Conference Membership NT
The St Vincent de Paul Society only exists through the action of our dedicated Members.
The Society has three categories of membership: Conference Members, Associate Members and Volunteer
Members.
There are established procedures for registration as a Conference Member, and any person registered as a
Conference Member has voting rights in relation to the affairs of the Society.
“It is our vocation to set people’s hearts ablaze, to do what the Son of God did, who came to light a fire on earth in order to set it ablaze with His love.”
Joining the Society
Yes, I want to be contacted about becoming a Vinnies Member
Our Conferences NT
A Conference is an organised group of Members from the St Vincent de Paul Society. In the NT we have four active Conferences that are linked to local Parishes.
Each Conference has a President, Treasurer and Secretary who ensure the Conference engages with good works under the guidance of the Northern Territory Council.
Located on Smith Street Darwin City, St Mary's Star of the Sea is where St Vincent de Paul Society in the NT was born.
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Located in Nightcliff.
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Located in Casuarina.
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Located in Karama.
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You do not need to be Catholic to Conference Member, Affiliate Member or Volunteer Member.
The St Vincent de Paul Society is a Catholic lay organisation, we welcome people of all backgrounds and beliefs who support our mission to help the poor with love, respect, justice, hope and joy; to shape a more just and compassionate society.
As our Conferences are connected to Parishes our members usually meet at for prayers, reflection and engagement activities. Territorians from all walks of life are welcome.
Who we are
We are everyday Territorians supporting people in their time of crisis.
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Membership FAQ's
You do not need to be Catholic to be a member.
While the Society is a Catholic lay organisation, we welcome people of all backgrounds and beliefs who support our mission to help people who are disadvantaged and living in poverty.
The Society has three categories of membership, Conference Members, Associate Members and Volunteer
Members.
- Conference members belong to the grassroots groups within the Society known as conferences. They live their Catholic faith in action through the spirit of Christian charity.
- Associate members are committed to the ethos, mission, aims and objects of the Society and assist our work, but do not attend conference meetings.
- Volunteers respect the ethos, mission, aims and objects of the Society and give their time to volunteer in any of our works.
There are established procedures for registration as a member, and any person registered as a Conference or Associate Member has voting rights in relation to the Society.
Conference and Associate Members of St Vincent de Paul Society meet regularly to share their experiences and reflect on their service. In the NT we have 4 Conferences:
- St Mary's in Darwin City CBD
- St Paul's in Rapid Creek
- Holy Spirit in Casuarina
- Holy Family in Karama
Training and support is available for all members to assist them in their ongoing work helping those most vulnerable in their local communities.
Our members are guided by The Rule, the governing document of the St Vincent de Paul Society internationally which is written for members and volunteers.
The Society would not exist without our members, who live their faith in action. Depending on local needs, our members have the opportunity to get involved in services including:
- Advocacy
- Budget counselling
- Disaster relief
- Education, training and supported employment opportunities
- Home visitation
- Homeless services
- Housing support and emergency accommodation
- Material assistance
- Mentoring and social support programs
- Mobile and fixed meal services
- Migrant and refugee services
- Youth programs, including family, teen, kids, and young carers camps, ‘Buddies Days’, mentoring programs, tutoring and homework clubs.
The Society’s founder, Blessed Frederic Ozanam, strongly believed that for each act of service to be a true expression of faith and love, members must come together in prayer, to explore and grow their personal and Vincentian spirituality.
'The poor have much to teach you. You have much to learn from them.’ - Saint Vincent de Paul
Our members meet regularly through their conference to share their experiences, reflect on their service and monitor and discuss local needs.
Our members work together in groups known as ‘conferences’ that are usually attached to:
- Parishes
- Schools
- Universities
- Social groups
- Workplaces
- Groups of individuals from the local area.
A conference can be established within any community, provided they are endorsed by an appropriate Council within The Society.
Conference members meet regularly – at least fortnightly – and they support based on the needs of the local community. In this instance, no work of charity is foreign to them. Together they visit people in their homes, hospitals, institutions or wherever support is being sought.
Members also meet and pray together at other times to strengthen their relationships and spirituality, underpinned by Catholic Social Teaching.
Joining the Society
Yes, I want to be contacted about becoming a Vinnies Member