#548

STRAW VOTES AND STRUCTURES

So - where is it all heading?  The straw votes give the commission (#2 in this case) direction for future work.  This is how it panned out in the general assembly:

Fr. Michele Pellerey (the 'relator' - my computer keeps switching that to 'realtor' but I presume it's not the farm we are selling off here!), came up with
two other options to the original four. Option 0 asked if the chapter members wanted different councilors for the areas of Salesian Family and Social Communication. The vote taken was: 190-Yes, 23-No, 4-Juxta Modum (which in a straw vote counts
as a yes), and 5-Abstain.

The vote taken on option "1"—the regular council
members with the Vicar taking on the Salesian Family: 123-Yes, 78-No, 17-Juxta Modum, 4-Abstain.

The vote on option "2"—only 2 general councilors
besides the Vicar, and Economer: 35-Yes, 182-No, 1-Juxta Modum, and 3-Abstain.

The vote on option "3"—3 general councilors besides vicar and economer: 60-Yes, 156-No, 3-Juxta Modum, 3-Abstain.

The vote on option "4"—four general councilors elected "sine portfolio:" 53-Yes, 166-No, 1-Juxta
Modum, 2-Abstain.

At the end M. Pellerey added another option, viz., 2
separate councilors (one for social communication and one for Salesian Family). Vote taken was: 107-Yes, 94-No, 4-Juxta Modum, and 12-Abstain.

This gives the commission clear indications of which way to work.  From the above one can see that it will be largely similar to what we presently have.

The process, then has 'worked' in that it has achieved a result and given direction.  There is not, of course, much real opportunity for significant discussion of options at assembly level.  That is left to the commissions.  Some will rejoice, others not.