Update from the Office of Mission 2016

We successfully launched the Mission Leadership Team (MLT) called for in the Strategic Plan. This cross-functional team of 26 staff and faculty are working on three initiatives: Lasallian research conference focused on poverty and marginality (April 2016); Mission integration and education opportunities customized for departments (ongoing); and a Vocational Retreat for faculty and staff: Holy Wasting of Time (June 2016).

The Office of Mission sponsored a new Mini-Buttimer (Bringing the Lasallian World to SMC, July 2016). Created by Leslie Welty and accompanied by four Brothers, the participants explored the history of De La Salle, Lasallian pedagogy, and Lasallian spirituality. The three-day program was a smashing success bringing two trustees, six faculty and 12 staff together with presenters Br. Jeffrey Callagan, Dr. Greg Kopra and Charles Legendre, AFSC (Buttimer staff members). The mini-Buttimer content and dialogue exemplified Strategic Goal #3 Moving from De La Salle to Lasallian.

VP for Mission and MMC hosted two Benefit Concerts to support scholarships and the purchase of violins for our partnership school, St. Martin de Porres in the Oakland Diocese.

The Lasallian Educator Fellowship Program celebrates 15 years of providing support for credentialing teachers, administrators, and counselors. More than 100 educators are serving in a variety of capacities in Lasallian, Catholic, and low-income schools. The program has had most significant impact at De Marillac Academy in the SF Tenderloin, Sacred Heart Cathedral HS in SF, at De La Salle HS and De La Salle Academy in Concord, at Saint Mary’s College HS in Berkeley and at Justin Siena HS in Napa. Fellows have also served in Sacramento, Yakima, Chicago, and New York.

The Chaplain for Athletics, Sr. Dolores Montini, led “Rest in Place (RIP)” retreats, lunch gatherings for coaches and staff focused on the life of De La Salle, engaged in a series of four seminars for the new Alioto Recreation staff culminating with a dinner hosted by the Brothers. Additionally, she created celebrations for family members who support their coach and athletic staff spouses and significant others.

The Mission and Ministry Center (MMC) renewed its commitment to inclusion and to establishing collaborations and enduring partnerships. Student leadership development and improved communication have intensified the impact of the MMC on our students. The Lasallian Peer Ministers have assumed significant responsibility for MMC programming in liturgy and prayer, living and learning communities, justice education, etc.

MMC staff member Carrie Davis coordinated the second year of the Jan Term Lasallian Service Internship program for faculty and staff  (LSISF). Two faculty and three staff members were sent to international sites where they served alongside our students and live in Christian Brothers’ communities in the Philippines, Myanmar, Italy, and Romania (Professor Jerry Bodily, Professor Caroline Doran; staff members Ginny Prior, Jane Joyce, and Irene Umpig).

MMC Director Karin McClelland spearheaded the successful effort to locate and repurpose a space dedicated as an Interfaith Sacred Space for prayer, meditation, and reflection. Responding to student demands for more food security, MMC launched Solidarity Suppers, as well assumed responsibility for establishing the Gael Pantry to open fall 2016.

The newly established Mission and Identity Committee of the Board of Trustees named their goals and foci:

• Collect existing mission assessment data to acquire committee level expertise in order to develop baselines and establish goals.
• Review the College’s branding and creative strategy with attention toward reflecting on current market conditions and being consistent with the College’s mission. 
• Develop a board of trustee (new and sitting trustees) orientation strategy to address mission awareness and mission formation.
• Review progress of mission-related goals relative to the strategic plan.
• Chair: Br. Stanislaus (Stan) Sobczyck 

Members: James Donahue, Charles Moore, Elizabeth Phalen, Ellen Krueger, Br. George van Grieken

Staff: Carole Swain, Vice President for Mission, Beth Dobkin, Provost and Academic Vice President and Hernan Bucheli, Vice Provost for Communication and Enrollment

Carole Swain
Vice President for Mission