We gathered at Villa St. Martin on Thursday September 9th until 5 p.m. Saturday September 11, 2010. The group was made up of the members of the L’Arche Canada Board, the Coordinators Group, Dean Levitt, President of the L’Arche Canada Foundation, and two delegates from each region. The delegates who have a four-year term are:

Atlantic Canada: Beth Wolters and Donny MacIntosh, both from L’Arche Antigonish;
Québec: Marie-Claire Hardy, L’Arche Gatineau and Judith Larouche, L’Arche d’Amos
Ontario: Warren Pot, L’Arche Daybreak and Peggy Keaney, L’Arche Sudbury; and,
Western Canada: Annette Kuhn and Marni Davis, both from L’Arche Greater Vancouver.

Nathan Ball, the Executive Director of the L’Arche Canada Foundation and Jane Burke-Robertson of the L’Arche Canada Board were unable to attend due to illness. 

Our time together began with Jean Dansereau, the President of the L’Arche Canada Board, introducing the purpose and role of the National Council. (Webcast 3. What is the role of L'Arche Canada?) Joe and Hollee followed by reflecting on the situation of L’Arche Canada today and presenting a vision for L’Arche Canada and L’Arche in Canada. (Webcast 4. The mandate of L'Arche Canada)

Claude Gravel, as facilitator, led us through an interview process based on the three themes that were chosen for this meeting. These themes were: leadership, our attitude toward money and engagement with Canadian society. Having everyone involved at once made it a very lively and engaging process!

From the reflection on the three themes named above, the following statements emerged as significant underlying issues. While these four statements may appear shocking, part of the process was to state a concern in simple and straightforward language. It is important to understand a bit of the reflection, which lies beneath these bold statements. The strength of these sentences allowed the group to more easily names the concerns and dreams as well as the positive and negative forces that have an impact on the idea.


The first point relates to our mission. It is interesting to note that this was not one of the original themes but it came out very strongly through the reflection and discussion.

With the Identity and Mission statement, it is essential that every member of L’Arche Canada reflects on and understands the mission. As a body we have yet to fully integrate this. Therefore we stated:

1. Members don’t know, don’t understand, and are not engaged in the identity and the mission of L’Arche

If these statements reflect our reality, what does this say about us as an organization? Is our mission something that we read occasionally and put on a shelf? Or is it something which directs our actions and decisions? What is the vision we need to have regarding our mission? What strategic orientations will get us where we need to go?

We have a rich tradition of discernment. When seeking leaders, we take time to ask for God’s guidance and wisdom in the selection process. We do not want to let this go. At the same time, it may have contributed to a laissez-faire approach to developing leaders. Rather than inviting and investing in people to develop the skills and gifts, the person decides to leave, as he/she does not see where they can further use these gifts in L’Arche. This also raises the question of the future of former leaders in L’Arche. Other issues related to leadership are the high level expectations, which are often unspoken. This is a call to be proactive.

2. There is no clear path/ plan to develop leaders.

Where do we want to be with regard to leadership development? What do we need to do to respond to this issue? What strategic orientations will get us there?

We have learned many things about living together and mutuality, about peace making, creating community, spirituality, about what it means to be human. The list could go on! Jean Vanier has spoken to the world about what he has learned in L’Arche. He has largely retired from his public life. Who fills the gap? What is the L’Arche position on questions alive in our society? Who could be our partners? How do we bring to our society that which we know from our own experience? L’Arche has a tremendous responsibility to not hide its light under a bushel but to bring it forward so that others can benefit.

3. We are not participating in and leading the public discourse on issues that are important to L’Arche and the wider society.

What are the issues that are important to L’Arche? What are the issues that are important to our society? How and where are we present? How do community members and communities recognize their connection to something larger? Do we believe and understand that the activities of daily life contribute to the transformation of society? What strategic orientations do we need to name so we grow in our understanding of our impact?

Finally, we discussed our relationship with and attitudes towards money. As with leadership, there are many experiences where Providence provided beyond our wildest imaginations. We never want to loose this faith! If L’Arche in Canada is to grow and be able to respond more broadly to the needs of people with an intellectual disability in our society and engage in the public conversation about being a more human society, we require more finances than are currently available. Our challenge is to move forward in faith while inviting others to join us in our mission through their financial contributions.

4. There is an imbalance between our historical attitudes and a realistic relationship with money.

In the Key Elements document, we affirm that fundraising is important. What does this mean for us collectively and individually? How is this compatible with ‘a simple life giving priority to relationships’ as stated in our Charter? What strategic orientations will help us?

The Next Step

The next step for the small groups is to continue to identify the positive forces and the negative pressures as well as the strategic orientations for each concern.

We recognize that many members of L’Arche in Canada are making positive contributions in each of these areas. These statements are not in any way meant to diminish this creativity. We want to encourage this. The National Council’s work is to look at the overall culture of the organization and identify where we need to grow.

Our time together allowed us to begin but not to come to a final vision statement for each theme. So this work will continue over the next while by the different working groups.

As this was our first meeting, it took time to create a body. Over the two days, there was a feeling of unity and energy as we gained a deeper understanding of our mission and explored what is needed to advance it. We feel that there is a greater understanding of and appreciation for the work of L’Arche Canada. This meeting is not an end in itself. It is at service to all of L’Arche in Canada.

The following is what was asked of the members of the National Council:   Along with your L’Arche experience and prayerful reflection, you are being asked to stretch your thinking beyond the local and regional levels.

We can say that each person did stretch beyond to be able to see L’Arche Canada and L’Arche in Canada from a broader perspective.

We wish to express our gratitude to each member of the National Council for the many ways that each one contributed to making this a successful meeting.

Discussing the mission brings out our passion for L’Arche and energizes us. This is one of the observations that was made by several during the meeting. 

Joe and Hollee now have more partners who carry with us and can share about the work of L’Arche in Canada. It is essential that each member understand that L’Arche Canada is not simply a bureaucratic and administrative body. L’Arche Canada brings all the communities of L’Arche in Canada together in a mission that is bigger than a local community and a region. It is only as we work together, each in our own spheres that we will have an impact on Canadian society.

The members of the National Council are looking for ways to talk about and share their experience of the meeting as well as providing an opportunity for you to enter into the conversation about our vision and mission! Do not miss any opportunity to participate!

In gratitude,

Hollee Card	Jean Dansereau
National Coordinator, L'ArcheCanada	Board President, L’Arche Canada