according to his/her gifts and abilities. For this, every member, especially the leader and members of coordinating teams, needs ongoing formation.
Coordination in Faith and Light is a task for a specific time period. It is essential that leaders step out of the role of coordination after their mandate(s) to allow others to develop and share their gifts for leadership.
The coordinator
Those who are elected (or in certain cases, appointed) serve as the leader. With their team or council, they share responsibility to coordinate the work of the community or circle of responsibility in the spirit of Faith and Light.
In Faith and Light there is a specific process of discernment and election of all coordinators. This process is described in detail in the booklet about discernment and elections in Faith and Light.
Where does coordination happen? Coordination happens in every circle of responsibility in Faith and Light: community, region, country, zone, continent, international.
The exercise of coordination in Faith and Light Coordination in Faith and Light is shaped by the type of community movement we have. It flows from a life of prayer and listening to the Holy Spirit. It is attentive to each one. It calls forth each member’s gifts, recognizing and engaging them. It helps each one to grow and to find a place of belonging.
Coordination in Faith and Light is collegial. It encourages shared responsibilities where all members of the team participate in the reflections, discussions and decision making. After listening, reflection and dialogue, decisions are made, as much as possible, by consensus. When the team cannot arrive at consensus, a vote is carried out after listening to those whose opinion is in the minority. If the vote goes against a fundamental conviction of the leader, he can ask the accompanier to help deepen the reflection and give new insight. In very rare occasions the leader may need to make a decision, through prayer, after listening to all concerned.
Coordination in Faith and Light fosters true community among team members.
Coordination in Faith and Light encourages the development of new leadership.
The leader calls the team to meet regularly. They agree on a place and an agenda ahead of time. Having and honoring a time to start and finish the meeting encourages punctuality. The leader delegates responsibilities, and tasks are shared.
The fidelity of team members during the time of their commitment brings stability to the team. Team members carrying out their responsibilities make the coordination effective. Periodic change of team members is essential to the ongoing life of the community and movement.
During their meetings, the coordinator is attentive to taking time to pray, share and celebrate. There is time for formation, and there is time for work: evaluate, see needs, reflect, set priorities, make decisions, and plan. The leader is particularly attentive to listen to all and to assure that all participate and are heard. The team also gets together outside formal meeting times: It is the responsibility of the team to promote formation for all members.
In each circle of responsibility there is a specific role and mandate for the leader and for coordination.
Coordination and finances
One aspect of coordination is to oversee the financial needs related to each circle of responsibility: to see that Faith and Light has the means necessary to fulfill its mission locally and around the world, to insure the growth of all its members and to use its resources in the spirit of the movement.
Serving on two teams of coordination
The leader belongs to two teams of coordination: she animates one, and is a member of another, where the person who accompanies her leads e.g. a community coordinator animates the coordinating team and is a member of the regional council (or national council if there are no regions).
