Transfer of SALT in the International Association of Charities (AIC) Network

[Marie Lamboray]

From the Constellation 2016 Report:

En français dans le rapport 2016, p. 41.

In 2016, the SALT approach continued its way, step by step, in our International Association of Charities (AIC) network [founded in 1617 by St. Vincent de Paul, the network is made up of more than 150,000 volunteers in Africa, Latin America, Asia, Europe and USA].

 

-          In our daily work at the AIC Secretariat, we try to appreciate and value the strengths of the local volunteers with whom we are in contact by e-mail. It is not always easy to adopt this attitude - to detect the positive and the strengths of others - but this way of working is close to our heart.

 

-          With national AIC associations, during field visits, we experimented the SALT approach with each time a lot of enthusiasm: in Cameroon in January 2016, in the Philippines in April 2016, in Italy in April 2016, in the Dominican Republic in October 2016.

 

-          In October 2016, we met with the Local Committee for the Promotion of Health in Redon, France, and demonstrated our experience of the SALT process. A nice opportunity to exchange with another type of network in France and interesting contacts with members of the Global Support Team (See p. 22).

 

-          We contacted 2 student interns for Constellation who are doing a study on the practice of SALT: we send them our training booklet which describes our experience and exchanged emails.

 

-          We are preparing a SALT workshop in Louvain-La-Neuve (LLN), Belgium, for the 'Tour des cafés' 2017. These are debates organised in public and convivial places, an initiative led by the Maison du Développement Durable in LLN, the Centre d'Education et de formation en Alternance and the municipality of Ottignies-LLN. In 2017, the central theme of the meetings will be "the Transition Society Movement". The AIC in collaboration with another ASBL, Habitat et participation, will organise a workshop on the SALT approach linked to Transition on 24 January 2017. An opportunity to link SALT to the Transition Movement and to make the method known to the public of LLN.

 

by Agnes Dandois

 

The most difficult part is to move from expert to facilitator and, rather than give our solutions, seek strengths and convey confidence. This method can help us, but we should start by applying it to our team meetings. I will try to convey to my team this new style of service and the enthusiasm and strength that I have received.   Volunteer of the region of Liguria (AIC Italy) who participated in a regional training day on the theme "Growing together by valuing our strengths."

 

You shared with us so naturally and simply about the method, showing us that it is possible to use it in many different places, in many different circumstances, including with a board of directors. I also find it very interesting that you have gone so far as to produce, distribute and use your own document.   Member of the Local Committee for the Promotion of Health in Redon, France.