| The ALT + 5 arrived in New York and began their meetings on Thursday evening, 2 October. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday were given to meetings with the Association Advisory Board. Then on Monday, 6 October, the ALT + 5 meetings began in earnest but only for two days. On Wednesday Tom Bamat went to Sweden to represent Maryknoll at an international peace conference; Heidi Cerneka went to St. Mary's College in South Bend, Indiana to speak at a national youth conference; and Liz Mach went to New York City for a two-day gathering of the donors to the newly opened medical hospital in Tanzania. |
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Five area representatives work with the ALT in the areas of placement of personnel, strategic planning, and budgeting. In October, 2003 the area reps were Tom Bamat (United States), Liz Mach (Africa), Sam Stanton (Latin America), Heidi Cerneka (Latin America), and Charlie Dittmeier (Asia). |
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Sam Stanton and Heidi Cerneka review budgets from Latin America in preparation for explaining and defending them before the whole ALT + 5 in the week to come. This year Chris Keavney has set up the conference room as a workroom for the ARs, an arrangement much appreciated! |
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The ARs met with the orientation class two times in the first week. The first meeting was each AR with the people going to his or her area and was for explaining the distinctive workings and cultures of the areas where the candidates are assigned. On Tuesday the ARs met with all the candidates together to give an overview of the Association world, area by area. Here Charlie Dittmeier talks about the MMM (Maryknoll Mekong Missions) in Asia. |
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The deer have been especially obvious and unafraid on the Bethany property this fall. Here two graze in the orchard in late afternoon when they appear each day. While some of the area reps were away, the others spent the days working on their area budgets and in meetings around the Knoll. |
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Late afternoon on the quadrangle at the seminary building. |