One unique form of collaboration is "collaboration from the beginning," a central aspect of the spirituality and functioning of the Union of Catholic Apostolate (UAC), an international public association of the faithful, founded in 1835 by St. Vincent Pallotti. This type of collaboration does not occur naturally when a group comes together. Formation is necessary, particularly formation in collaborative leadership. The purpose of this project is to begin a "critical conversation" among the members of the National Formation Committee of the UAC in the United States which will assist the UAC to: 1) begin a process of development of a shared vision of "collaboration from the beginning" for use in local initial and on-going formation programs of the UAC; 2) provide data and a process for continued dialogue by UAC leadership on the concept of "collaboration from the beginning" and its significance for the life and work of the UAC; and 3) offer to others in ministry a process for formation in collaboration.
