The basic unit of the organization is the Conference. Generally speaking, a Conference is a group of volunteers, men and women, who come together to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to the poor and those living in poverty. While most Conferences are associated with a Catholic parish, they may be established at elementary schools, high schools, universities, or around a particular ministry such as prisoners, residents of nursing homes, homeless shelters, etc.

Supporting the work of the Conferences are the Councils:

A District Council may embrace all the Conferences in an entire town, city or country, or it may conform to the boundaries of a Catholic diocese. Or, it may represent neighborhoods or sections of a large metropolitan area. District Councils evolved as a means to keep individual Conferences in communication with each other and united in spirit.

An Arch(diocesan) Council unites District Councils, providing liaison and communication links between them and the National Council.

The National Council, based in St. Louis, Mo., coordinates and facilitates the general activity of all the Conferences in the United States. The Society in the United States is divided into eight administrative regions, each of which is headed by a vice president who is approved by the national president and elected by each region.