What does twinning mean?

Definition:
Twinning is a sharing of the Societies resources with other conferences. It is a special work of the Society, an activity of fraternal union and sharing, with which we are able to make a difference to our twinned brothers and sisters in our twinned country, and fulfil our spiritual yearning to share with the poor.

History:
Twinning has been an informal part of the Society for many years at the international level. Twinning became more established with a statement that came from the 1979 Plenary Meeting of the Council-General of the Society, “All monies collected in the name of the Society anywhere, belong, in principle, to the poor of the world.”
Canada started developing its twinning process in the 1990s. Our first twinning co-ordinator under National President Bob Martineau, was Rolande Lachance. Under National President Ellen Schryburt, Heidi Minuti made changes: she sought twinning representatives on the provincial/regional councils; she established procedures i.e. application and transmittal forms; and she promoted twinning at the National level.
In June ’99, the co-ordinator was June Hart. She clarified the process of twinning with the assistance of the Canadian National General Secretary, Nicole Schryburt. June experienced the complexity of twinning with a multitude of countries that have various banking and exchange problems, and that have varying degrees of organization of National Councils. These experiences helped to further refine the twinning process, as we make twinning a possible activity of conferences and councils across Canada.

Types:
The three types of twinning in Canada are:

What would inspire us to twin?

The National Council of Canada has encouraged twinning committees to organize at all levels, in order to promote this fundamental activity of our Society. Twinning forges links with members in the Society in different countries of the world, both spiritually and materially, through prayer, correspondence, and financial assistance.

As with all Society activities, the call to recognize and serve Christ ‘s people, the poor, means that no activity that we do for them is foreign to us. Conferences and councils in developed countries can foster fraternal links with those in developing countries. In this way, they are able to promote a union of prayer, correspondence and material aid. Twinning emphasizes the universality of the Society and enables us to be a witness of Christian charity in action. Funds provided by twinning can help give dignity to the poor through education, training and the opportunity to help themselves and their families.

What steps would you take, as a representative for your conference or council, to become a twin?

Twinning is an aggregated conference- or instituted council-based activity. It needs the awareness of the needs of the poor outside of your own conference or council area, and the acceptance of this special work by a majority of your members.
You then need to decide whether you will support a conference within Canada, in a Mission diocese, or in another part of the Americas. Policies are specific as to which countries in Central and South America are available for external twinning. If you are currently twinning with another country, you can seek to change your twin or remain as you are, but no new twins will be made with countries other than those in the policy. You can twin with more than one conference or country, or in more than one type of twinning. Particular or Central Councils will probably be twinned with other particular or central councils respectively.
Forms are available from your provincial/regional representative, or the Canadian National General Secretary.

What happens after the application?

Twinning has been described as a lingering labor of love. Nothing moves fast in the Society, and it may take 3 to 6 months, or longer, to establish a twinning. Keep up the correspondence. The cost of paper, envelopes and stamps is very costly in some countries, so you may be able to help with these items. Language could also be a problem, if translation is required. Be patient as it may take several months before you get an answer.
Try to establish a self-help program with your twinned conference, so that in the near future, they will become self-sufficient. Twinning is meant to help people to help themselves, so that they will not always be dependent on you.
You are not limited to sending money to your twinned conference. Tools, seeds, medication, equipment, etc. can be sent. Personal visits can be a part of your twinning. Prayers should be offered for them, as they will be for you.
As with any organization, reports have to be made. Your twinning report will be due on March 15 of each year, to your provincial/regional representative. This enables your representative to prepare their report for your provincial/regional AGM, and for the National annual report.

What can you do as an individual Vincentian?

Prayer is the key aspect of all twinning activity, and members are asked to pray regularly for each other, because without God’s help, nothing will be achieved.
You can urge your conference to participate in a twinning program. Offer to be part of a twinning committee, or a twinning correspondent. Let your conference president know that you support him or her in a twinning program. Pray as an individual, and ask your conference to do so as well, such as remembering your twin in the closing prayers of your meetings.

Conclusion, from International Council General Guidelines related to Foreign Twinning

“There is a need to create a new culture of international solidarity and cooperation, where all – particularly the wealthy nations and private sector – accept responsibility for an economic model which serves everyone. There should be no more postponement of the time when the poor Lazarus can sit beside the rich man to share the same banquet and be forced no more to feed on the scraps that fall from the table (cf.Lk. 16: 19-31). Extreme poverty is a source of violence, bitterness and scandal, and to eradicate it is to do the work of justice and therefore the work of peace. (Incarnationis mysterium, par. 12, Pope John Paul II, November 29, 1998).

Ontario Regional Council Conference’s presently twinned with other places.

SOCIETY OF SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL — ONTARIO REGIONAL COUNCIL
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