from USCCB Office of
National Collection
Mr. Fritz Zuger from the Office of National Collection at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) who is currently visiting East African Bishops Conferences has challenged the AMECEA Secretariat to strive towards being relevant to the needs of the Bishops in the region.
“AMECEA is doing a very good job serving different conferences in Eastern Africa and each one of the Bishops have particular needs according to the challenges in their dioceses. From what I have seen, AMECEA Secretariat departments therefore should continually develop programs that answer to the needs of the Bishops,” Fritz said during and interview with AMECEA Online News at the AMECEA Secretariat in Nairobi, Kenya.
“When for instance the departments of Justice Peace and Caritas produce material or information that the Bishops are looking for; anticipating even what they are looking for because the department has studied what is happening in the region and understands the various challenges in the region; if the department can deliver to the Bishops the information that can help them address particular needs, then the Bishops say ‘wow, it is great that AMECEA exists; they are giving me the material that I need right now!’” Fritz added that the departments have to continue to be swift and should always strive to anticipate what the Bishops really needs as this will make the secretariat and its departments always more relevant to the AMECEA Bishops.
He further explained that from what he has experienced, when the Social Communications Department of AMECEA helps the Bishops improve the communications in their own dioceses, then the Bishops feel the need for AMECEA and in turn support the secretariat even more willingly.
Meanwhile he emphasized the ongoing need to ensure continuity by making advanced plans such that when there is change of staff then proper handing over is done before the outgoing staff leaves.
“As we have all experienced, if a staff member leaves and there is a gap, this slows down everything. Sometimes it is not possible to have the new person come in before the outgoing staff leaves the office, however, proper handing over is very important for continuity,” he said.
Fritz also challenged the secretariat to continue to review and develop precise job descriptions for every person that works at AMECEA. He explained that a job description is a very important tool that helps an organization or institution to have personnel that matches the tasks they have been assigned to perform.
“When you have a job description that details what you are looking for then it is easier to find the person that matches these criteria,” he said. “Obviously,” he added “one might not always fit perfectly to the job they are doing but if the description is there then they can always adjust it.”
By Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Online News