TANG

Picture of a landscape with a blue sky with some clounds. On the left there is a Tau Cross and text which reads Third Order Society of Saint Francis, European Province

A Toolkit for Area Novice Guardians.

Introduction

The ‘Toolkit for Area Novice Guardians’ is a reference manual on novice guardianship. It is a compilation of all the information, material and guidelines that are useful for the successful nurturing and discerning of vocation of someone on the Franciscan journey to become a Professed Tertiary in the Third Order, Society of St Francis.

The ‘Toolkit’ was compiled for the use of Area Novice Guardians and Novice Guardians to help them in their work with Aspirants, Postulants, Novices, and newly Professed Tertiaries. It has been in use for several years, although some amendments have been made. Each Area Novice Guardian should have a full bound copy of the ‘Toolkit’ (TANG PART I. ‘Checklist of Current Material’ itemises the entire contents). Each Novice Guardian should have a bound copy of most of the material. Novices should have copies of much of the material passed onto them by their Novice Guardians by the time they are Professed.

To complement the ‘Toolkit’, many Novice Guardians will also have accumulated other material that they find enables them to excel in novice guardianship, to nurture people towards profession and help them discern their vocation.

The ‘Toolkit for Area Novice Guardians’ is divided into eight parts, which have been converted to PDF files. Each part can be downloaded by clicking on the link.

Tang Section	Description
Training note index	A useful index to the Novice Training Notes with cross referencing to the Principles which it is hoped will be of use to both NGs and novices. Produced by Richard Brewster, Area Minister of Sussex Area.
Cover and Introduction	This is the most recent edition of TANG published by the Provincial Novice Guardian in April 2009
Part I Checklist of Current Material	This lists and describes of all the current material that is available and useful in novice guardianship. Each Area Novice Guardian should have copies of all the material described in the list. Novice Guardians should have copies of most of the material. Novices should have copies of much of the material by the time they are Professed.
Part II Structure and Positions Descriptions	This contains a diagram that shows the relationships and reporting channels of those involved in novice guardianship; and gives the job descriptions for the Provincial Novice Guardian, the Area Novice Guardian and the Novice Guardian. There are papers on 'Selecting a Novice Guardian' and 'Some reflections on being a Novice Guardian'.
Part III Guidance for Novice Guardianship	PART III contains two key complementary guidelines to help the Area Novice Guardian and Novice Guardian to guide and nurture the Enquirer through to Profession, and helps them discern their vocation, whilst at the same time informing others on their progress along the way. ‘How one thing leads to another’ provides a step by step check-list of what has to be done, who sends what to whom, and when, at each stage of the journey from the first enquiry of an Enquirer through to 12 months after a Tertiary is Professed. ‘The Road, Journey and Way to Profession’ (RJWP) provides essential information and guidance for the Area/Novice Guardian to follow when nurturing and training the Aspirant, Postulant, and Novice. The document gives an overview of the points to cover, and the information and knowledge that the candidates should have as they journey along towards Profession and discern their vocation.
Part IV Data Forms, Introductory Letters, Counting the Cost and Records	This contains the Yellow and Green Data Forms; the Welcome letter; 'Counting the Cost' (which includes the Bank Standing Order Form, and the Gift Aid Declaration); and the Area Novice Guardian (pink) and Novice Guardian (beige) Progress Records. The colours refer to the paper used for the printed copies, which are not coloured here.
Part V Rules and Spiritual Direction	This contains the 'Basic Rule of Life' and 'Guidelines for drawing up a Personal Rule of Life'. Several papers deal with giving and receiving spiritual direction and what a Tertiary should expect from a spiritual director.
Part VI Reports	Four Reports are given.The Quarterly Report Form and the Novice Guardians 6-monthly Report (supported by the Novice Guardian’s Progress Record) primarily help the Novice and those involved with novice guardianship with nurturing and discernment; The Area Novice Guardian’s Annual Report (supported by the Area Novice Guardian’s Progress Records) and the Provincial Novice Guardian’s Report to Chapter primarily supply information through the Order, so that Chapter (the Trustees) get the information and data necessary to target resources and support effectively people within the Order. A diagram shows how the reports interrelate.
Part VII Other Helpful Material	This part contains short papers that an ANG or NG may have found to be of use in novice guardianship. The enclosed cover keeping a journal; examination of concience; the lessons we can learn from geese; and a short reading-list on Franciscan spirituality. Other papers may be added by each guardian.
Part VIII Other Essential for effective Novice Guardianship	This part describes and gives an overview of material and resources that are too bulky to be kept in TANG. The Novice Training Materials Pack and Novice Training Notes; The Manual; Training and development resources for novice guardianship; The Area Team Handbook (ATH); periodicals and booklets.