Today was the Center for Ministry Development Spring workshop, "Mobilizing Volunteers" at St. Joseph in Austintown, led by Ann Marie Eckert. While many of the participants walked out with many new ideas, planning tools, and inspiration, I think that one of the core ideas was that WE (as parish leaders, ministers, or facilitators) must invite our fellow Catholics to live their Baptismal Call by sharing their gifts with the community.
This means that we are NOT just recruiting new catechists, retreat cooks, dance chaperones, parent drivers, service project leaders and so on.....we are giving people the opportunity to share their talents....perhaps to utilize their professional expertise or to try something new....So we should not feel bad or shy about asking people to volunteer. We just may need to rethink HOW we ask and to what they are asked...... If you were at the workshop, what key insights did you appreciate?
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Budgeting for a Retreat
1. Projected Expenses (Based on estimate of _____ participants) · Program needs (name tags, bibles, folders, candles, paper, poster board, etc.) · Leadership material needs · Recreation supplies · Audio-visuals · Planning team expenses · Guest speak stipends (if any) · Liturgical supplies · Priest stipend, if any, for reconciliation, Mass, etc. · Retreat remembrance gift (if any) · Retreat Center: Basic fee Per person fee Other fees · Transportation Van/bus Gas for cars Commercial bus Other fees · Food (if not included in retreat center charges) # of participants X food cost · Insurance (if not included in retreat center charges) # of participants X insurance cost 2. Projected Income (Based on estimate of _____ participants) · Fees from participants · Income from church/youth ministry budget · Fund-raising events · Special scholarship gifts · Other sources I was asked today, again, to share some ideas on "how to get the word out" on ministry opportunities, classes, events. In the Church, we often lack a Marketing Budget, so we make good use of the means we have....Word of Mouth is always best, so arrange for a phone tree and to have key contacts talk it up when they see their friends. Here are some additional ways YOU can promote:
Publicizing Your Ministry Event (Ideas collected over the years by Cindee Case) First of all, Be sure your publicity includes all the basic information: + Name of event/program + Location where event will take place + Date of event, as well as beginning and ending times + Cost for the event or if it is FREE + Registration deadline date, if any + What participants would need to bring to the event + Sponsoring parish/ministry name, as well as contact information + When possible, how participants will benefit from attending (You would be surprised how often people forget one of these key details!) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Places and Ways to publicize: Ø Bulletin boards-- § Posters, flyers, tear-off sheets, etc. § At parish, schools, places the target audience hangs out Ø Newsletters (parish, school, ministry) Ø Buttons Ø Bumper stickers Ø Bulletin announcements—your place and surrounding parishes Ø Bulletin insert Ø Announcement at weekend liturgies Ø “Sell the idea” to groups and clubs that already exist Ø News Releases to local newspapers, radio stations, TV Community Calendars, Ø Direct mailing Ø Emailing (if have permission for direct communication!) Ø Post on website Ø Facebook “event” Ø Text Blast (if have permission for direct communication!) Ø Have an exhibit at the parish ministries fair, festival or other. Please, COMMENT to share more ideas! |
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*** Note: The Office Blog is now inactive, but posted for continued reference as needed (6/30/21) ***Cindee Case, MPSFormer Director of the Diocese of Youngstown Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry (2/2002 - 6/2021) Archives
July 2021
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