Brothers of the Christian Schools - La Salle

ARLEP - THE STATUTES FOR THE NEW DISTRICT ARE APPROVED.

Just moments ago Brother Ismael Beltrán, Visitor of the Central District of Spain and President of ARLEP received notification from Brother Leonardo Tejeiro, Procurator General of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, that at 11:20 AM this morning, January 29, 2010, the liturgical feast of our Saint Brother Benilde, the Superior General and the General Council approved the Statutes of the District of ARLEP.

This was the culmination of a very long and intense process of convergence that took place over the course of recent years in the current Districts of ARLEP. There have been decisive moments in this process, such as last summer when all the Districts voted to join together and, more recently, last December with the holding of the Constitutive Assembly where Statutes for the new District were established and sent to the Superior General and the General Council for their approval.

Now the task is to hold sounding votes to propose names to the Superior General for the first Visitor of the new District.

(www.lasalle.es)

ARGENTINA - RENEWAL OF VOWS.

On January 28, 2010, on the last day of the District of Argentina-Paraguay's retreat, the following Brothers renewed their annual vows: Hernán Santos, Alejandro Bruni, Cristian Tolaba, Wálter Gómez, Ezequiel Montoya, and Aníbal Veloto.

The retreat was held at the Novitiate and was directed by Brother Santiago Rodríguez Mancini. The theme of the retreat was the centrality of the vow of association for the educational service of the poor.

The Mass for Religious Profession was presided by Father Alvaro García, OFM Conv., the chaplain of the residence for senior Brothers which is located next door to the Novitiate.

(Brother Santiago Rodríguez Mancini)

FRANCE - NEW BROTHER VISITOR.

At the Brothers’ chapter of Christmas 2009, I asked the Brothers not to re-elect me as Visitor. Accordingly a sounding vote was taken of brothers who could take on the Visitor’s role. A list of names was sent to Brother Superior and his Council.

On 28 January 2010 Brother Superior appointed Brother Jean Paul Aleth to the post.He will take over as Visitor on 28 February 2010.

Brother Jean Paul has been well known to us throughout our area of mandate for many years. He is from the Paris region where he was a student of the brothers. He was born on 8th September 1950. Since 1988 he has been doing pastoral work with a remarkable openness and perseverance. These past few years he has been one of my most faithful advisers, being particularly helpful in supervising our establishments in Paris and Lille, and especially there with work connected with Association.

We all know of his clear understanding of situations and persons and of his keen interest in offering an education which the young of today can make their own in making it spiritual and Christian.

This appointment is really excellent news for our lasallian area. Let it encourage us in our helping children and young people.

(Brother. Nicolas Capelle - www.lasalle-fec.org)

USA/TORONTO - LASALLIAN EDUCATION BRAND INITIATIVE .

The branding project initiated by the Lasallian Secondary Schools Chief Administrators Association (LASSCA) has officially kicked off.

The purpose of the project is to develop a brand strategy that will connect Lasallian secondary schools, higher education institutions and other enterprises in the US-Toronto Region.

Phase I of the project includes engagement sessions with representative samples from Lasallian education stakeholder groups. The sessions, held on Lasallian college, university and secondary school campuses, include interviews, focus groups and ideation sessions with presidents, principals, trustees, teachers, staff, parents and alumni engaged in dialogue about the Lasallilan education brand. The schedule includes:

• La Salle University, Philadelphia, PA, January 25-26
• Manhattan College, Riverdale, NY, February 8-9
• De Lasalle High School, New Orleans, LA, February 22-23
• Lewis University, Chicago, IL, March 15-16
• Mullen High School, Denver, CO, TBA
• Christian Brothers University, Memphis, TN, March 22-23
• St. Mary's University, Minneapolis, MN campus, TBA
• St. Mary's College, Moraga, CA, TBA

Additional research methodology will include an online survey for all constituents, as well as social media tools to engage stakeholders and keep them updated on the progress of the brand initiative. Phase 1 will also include an audit of communications and marketing channels to determine how the Lasallian education brand is aligned with audience opinions and positioned throughout the Region.

The BrandED Consultants Group LLC, Denver, Colorado has been retained as the consultants of record for the brand initiative. Rex Whisman, principal, and Martin Mendelsberg, associate strategist, will lead the Phase 1 process. Rex and Martin will report work to date and plans for completion of Phase 1 at the LASSCA conference in New Orleans on February 24, 2010. A final report will be delivered that includes findings from Phase 1 and recommendations for the next steps in the process. Phase 2 of the brand project will entail testing brand platforms, adoption of a final brand platform, a graphic identity and brand guide for the Lasallian education brand in the US-Toronto Region. Phase 3 will include implementation of the brand strategy at all participating schools in the Region and development of metrics to measure success.

Look for regular updates on the progress of the Lasallian education brand initiative on this site. You can engage in the process right now by becoming a fan on Facebook and following the brand project on Twitter.

(www.lasallian.info)

Br. Robert Daszkiewicz, of the District of Eastern North America, passed away on January 20, 2010 in Narragansett, RI; he was 71.

Br. Robert served at the Mother House in Rome in two occasions: from 1974-1975 was the editor of the FSC Bulletin, and 2001-2004 he coordinated the translation services, among other commitments. Rest in the Peace of the Lord.