Guidelines/Policies for Cursillo

Council
Guidelines for Selection of Council Members

In general, Council members should be elected from the Cursillo community with an eye to variety and balance of spiritual gifts, representation throughout the diocese, Cursillo experience and Council responsibilities.

11/10/01

Ref: The Process for Selection of Council members is in the Bylaws, Article IV.
Ref: Bylaws, Article IV. "Council members are to be active in Group Reunion, Ultreya, Day of Deeper Understanding and Servant Community."

Council
Guidelines for selection of Council Spiritual Directors

Council Spiritual Directors should have been in the Diocese at least one year and have served on at least one DUSC Cursillo weekend staff.

11/10/01

Reference: Bylaws, Article IV, Council Spiritual Directors
"Council Spiritual Directors. Spiritual Directors for the Council will be appointed on an annual basis by the Bishop for a one-(1) year term. A list of priests who have expressed an interest in serving on the Council will be submitted simultaneously with the lay representative nominees, no later than November 1st. A minimum of four (4) priests will be submitted. If the Bishop does not choose to appoint the Spiritual Directors, Council will ask those who have expressed an interest to serve. Incomplete or partial terms will be filled as soon as possible through appointment by the Bishop, if he chooses, or by solicitation by Council. A Head Spiritual Director will be identified by the three incoming Spiritual Directors. Spiritual Directors can serve a maximum of three (3) consecutive one- (1) year terms. Incomplete or partial terms will be filled as soon as possible."

Day of Deeper Understanding

Each Cursillo weekend reunion will be held in conjunction with a "Day of Deeper Understanding" approximately a month after the weekend. The Council Vice President will coordinate the schedule and speakers, in consultation with the weekend Lay Rector. It is suggested that the first staff meeting for the next Cursillo be held on the same day, along with Servant Community meetings, and that the groups share a Eucharist at the end of the day.

11/10/01

Financial Guidelines
Weekend Lay Rectors

Lay Rectors will be allotted a budget of $500 for Weekend expenditures (to cover expenses involved in planning the weekend, such as mailing, copies, telephone expenses, not extras such as weekend T-shirts). Questions about reimbursements should be directed to the Council Treasurer. Expense requests will be given to the Council Treasurer, who will forward them to the Diocesan office for reimbursement. Lay Rectors should keep an account of weekend expenditures, whether or not they are reimbursed, and provide this to the council for informational purposes. These expenditures do not include kitchen expenses.

11/10/01

Financial Guidelines
Process for Council Member Expense Reimbursement

Council members will submit receipts to the Council Treasurer, who will approve the expenditure for reimbursement and forward it to the Diocesan office for payment. Reimbursement requests for the Council Treasurer will be approved by the Council President.

9/7/07

Finances
Registration Refunds

As long as the facility being used continues to chare a flat rate for the weekend, the following policy will be in effect for registration refunds:

If a candidate is unable to attend a weekend, the candidate, sponsor or church issuing the check for the candidate’s registration fee may request a refund by contacting the Cursillo Registrar.

If a staff person is unable to attend the weekend, the staff person or church issuing the check for his or her registration fee may request a refund by contacting the Lay Rector.

This policy will be included on the appropriate registration forms. Upon receipt of a candidate’s registration fee, the Registrar will also communicate this policy to the person(s) or church issuing the check.

12/1/07

Financial Guidelines
Process for Giving Weekend Scholarships

Clergy members who serve on weekend staffs will be given a full scholarship for weekend service.

Other candidates or weekend staff members (including members of the clergy) may request scholarship assistance from the Council through the Registrar. It is recommended that a candidate's home parish provide a one-third scholarship for the candidate, and the candidate's Ultreya also provide a one-third scholarship, if possible.

11/10/01

Weekends
Agape Feast

An Agape Feast is commonly referred to as a religious meal shared as a sign of God's unconditional love. Cursillo by its nature is a serious business, but it is also by the grace of God, joyful and spontaneous. The feelings of job and love are a meaningful prelude to understanding a relationship with God and the good news of His grace. To foster an atmosphere of community in which joy may emerge spontaneously, the Sgape should inclue only candidates and staff from the weekend.

Reference: NEC "Authentic Three-Day Weekend" library booklet, section 3.11.

12/1/07

Weekends
Guidelines for Registration Refunds

As long as the facility being used continues to charge a flat rate for the weekend, the following policy will be in effect for registration refunds:

1. If a candidate is unable to attend a weekend, the candidate, sponsor or church issuing the check for the candidate's registration fee may request a refund by contacting the Cursillo Registrar
2. If a staff person is unable to attend the weekend, the staff person or church issuing the check for his or her registration fee may request a refund by contacting the Lay Rector.

9/8/07

Weekends
Guidelines for Selection of Weekend Lay Rectors

Nominees for Weekend Lay Rector should

1. Be Episcopalians, active in their parish, their Ultreya and Group Reunion.
2. Have served previously on at least two DUSC Cursillo weekend staffs (not including kitchen staff).
3. Have attended a Cursillo Weekend Leader training approved by Council. Training should have taken place within three years of selection date.
4. Be familiar with Cursillo literature (e.g. NECC library).
5. Have the endorsement of the parish priest and approved by the Bishop.

11/10/01

Weekends
Process for Selection of Weekend Lay Rectors

If possible, weekend Lay Rectors will be called at least eighteen months in advance.

Events and details of each election process will remain confidential. Council meeting minutes will not record nominations or results, but reflect decisions only when an elected Lay Rector agrees to serve.

1. Council will review the selection process and pray to be open to guidance from the Holy Spirit throughout the process.
2. After consulting with the Bishop, Council President will compile a list of people eligible for selection as weekend Lay Rector and present to the Council prior to the meeting at which selection will take place.
3. A call for additional nominations will be made and added to the nomination list as approved by the president. Nominations will be closed at the discretion of the president.
4. During election at the Council meeting, any Council member nominated will be given the option of leaving or staying during the election process.
5. During discussion of nominees, anyone present may tell about the nominees, especially to introduce them to those voting.
6. Council members may vote for more than one nominee (e.g., all nominees who are felt to be good candidates for Lay Rector).
7. Voting will by secret written ballet.
8. Council President will assign one or more persons to tally ballots.
9. If one or more are elected, they will be asked to serve in the order of votes tallied. Of those elected, the highest tally will get first choice of date and the next highest the next date, etc., unless this is a good reason to vary from this guideline.
10. Council President will contact each of those elected and communicate to Council about who is able to serve. Until this notification, Council members may not discuss the election with anyone.

11/10/01

Weekends
Process for Selection of Weekend Staff Members

Staff applications will be sent to a Lay Rector as soon as the staff for the previous weekend has been selected. At any time during and before staff selection, the Lay Rector may ask for approval or input from the Bishop. When the staff has been assembled, the Lay Rector will contact the Bishop for approval of the entire staff.

11/10/01

Weekends
Guidelines for Selection of Weekend Staff Members

Lay Rectors will prayerfully consider the following guidelines when selecting a Cursillo weekend staff:

1. The staff member is in good standing with the Church and approved by Bishop.
2. New Cursillistas should wait 9 months after their Cursillo before making the commitment to serving on staff, with the exception of kitchen staff.
3. First consideration should be given to people whose applications are dated the earliest.
4. Potential staff members should covenant that they are active in the Fourth Day community.
5. Staff members who attended weekends made in other denominations (e.g., Walk to Emmaus, Via de Cristo, Kairos, etc.) should be attending an Episcopal Church in the diocese.
6. With the exception of observing lay rectors, staff members should not serve on a weekend staff more than once a year.
7. The weekend staff as a whole should encompass a variety and balance of people with respect to age, sex, geographical location, parish church, and Cursillo experience.

11/10/01

Weekends
Process for Selection of Weekend Staff Spiritual Directors

The Diocesan office will maintain and keep a current list of potential weekend spiritual directors approved by the Bishop. This list will be provided to the Cursillo Council annually. When a Lay Rector accepts the call for a weekend, he/she will be provided with this list.

The list should identify the following:

1. When the spiritual director made his/her weekend, in what Diocese
2. The number of times the spiritual director has served on a Cursillo weekend staff, in what diocese.

Lay Rectors of future weekends will work together as they approach clergy members to serve as weekend spiritual directors. For example, if one Lay Rector finds a clergy unable to serve on his/her weekend or the Lay Rector does not intend to ask a particular clergy member, the Lay Rector for the next weekend is free to approach that clergy member for a subsequent weekend. In this way, clergy members can be approached as early as possible for particular weekends with the goal of having staff SDs being asked at least a year in advance of the weekend.

Lay Rectors and Head Spiritual Directors will also work together in the selection and calling of spiritual directors.

11/10/01

Weekends
Guidelines for Selection of Weekend Staff Spiritual Directors

To serve as Head Spiritual director for a weekend, the clergy person should have served on staff for at least one prior weekend in this diocese. A clergy could serve more than one time a year if he/she is available and willing to serve.

11/10/01

Weekends
Maximum Candidate Attendance

For each Cursillo weekend, the total number of candidates attending from each parish or mission will be at the discretion of the Council. It is recommended that attendance at Cursillo weekend be limited to six (6) candidates from a single church. This number may be adjusted for a particular weekend by the Council, after prayerful consultation with the weekend Lay Rector and the Head Spiritual Director. Candidates will be included on the weekend list in order of receipt of application by the Registrar.

11/10/01

Weekends
Process for Selection of Kitchen Coordinator and Staff

1. The selection of one or two Weekend kitchen coordinators shall be the responsibility of the weekend Lay Rector, based upon experience and qualifications, using staff applications and personal knowledge of experienced Cursillistas who may be asked to serve. The head kitchen staff will appoint other kitchen staff members, in consultation with the weekend Lay Rector.
2. The kitchen coordinator is encouraged to attend staff meetings and facilitate breakout meetings with other kitchen staff, if the Lay Rector advises.
3. Kitchen activities and menus will be coordinated with the weekend Lay Rector with the weekend dedication in mind, keeping an appropriate balance between decorations, meals, etc., and the primary purpose of the weekend (15 talks, 5 meditations, 3 Eucharists).
4. Kitchen menus will also be coordinated with the staff of Camp Gravatt.
5. Kitchen menus are planned to accommodate specific dietary needs of candidates, in collaboration with the Lay Rector.
6. Food handling certification is highly encouraged. Courses for such are routinely held throughout the state and Camp Gravatt staff is available for assistance in this area.
7. Other Cursillistas are encouraged to volunteer time to assist the assigned Weekend kitchen staff during the Weekend proper (serving, cleaning, place mat preparation, table setting, etc.). The kitchen coordinator should be creative in using additional people during peak times such as Saturday afternoon and evening, and Sunday lunch preparation and serving.

12/9/06

Weekends
Altar Guild

1. The Council shall appoint a Cursillo Altar Guild Chairperson for a term of three years, in conjunction with the Diocesan Altar Guild Chair.
2. The Chairperson shall solicit team members from local parishes and throughout diocese depending upon timing and need (cleaning, sewing, embroidery, repair, setup, takedown, storage, etc.).
3. The Chairperson shall coordinate activities and needs (storage, etc.) with appropriate Camp Gravatt staff and Weekend Lay Rector (timing, etc.).

11/10/01

Weekends:
Candidate Palanca

Written Palanca will be distributed on Friday and Saturday of the weekend. Palanca above all else should be prayer. Written Palanca should be personal and simple. Small trinkets (yo-yos, stickers, etc) can provide comic relief, but everything should fit in a business-sized envelope. 

11/10/01

Weekends
Closet Coordinator

The Council will appoint a Weekend Closet Coordinator for a term of three years, to coordinate supplies in the closet with Weekend Lay Rectors or Head Cha Chas.

Responsibilities of the Weekend Closet Coordinator:

1. Maintain a food list indicating the regular amounts of water, juice, food, snacks, etc. expected for each weekend.
2. Call head Cha prior to the weekend to check on special additions to the food list.
3. Deliver supplies to Camp Gravatt on Wednesday evening
4. Check closet supplies prior to each weekend to ensure adequate supplies of poster board, art supplies, etc.
5. Order NEC material as needed to maintain a stock for several weekends
6. Serve as 'runner' contact to coordinate delivering items to Gravatt during the weekend (note: this helps to provide a single source for expenses)
7. Send receipts for expenses to the Council Treasurer for process through the Diocese for reimbursements.

11/10/01

Weekends
Sponsors Who Attended Other Denominational Weekends

Sponsors may have attended other three-day weekends (e.g., Walk to Emmaus, Catholic Cursillo, Tres Dias) if the priest of the candidate approves after considering the importance of sponsor support in the Fourth Day Community.

11/10/01

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