It may be useful to remind ourselves of what the handbook says in regard to reports at the praesidium meeting as set out particularly in chapters 18, 19 and 33 Some points front those chapters are mentioned below:
The report, and all discussion upon it, must be delivered in a tone of voice, which will reach every part of the room.
Presidents must refuse to accept reports, which require an effort to hear.
In its own way the report is as important to the meeting as the prayers They supplement each other. Both elements are necessary to a praesidium meeting.
The meeting should be bright and cheerful. Therefore the reports should be such as will interest as well as inform the meeting. The report must not be too long; nor too brief; above all, it must not be a routine phrase ....
The praesidium cannot supervise a work unless it is fully informed about it ... if the report gives little indication as to what the legionary is really doing then the praesidium can exert only a vague control over that member's actions. It will not stimulate him. It will not safeguard him.
No legionary should be content to give a merely good report. Why not aim very high, and deliberately set out to add to the perfect performance of the work a model report to the praesidium.
It is certain that anyone, who tries to make his report as he imagines Our Lady would make it, will not deliver a report which is inadequate front any point of view.
An important part of the training of the member should lie in the learning of the methods of other members, as disclosed through their reports, and in the hearing of the comments which one's own reports elicit from experienced legionaries. It follows that if a report gives only meager information it cannot be the means of helping either the member who makes it or those who listen to it.
To remove from members the obligation to furnish adequate report is also to remove that sense of minute control which means so much in the Legion system No effective advice or guidance or criticism can be given so that the essential idea of the praesidium is frustrated the education and safeguarding of the members which are based on the reports, are rendered impossible. Unless the members' weekly reports are adequately detailed to enable the minute control already referred to, indiscretion will almost certainly occur, with perhaps detriment to the Legion.
Every member should have a notebook in which will be kept a brief record of cases.... without its aid a suitable report will not be made.
The first part of the Standing Instruction tells us that: "Legionary duty requires from each legionary:- First, the punctual and regular attendance at the weekly meeting of the praesidium, and the furnishing there of an adequate and audible report on the work done." (Handbook 18:7).