March 3, 2007 Summit Report
Overview:
On March 3, 2007 about 35 parish leaders came together to hear an update on the directions taken since the spring and fall summit in particular about the Stewardship Committee. In addition the participants heard updates regarding the parish finances and city and county strategic plan and demographics. The participants reflected on the parish finances and demographics as preparation for the parish developing a pastoral plan.
Teri, from the Long Range Planning Committee, Fr. Don and Kathleen the newly hired volunteer coordinator updated the group on the Stewardship Committee and efforts to strengthen the parish volunteer direction.
Kathleen shared her research regarding the role of a parish volunteer coordinator, importance of a data base and gathering the membership of each parish ministry. She went on to explain that people volunteer when they have a clear understanding of the ministry expectations and direction. In the coming months her goal is to work with the ministry chairs to gather their volunteer expectations and directions. The participants recommend that next year’s ministry booklet include the various group expectations and direction so people understand the variety of ways that the parish meets the parishioner’s needs.
Fr. Don and Leigh Ann, the Parish Business Manager, shared information regarding the parish budget especially the various expense and revenue account both unrestricted and restricted so have a clearer understanding of the budget. What became clear is how important the Sunday Collections and annual Festival are to offering the variety of ministries within the parish. In addition they gave an overview of the parish expenses, Archdiocesan assessment and key expense areas. The participants had a variety of questions and begin to recognize the need for legacy gifts and increase endowments. In addition below is the small groups work exploring how to maintain a fiscally viable parish. There was agreement that the momentum built from the Capital Campaign needs to continue in order to remain fiscally viable.
The final part of the four hour planning session was Vince, from the Long Range Planning Committee giving an overview of the city and county strategic plan and demographics. This offered a foundation for people beginning to explore what is the impact of the city and county on the parish ministries over the next five years. The small group conversation is below.
There was a great deal of enthusiasm and energy within the group. They were grateful to better understand the parish budget, In addition they felt that all parishioners need to better understand how their money is being used. There is a real belief that the parish continues to move forward. As a group there a belief that finances are important yet we need to focus on the parishioner spiritual needs and growth.
What are the key learning and insights from the growth in giving, two capital campaigns and increase financial contributions from the parishioners?
Group A:
Bills are paid
Specific campaigns to evangelize and increase dollars
Group B:
Power of asking
Power of evangelization
Summer months are so detrimental
Education: communicated are key’s to increase giving
Group C:
Women with financial insights are not being tapped for work on finance committee
Need to educate parishioners about use of bequests, endowments etc.
Capital campaign made people aware of Archdiocese needs and parish needs/differences
Group D:
New computer equipment for school – Blue Ribbon status
Cooperation of Fr. Don and the finance committee
Establishing volunteer coordinator
Group E:
Constant reminders to contribute regularly
Improved accountability
Identification and outreach to inactive and new families to parish
Better promotions and understanding of need for campaign and outcome
Better communication between ministries
How does the parish continue remaining fiscally viable?
Group A:
Increase evangelization
Focus on specific projects
Increase grant writing
Improve communication with parishioners
Continue to build website- people like to know where their money goes
Increase volunteers=Increase commitment/ownership=$
Group B:
More education and communication
Find ways to generate $ in the summer
Continue "Estate" $
Increase school enrollment…by maintaining size of grades
Group C:
Continue Archdiocese education as in capital campaign
Reevaluate school – funding etc.
Continuing education about endowments, grants etc
Seeking more grants, etc.
Group D:
School Enrollment increase
Encourage responsibility of young people –volunteering etc.
Encourage new parishioners to get involved
Group E:
Utilization of Stewardship to reach out to parish community
Using media to promote
Outstanding leadership promotes community participation
How will the county and area demographics impact St. Joseph parish in the next five years?
Overall:
There is consensus among the groups that the County and City will have minimal growth over the next three to five years. In looking out beyond ten years the future growth most probably will happen along I-74 corridor.
Group A:
Parish Overall:
Encourage diversity – Christians, Hispanic – non practicing Catholics
School:
Promote the Excellence of School and Students
Religious Education:
Expand religious education – more family involvement/volunteers
Youth Groups:
Connect with other churches youth groups
Social Outreach:
Through the volunteer coordinator to reach out to other community organizations
Pastoral Care:
Need to increase laity and volunteer involvement
Evangelization:
Volunteers/media coverage
Stewardship:
Affirmation of services provided by volunteers
Include and invite new parishioners to be involved
Group B:
Not convinced of significant growth in next five years
Look within and be creative in relation to the school – Increase number of Catholic family sending kids to school or rep
Increase in Pastoral Care (great percentage of older parishioners)
Begin to integrate Hispanic youth into youth ministry
Group C:
Parish:
Opportunities to grow but poorer parishioners
School:
Minimal growth means really need to explore reasons why current parishioners who can afford to do so, don’t send their kids to Catholic School
Religious Education/Youth Ministry/Social Outreach:
Minimal growth means bringing those who left back
Group D:
Population being maintained – enrollment stagnant
New kids can’t afford (based on income data)
o Identify new families, ID tuition assistance
o Get into preschool –integrate with Hispanic kids (like orientation)
o Try to integrate more with Hispanic community (their family and base culture)
o Starting all day, every day 4 year old pre school
Aging population/more young moving away
o Aging will require more services/fewer to do it
Follow-up more with RCIA – more get together’s with them and other parishioners after initiation
Group E:
Continue to improve our outreach and target youth and young adults
Increased demand for pastoral care for age- homebound