Orlando Diocesan Council of Catholic Women (ODCCW) at n/a, Orlando, FL 32802 US - YOU ARE THE VITAL LINK -        DEANERY BOARD MEMBER

Think of the rings of council as a series of links in a chain. This will give you a good visual image of the importance of the Deanery Board Member. Information has to flow (in both directions) through the organization from one level to another in order to keep it alive and well.

Our connection to the FCCW and NCCW is through our ODCCW president. In your mind, connect these two chains to the ODCCW chain with a single link - the president. At ODCCW Board meetings, the information from FCCW and NCCW is passed to the Deanery presidents who are board members. All that information is then taken to the Deanery board and general meetings. Connect the ODCCW chain to the Deanery chain with a link representing the Deanery president.

This is where the affiliation Deanery Board member comes in. She attends the Deanery meeting playing the part of a good reporter by taking notes and carrying that information back to her affiliation. This link represents the Deanery board member and completes the organization chain. Since the Deanery Board member becomes the main source of Council information for her affiliation, Council activities are perceived through her eyes. She should be a positive, interested person who wants to be involved and is willing to share all her God-given gifts.

The Deanery Board member has a second facet to her position. She must respond to the call of her Deanery president to fill a position on the Deanery Board, which is made up of representatives from all affiliations in the Deanery. It is very important for the smooth operation of the board to have willing, motivated individuals fill the appointed positions, usually commission chairs and vice-chairs. For this reason, it is not a good idea to burden the Deanery Board member with additional positions in her affiliation.

We have many capable women in our affiliations who should be encouraged to participate in leadership roles. This insures the continued good health of our whole organization. Sometimes all that is required is to ask.

Don't be the weakest link -gbye!

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