Development Council

PARISH DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL OVERVIEW

The Parish Development Council was established by Father Scott Brockson in April, 2016 with support from Richard Garrigan Associates of Omaha, Nebraska. This document provides an introduction to the purpose, roles, and responsibilities of the Council and its Committees. This document also introduces our fellow parishioners who are leaders and members of the Committees. These Committees continue to meet and work to develop their goals and objectives. Please pray for and support them as they proceed with their duties.

As we go forward, all of us in the Parish will become more familiar with supporting our Parish and School through:

• Stewardship – Time, talent, and treasure
• Gifts and Estate Plans
• Memorializing our loved ones through gifts and projects
• Use of the Required Minimum Distribution of Individual Retirement Account (IRA) and appreciated stock transfer for your Parish donation

If you are interested in participating the activities of the Council, or if you have any questions about the many activities provided by the Council, contact Father Scott, [email protected], or, John Lynch, Development Council President, [email protected]

MAJOR GIFTS COMMITTEE

The purpose of the Major Gifts Committee is to encourage donations of large gifts of money, stock and insurance. Members of the Major Gifts Committee are Sean Bogda (Chairperson), Denis Byrne, Paul Talley and Larry Wharton.

Specific responsibilities of the Major Gifts Committee are the following:

• Obtain portfolio of gift opportunities from the Parish Finance Council for new gifts
• Periodic donor gatherings (coordinated with Donor Relations Committee) to report to and thank donors
• Create a “case” for new major donors
• Plan for renewing pledges that have been completed
• Obtain new pledges from new parishioners
• Prepare relevant stories for Development Council Newsletter on accomplishments and donors
• Making personal calls on major donors who have given and will give in the future

The Major Gifts Committee meets every other month – or when required – with members completing work between meetings.

MEMORIALS AND TRIBUTES COMMITTEE

The purpose of the Memorials and Tributes Committee is to encourage ongoing special gifts, including endowments, that recognize loved ones and provide funding for either operations or special donor-selected projects. Members of the Memorials and Tributes Committee are Dennis Shannon (Chairperson), Kathy Corkadel, Phil Donohoe, Rüder Schill, and Marie Losito.

Specific responsibilities of the Memorials and Tributes Committee are the following:

• Develop on-line catalog of available special gifts and projects
• Annual mailing of memorial cards and envelopes
• Remembrance Mass and Social
• Recognize names of honorees and donors in Development Council Newsletter
• Thank you Notes to donors
• Acknowledgement to families
• Prepare kit for area funeral home directors/distribution

The Memorials and Tributes Committee meets every other month – or as required – with members completing work assignments between meetings.

PLANNED GIVING COMMITTEE

The purpose of the Planned Giving Committee is to promote awareness, education, and
implementation of charitable gift planning options to help ensure the financial stability of the parish and the vitality of its ministries for future generations.  Members of the Planned Giving Committee are Gene Fogarty (acting Chairperson), Tom Finan, Joe Lazzaro, Henry Morneau, Virginia Morneau, and Ellen Foley..

Specific responsibilities of the Planned Giving Committee are the following:
OUTWARD FACING

1. Prepare communications about planned giving for parish publications, e.g., development newsletter, weekly bulletin announcements, parish Web site, and pastor’s annual letter on the importance of having a will.
2. Develop and maintain outreach materials, e.g., planned giving brochure; packet to assist parishioners in implementing their own planned giving; and posters.
3. Host estate planning seminars.
4. Host (with other committees) annual workshop of giving opportunities that are focused on the benefits to the donor.
5. Represent Planned Giving Committee for marketing at the annual ministry fair.
6. Accompany pastor on planned giving calls with prospective donors.
7. Provide planned giving recognition, including a Legacy Society plaque.

The Planned Giving Committee meets every other month – or as required – with members completing work assignments between meetings.

STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE

The purpose of the Stewardship Committee is to encourage parishioners to share their time, talent and treasure. Members of the Stewardship Committee are Bernie Hughes, Deacon Tom Hannan, Ellen Foley, Kelliann Finley, and April Riordan.

Specific responsibilities of the Stewardship Committee are the following:

• Create goals, objectives and action steps for the annual parish picnic, ministry fair & new parishioner orientation
• Prepare for and sponsor Stewardship Weekend for the Parish
• Share date for ministry fair and expectations for all ministries of the parish. Recruit other parishioners to help with fair
• Review current orientation process, share ideas for new orientation
• Organize and implement the annual parish picnic
• Implement year-round stewardship themes and messages
• Separate time and talent from treasure

The Stewardship Committee meets every other month – or as required - with members completing work assignments between meetings.

DONOR RELATIONS COMMITTEE

The purpose of the Donor Relations Committee is donor education, thanks and recognition; telling the story and the “good news” that encourages gift-giving. Members of the Donor Relations Committee are John Lynch (Chairperson), Denis Byrne, Ed Charlton, and Grace Charlton.

Specific responsibilities of the donor Relations Committee are the following:

• Plan Donor Appreciation and Thank You with the appropriate Committees
• Create goals and objectives for Parish Electronic Magazine
• Create goals and objectives for Social Media plan
• Plan Newsletter content, including production timeline
• Schedule tours for donors and friends
• Periodic public relations in-service for staff, boards and Committees

The Donor Relations Committee meets every other month – or as required - with members completing work assignments between meetings.

PARISH APPEALS COMMITTEE

The purpose of the Parish Appeals Committee is to coordinate the Annual Parish Appeal. The members of the Parish Appeal Committee are John Hall (Chairperson),  Ellen Foley, and Dennis Shannon.

Specific responsibilities of the Parish Appeals committee are as follows:

• Coordinate with the Parish Finance Council on the goals for the Annual Parish Appeal
• Identify major donors for the Annual Parish Appeal 
• Develop a data base for the Annual Parish Appeal
• Ensure an adequate interface with the Parish Data System for the Annual Parish Appeal
• Design and prepare the Intention Card for the Annual Parish Appeal
• Prepare initial and ongoing communications with the parishioners for publicity: Pulpit announcement, Weekly Bulletin, Parish Website, Parish Facebook and Twitter

The Parish Appeal Committee meets every other month – or, as required – with members completing work assignments between meetings.
 

Questions about the Development Council and its Committees should be addressed to John Lynch, Development Council President, [email protected].  
For more information on the Development Council go to:  www.assumptionbvmwestgrove.org/development-council