Lasallian Volunteer Orientation 2001

August 2-9, 2001 at La Salle University

The directors of the Lasallian Volunteers, Cathy Gillaspie (Clark) and David Kasievich, successfully kicked off their program with an intense and meaningful orientation at La Salle University in August. This nine-day program was filled with prayer, team-building exercises, site-specific training, sessions on living in community and on the Lasallian charism, and much more. Brother Jim Joost, FSC from the San Francisco District and Greg Kopra also from the San Francisco District delivered several of the main presentations. However, three people from the Baltimore District were also tapped to share their expertise and perspectives: Br. Bob Kinzler, FSC, Jim Logan of De La Salle Vocational and Lynn Trocky of De La Salle Aftercare.

This year the orientation was directly coordinated with the New Teachers Institute. After the first four days, the 24 volunteers who will serve primarily in classrooms spent four days fully participating in the New Teachers Institute while the other ten volunteers, who will work in social service agencies, benefited from a separate training. Once the New Teachers Institute concluded, all the volunteers reconvened for some final preparations and an inspirational sendoff emphasizing their beginning “the Lasallian calling with Faith and Zeal.”