The Council, composed of the President and three Councilors and the Director of Formation, constitutes the immediate authority of the community. The primary responsibility of the Council is the formation and Christian and Carmelite maturing of the members of the community.

The Council has the authority to admit candidates to formation, the Promises, and the Vows; to reduce, for adequate reasons, the period before temporary Promises, with the permission of the Provincial;  to convene the community for triennial elections; to replace, for a serious reason, a member of the Council itself; to dismiss a member of the community, should this be necessary, after consulting the Provincial; to receive a member transferring from another community; if a matter should arise that is outside the competence of the Council, it is the obligation of the President to bring it to the attention of the Provincial.

The Council meets frequently and always when necessary in reference to taking care of formation programs and the growth of their own community.

It is expected that the local Council become a fine balance between the men and women in the communities (their personality traits, abilities and behaviors) and how they meet their aims and objectives of the Order. The fundamental requirement for accepting leadership duties is humility, and self-knowledge; having an accurate understanding of our strengths, weaknesses, values, beliefs, motivations and desires. Every council member must constantly ask him or herself: Am I focused on the Constitutions and other important documents of the Order.

Our Holy Mother Saint Teresa taught that self-knowledge is essential to our growth in prayer. The Council members must use her guidance in a spirit of charity and love for their brothers and sisters. Good formation is reflected in real Carmelite choices made daily. An effective local Council is one that has succeeded in forming its members well. Without good formation, we end up doing our own ‘things’ in the misguided belief that it is God’s thing.

(Taken from Fr. Thomas Otanga, OCD, then Regional Assistant Midwest)