Project 1.1 - A diverse base for recruitment

Pillar outcome: A new Member journey (including into leadership)

Progress

As of February 2025, a national recruitment campaign brief has been provided to all State and Territory Presidents and CEOs for their consideration. 

If State and Territory Presidents and CEOs agree to proceed with the proposal, the following information outlines the proposed next steps. Please note these may be subject to change as feedback from States and Territories is received, and the proposal refined.

National recruitment campaign

The following images summarise the national recruitment campaign.

Conference readiness

If the national recruitment campaign is successful, this will mean an influx of new Members. Understanding which Conferences are ready for new Members will help make the process better for everyone, and hopefully mean new Members enjoy their first experience with the St Vincent de Paul Society.

Step 1 - Identifying regions / geographic areas to target

Each State and Territory will need to decide which areas are ready to accept new Members and require new Members. These areas will be targeted through the recruitment campaign, and Conferences in these areas will need to be briefed on the national recruitment campaign.

To assist States and Territories in assessing where a Conferences is recruitment ready, a checklist has been developed and has been shared with States and Territories (February 2025).

Step 2 - Activating Conferences / Members

Once an area has been selected to be targeted in the national recruitment campaign, Conferences and Members in that area need to be contacted and briefed on the national recruitment campaign, the role of the State / Territory and their specific role.

The Congress Project Team is liaising with the National Membership Network to help facilitate this process.

Step 3 - Process to become a Member

The process to become a Member of the Society varies in each State and Territory, and it is important to note that State and Territory legislative requirements that may impact membership application processes also vary (for example, working with vulnerable people requirements). 

It is generally agreed that complicated or long processes can lead to some people opting out of becoming a Member. 

The Congress Project Team is liaising with the National Membership Network regarding these processes.

Step 4 - Welcoming new Members / Induction processes

The ways that new Members are welcomed and inducted also varies in each State and Territory, and is a topic being explored by other Congress Project Teams - see Project 1.3 and Project 1.6.

Resources

Champion John O'G

Project team: Peter C; Peter D; Louis H; Grace P; Jo G; Shancy S; Michelle C; Mike D, Christina G. Members wishing to join this team should contact congress@svdp.org.au

State / Territory support:

• NSW – investigating and resourcing the diverse membership recruitment campaign.
• SA, Tas – diversifying recruitment
• WA, Vic – support national recruitment campaign

National Support:

• Establish and maintain Teams site for Project team
• Communicate on website
• Communicate with key internal governance bodies for advice on implementation, such as:
  • National Membership Network
  • National Mission, Membership & Spirituality Standing Committee
  • Spirit of Youth 
• Support each Congress Project Team

• NCS can be contacted on Congress related matters via congress@svdp.org.au

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