Engage Parishioners Through An Annual Offertory and Communication Plan Region XI Stewardship Conference May 5, 2014 Terry Poplava Director of Marketing, Sales and Customer Service Our Sunday Visitor Offertory Solutions
Agenda 100 Years Foundation in Stewardship Aligning Parish Plans with Parishioner Gifts and Priorities Annual Plan for Offertory and Communications Sample Timeline Coordinating Resources to Support the Plan Offering Envelopes Communications and Website Online Giving Increased Offertory
AN ONGOING PLAN GROUNDED IN STEWARDSHIP
We Are Gifted! Christ has no body now on earth but yours; yours are the only hands by which he can do his work, yours are the only feet by which he can go around the world, yours are the only eyes through which his compassion can shine forth upon a troubled world. Christ has no body now on earth but yours. Teresa of Avila, quoted in Simple Abundance, Sara Ben Breatknach
Seven Steps to Success 1. Personal Witness 2. Commitment of Leadership 3. Hospitality, Evangelization and Outreach 4. Communication and Education 5. Recruiting, Training, and Recognizing Gifts of Time and Talent 6. Stewardship of Treasure 7. Accountability Stewardship: A Disciples Response
Finances and Sacrificial Giving
PARISHIONER GIFTS AND PRIORITIES
Gifts and Strengths Celebrate talents Find the right role for parishioners Foster a sense of engagement St. Gerard Magella, Port Jefferson Station, NY Archdiocese of Seattle Parishes St Matthew Catholic Church, Tyrone, GA
Why Do Members Give? They believe in the mission of the organization They have a high regard for leadership in the organization They believe the organization is fiscally responsible - Not My Parents Offering Plate, J. Clif Christopher (pg 13)
Engaged Church Members Give From a Sense of Abundance Engagement Hierarchy: Where are we going? Do I Belong Here? What Can I Give? What Do I get? Winseman Growing an Engaged Church
Sustaining Offertory and Service Accountability Open forum on finance 29% increase in contributions From Zech: Best Practices in Stewardship Parish newsletter 20% increase in contributions, 22% increase in service time, 17% increase in spiritual time, 19% increase in outreach From Zech: Best Practices in Stewardship Teach True Stewardship All 12 Months Annually complete commitment cards for gifts of: - Time Prayer - Talent Service in parish ministries - Treasure
ALIGNING THE PARISH PLAN
Parish Focus and Intent
Engagement Leads to Generous Giving
ANNUAL PLAN SAMPLE TIMELINE
Annual Plan for Offertory and Communications
THE PIECES OF THE PLAN
Key Tools for Contributions Online Giving Offering Envelopes Increased Offertory Programs Make sure they work together to get the most out of all of them
ONLINE GIVING
Sacrificial Giving Should your donations consist of leftovers? Or should they be a planned gift?
Online Giving Overview Promotes sacrificial/first fruits giving Online gifts are larger than cash/check donations ACH, EFT, Online Giving - what s the difference? Your program should streamline your bookkeeping Givers are in control of their donations and account Web based/mobile friendly interface Low lead time for deposits Offertory or event payments
Online Donations are Larger
Steps to Success for Online Giving Plan Electronic Giving as Part of Overall Offertory Chuck Zech Electronic giving is, in effect, a pledge Connect with Mass through envelopes or e-giving cards Assign a Lay Leader to Online Giving Set a Goal for Parishioner Use Express Gratitude for all Gifts Actively Promote Electronic Giving Adhere to Security Standards 24
OFFERING ENVELOPES
Review Your Current Program Review your offertory program annually Include all key staff Assess designs Coordinate with online giving Incorporate Program themes Develop your communication plan Inserted letters Record of contribution cards Promotional flyers
High Impact Designs
High Impact Designs
High Impact Designs
Record of Contribution Card Inserts
Coordinate Giving Options Provide electronic giving or other gift types as options on envelopes. Coordinate messages to be consistent on envelopes, web sites and online giving sites. Reinforce all giving options.
COMMUNICATIONS
Parish website Key Tools for Communications Christmas and Easter holiday communications State of the Parish reports and newsletters Envelope packet inserts Increased Offertory /Stewardship of Treasure
Engage Parishioners in the Parish Mission Use all your resources and tools to describe your parish Help parishioners connect and engage
Print and Electronic Communication Engage parishioners through images and textual content Use multi-media Include financial updates
PARISH WEBSITES
A Virtual Front Door to the Parish Scot Landry, Chapter 7 of The Church and New Media : Every one of the Church s media vehicles is a virtual front door to the Church and we want it to be welcoming, well cared for, and worthy of someone s visit. For example, if a parish church had a dilapidated front door, with graffiti on it, and a broken sign with outdated Mass times many that might otherwise want to stop in for a visit might keep on moving. Similarly, new media vehicles that are out of date, too out ofstyle, and don t warmly welcome newcomers and encourage them to become regular visitors miss a big opportunity.
Why Focus on the Website? Extend the impact of the parish Provide Catholic guidelines for parishioners Reach people who are searching
Who is the Audience for the Parish Website? Regular parishioners Newcomers People seeking to return People looking for information
Primary Website Characteristics 1. Appearance/Navigation 2. Content/Information 3. User-Friendly Functionality
Best Practices Name, Address and Diocese Association
Best Practices Parish Photo
Best Practices Interactive Map and Directions Live Feeds and Links at Bottom
Best Practices Parish News or Catholic News
Best Practices Information for Newcomers
Best Practices Information about Our Faith
INCREASED OFFERTORY
Survey for Increased Offertory n > 200 75% of respondents who do a program see increases
Plan the Use of Increased Offertory Programs Incorporate stewardship teaching as appropriate. Determine underlying causes for decreased giving. Incorporate our other tools (envelopes, mailings and electronic giving) to provide a consistent message. Set a plan to sustain giving. Status reporting and financial accountability
Capture Attention Keep your community up to date on the parish Present financial information regularly Engage parishioners in new projects and in the direction of the parish
Benefits of Increased Offertory Renew parishioner awareness of parish mission Refresh levels of financial commitment Reinforce the relationship between financial commitment and parish mission Gauge spiritual health and engagement of the parish community
Connect Giving to Parish Mission I Love My Parish His Heart Our Hands Grateful Giving, Joyful Living Joyful Living, Grateful Giving In Abundance for God s Blessings New Beginnings, New Promises Invest Your Treasure, Grow Your Faith Spirit Led Giving
$25,000 What Can A Parish Do With An Extra: Begin a clothing ministry Deliver meals for the poor $50,000 Fund a parish food pantry Onsite parish nurse $100,000 Parish transportation service
Celebrating Parish Community St. Theresa the Little Flower Sent youth to diocesan events and National March for Life in Washington D.C. Kept pastoral resources that were in danger of being cut before increased offertory program
Engagement Opens the Door to Discipleship Build Parishioner Engagement Connect financial giving to spirituality and mission Help parishioners understand the direction of the parish in terms they can grasp Give parishioners a part in setting the parish direction Keep Parishioners Informed Show results and inform parishioners of results Tell Your Wonderful Story Celebrate your parish community!
Use an Annual Plan More than branding. Celebrate accomplishments and describe the next step for your parish. Create a schedule Envelope Mailing and Inserts Online Giving Updates Web Site Content Updates Stewardship Commitment and Renewal Status Reporting Welcome People Home
Thank You Terry Poplava- 800.348.2886 ext. 2254 tpoplava@osv.com Sharon Kaiser 800.348.2886 ext. 2539 skaiser@osv.com Liz Coon- 800.348.2886 ext. 3020 ecoon@osv.com Dearest lord, teach me to be generous; teach me to serve you as you deserve; to give and not to count the cost. IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA (1491-1556)