_ Additional appointment of National Council Members.
Taking the occasion that Bro. Suraphol Senavinin has been elected as the National President of SSVP Thailand for the year 2008-2009, the new National Council Members have been appointed as follows: 1. Sr. Nuttra Dulpicharn, 2. Sr.Thitikarn Nilkumhaeng, 3. Sr.Nattawan Bunpratum, 4. Br. Santi Sangnakorn 5. Bro. Trinity Boonyakitjakarn and 6. Sr. Nomchitr Subsaiharn. and 7. Sr. Duangjan Thavornvoramit. The name list of the new National Council members is posted under the topic of National Council Committee 2008-2009 In the National Council Meeting, a preparation of action plan of all Diocesan Councils for the year 2008 was recommended and should be submitted to the National Council in the next meeting.
_ Self Help Project
Bro. Francis Vivat, Director of Self Help Project reported that he had submitted 2 projects to BCTFN Foundation requesting for financial support as follows: 1. Digging Shallow Well Project at Conference of Saint John of Ban Prongyen, Nongkai province 08/2007, and 2. Improve the quality of drinking water (Water Filter) at Conference of The Holy Infant Jesus of Ban Paeng, Singburi Province 09/2007
_ Vincentian Youth Project
Sr.Sangduen Posai, the Director of Vincentian Youth reported that on January 14-16, 2008, 6 Vincentian youths from Australia have visited Thailand to study the activities of Vincentian youth and Vincentians. The National Committee includes Bro.Suraphol, Sr.Sangduen and Sr.Rawipan, offered a warm greetings at the airport and accompanied them to stay overnight at Daughters of Charity Provincialate House in Lumsai, Lumlookha, Pratumthanee Province. The team has brought them further to visit several sightseeing places such as Jitlada King’s Royal Projects, the Emerald Bhudda Temple in Bangkok. They even enjoyed participating in our charity’s bowling competition, yet visiting Baan Hathai Karun (Student Center), Vincentian Youth at Saint Anthony and Conference of Saint Paul in Chachuengsao province. They also visited Saint Louise Home for the Aged in Lumsai and HIV Hospice at the Garden of Gospel Peace run by Order of Franciscan Friars Minor, in Lamsai, Phratumthanee province. Other places include Conference of Vincentian Youth at Saint Nicholas School in Pitsanulok province, Conference of Holy Family, Klonglan, Kampang Petch province the purpose is to study the work for hill tribe project., Camillian Elderly Home Social Centre in Prachinburi province, Conference of Vincentian Youths at Panasnikom in Chonburi province, Conference of Saint Lawrence and visiting Lorenso Care Center for HIV children. Rice Mill Project at Bannangam, Chachengsao province, visiting Vincentian group and joining activity of helping the poor of the Holy Name of Jesus Conference in Cholburi and Orphanage home in Pattaya. Lastly, they have made a courtesy call to Bishop Lawrence Thianchai Samarnchit: the Diocesan Bishop of the Diocese of Chantaburi. Vincentian youths from Australia had been impressed with the warm welcome and all the places they had visited.
They were very much interested in the activities of Vincentian youths in Thailand and the Assist a Student Project which has been receiving support from Australia. Other Vincentian youths and Vincentians from many churches had also taken part in their visit to share with one another the ideas and experiences. Representative of Vincentian youths from Australia requested that each Diocese who has students receiving scholarships from Australia write a letter with their own handwriting, attach the photo and submit to Society of Vincent De Paul, Australia. Each Diocese will have to submit 3-5 letters. If students cannot write in English, the translation would be provided but it is required that the letter is written in their own handwriting.
_ Overseas Twinning
National Twinning Officer had given his report that his team had already received the twinned money 4/2007 and Sr. Theresa Vimon had re-forwarded the twinned monies to each twinned Conference. He has translated, so far, 24 Thai correspondences and 19 English correspondences. Each time when each twinned Conference have received the twinning money (and/or with grants given on special occasions) . One should write back and thank our Twinning Conference for the donations. Otherwise, this makes them think that their Twinning Conference has stopped operation because they have no news (from them). They might stop twinning with them or request for another new twinning. In general, the twinning monies will be arriving at 4 intervals in a year. When you reply, please do not forget to enclose a few photos so that the twinned Conference can stick your photos on the Church’s notice board, to tell their parishioners where their donations go.
_ Domestic Twinning
Sr.Sangduen, Director of Domestic Twinning has forwarded twinning funds of 4th Quarter/2007 (Oct-Dec 2007) to members in up-country, 64 conferences, in total which will receive 1,000 Baht each in financial support for a total of THB 64,000.
_ Assist a Student Project
Bro.Teerapong , Director of Assist a Student Project had informed every Diocesan Presidents regarding the distribution of scholarships for the school year 2008 that each conference will receive 8 scholarships of THB1,500 each. The funding will be transferred by early May 2008 before school commencement. It is required that each conference submit the name of applicants by end of February at the latest. Besides, we had been informed by National Council of Australia, Bro. Peter Doug Walsh, that the scholarship campaign is now being carried out in Australia aiming to assist the Thai students. For this 2008 school year, an additional of 300 scholarships would be provided in addition to 400 scholarships already given each year. So, for this school year,
each conference would receive a total number of 14 scholarships. List of 700 student names would be given to National Council of Australia. The National Council of Singapore has given each year a total number of 125 scholarships.
_ Fund Raising Project
A charity bowling has been taken place at RCA Ratchada, Rama9, on Saturday 19 January 2008 as a fundraising events for the society aiming to help people in need. Sr.Vimol, the treasurer, concluded that of the total number of 41 teams, the net revenue generated is 110,670 THB. Bro. Wanchai, Director of Fund Raising Project expressed his appreciation to the committee for their effort to help running the project smoothly.
_ The Archdiocese of BangkokAn annual election of the new President of the Archdiocese of Bangkok was set up during the meeting in January 2008. The result came out officially that Sr. Sangduen Phosai has been re-elected as the President of the Archdiocese of Bangkok for the period of 2008-2009.
_ The Diocese of Chantaburi
Bro.Rungsak and Br. Prasert reported that the Diocese of Chantaburi had welcomed Vincentian youths from Australia with great pleasure during their visit on 21-23 January 2008.
_ The Diocese of Udornthani.
In January 2008, Bro. Wasan together with the conference members visited Conference of Raphael, Tharbom, Loey province to work out problems, organize meeting and elect the new president of Immaculate Conception Conference Bannoisamliam, Khonkhan province, to replace the existing Br.Kriengsak who was going to resign. The new president is Sr.Wallaya Daphong At Conference of Ourlady of Rosary ViengKook Nongkai province. the Fishing Net Project has been followed-up and the remaining amount of 5,000 THB will reimburse to the Society by April 2008. The Farmer’s Bank project of Holy Redeemer Conference at Ban Pakmoo, Nongkhai province will set up another meeting to finalize the conclusion. The Rice Bank Project of Saint John Noimans Conference at Ban Phusawat, Nongkai province is subjected to cover up the investment by February 2008.
_ Asia Group 2 Meeting
Sr. Rawipan reported that the Asia Group 2 Meeting will be held at Assumption University (ABAC), Suwannaphum Campus on 27-30 November 2008. The Society has submitted an official letter to the Dean of ABAC to use the place for organizing the event. The request is well-responded by The Dean. The Society has set up the meeting agenda, issued an invitation letter to the guest speakers as well as letters requesting for sponsorships from various Catholic Organizations and donors. The letter inviting National Presidents and South East Asian Delegates-Group 2 members to join the meeting has also been issued.
_ FAMVIN MEETING
Bro. Francis Vivat reported that Thailand will host The FAMVIN meeting this year. The meeting is arranged in English and organized quarterly. The Daughter of Charity’s Sisters will help draft the Minute of Meeting in English. AMM branch of FAMVIN presented us with the two statues of Mother Mary for the purpose of prayer session at member’s house, at church or at
the meeting place. Each members agreed to rotate the statue to various Dioceses. Of the two, The National Council of Thailand owns one; the other is giving to the Diocese of Bangkok.
_ Vincentian youths from Australia has visited Thailand
