1. RECRUITING NEW COOPERATORS Some History Some Ideas

2. St. Joseph’s Cooperator Center St. Petersburg, Florida Who Are We? –- We are a group of men and women from various walks of life who want to be Salesians in the world in the Diocese of St. Petersburg, FL –- We are an enthusiastic and lively gang!!!

3. This was our Induction day!

4. So how did it all come about? 1) Bro. Jerry and Fr. Director had an introduction night with a power point presentation about the Salesian Cooperators. 2) Question and Answers and refreshments followed. 3) Those interested were given a month to think over the invitation to become a Cooperator and speak to Bro. Jerry or Fr. Director during that time for further clarifications.

5. Decision Time After an appropriate amount of discernment time a letter was sent from Bro. Jerry to all those invited to the initial presentation and the participants who were interested in moving into a formation program were asked to submit their intentions in writing. Once these letters were received an initial meeting was arranged to begin the formal formation process.

6. FORMATION * Formation was once a month for two hours per session and two five-hour Saturday programs. This allowed the two year program to be covered within a year. * Throughout candidates were reminded that even though they were going through the program, they could stop at any time. * We had two candidates who completed the program and chose not to become Cooperators at this time.

7. The Induction The real beginning of recruitment

8. Who Are the St. Joseph’s Center Cooperators? They are An elementary school principal A high school athletic director High school coaches and teachers A Catechist Certification specialist The Bishop’s Executive Secretary A School Department Secretary

10. Steps for Recruiting a New Group of Cooperators (1)Making the induction of Cooperators as public as possible. (2)Looking for younger candidates. Invite just one young person to take a look. (3)Verbal, person-to-person invitation. (4)Be visible witnesses of our Salesian vocation

11. Steps (cont’d) (5) Advertise and publicize what projects you undertake. (6) Pray for Cooperator vocations. (7) Talk about the Cooperators with enthusiasm and joy!

12. Here’s what happened in St. Petersburg, FL The Cooperators decided not to start another class of candidates until they had completed one full year as Cooperators. When they felt ready they complied a list of interested individuals to be invited to a presentation on the Cooperators. Fifteen participants were invited to that presentation. Eleven submitted letters to begin the formation program.

13. Who is this new Group? They are * Three graduates of St. Petersburg Catholic High School – two of whom witnesses the induction of the initial group of Cooperators. * Two couples are alumni parents of St. Petersburg Catholic. * One is the wife of the present Coordinator of the Cooperators and one is his sister.

14. Who is this new Group? * One is the youth minister of the Cathedral church. * One is an administrative assistant at St. Petersburg Catholic. * All had been personally invited by a present Cooperator and were interested because of what they heard from these Cooperators.

15. Not the End! It’s the Beginning of Your Efforts!