Tricia's Results Email

Notes from group conversations

Urgent Questions – general concerns or specific questions brought to our meeting by participants. We dealt with all of these topics, at least partially, during the day. These are good questions to keep in mind, however, because if they are of interest/concern to you, they are probably of interest to others in the church as well.

Recruitment of leaders and volunteers for Annual Budget Drive (ABD)

Why reinvent the process? - evaluate what’s working, what’s not

How to know the plan for 08-09: vision, goals, program priorities, and thus $ goals

Are we doing okay, financially? history, staffing

How to state the church’s financial needs so that people will step up

Congregational debt: is it good or bad?

Best roles, for: Board, ABD Committee, Minister


Things to find out: What is (or might be) necessary for a successful Annual Budget Drive, that this group doesn’t yet know ( and who might be asked to supply answers)

2008-2009 Budget Goals – in order to “make the case” for budget and financial commitment goals, you will need decision, clarity, and visible support from the Board

Identify, and get ready to tell financial success stories, about (to list a few):
- staff growth, fair compensation, just and generous benefits, including professional development
- 2 successful capital campaigns in last 12+ years, with strong congregational support
- recent landscaping campaign

ABD Brochure: what images, themes capture our imagination


Observation: The church is in the midst of a major cultural transformation around money: from not taking a collection until about 5 years ago, to budget growth of 26% and pledge growth of 35% in the last three years




2008-2009 Budget Priorities (proposed)
Group’s responses to the question “What might make you (and others) consider making or increasing the amount of your financial pledge in the coming year?” You should consider making this list into a proposal for the Board’s consideration at their earliest moment.

The first 4 items below were chosen as most compelling and important by the group. Other good ideas are listed below.

**clear, identified outcomes that could result from budget increase:

Create Reserve Fund

Debt reduction plan

Publicity / Visibility – re: growth (young families), 50th anniversary of building,
website, other web-related improvements

Sanctuary light and sound improvements

…also: vibrant, growing children’s RE program, with stable professional leadership
sabbatical funding
2010 hosting of Prairie Star District annual meeting
experiment with 2 services
more hymnals
social justice coordination
consistent(ly engaging) message

Sustaining Funds: roof, parking lot; piano maintenance




Possible ABD THEMES: “Facilities – Growth (Families, Future) – Fiscal Stability”