We had a packed agenda as we began planning for the 2010 DLC, with its celebration of the 75th Anniversary of DLC, the birthing of our new organization, and a concern for the broader world community as we utilize the spirit and resources at Maryknoll in October 2010. A planning committee will be formed for this.   We also moved forward in conversation on forming an implementation committee to bring us into the future.  The first step of that was to have a conference call with the Federation Coordinating Committee to invite them to join in this birthing process.  After they meet in later December we will be able to start forming the committee.  We will keep you all posted on the progress of this committee.

We are in the process of hiring a part time Communications and Technology Resource Person. Anne Lythgoe will continue as the editor of Domlife through January, and we are in the process of a search for a part time editor.

Margaret Mayce and Mary Ellen O’Grady met with the DSI leadership in Rome in Nov. and presented the possibility that the Dominican NGO at the UN in NY be under the aegis of DSI instead of DLC.  They were warmly received and the conversation will be presented at the DSI meeting in May in Rome.  Margaret and Mary Ellen will assist the DSI Coordinating Council with the presentation. The DSI sees this as a stronger sense of the whole global Dominican Family at the UN.

We approved the 2010 budget and the DLC dues letter will be sent to you shortly.

The 20/20 Vision Task Force has made the following proposal: “We recommend that the 2020 Task Force be suspended for the time being and that all the materials, suggestions, statistics, and survey results be stored in a safe and accessible place for future use.  The current members of the Task Force have offered to be available to act as consultants to the new organization and encourage that others be invited to serve as well if the Task Force is reinstated in the future.”   The Board accepted this recommendation.

Margaret Mayce will be willing to speak to any of your members or constituencies on the UN and issues of justice.  There is no charge for this but you will need to cover her travel expenses.  

DLC is in the process of transformation and as we move into the future all DLC members are invited to send suggestions or questions to Mary Ellen for us to consider.  The meeting ended with snow flurries gathering strength to remind us that winter is really here and Christmas is close at hand. May all of you have a Blessed and peace-filled Christmas,

Carol Gaeke, OP (Catherine de’Ricci)
DLC Past President