Getting to Know and Participating in the Spiritist Center: Responsibility and Charity

 

Getting to Know and Participating in the Spiritist Center: Responsibility and Charity

 

Marco Milani

 

There are several ways to practice charity in a Spiritist center, and some of the most important ones involve accompanying and voluntarily participating in the administrative activities of the institution. Without committed collaborators ensuring the proper management of the Spiritist center, its work can be hindered, and the center may cease to function. In essence, a Spiritist center cannot exist without administrative teams and individuals engaged in overseeing the quality and operation of activities.

Depending on the complexity of the institution, there are expected to be different positions and work functions duly coordinated and governed by internal and external rules and regulations. According to the legal characteristics of the Spiritist center, its bylaws establish the existence of hierarchically defined administrative bodies. In general, the highest governing body of an institution is the assembly of members, which meets infrequently throughout the year, both ordinarily and extraordinarily, to discuss and approve strategic and relevant operational matters. For example, this assembly has the power to amend the bylaws and mission of the center.

In the hierarchy of powers, many institutions have a board of directors (or deliberative, advisory, cooperative, among other designations). The bylaws determine the functions and responsibilities of this body, which tends to be, after the assembly of members, the most significant in the hierarchy of powers. Its members are elected for a defined period and are responsible for discussing and approving various strategic matters. Among other responsibilities, the board monitors and supervises the work of the executive board, which is another administrative body of the institution. The board has the power to elect and dismiss all members of the executive board (president and other directors).

It is the bylaws that define the structure and responsibilities of the executive board, which is responsible for the operational functions of the center and is accountable to the other bodies.

Thus, the most important figures in a Spiritist center are its volunteers, with emphasis on those who participate in the administrative bodies, responsible for safeguarding and fulfilling the institutional mission and objectives.

Usually, in order to work in an administrative body, the collaborator must already be actively involved in other activities of the center, so it is a task that will be reconciled with existing ones. In addition to a solid doctrinal foundation, it is recommended that these workers have related managerial experience and possess related technical knowledge. Ethics and common sense are more than desired.

It is expected that every volunteer contributes to the strengthening and smooth functioning of the Spiritist institution that offers them opportunities for personal development, and therefore, membership is an effective way to act in this regard. As a member, the volunteer has responsibilities and rights within the institution.

Fortunately, the majority of volunteers understand the importance of active participation in the association and directly contribute to the center. Unfortunately, some still use phrases like "I don't want to get involved in politics" or "I just come to do my little task and leave without knowing anything" or even "I work for Jesus, not for the center" to justify their non-membership or lack of interest in accompanying the administrative needs of the Spiritist center. Each person practices charity in the way they can and know.

To the workers concerned with the good management of the institution in which they participate, I extend an invitation to join, get to know, and accompany how the center is administered and, if possible, participate in some administrative body. Despite the inevitable challenges present in any human relationship, it is a valuable opportunity for self-improvement and an act of charity and respect for others.