Overview of Assembly

THE DISTRICT OF SAN FRANCISCO’S
ASSEMBLY ON MISSION
July 30 – August 4, 2006

In June 2000, the 43rd General Chapter of the De La Salle Christian Brothers directed that in every District throughout the world, “the Brothers and their Associates create a structure, where it does not exist, or improve a structure responsible for the Lasallian educational mission, in which all participate with a deliberative vote.”

In response, the Brothers and Partners of the District of San Francisco designed the first District Assembly on Mission, which was held during the summer of 2002. Out of this assembly emerged priorities for the mission which were approved by the 11th District Chapter and became part of the District’s Context for Action/Action Plan for 2003 – 2007. Some of these priorities are:

• Create new schools for the poor;
• Make existing schools more accessible to the poor (5% program);
• Prioritize formation activities;
• Develop an evaluation of the Catholic, Lasallian character of the schools (CLASP);
• Prioritize service-learning;
• Create connections between Saint Mary’s College and the schools of the District;
• Reach out to Lasallians internationally and offer international opportunities;
• Form a District Mission Council;
• Hold a similar Assembly on Mission just prior to each future District Chapter.

Since 2004, the District Mission Council has been working as the Preparatory Committee to plan our second Assembly on Mission. The shared experiences of the 2002 Assembly on Mission and the evaluations of it by participants have been helpful guides in this planning process.

Our District’s second Assembly on Mission will be held in July-August 2006, and will provide a structure and activities that can help us to discern, vision, and set direction. Participants in the Assembly will number approximately 150 and will include:

the Brother Delegates to the upcoming 12th District Chapter;
the members of the District Leadership Team;
the members of the District Mission Council;
the members of the District Council;
the Presidents and Principals of schools;
the directors of District educational institutions other than schools;
Board Chairs or their delegated representative(s);
Delegates nominated and elected at local educational institutions;
Delegates-at-large appointed by Brother Visitor.

The first part of the Assembly will be devoted to education on fundamental themes of the District’s mission:

The Lasallian Educational Mission: Whom we serve and how we serve.
Association, Formation, and Vocation
Financial and Organizational Structures

In the second part of the Assembly, delegates will identify priorities for the mission of the District over the next four years. The priorities that are affirmed will then be submitted to the 12th District Chapter, meeting in the fall and winter of 2006. Thereafter, the District Leadership and the District Mission Council will craft a new District Action Plan for 2007 – 2011.