The Framework for Organizing Communities CLC-USA Working Group Pittsburgh Leadership Assembly June 23 rd – 26 th, 2011

Grace to be Desired To better follow Christ as a body as we seek to discern the framework for organizing communities for the “new way of being together” in CLC-USA

Outline of Exercise 2 Presentation (20 minutes) – Our current reality – The WG’s discernment process – Local community, clusters, centers – Making the connections Clarification questions (10 minutes) Reflections (3 hours) Personal Small group Large group

Our Current Reality Eleven Regions Two Cultural Groups

CLC-USA Communities Toronto Montréal Germany Belgium Boston New York Philadelphia Allentown Washington Portland San Jose LA & OC Phoenix DenverSt. Louis KC Omaha Wichita Falls Dallas Austin Houston New Orleans New Mexico 2 Tulsa 10 Des Moines Seattle 7 S Florida Regions S Florida KCLC Dong Hanh Atlanta New Jersey

Our Discernment Process Defining the questions Organization models Functions of organization levels Our current reality General Principles Our vision

Assumptions for Organizing Communities The structure needs to: Reflect the General Principles and Norms Support local communities Reflect our lived experience Be dynamic, life giving, empowering, adaptable Develop relationships and the bonds of community Recognize and embrace affinity groups

Local Community

General Principle 7-One World Community We express the giving of ourselves by a personal commitment to the World Community, through a freely chosen local community… Each of our communities is a gathering of people in Christ, a cell of His mystical body… Our responsibility to develop the bonds of community does not stop with our local community, but extends to the National and World Christian Life Community…

General Norms – Local Communities Members participate in the life of the community at several concentric levels… Composed of members of like qualities… Each local community within a framework of a wider community… Each local community has a coordinator… A guide assists each local community to use the means needed for the community’s formation and its mission…

Clusters Groupings of local communities Reflects our current experience

Clusters CLC-USA

Clusters: Characteristics Where the community support network begins (communication, formation, resources, services, mission) Where the experience of wider CLC community begins Freedom of communities to form clusters and establish relationships respecting diverse needs and culture Leadership development Discerning body for delegates

Centers There is a need for intermediate structures between the “clusters” of communities and the “National” level of CLC-USA Centers have two dimensions: – Groupings of clusters – Affinity groups

Centers Grouping of Clusters CLC-USA Grouping A Grouping B Grouping C Grouping D

Centers Affinity Groups CLC-USA Affinity Groups: KCLC, DH, YA ….

Center Characteristics Support of clusters and cluster leadership and formation – Formation team to address needs of clusters – Leadership development (coordinators, promoters, guides) Operational connection between the national body and local communities – Neuron center Implementation & mobilization center for ministries and apostolic action Support and respect the needs of cultural/affinity communities and members Provide opportunities to bring together larger groupings of CLC members for events, experiences, etc.

CLC-USA Affinity Groups: DH, KC, YA…. Center A: Grouping of Clusters Center B: Grouping of Clusters Center C: Grouping of ClustersCenter D: Grouping of Clusters

Making the Connections Networks flowing from the local community through clusters, centers to national office… Formation Communication Resources Mission: apostolic action, ministries, services Ecclesial: relation with the Church

Reflection Questions What are your feelings after the framework for organizing communities presentation? What are the points in the presentation that were not clear to me? What are the parts of what was presented that attract or “seem right” to me? What disturbs or concerns me?

Questions