CRS National Gathering
June 27-30, 2023 in Washington, D.C.
“ Thank you for joining us at the CRS National Gathering and for making this event a huge success! It was a blessing to see so many passionate and committed people working together to make an impact on our global family. Your collective actions during Hill Day have made a significant difference toward building relationships with legislators and influencing them on policies that support our sisters and brothers in need. As Pope Francis reminds us in Fratelli tutti, “Our love for others, for who they are, moves us to seek the best for their lives. Only by cultivating this way of relating to one another will we make possible a social friendship that excludes no one and a fraternity that is open to all.”
“ I want to recognize and appreciate the incredible work you have been doing in your communities and for your continued partnership as we work together toward a more just and peaceful world. Thank you!”
—Bill O’Keefe, Executive Vice President of Mission, Mobilization and Advocacy
Photo by Philip Laubner/CRS
CRS NATIONAL GATHERING PHOTOS
View photos from the event that you can share with your friends, family and community. Access the CRS National Gathering Gallery.
Event Schedule
Click on each session or workshop period to download presentation materials or resources, if available.
Tuesday, June 27, 2023
| 3:00 p.m. | Check-in Begins |
| 5:00 p.m. | Welcome Mass |
| 6:00 p.m. | Dinner |
| 7:00 p.m. | Welcome and Opening Keynote |
Wednesday, June 28, 2023
| 7:00 a.m. | Mass (Optional) |
| 8:00 a.m. | Breakfast |
| 9:00 a.m. | Morning Session |
| 12:30 p.m. | Lunch |
| 2:00 p.m. | Workshop Period 1 |
| 3:30 p.m. | Workshop Period 2 |
| 5:00 p.m. | Afternoon Session |
| 6:00 p.m. | Dinner |
| 7:00 p.m. | Evening Reflection and Prayer |
Click [+] to display each session:
Effective social movements succeed by enabling ordinary citizens to organize the resources they have into the power that is needed to bring about the change they want to see in the world. This plenary workshop will offer an introduction to community organizing and provide a brief overview of five leadership practices that citizens must master in order to become effective agents of transformational social change. Special attention will be given to the role of storytelling as we create a space where participants can craft and experience the power of telling our stories as a core leadership practice. Simultaneous interpretation available in Spanish.
Los movimientos sociales efectivos tienen éxito porque permiten que las personas organicen sus recursos para forjar el poder que se requiere para transformar el mundo. Esta sesión es una introducción al trabajo organizativo comunitario. Se ofrecerá una breve descripción de cinco prácticas de liderazgo que las personas deben dominar para ser agentes efectivos del cambio social. Se hablará sobre la importancia de las historias personales, y los participantes podrán contar sus historias como una práctica central del liderazgo. Se ofrecerá interpretación simultánea al español.
1A—Building Relationships with Members of Congress
Building strong relationships with congressional offices is critical for effective constituent advocacy. This workshop will explore the art of relationship building. We’ll discuss strategies to deepen your community’s relationship with their elected officials and to leverage that relationship for maximum impact over time. This workshop will be presented in English only.
Facilitator: Chris West, senior trainer for CRS
Presenters: Cynthia Phillips, senior director of Government Relations at CRS, Brad Fitch, president and CEO of the Congressional Management Foundation, and Allie Davis, congressional staff to Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-NY
1B—Fundraising Made Easy: An Exercise in Gratitude, Mission and Radical Love
Money—we know non-profits can’t operate without it, but how do we get over our fear of asking for it? In this workshop we’ll reflect on the spirituality of fundraising and share simple ideas for raising money by shifting our perspective and putting mission first. This workshop will be presented in English only.
Presenter: Beth Knobbe, senior trainer for CRS
1C—Catalyzing Action for Climate Change Through Effective Storytelling / Catalizadores de Acción Frente al Cambio Climático Utilizando el Arte de Nuestras Historias
Workshop Resource 1 in English (Descarga en español)Workshop Resource 2 in English (Descarga en español)
Climate change is an urgent reality in our world today. Often, communities who have contributed the least to climate change are being impacted the most. Hear stories—told by a CRS staff member from Guatemala—of people who are working hard to adapt to a changing climate to build a better future for their families and communities. We’ll also share ideas for how to be a more persuasive and ethical storyteller. Simultaneous interpretation available in Spanish.
Presenters: Rafael Merchan, program manager for CRS in Guatemala, and Marcela Yerena, trainer for CRS
El cambio climático existe aquí y ahora; lamentablemente, quienes sufren más son quienes menos han provocado esta crisis climática. Vengan y escuchen las historias de aquellos más afectado por la crisis ecológica y como están trabajando incansablemente con el apoyo de CRS para adaptarse al clima cambiante. Compartiremos ideas que les ayudarán a ser más persuasivos y a narrar historias que destacan la dignidad humana. Este taller será ofrecido en inglés con traducción simultánea.
Presentadores: Rafael Merchan, gerente de programas para CRS en Guatemala y Marcela Yerena, instructora, CRS
1D—Recognizing Fertile Soil for Growing Your Chapter / Reconociendo el suelo fértil para invitar a nuevos miembros a sus comunidades
SPANISH WORKSHOP
Are you tired of feeling like you’re always planting your invitations in rocky soil? This workshop will dive deeper into strategies for identifying and inviting new members into your chapter. We’ll explore tools such as relational mapping and individual and house meetings. This workshop will be presented in Spanish only.
Presenters: Sergio Lopez, senior trainer for CRS, and Hector Medina, Latino Ministries coordinator for the Diocese of Oakland.
¿Sientes que tus invitaciones no obtienen los resultados deseados? En este taller compartiremos estrategias y herramientas para identificar, invitar, y acompañar a nuevos miembros en tus Comunidades de Solidaridad.
Presentadores: Sergio Lp ez, instructor principal, CRS, y Hector Medina, coordinador de ministerios latinos, Diócesis de Oakland.
1E—CRS Networking Lounge
Looking for an opportunity to connect with CRS staff and network with other changemakers? This open space is for you! Come grab a cup of coffee and chat with like-minded individuals, explore CRS’ library of tools and resources or leave a message on our community wall.
2A—Recognizing Fertile Soil for Growing Your Chapter
Are you tired of feeling like you’re always planting your invitations in rocky soil? This workshop will dive deeper into strategies for identifying and inviting new members into your chapter. Tools include relational mapping and individual and house meetings. This workshop will be presented in English only.
Presenter: Sergio Lopez, senior trainer for CRS
2B—Building Diverse, Equitable and Inclusive Teams
Bilingual Workshop ResourceDiversity, equity and inclusion don’t just happen. They must be carefully and lovingly cultivated. In this workshop, we’ll share insights regarding intercultural competency and the frameworks that can help you co-create a more diverse and inclusive team of changemakers. This workshop will be presented in English only.
Presenter: Desiré Findlay, trainer for CRS
2C—From Service to Social Action: Engaging Your Campus Community in Advocacy
Community service can be a fun way to spend spring break; but beyond that, what can students do to mobilize their campus community to address systemic global humanitarian issues? In this workshop, we’ll explore relational strategies that will help you engage your campus community in advocacy. This workshop will be presented in English only.
Presenters: Jessica Morrell, chapter support advisor for CRS, and Crystal Cardona, chapter advisor and campus minister at St. Martin’s University
2D—Building Relationships with Members of Congress / Construyendo Relaciones con sus Miembros del Congreso
SPANISH WORKSHOP
Building strong relationships with congressional offices is critical for effective constituent advocacy. This workshop will explore the art of relationship building and discuss strategies to deepen your community’s relationship with their elected officials and to leverage that relationship for maximum impact over time. This workshop will be presented in Spanish only.
Presenters: Maria G. Arroyo, director of Constituent Leadership and Chapter Development for CRS, and Evangely Ward, chapter leader for the San Diego Diocese V Encuentro CRS Chapter
Construir fuertes relaciones con nuestros miembros del Congreso es un elemento clave para que nuestra abogacía sea más eficaz. En este taller exploraremos el arte de la construcción de relaciones y compartiremos estrategias para profundizar la relación entre nuestras comunidades y nuestros miembros electos para realizar el mayor impacto legislativo posible.
Presentadores: Maria G. Arroyo, directora de desarrollo de liderazgo y entrenamientos, y Evangely Ward, líder de la Comunidad V Encuentro de la Diócesis de San Diego
2E—CRS Networking Lounge
Looking for an opportunity to connect with CRS staff and network with other changemakers? This open space is for you! Come grab a cup of coffee and chat with like-minded individuals, explore CRS’ library of tools and resources or leave a message on our community wall.
This session will prepare participants to go to Capitol Hill on Thursday for legislative visits—including updates on the legislative ask, space to ask CRS’ Government Relations staff questions and time to prepare with state delegations.
Thursday, June 29, 2023
| 7:00 a.m. | Breakfast |
| 8:00 a.m. | Depart for Capitol Hill |
| 9:00 a.m. | Arrive at Capitol Hill |
| 10:00 a.m. | Legislative Visits |
| 12:00 p.m. | Lunch |
| 1:00 p.m. | Legislative Visits |
| 3:30 p.m. | Reception |
| 5:00 p.m. | Depart for Catholic University of America |
| 6:00 p.m. | Dinner |
| 7:30 p.m. | Evening Reflection and Prayer |
Click [+] to display resources:
Friday, June 30, 2023
| 7:00 a.m. | Mass (Optional) |
| 8:00 a.m. | Breakfast |
| 9:00 a.m. | Session 1 |
| 10:00 a.m. | Session 2 |
| 12:00 p.m. | Session 3 |
| 1:00 p.m. | End of Gathering and Departure—Participants will receive a boxed lunch. |
Click [+] to display each session:
What collective impact did our legislative visits have? We will debrief our experiences and explore the impact of our advocacy on Capitol Hill together.
Rising temperatures. Longer and more extreme droughts. More intense rainfall and dangerous storms. As the world experiences the consequences of climate change, we need holistic policy solutions to make a difference. Hear the stories of people who are adapting to a changing climate, learn CRS’ vision for bold policy solutions and explore how we can work together to care for our common home.
Facilitator: Desiré Findlay, trainer for CRS
Presenters: Rafael Merchan, program manager for CRS in Guatemala, Gina Castillo, senior research and policy advisor for CRS, and Beth Knobbe, senior trainer for CRS
We will collectively imagine our next steps and how we will share the fruits of our time together with our communities back home. Bill O’Keefe, CRS’ executive vice president of Mission, Mobilization and Advocacy will offer closing remarks and then we will conclude with a prayer and blessing.
Please direct any questions to [email protected].
