Update on New Building Campaign

Assessment

Last Thursday evening The Steier Group made their Final Report and recommendations to me and the Parish Campaign Steering Committee. I accepted the recommendation of the Steering Committee that we proceed with a final fund raising campaign with The Steier Group's assistance. So our campaign has started and will conclude at the end of November.  The next few weeks will be devoted to planning and organizing our committees.

While I will soon be sending you a detailed letter regarding the Final Report, at this time I would like you to know the following:

*   In the past 5 weeks 80 parishioners were interviewed and 237 parishioners responded to the surveys.

*   Of the 317 who participated 88% were in favor of conducting this campaign, 8% were not in favor, and 4% were unsure or had no response.

*   38 individuals said they would serve in a leadership position.

That's a great start!

*   And finally, I am pleased to announce that the General Chair of our Capital Campaign is Mike Thomas.

Please continue to pray for God's blessing on our efforts to build our new church.  There is much work to be done, but together, with the Spirit's help, we can do it!

Why Hire a Fund-Raising Firm? 

I would like to respond to some questions overheard in the parking lot and elsewhere. Why are we hiring a fund-raising firm? The answer is rather simple. We tried to do this by ourselves during the last phase of our Capital Campaign, and it just did not work. Our excellent staff is already stretched thin, and so when the monumental work of fund-raising is added to their workload, it is asking more than is possible.  Further, this should not be a staff project; it is a parish project and should involve everyone. The Steier Group has the experience and the know-how to keep our fund-raising  project on schedule. In other words, there is a skill to running a successful campaign, and The Steier Group will bring this expertise.  We intend to do what it takes to have a successful campaign. 

Why Does the Parish Need to Borrow a Car?

I've also heard questions concerning why the parish is asking to borrow a car. If we are able to provide our consultant, Rich Roberts, a car, he will not have to rent a car every week between now and the end of November and our parish will be able to save this additional cost.

The same is true for Rich staying in the Nazareth House when he is here. Having him stay there allows us to save the cost of hotel/motel, not to mention we hope Rich will be more comfortable in his home away for home.

In a word, we are trying to be good stewards and keep our costs down.