Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Structural Organization

  As with any organization, the Society has a structure of hierarchy. The following will describe that structure from the most commonly known level - the CONFERENCE level - to the uppermost level - the COUNCIL GENERAL.

CONFERENCE - "The Conference is the basic and essential grouping of the Society. Each such unit, because of its Vincentian commitment, engages regularly in the person-to-person service of those in need. The persons to be helped and the works to be performed are determined ,by the Conference itself. Conference services are provided without recompense to the members." (Rule of the Society, Part 2, Article I (A) Importance of the Conference).

 'Conferences may be men's, women Is, or mixed; they may comprise adults and young people, or adults, or young people. They may be established within a wide variety of social groups and settings, such as a parish, college or school, firm, or company. Conferences may be organized for the performance of a specific special works. A Conference may be established which comprises persons of the same profession, or occupation, or persons having a common cultural interest." (Rule of the Society, Part 2, Article I (B) Conference Groupings and Settings).

 The School focuses on the Conference level of the Society, for this is the level in which most Vincentians will be active. The purpose for the existence of the other levels of the Society (Council- General, National, Regional, (Arch)Diocesan Council, and District Council) is to ultimately serve the individual Conference members and assist them in their growth and works.

 A Conference usually takes its name from that of the Church to which it is attached. When the Conference is not parish centered, it may choose any saintly title that helps differentiate the unit and its services.

 The Conference meets regularly at the places, days and times determined by themselves. It is desirable that Conferences meet weekly. The meeting opens with the Society's prayer and a spiritual reading and discussion. Minutes, treasurer's report, cases, assignment of new cases are followed by the Society's closing prayer. The Society is not a fraternal organization or a lodge. Vincentians are about ""Our Father's business."

 (ARCH)DIOCESAN COUNCIL and DISTRICT COUNCIL  Throughout the United States there are (Arch)Dioceses established by the Roman Catholic Church. Within each of these there can be a (Arch)Diocesan Council and /or District Council(s). A District Council is composed of the Presidents of the Conferences attached to it plus any appointed Vincentians. When a (Arch)Diocese has more than two District Councils an (Arch)Diocesan Council is formed. An (Arch)Diocesan Council is composed of the Presidents of affiliated District Councils plus any appointed Vincentians.

NATIONAL COUNCIL - Within each nation, there is a National Council headed by a National President.

 As the Society continued to develop in the United States, the need for unifying structures beyond the town/city and the archdiocese levels of organization became apparent. Because of the United States' vast geographical dimensions, however, the movement toward a single Society National Council proceeded slowly. On an interim basis, several provincial Councils were created, each having jurisdiction over the Society in the states and (arch)dioceses within its area. On November 21, 1915, these entities were dissolved under a reorganization plan that culminated in the institution of the Superior Council of the United States, which was granted authority over the Society in the entire country.

 In 1946, the Superior Council of the United States, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Inc. (also known as the Council of the United States, Society of St. Vincent de Paul or the National Council of the Society) was legally incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware. Charter and By-laws harmonize with and develop the organization's basic rules that are promulgated by the Society's international governing body and are universally binding.

The Council of the United States is located in St. Louis, Missouri. the corporate office of the Council of the United States is located at: 

58 Progress Parkway

St. Louis Missouri 63043-3706 the telephone numbers for the corporate office are:

(314)576-3993

(314)576-6755 Fax

The Council of the United States can also be contacted by E-Mail at:

svdpus@aol.com

 The Council of the United States is composed of the National President, appointed officers, and the National Trustees (these are the Presidents of all the (Arch)Diocesan Councils or where there is no (Arch)Diocesan Council, the Trustee is the President of the oldest District Council within the (Arch)Diocese.) Trustees are the voting members of the Council of the United States.

  The officers of the Council of the U.S. shall be a President, a First Vice-President, a number of Vice-Presidents qualified in accord with Article 20, an Executive Secretary, a Secretary and a Treasurer, and one or more Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers, as may be determined by the President."' (United States Manual of the Society of St. Vincent De Paul, 1995 edition, p. 171).

 The Council of the United States has nine permanent National Committees. They are the:

 Executive Committee                  Council Affairs Committee

 Conference Concerns Committee        Disaster Committee

  Stores Committee                           Committee on Eldercare 

Youth Committee                      Spirituality Committee

and the Housing Committee

 As with the National Council, the primary membership of each National Committee consists of its National Trustees. The membership also consist of other members who are either appointed or elected. Individuals who are chosen by their peers to serve as a member of a National Committee must have the approval of the Trustee where they reside. All Committees report to the National President. Each National Committee's request for action after being affirmed by the Trustees of that particular Committee is given to the National President. The President will seek the advice of the Executive Committee or the National Council for decisions on requests.

 Additionally there are several ad-hoc committees or Presidential appointees that currently serve to assist the President.  these committees include:

Finance                                  Budget and Investment

Cause of Ozanam                  Development (Twinning)

Time and Place                      Credentials

Resolutions                              and Building

 The United States is divided into Regional groupings for the purpose of facilitating Vincentian communications. Currently eight Regions have been established. They are:

 Eastern Region Mideastern Region Midwestern Region North Central Region Northeastern Region South Central Region Southeastern Region Western Region

 The National President, after consultation with the Councils in the Region, appoints a presiding officer, a Regional Chairperson. The Chairperson in each region is responsible for convening regularly scheduled Regional Meetings. The Chairperson is also responsible for naming committees that correspond to and complement the National Committees.

COUNCIL GENERAL - Because of its heritage, the Society Council General is located in Paris, France. It is the international governing body, headed by an International President General. The President General represents the Society before the Holy See and all religious and lay international bodies.

 The Council General animates, directs and coordinates the activities of the Society throughout the world. It strengthens the links between all the Councils of the Society

 The Presidents of the National Councils are the ex-officio members of the Council General. In countries where there has been no National Council established the President General appoints a representative to be a delegate to the Council General. Other members of the Council General are appointed by the President General for a limited period and for a particular service.