The Framework for Organizing Communities

CLC-USA Working GroupPittsburgh Leadership Assembly

June 23rd – 26th, 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

3

6

91

2

4

4

21

52

1

1

2

4

7

1

2

Toronto

Montréal

Germany

Belgium

Boston

New York

PhiladelphiaAllentown

Washington

Portland

San Jose

LA & OC

Phoenix

Denver St. Louis

KC

Omaha

Wichita FallsDallas

Austin

Houston New Orleans

New Mexico

2 Tulsa

10Des Moines

Seattle

7

S Florida8

8

107

8

35

5

8

1

6

1

6

7

3

10 Regions S Florida

KCLC Dong Hanh

1

2

9

102

19

1

1

1

1

Atlanta

New Jersey

6

4

19

85158

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

ClustersCLC-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 ClustersCLC-USA

Grouping AGrouping B

Grouping CGrouping 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 Clusters Center 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