Overview of Assembly

THE DISTRICT OF SAN FRANCISCO’S
THIRD ASSEMBLY ON MISSION
August 1-4, 2010

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 and second District Assemblies on Mission, which were held during the summer of 2002 and 2006 respectively. Out of these assemblies emerged priorities for the mission which were approved by the 11th District Chapter (2002) and 12th District Chapter (2006) and became part of the District’s Action Plans for 2003 – 2007 and 2007-2011. These priorities include:

• 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 apostolates in the District (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;
• Implement a plan to address the financial needs of low income students and their families, the study of alternative funding sources, and new educational models;
• Promote a more accessible school environment for families and students living in poverty;
• Establish a Lasallian leadership formation program to address needs for front-line administrative positions in the District;
• Develop a culture of vocations within the schools.

Since 2008, the District Mission Council has been working as the Preparatory Committee to plan the Third Assembly on Mission. The shared experiences of the 2002 and 2006 Assemblies on Mission and the evaluations of them by participants have been helpful guides in this planning process.

The District’s Third Assembly on Mission will be held in August 2010, and will provide a structure and activities that can help us to discern, vision, and set direction. Participants in the Assembly will number approximately 85 and will include:

the members of the District Council;
the members of the District Leadership Team;
the members of the District Mission Council;
the Presidents and Principals of schools and Saint Mary’s College;
the directors or leaders of District educational institutions other than schools;
Board Chairs or their delegated representative(s);
Delegates recommended by local educational apostolates;
Delegates-at-large appointed by Brother Visitor.

The theme of the Assembly is “Accessibility of our educational apostolates to students from families whose income is at or near the poverty level.”

The first part of the Assembly will be devoted to education on this fundamental theme of the District’s mission. Presenters will include:

• A panel of students who are currently enrolled or recent graduates of our schools;
• Dr. Pedro Noguera, professor from New York University and leading expert in urban school reform, youth violence, conditions to promote student achievement, and race and ethnic relations in American society;
• Fr. Tim Scully, CSC, professor at the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN and founder of the Alliance for Catholic Education and several other educational initiatives to support K-12 education for underserved students;
• Dr. Mary McCall, professor of psychology, Saint Mary’s College, California and research and statistical consultant whose research has focused on low income populations.

In the second part of the Assembly, delegates will identify lines of action for the mission of the District over the next four years related to this theme. The lines of action that are affirmed will then be submitted to the 13th District Chapter, meeting in the fall and winter of 2010-11. Thereafter, the District Leadership and the District Mission Council will craft a new District Action Plan for 2011-2015.