Overview
The Leader Info page is used to post general information that is intended for CFM group leaders.
Many items are available here as a PDF 
file and can be viewed with Adobe Acrobat Reader, version 3 or higher. Viewing large files with modems having transfer speeds of less than 56K will result in long load times (e.g. modem speeds of 28.8K may take about a half second per kb to load; thus a 120kb file could take about one minute).
Click on the icon to download a free copy of Acrobat.
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Leader Survey Results February 2006
Click here to see the results of the 35 question poll for CFM Leaders.
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Parish Leadership Manual
This manual is intended for the CFM chaircouple or chairperson at the parish. It gives tips on creating, leading and developing CFM groups. Click here to open a new browser window with the
Leadership Manual (138kb).
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Leader Training Handbook
This handbook is intended for anyone who is leading a CFM group. It gives tips on leading CFM meetings and discusses group leader and member responsibilities. It is based on CFM at a large parish in Southern California. It generally reflects their particular structure which entails ten or more small groups and a leadership board structure. In addition to the regular CFM small group meetings, there are many CFM activities/programs listed which involve the whole parish membership. Some of this material may not reflect your particular parish situation, especially if you have only one group in your parish. However, the sections on leading meetings and qualities of a group leader are still very useful for any sized CFM group.
Click here to open a new browser window with the
Leader Training Handbook (129kb).
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Group Leader Tips
Good group leaders are good listeners who get to know the people in their group. They stay in touch outside the meeting and are supportive to all the group members. They make sure everyone knows when and where meetings are. They follow up when members miss. They make phone calls and e-mail missing members. They promote the exchange of addresses and phone numbers or make up a roster to ensure good communications.
Good group leaders exercise gentle discipline so meetings start and end on time. A predictable schedule makes everyone more comfortable. Allow one and a half-hours for meeting time and one half hour for social time. The topic can be discussed thoroughly in this time frame if the discussion is focussed. The social time is the place to carry on further discussion of a particularly interesting point and helps develop group cohesion.
Group size is important. When the group grows beyond eight couples it is time to think about splitting. Some large federations find a larger group size works for them, but most CFM groups prefer groups of 5 to 7 families. Groups of this size have good participation from everyone present. Quieter members may get overlooked in larger gatherings. Our experience is that larger groups have poorer attendance because people feel they will not be missed.
Should we reorganize membership of groups annually? While we are aware of some groups that do quite well with static membership, encouraging formation of new groups and bringing new people into the CFM process is part of the CFM approach. It is our experience that vitality suffers when groups are not open to new members. However, we realize some groups face such strong resistance to this action that it threatens the survival of the federation. In this instance, we would not recommend proceeding with the reorganization without the assurance of cooperation on the part of members. Giving some control to members by organizing around leaders or time might help with this. It may be impossible to make everyone happy no matter what you do.
Leading a CFM group is an exercise in Christian charity. Most important of all is that Christ be the center of your group. If that is so, all should go well.
Be sure to look at the Special Topics page for other ideas for CFM Meetings.
GUIDELINES FOR CFM MEETINGS
WHEN YOU HOST
- Please call the couples in your group 3 to 4 days before the meeting to remind them to come, give directions, etc. Encourage them to do their ACTIONS & OBSERVATIONS beforehand. (Life can get so busy…we ALL can use a reminder!)
- Try to involve your children in the preparation for the meeting (baking, cleaning, rolling out the red carpet). The night of the meeting, ask them to help welcome everyone…help take coats, put out the snacks, etc. This is a wonderful opportunity to teach Christian HOSPITALITY and share your family with the group!
- Keep it simple!! Please provide beverages (soft drinks, coffee, tea) and some sort of dessert after the meeting. FELLOWSHIP, not food, is the focus.
GROUP MEMBERS HAVE RESPONSIBILITIES, TOO
- If you are unable to attend a meeting/social activity, please call the CFM facilitators or hosts.
- Be aware, each person needs a chance to share. Try to state your observes and opinions briefly.
- Be considerate. Really listen to the person before you jump in with your thought. Realize and respect that each person sees life from a unique and different perspective…they may differ in their opinion. LISTEN with an open mind.
- Click here to open a new browser window with a
Group Agreement (15kb).
- CFM IS AN ON-GOING PROGRAM…
YOU WILL GENERALLY GET OUT OF IT
WHAT YOU’RE WILLING TO PUT INTO IT!
WHEN YOU LEAD A MEETING, REMEMBER…
- Couples should read through the lesson together and decide how you’ll share the “leadership”. Get any materials together (extra paper, pens, props for role play, candle, etc.) You might want to bring a special prayer or song to set the mood for the meeting.
- Start on time and end on time. Remember the social time after the discussion is also important for the building of community…and relaxing! If the discussion goes too long it will mean less social time.
- Be aware of the time and “keep it rolling” in order to progress from OBSERVES to JUDGES to ACTS…the whole sequence is the CFM meeting. If you’re spending more time on one question, call a “time out” to get on track or skip a question or two to keep things moving.
- CFM uses OPEN SHARING for discussion…which means, leave the response open to the group. If the facilitator asks a specific person their opinion, that person can “pass” if they prefer not to share at this time.
- Don’t be afraid of silence!! Often people need time to organize their thoughts before they respond. Leave time for this to happen.
- Try to stick to the questions. If a really good side discussion happens, encourage people to continue it during social time.
- Encourage couples to DO an ACTION and make their OBSERVATIONS between meetings! These are the things that actually help us LIVE OUT what we TALK about!
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Membership Tools
Click here to open a new browser window with these in pdf format .
These pdf format flyers below from St. Thomas Villanova CFM in Palatine, IL might give others ideas of how to organize a new CFM group. The approach at St. Thomas is interesting because the large group meets at the parish hall, kids go to babysitting rooms and parents divide up in groups to go through the meeting. Family activities are held at another time. The Quizzes are a fun way to spark interest:
This pdf format monthly newsletter below is from Holy Family CFM in Inverness, IL. It offers some good ideas for building community as well as some interesting approaches to activities between meetings.
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Board Meeting Presentations
Click below to open a new browser window with Peter and Jane Buchbauer's presentation in conjunction with the Winter 2003 Board Meeting. The talk is a PDF and the accompanying slides are a PowerPoint presentation for download and also a PowerPoint web page (for which PowerPoint is not necessary to view).
Click below to open a new browser window with John and Lauri Przybysz's presentation in conjunction with the Winter 2004 Board Meeting. The talk is a PDF and the accompanying slides are a PowerPoint presentation for download and also a PowerPoint web page (for which PowerPoint is not necessary to view).
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Special Articles
Click here to open a new browser window with these in pdf format .
Following
are seven qualities that Susan Vogt, former Director of Family Ministry in Covington, KY believes a vibrant, living Catholic Church should embody:
The complete Coming of Age Program book (below) is available below. Its five meetings deal with the issues of relationship that
challenge us in the second half of life: our identity as we move
beyond parenting, our relationship with each other as couples, with
our parents as they age, with our children's children, and with all
the issues that come as we transition out of the workforce.
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Email List
The Contact-CFM e-mail address is a list of CFM USA group
leaders. It is an open list, meaning that messages sent to the list are immediately sent to everyone on it (about 100 people).
This was done so that it could provide a means of free discussion among the "subscribers". All the subscribers are parish CFM leaders and so topics regarding organization and leadership of parish groups are very appropriate for this e-mail list. Please make use of this forum for this purpose. Just send a message to
to participate.
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Contact Newsletter
Each quarter, the CFM USA Director writes information designed for CFM leaders. This "Contact Newsletter" is emailed to all CFM leaders and a copy is posted here.
November 2007 Contact: News for Leaders
FAMILY CALENDAR ENCLOSED
Due to the generosity of an anonymous friend we are able to send you a gift that you can use all year. The enclosed family life calendar is a product of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown Family Life Office. It contains many discussion questions to use in your family as well as listing the Sunday readings and feast days of the saints. Please accept this calendar with our gratitude for your service on behalf of the Christian Family Movement.
MEET US AT SAINT MEINRAD
The Directors of the Christian Family Movement extend an invitation to you to join us for our meeting this summer at Saint Meinrad Archabbey. The enclosed flyer offers some details about this meeting. It will be a time for relaxation, enrichment and fun for the whole family. Space is limited, so please let us know if you are interested right away. Pre-registration will begin in January and we expect to book up soon. The nearest airports are Louisville, Ky. and Evansville, Ind.
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR YOUR MARRIAGE TODAY?
The US bishops’ initiative for marriage has come to the World Wide Web. Visit www.foryourmarriage.org to see what this effort is about. You can help tell the good news about marriage in several ways.
- Check to see if CFM is listed as a resource when visitors search for local resources; contact your dioceses to add this information. If you prefer not to be contacted yourself, ask for the national office to be listed.
- Radio spots and TV ads are available in conjunction with this effort. Contact your local media outlets and ask them support marriage by airing them.
- Encourage others to visit the site. There are many helps available there for couples.
- And do something for your marriage everyday! You’ll be glad you did.
AN INSPIRATIONAL OPPORTUNITY TO SUPPORT CFM JUST IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS GIFTING!
Read the enclosed flyer to learn more about how you buy quality Christian-themed jewelry and benefit CFM at the same time. Visit www.classy-creations.com to see what the fuss is about! Use our code 667461 when you make a purchase and CFM receives 30 percent of the sale.
STARTER KITS
CFM has developed a Starter Kits for new parishes that want to have CFM groups. If you have a friend who would be interested in starting CFM in a new parish, please pass this information along. Starter Kits are $40 and contain all the tools needed to begin the CFM experience.
MAY GOD BLESS OUR EFFORTS FOR FAMILIES!
HAVE A BLESSED ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS SEASON.
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July 2007 Contact: News for Leaders
While it's nice to kick back and take a break from your hectic pace during the school year, it’s not too early to think about this year’s CFM membership drive. Spending a few moments thinking about CFM now can really pay off in the fall. Time to PLAN AHEAD!
THIS MAILING CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING MATERIAL FOR FALL REGISTRATION:
GROUP RENEWAL CHECKLIST
This checklist has target dates for group membership renewal. Each CFM chapter has its own rhythm, but this is a pattern that works for many. Please have renewal information to us by October 1 if at all possible.
ORDERING POLICY AND RENEWAL GUIDELINES
Please call or write us if you have questions about ordering or group renewal. If you are new as a national contact couple, rest assured we are here to help you through this process. We want to make it as simple as possible for you to get the materials you need.
MEMBERSHIP FORMS
It is important to us that you collect the information on this form, but you are certainly free to create your own form to do it. We are aware you may collect more than this for your own purposes. Some groups ask about birthdays, upcoming sacramental events such as First Communion or Confirmation or graduations. If you have the information in database form, we can accept it electronically. Membership forms are also available online to print out. There is also a process to renew online with payment through Network for Good. We are also including a flyer “What Do Your Dues Do?” to help you answer questions regarding membership dues.
ORDER FORM
Consider ordering brochures and two-colored posters for recruiting. Full-color brochures and posters are also available on the website in the leaders section. Consider ordering our DVD for showing at a ministry fair, CFM Kick Off, or information night. Share the gift of CFM with others in your parish and community! The leaders section of the website is accessed by the log-in CFM and the password leaders.
2007-2008 BOOK INFORMATION
This year's book, FAMILIES CHOOSE LIFE explores the issue of life in all its aspects. The table of contents with a short explanation of what the meeting is about is included on the flyer so you have a chance to see the variety of meetings this book contains.
A PROGRAM LIST
You are always free to order an alternate selection to the one that is current. Please call and talk to us regarding your needs; we have other titles not on this list. In addition, there are some topical meetings on the CFM website if a group wants a change of pace or more meeting choices.
STARTER KIT AND MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT KIT FLYERS--HELP US GROW CFM!
STICKERS! BE MORE VISIBLE IN YOUR PARISH! USE THE ENCLOSED STICKERS DURING RECRUITMENT TO HELP YOU TALK TO POTENTIAL CFMERS.
GOD BLESS YOU FOR ALL YOU DO!
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February 2007 Contact: News for Leaders
MEMBERSHIPS FOR THE YEAR SHOULD BE IN THE OFFICE.
We sent out expiration notices to those who have not renewed in 2006-2007. From the calls we received in the national office we know that this came as a surprise to a few. Sometimes dues are delayed when a large federation waits on a few members who have not yet paid before they send in the dues for the entire federation. We appreciate your sending payments promptly to avoid misunderstandings. Dues are an important part of our annual budget. Thanks to all who have worked so hard to track down those last few memberships. We know that can take a lot of time.
Please contact the national office if you feel someone in your federation received a renewal notice in error. We will gladly review the records with you to clear up any problems.
JUST REMINDER--YOU CAN ADD NEW MEMBERS TO YOUR GROUP AT ANY TIME
After January new members can register for $20; there is no need to wait until fall. We appreciate the opportunity to begin sending ACT to new members right away.
SEND YOUR FEEDBACK ON THE RECRUITMENT DVD IN THE NATIONAL OFFICE.
All chapter leaders received a recruitment DVD this fall. We would appreciate knowing if you have viewed this DVD and used it for recruitment. Any ideas for how to take advantage of this new tool are greatly appreciated. Once again thanks to Paul Leingang, John Przybysz and Larry Murchan who helped in the development of this tool. Thanks also to former CFMer Jim Staley who contributed production assistance. Contact the national office by phone at (812) 962-5508 or email at office@cfm.org.
As a sidelight, we are always interested in the way you attract new members to your group. It is important to share strategies for recruitment with other leaders. What worked? What was a waste of time? How do you get results? We are updating leadership materials and would like to include your ideas.
INTERNATIONAL CONFEDERATION OF CHRISTIAN FAMILY MOVEMENTS (ICCFM) 10TH WORLD ASSEMBLY AND 14TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO BE HELD IN FATIMA, PORTUGAL
In preparation for the assembly, questions for discussion will be forwarded to group leaders across the country and distributed to the members of the cfm-exchange electronic mailing list at the end of this month. Groups are can use these questions for March and April meetings. Responses to the questions must be received in the national office by May 15 to be included CFM-USA’s contribution to the assembly discussions.
THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR THE FAMILY IS DEVELOPING A “FAMILY RESOURCE HANDBOOK” THAT WILL BENEFIT CFM
and others in ministering to their families in the context of Catholic family activities for the home. We invite your suggestions to be included in this resource. The institute plans to acknowledge families for their contributions; but you have the option of remaining anonymous if you desire. Please see the accompanying sheet for direction about the type of material needed.
GOD BLESS YOU FOR ALL YOU DO TO ADVANCE THE MISSION OF CFM!
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September 2006 Contact: News for Leaders
NEW DVD SENT OUT
Your parish leadership team should have received a DVD for recruitment and information purposes by now. If it is not included in this mailing, someone else in leadership must be on record as having received it. This DVD should play on a properly equipped computer or any DVD player. Please contact the national office if you have any trouble playing the DVD. There are suggestions for using the DVD included with the packaging and a request for a donation to offset the production costs. Thank you for your generosity.
HELP US CREATE AN ONLINE COMMUNITY
Visit the CFM webpage, www.cfm.org , to link to Gather.com and the Intentional Christian Families online community. The board of directors would like this to be a place where we can share reflections about this year’s book. Help us connect and support each other by developing this online spot for CFM.
PLEASE SEND IN YOUR MEMBER INFORMATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
Many of you have ordered books by now and most have planned your kick-off for the year. Please contact us as soon as you have your new member information so that we can start sending ACT and making the connection to CFM national real for new members. Please try to have new member information in the office by November 1. This will allow new members to receive their first issue of ACT in December.
SEND RECRUITMENT IDEAS TO THE NATIONAL OFFICE
We are always interested in the way you attract new members to your group. It is helpful to share strategies for recruitment with other leaders. What worked for you this year? How do you get results? We are especially interested in reactions to the DVD and ways you used it. Send your ideas to office@cfm.org.
KEEP US INFORMED OF YOUR ACTIVITIES
Let others know what you are doing to build community for CFM. We are looking for news of how your group participates in parish activities, starts initiatives in the community or supports members in time of need. We are especially looking for actions that relate to the meetings in this year’s book. If your group decides to change the way your families handles an issue as the result of a meeting, such as TV, Internet or technology, let us know that too.
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CFM USA Bylaws
Click here to open a new browser window with the
CFM USA Bylaws (21kb)
, adopted at the July 2002 Board Meeting.
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Copyright © 2002-2008 Christian Family Movement
