Development Directions
ISPD’s team writes a monthly newsletter on advancement, enrollment management, and strategic planning in Catholic schools and parishes.
The Most Important Things to Do in Your Catholic School and/or Parish in 2021-22
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As a young man growing up with a wise father, there were those memorable times where I knew what my dad was telling me could be (especially in later years) classified as meaningful and profound. One of those moments took place right after I graduated from De La Salle High School here in New Orleans. With both of us sitting on the porch outside of the log home where I grew up, amid a discussion about what I should major in as I headed off to college, my dad turned to me and said, “Son, sometimes the most important thing...
The Future of Catholic Schools and Parishes (Part IV)
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Part 1 on “The Future of Catholic Schools and Parishes” was released on March 24, 2021; Part 2 was released the week after Easter; Part 3 was released at the beginning of May 2021, and Part 4 is being released on June 1, 2021. The subject matter of this four-part series of newsletters was presented at ISPD’s Monday, March 8, 2021, Cohort Session in which over 400 Catholic leaders from across the country attended. This “white paper” by ISPD has three major components. Rationale for This Position Part 1 Premises/Basic Truths: What Experience and Data Tells Us Part 1 and...
The Future of Catholic Schools and Parishes (Part III)
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Part 1 on “The Future of Catholic Schools and Parishes” was released on March 24, 2021; Part 2 was released the week after Easter, and Part 3 is being released at the beginning of May 2021. The subject matter of this four-part series of newsletters was presented at ISPD’s Monday, March 8, 2021, Cohort Session in which over 400 Catholic leaders from across the country attended. This “white paper” by ISPD has three major components. Rationale for This Position Part 1 Premises/Basic Truths: What Experience and Data Tells Us Part 1 and Part 2 The Future of Catholic Schools and...
The Future of Catholic Schools and Parishes (Part II)
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Part 1 on “The Future of Catholic Schools and Parishes” was released on March 24, 2021; Part 2 is being released this week, which is also the week when the NCEA virtual convention is being held. The subject matter of this four-part series of newsletters was presented at ISPD’s Monday, March 8th Cohort Session in which over 400 Catholic leaders from across the country attended. The responses to the 45-minute presentation about the future of Catholic schools and parishes were interesting: “Quite revealing!” “Thank you for access to this eye-opening information.” “Today's presentation was truly a 'lift the slate' presentation....
The Future of Catholic Schools and Parishes (Part I)
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]On Monday, March 8, 2021, ISPD presented our 29th Monday Cohort Session titled “The Future of Catholic Schools and Parishes.” Over 400 Catholic leaders (superintendents, pastors, president, principals, development/advancement officers, board/council members, etc.) from across the country attended this presentation, and the response we received has been overwhelming. Listed below are some of the comments from the post-webinar survey. “Quite revealing!” “Thank you for access to this eye-opening information.” “Today's presentation was truly a 'lift the slate' presentation. It smacked me in the back of the head with the belief that NOW is the real time to prepare for the...
Using Effective Processes and Tools to Build a Solid Development Foundation During This Pandemic (Part III)
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As we shared in the November and December newsletters, there are important components to every Catholic school and/or parish development vehicle -- components such as: A full functioning database; Successful enrollment management processes; A comprehensive total stewardship process; Active and on-going alum involvement; Systemic communications using many platforms and avenues; Effective fund/friend-raising events; Solid people engagement efforts; Successful annual giving; Capital campaign preparation and/or initiation; Individualized new parishioner welcome process; Consistent financial leader identification, relationship-building, and invitation; Organized strategic plans of action; Plus, others. Like an automobile, without these components (parts) being present, or without them functioning at full capacity,...
Using Effective Processes and Tools to Build a Solid Development Foundation During This Pandemic (Part II)
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As we shared in the November newsletter, there are important components to every Catholic school and/or parish development vehicle -- components such as: A full functioning database; Successful enrollment management processes; A comprehensive total stewardship process; Active and on-going alum involvement; Systemic communications using many platforms and avenues; Effective fund/friend-raising events; Solid people engagement efforts; Successful annual giving; Capital campaign preparation and/or initiation; Individualized new parishioner welcome process; Consistent financial leader identification, relationship-building, and invitation; Organized strategic plans of action; Plus others. Like an automobile, without these components (parts) being present, or without them functioning at full capacity, your Catholic...
Using Effective Processes and Tools to Build a Solid Development Foundation During This Pandemic (Part I)
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]There are important components to every Catholic school and/or parish development vehicle -- components such as: A full-functioning database; Successful enrollment management processes; A comprehensive total stewardship process; Active and on-going alum involvement; Systemic communications using many platforms and avenues; Effective fund/friend-raising events; Solid people engagement efforts; Successful annual giving; Capital campaign preparation and/or initiation; Individualized new parishioner welcome process; Consistent financial leader identification, relationship-building, and invitation; Organized strategic plans of action; Plus, others. Like an automobile, without these components (parts) being present, or without them functioning at full capacity, your Catholic school and/or parish may not operate as well...
Back to School Night and Vision Articulation
July 17, 2024
7 min
All across the country next month, the majority of Catholic schools will open for the 2024 --...
ISPD Circle of Catholic Champions
June 11, 2024
25 min
In celebration of our 35th anniversary in June 2024, ISPD is announcing our first Circle of Catholic...
ISPD Celebrates 35th Anniversary Year
June 3, 2024
12 min
(Editor’s Note: This Special Edition newsletter is about the early history of ISPD, the people, and the...
Two Important Ingredients for 2024-2025: “PD” and “SGP”
April 22, 2024
5 min
Professional Development and Strategic Growth Plan. In the battle today for individual sanity and institutional survival, these...
Get Busy Living or Get Busy Dying
February 14, 2024
7 min
This is the famous quote that Andy Dufresne says to Red in the movie The Shawshank Redemption....
ISPD’S Catholic Development Resolutions for the New Year
January 4, 2024
9 min
Happy New Year! We hope the Christmas Holidays were a wonderful and blessed time for you and...
