By Paul Ainslie, President, SVdP Indy Council
Since my previous letter, we’ve marked both Father’s Day and the 250th anniversary of July 4, 1776. Both occasions bring to mind the idea of leadership.
Most of us remember the example set by our fathers. My own father led mostly by example and edict. With a family of eight children, there was no shortage of tension and laughter. But it was a loving home, full of lessons, and my father was always willing to help if he could.
Our country was founded 250 years ago by leaders who were fully human, with all the strengths and flaws that implies. Men like Washington, Adams, Jefferson and Franklin and many others (including women) pledged their “lives, fortunes and sacred honor” to the cause of American independence. True servant leaders, they accepted personal risk and sacrifice for the good of others. Freedom was won through that kind of selfless commitment, and preserving it still requires the same spirit.
Putting the needs of others ahead of our own is a basic tenet of servant leadership. As Vincentians, we are called to serve people experiencing poverty, and leadership at all levels of the Society is grounded in that calling.
Frederic Ozanam was a key founder of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in the 1830s. He chose the role of servant of the poor over other promising careers as a lawyer or a professor at the Sorbonne in Paris. As the Society grew, he traveled extensively (as his failing health allowed) to visit new Conferences and listen to the local issues they were addressing. He listened first.
We are blessed to have many people in our Society and our local Council who lead in this same spirit of service. At our Annual Meeting on Sept. 27, we will install several new leaders to guide us in the years ahead. You can register for the Annual Meeting on our website. We would love to see you there.
Please keep the leaders of our Society, as well as those we serve, in your prayers.
