← [[f2-c-11|The Local Council — Understanding the Function of the Council]] | [[formation-II-c-handbook-toc|Table of Contents]] | [[f2-c-13|Special Session: Called to Holiness — The Definitive Promise]] → # OCDS Members' Responsibilities to the Community and the Order Note to the Council: Community responsibilities should be shared among the members as much as possible. Every professed member should be responsible for some ongoing service to the community (unless excused by reason of age or illness). Continuously nurturing leadership skills and experience in all the members ensures that most will be equipped and confident to take a turn on the Council. It is unhealthy for a community to always rely on just a few individuals, however gifted they may be. **Required Reading:**Constitutions 15, 24a-d.; Ratio 24-29, 69-93; local Statutes and policies on roles and responsibilities in the community; Community policies (if any) on community roles and responsibilities. Additional Reading: Our First Duty as Carmelites, Fr. David Centner, OCD. # Essential Points to Discuss • The need for mutual support in the spiritual life • The need for shared responsibility and cooperation in community life • Developing interpersonal skills and attitudes Further Points to Cover: • All members have the responsibility to: a. Attend the meetings — prepared for the discussions, on time, and present for the entire meeting (unless excused by the local Council for valid reasons) b. Help with various tasks during the meeting, as the need arises c. Foster an attitude of charity toward the other members d. Develop an attitude of cooperation toward the local Council and the Superiors of the Order e. Pay dues to the community and the province (unless excused by the local Council for valid reasons) • Professed members also have the responsibility to: a. Take an active interest in the wellbeing of the community and the other members b. Safeguard the harmony of community life by their friendliness and charity toward all members c. Take turns with the roles of the Liturgy of the Hours d. Cooperate with the local Council when asked to take on extra responsibilities — e.g., Secretary, Treasurer, infirmarian, librarian, liturgist, webmaster, retreat coordinator, assistant, etc. (every member has a job unless excused by the local Council for valid reasons) 51 e. Actively participate in the community apostolate (unless excused by the local Council for valid reasons) f. Take an interest in activities of the Order beyond the local community g. Be willing to serve on the Council (see Const. 52) • Definitively professed members have the added responsibility to be willing to: a. serve as President or Formation Director b. serve as formators or council members c. commit to their own ongoing formation, which is life-long d. help with community and ongoing formation sessions e. promote vocations to the OCDS Note to the Formator: Be especially clear about points “a” and “b” for the Definitively Professed. 52 01.24 1-24-2024Special Session with the FD Note to the Council: The following needs to be completed well before the discernments begin; it may be divided into two or more sessions, if needed. It is important to have special sessions with the Formation Director for candidates in their third cycle of Formation II. --- **Source:** Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites, *Formation II Year C: Story of a Soul (The Autobiography of St. Thérèse of Lisieux)* (US National Formation Program, 2024).