RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Recruit other parishioners to be actively involved in actions that promote social change. The task of this core planning group is to be a catalyst for justice activities performed by every believer in the parish, not the designated do-er’s of justice.
   
2. Actively participate in monthly or bi-monthly meetings.
   
3. Develop strategies and action plans that involve the entire parish in the work for justice.
   
4. Develop leadership skills among core team members.
   
5. Keep the social justice effort at the parish focused on systemic change as distinct from social service.
   
6. Regularly analyze issues and evaluate progress of parish justice efforts

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Clearly understand the distinction between charity (social service) and social justice (social change).
2. Commitment to changing unjust social structures, institutions, laws and systems -- addressing the root causes of injustice.
3. Ability to seek out a common ground when discussing solutions among groups/individuals who disagree.
4. Willingness to interact with economic, social and political systems (businesses, school boards, city councils, state legislature, etc.) to effect social change.

TIME REQUIRED:    2 to 5 hours per month

Core team meetings on the __ of each month. Time: _________
Assignments -- approximately one to three hours monthly as needed.
In the event of an important period of advocacy, (e.g. end of the legislative session) several more hours may be required.

LENGTH OF COMMITMENT:

Three years as a committee member

TRAINING PROVIDED:

1. Participation in an Archdiocesan training event on Catholic social teaching is highly recommended. Such training is offered several times a year.
2. Current justice committee leaders will assist members in developing their leadership skills based on members' interests and abilities
3. Ongoing readings in Catholic social teaching will be provided
4. Link with Archdiocesan efforts at the Office for Social Justice. OSJ consults, provides regional networking opportunities, and offers training for leaders at all different skills levels

RESPONSIBLE TO:

Chair or co-chairs of the social justice committee who report to the parish council, pastor or a staff liaison on social justice efforts

Accountable to all other members of the justice committee and the parish at-large

SUPPORT PROVIDED:

Leaders of the social justice committee are available to assist in learning more about Catholic social teaching and applying it to local, national and world issues

The Archdiocesan Office for Social Justice offers ongoing training, consultation and materials for social justice programs and volunteer leaders at the parish level. Call (612) 291-4477 for further information