ICDA-US MISSION FUND

     The ICDA-US Mission Fund was established in order that the members of the ICDA might put their gifts collectively at the service of the Church and Deaf community. Special concern is given to promoting solidarity among the various Catholic Deaf communities, that we might proclaim together, "One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism ...." This faithful solidarity is rooted primarily in the proclamation of the Good News of Jesus who said his mission was to "serve and not to be served." In this Spirit, the Mission Fund will endeavor to observe a "fundamental option for the poor," especially among our own Deaf Churches.

     Remaining faithful to ICDA-US Section Mission Fund Guidelines, the Mission Fund will strive to call attention to the needs of Deaf Catholics in the broadest way possible. Thus, the goal of the Mission Fund will be to recognize and support those efforts of local churches in the areas of:

•  missions (usually weekend)
• retreats (usually not longer than one week)
• religious workshops or
• catechism classes (usually on-going)

--especially if there are no other possible sources of funding (i.e., these works could not happen at the local level without some outside subsidy.)

      The vision of the ICDA-US through the Mission Fund is to provide for evangelization and leadership training and on-going Christian formation within local Deaf Church Communities.

     The Co-Chairpersons of the Mission Fund will represent the ICDA-US to the local churches. This relationship will (1) help to more fully assess and recognize the special needs of the local church as well as (2) to maximize the effectiveness of the gifts of the ICDA-US through its Mission Fund.

     Given the many needs and often limited resources, it will be the Co­ chairpersons' responsibility to evaluate most carefully the entire operation of the Mission Fund. The Co-chairpersons will be responsible for fundraising efforts and solicitations through:

• the annual Lenten Appeal
• local chapter efforts and donations
• individual donations
• maintenance of the Mission Fund
• regularly reporting to the ICDA-US Board.

     Each applicant will, in the spirit of Justice, be held accountable for stewardship, attaining objectives (determined through the application process) and for evaluation.

     When activated, the support of the 'ICDA-US Missionary' will also constitute a special category within the Mission Fund structure. The retainer salary and term for the ICDA-US Missionary will be negotiated and approved by the ICDA-US board.