The following process could be useful for developing particular policies.
There will be many variations on the process to suit local circumstances and
issues.
1. Identify the area for policy development.
2. Have a small group or taskforce brainstorm the issues involved. (Tip -
focus on naming the issues; don't necessarily attempt to resolve the issues
at this point).
3. Choose one person to prepare a draft (Tips: get copies of what others
have written; use the most appropriate format; let the person with the best
organizing and writing skills do the drafting -- this is not necessarily the
group's coordinator, superior or other such person).
4. Circulate the draft for comment.
5. Schedule a meeting of the taskforce to amend or revise the draft. (Tip:
where there are major differences of view, name them, don't resolve them
--
the superior's staff or the senior council might be a good place for a major
policy debate of the contested issues).
6. Re-circulate the draft for comment if necessary.
7. Prepare a cover sheet for the superior's staff or the senior council identifying
the steps that were used in developing the draft policy.
8. Await a decision or approval by the staff, council or superior.
9. Incorporate the policy into the Customary. (Tip: put in the date on which
the policy was agreed; a sunset clause or a statement saying the date on which
the policy must be reviewed).
10. Communicate the policy to all those who are affected by it and incorporate
it into formation or when training is provided to ensure all have the knowledge
and skills to implement the policy.
Review
The staff or senior council meets once every year or two to look at the Customary
or parts of it. They determine whether the policies in it are still relevant
and appropriate. If not, a process like the one above would be followed to
revise existing policy or develop new policy.
--
Based on "Writing Policies and Organizational Manuals" by Management
Alternatives Pty Ltd, Coogee, NSW, Australia, www.mapl.com.au/policy/tp.htm
.
From the Book of Customs for a monastery
of the American-Cassinese Congregation
5.8 Computers
5.8.1 Computers and Internet connection are services similar to cars and telephones. The policy for their usage, therefore, parallels the examples set by these services. Their use is governed by the principles of monastic stewardship of time and resources. Each monk enjoys the responsibility of using them in accord with monastic values set down throughout this customary.
5.8.2 The Abbey will provide computers for common use by its members. These computers are located in the Scriptorium.
§ Usage by monks will determine the number of computers available
§ The computers and software will be upgraded as needed to handle the applications and programs of the monk-users
§ The computers will be networked for cost reasons as well as to facilitate communication between persons on the system
§ A Computer Coordinator will regularly assess needs and offer services to any monk needing assistance.
5.8.3 Abbey enterprises (e.g., shops, library, press, liturgy office, pottery) will often need computers and software for their areas. Managers of these enterprises will consult the Computer Coordinator before seeking approval of the abbot and senior council.
5.8.4 Some monks, by reason of their work, require a personal computer. They will present their petition to the abbot and senior council.
§ Personal computers are usually located in an office. The abbot may approve a computer in a cell if needed
§ The bringing and use of computers by candidates/novices will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis by the novice master in consultation with the abbot
§ In requesting new computer technologies, each monk will keep in mind frugality and the wise use of community resources.
5.8.5 The Computer Coordinator, consulting with a committee to deal with computer issues, will maintain a list of specifications for computers and software used in the Abbey system.
5.8.6 Annually the Computer Committee will propose a budget for the fiscal year.
5.8.7 For monks on mission, computers
and software will be provided by the respective institutions when their use
is primarily for the work done there.
Policy II
From a monastery of the Subiaco Congregation
Internet Policy
The use of the Internet requires a special discipline so that it does not adversely affect the life of the monk.
Monks may use the Internet from after Mass until the work meeting each morning (approximately 45 minutes), from after lunch until None (approximately 90 minutes) and from after Vespers until the nightly Chapter Meeting (approximately 45 minutes). Solemnly professed may also use the Internet from after morning work meeting until Terce (45 minutes).
Those monks whose work requires them to use the Internet (the Guestmaster, the Abbot's Secretary, for example) may use the Internet during the work period (9:00 am to 1:00 pm). Computers should be turned off before the evening Chapter Meeting each day at 7:10 pm.
It should be obvious that the Internet is primarily for work and for personal correspondence and for projects that require research on the Internet. It is not primarily for entertainment. That does not mean that a brother may not download music or other such things from time to time -- but respect must be had for others who also want access to the Internet.
It should also be obvious that a brother should not be going to sites that are pornographic or are a type of secular entertainment that may not be helpful to monastic life. The superiors may make suggestions at times to individual brothers if they see them using the Internet too often or inappropriately.
On Sundays the Internet may be used only from after Sext until None (11:45 am to 4:00 pm) and from after the main meal until Vespers (half an hour).
--
Notes:
We have a public room where there are four computers.
A few officials (Abbot, Prior, Cellarer and the Abbot's Secretary) have their
own computers in their office or room. Others use the public room, first come,
first serve basis. We are 25 in community. Never seems to be traffic jams.
From a Cistercian monastery of the Strict Observance
GUIDELINES FOR THE USE OF INTERNET
The purpose of these guidelines is to help us to be true to our monastic principles and values while making use of one of the new means the Lord has given us for human communication. As monks we have gone apart to find greater freedom to be to God in lectio, meditation, prayer and contemplation. To bring the world into the enclosure defeats the meaning of monastic life.
In the past, as means developed, we had to begin to watch the use of mail, telephone, radio, and television. Now we must do the same in regard to the Internet, being realistically conscious that this media lends itself to addictive behavior.
1. We need to distinguish in practice between that use which pertains to our work and a more personal use of the Internet.
2. Our work time is our contribution to community support. In this regard, time is money. So during work time we will not use the Internet except when it is truly a means to facilitate our work. At the same time we will not let our work use of Internet spill over into time we have for lectio and prayer and other purposes.
3. The wise use of Internet can be of great service in our study program. Accountability greatly helps us to be faithful to our ideals. So in our use of the Internet for personal study we will be open with a monitor -- teacher, tutor or the Dean of Studies -- in regard to our use.
4. The use of the Internet for lectio for most of us is ordinarily not advisable. If it is used we need to be very open to our spiritual father in regard to our use so we will not begin to deceive ourselves in regards to its true fruitfulness for our spiritual growth.
5. In regards to e-mail we need again to distinguish in practice between that use which pertains to our work and a more personal use. Number 2 above should guide our use of e-mail in regards to our work. Nonetheless, as Christ-persons, our communication will always be reverent, respectful and guided by love.
6. In regards to the personal use of e-mail,
- It is well to restrict one’s opening of one’s mailbox ordinarily to once a day at the most. If we find ourselves going more often we need to examine our actions.
- Apart from some special case it would be well to devote only one session a week of a determined time to answering personal mail. The time we determine to use for this personal correspondence should be discussed with a superior or our spiritual father in genuine openness and judged in the light of our monastic values.
7. Our cells are places of prayer and rest. We do not use computers and Internet in our cells without explicit permission from the abbot.
8. Let us be adamant in
avoiding all pornographic use of the Internet as well as indulging curiosity,
which St. Bernard teaches us in the first degree of pride and capable of
leading us into serious sin.
From the Book of Customs and Policies from a monastery
of the American-Cassinese Congregation
Guidelines for the Use of Personal Computers (Word Processors)
-
Pastors and chaplains normally use the computers provided by the parish or institution.
-
Monks employed in our apostolates use the computer provided by the school or press. If none is available in a particular department, the monk may be provided with one.
-
Monks who pursue studies away from the monastery receive a computer for
their use. This machine is returned to the director of education upon the completion of studies.
-
A computer may be provided for monks engaged in full-time writing.
-
Novices and juniors may bring a computer to the monastery, but may not purchase one during the formation years.
-
The monks should normally use the computers in the Computer Room on the third floor.
-
A computer will be provided for those who work in Abbey offices, if this is necessary.
-
Particular requests will be considered by the Abbot's Staff on an individual basis.
-
The superior will judge whether the monk should obtain a computer or a word processor.
Approved by the Senior Council
4 September 1990
Vocations:
Five Tips to Priests and Religious
Chatting Online
Rome (Italy), 3 March 2003 (VID) – Internet chat lines are more often becoming the place where young people are asking religious people questions like how they first broke the news of their vocation to their parents.
A special insert in the last issue of Rogate ergo, a magazine published for the past 65 years in 65 countries, deals with vocation promotion and the Internet. It gives five tips to those who chat online and talk about vocations in an area that is full of virtual traps.
According the Rogate ergo, the priest or religious "must remember that chat rooms are first of all places where young people go to enjoy themselves:
-
avoid putting yourself on a pedestal and making judgments and dictating rules;
-
help a young person to seek answers to questions in his/her own family setting or from friends in order to avoid dangerous situations;
-
know when to withdraw or take a step back if you feel uncomfortable with the topic or language or because you feel too old to participate;
-
avoid introducing your own unsolved problems into the discussion; as in all situations it is better to
-
deal with certain questions in places that are appropriate."
Links to this handout, Brother Doug Mullin's paper and other resources related
to the workshop can be found online at
www.richoliver.us/scrip/aba2004/
Rev.
03-Apr-2006 | © Richard Oliver OSB |
www.osb.org/aba/2004/handout.html
