Mr Mark Gaetani, the 18th National President of St Vincent de Paul Society in Australia, has announced his intention for an election of the 19th National President to take place on Saturday 7 November 2026. (The Rule Part III, Article 24)

The term of the 18th National President concludes in March 2027.

The election of an incoming National President in November 2026 will allow an orderly transition to occur which does not interrupt the good works being undertaken by National Council in line with its 2023-2027 Strategic Plan.

Two Returning Officers will oversee a Candidate’s nomination information and the election processes.

The timing is as follows:

• Week of 20 September 2026: Call for Nominations. Potential nominees are to contact the National Council Secretariate and the CEO will forward the Nomination and Acceptance Form and other applicable information necessary to make decisions about their potential candidacy.

• Friday 16 October 2026: Nominees notify the National Council Secretary of their candidacy and provide their information including a completed Nomination and Acceptance Form. The National Council Secretary will present Candidate information to the Returning Officers.

• Monday 19 October 2026: After checking each Candidate’s information is in order, the Returning Officers forward each Candidate’s information to members of National Council.

• Saturday 7 November 2026: Election of the 19th National President.

The National Council Secretariate will provide Candidates with two documents:

1. Procedures for Electing the President of St Vincent de Paul Society National Council of Australia approved by the National President and National Council – includes the selection criteria. (The Rule Part III, Procedure 24 and Appendix T)

2. Australia’s 19th National President Background Information Prepared for Candidates Intending to Stand for Election which is a comprehensive and contemporary summary of the functions and duties carried out by the National President.

Candidates are advised to read both these documents before submitting their documentation which ought include a succinct written overview of their alignment/understanding of how they would lead the Society in Australia in accordance with the Vincentian Way during their term as National President.

The Returning Officers will notify State and Territory Councils of the call for nominations for the position of National President and will request State and Territory Councils to pass the information on to Members in their jurisdictions.

An announcement of the incoming National President will follow the National Council meeting in November 2026.

Enquiries to National Council Secretary: nationalsecretary@svdp.org.au