Letter to NNCF's Euro July 2005

Dear European member colleagues,

 

The International Board has just concluded a very positive four-day meeting at Kilcreggan in Scotland.  Following a very difficult period within NCFI, when many felt that NCFI was at serious risk of closing, we have now identified a new and exciting vision and clear strategy for the way forward.
 

During the meeting we were challenged and inspired and I can report to you that NCFI is still very much alive and will be going forward with new hope. A full report of the discussions that took place and the resolutions that were passed will be sent to you from the president, Kamalini Kumar, but until then I wanted to share this good news with you.

 

The Board recognised that this was a critical period in NCFI history and that it was a call to reshape and refocus our activities.  The most significant decision made was to continue the NCFI office in the UK but within a different structure.  It was agreed that the Headquarters office will provide a Secretariat for the Board and the direction and leadership will come from the Board and the regions.  The Christian Medical Fellowship (CMF) who will assist with the establishment of a comprehensive database and the maintenance of web pages will support the Secretariat.  The NCFI HQ secretariat will maintain contact with member countries and regional committees through regular correspondence and act as the treasurer.  The link will continue to be published as a quality pamphlet although somewhat reduced in size.

 

As I have already indicated it is hoped that the leadership of the organisation will increasingly come from the Regional committees and the membership themselves.  This will require strong link to be maintained and further developed between the Board, the regional committees and the membership NNCF’s.  Signing up as a member of NCFI will bring with it the opportunity to be more engaged with the expansion and development of the organisation in the region.  It is envisaged that with the reduced costs of maintaining a central Headquarters it will be possible to use the available funding to support regional projects and regional activities. 

 

The Board reviewed the strategic plan as it had developed over the last years and building on the objectives already identified anew approach was developed. Three key strategic areas have been identified, these are; training and education, outreach and expansion and practical caring activities.  It is planned that each region in partnership with their national NCF groups will develop a regional strategy incorporating these three elements.  The conference in 2006 will give us in the Euro region the opportunity to develop such a strategy together.  This provides us with a bottom up approach to development.  The new secretariat will provide support for this activity.  

 

The Secretariat is currently operating from Kirkintilloch Road, Lenzie, Scotland.  Dave Parfitt, who has been involved as a Trustee with Pat Ashworth has been carrying out the administrative duties necessary to sustain the organisation during this period.  It is proposed that he will resign as a Trustee and take over the administrative co-ordinating role.  He has agreed to do that and at the moment it has been thought that 10 hours a week full time administration to provide the secretariat will be sufficient. He will take up these responsibilities formally once he has resigned from his Trustee position and a replacement Trustee can be found.  Meanwhile he will continue as now to provide the necessary administrative support needed for NCFI.

 

The Board feels that these arrangements will serve NCFI for the immediate future and allow us to adjust to the challenges of today’s world.  We were excited by the possibilities that present themselves and we look forward to sharing developments with you further. If you have any questions about any of these matters do not hesitate to contact David Parfitt.  His email address is This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

 

In addition to sharing this good news with you I am also writing to remind you that we have only one year remaining before the 7th European NCFI conference to be held at Ede in the Netherlands from August 22-26th2006.  The conference will be hosted by the nursing departments of the Christian University Ede and the reformed University of Zwolle, in co-operation with the Lindeboom Institute.   The conference   will explore the heart and soul of the nursing profession, ethics and spirituality. We have some excellent speakers lined up including Pablo Martinez from Spain who will lead the Bible expositions.  I know you will find it not only an opportunity for refreshment and fellowship but you will also have the opportunity to explore many of the ethical issues that we face in today’s world as Christian nurses and midwives.   You will be receiving more information shortly but meanwhile please note the dates for your diary.

 

The regional committee itself will be due for change next year and I would like to ask you to pray for new members to come forward.  We need committee members who have a vision for developing the work and who will be able to take us into a new era of development.  With the many commitments that people have these days as well as the heavy work responsibilities I know how difficult it is to find those who are wiling to stand.  I would however like to ask you to prayerfully consider and approach anyone you think God might be calling to this work.

 

The process that needs to be followed is as follows:

 

Any nominations for the committee should be submitted to me in writing before the conference in August.  Preferably by the end of July 2006.

The two delegates from each country will have the right to vote at the Regional forum meeting or in writing prior to the meeting so that their vote can be counted.  The following members of the committee are due to stand down in 2006, Barbara Parfitt (chair) Mikala Wintero and Irene Leino.  We therefore need a minimum of three nominations.  The committee would be strengthened if we had a full seven members.  I do hope you will think and pray about this wonderful opportunity to take forward the work of NCFI into the future.

 

Marion Deelen will be writing to you shortly to share prayer requests  but meanwhile