Development Directions
ISPD’s team writes a monthly newsletter on advancement, enrollment management, and strategic planning in Catholic schools and parishes.
Could These Be the Most Important 75 Days in the History of your Catholic School and/or Parish?
Although one week later than we wanted to get this out, the title/premise of this Special Edition Newsletter # 6 is an intriguing one and certainly worth considering. This past Monday, June 15th, ISPD began the first of our 75 days with the start of our Summer Institute 2020 – three on-line courses offered for Catholic school and parish leaders – in partnership with the University of Dayton. 1. Moving Your Catholic School Forward NOW; 2. Moving Your Catholic Parish Forward NOW; 15 More Lessons Learned in 30+ Years in Catholic School Development. Over 225 students (pastors, presidents, principals,...
Building the Bridge as You Walk on It
The title of Robert E. Quinn’s book published in 2004 is an appropriate title to describe what Catholic school, parish, and (arch) diocesan leaders are going through in these COVID-19 times. We are all striving to build a bridge to the future while living in an ever-changing present while remembering what life was like in the past. However, there is one thing we must do: we must build our bridge. We must. In August 2005, south Louisiana and the Mississippi gulf coast were devastated by Hurricane Katrina; thousands of lives were uprooted; hundreds of people died; numerous homes were...
How to Build your first Content Marketing Strategy
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Lessons Learned During COVID-19 Crisis
This past week, NCEA (National Catholic Educational Association) released the third book we have written in the Lessons Learned series. The first publication (textbook) – 25 Lessons Learned in 25+ Years in Catholic School Development – was released in March 2016; the second book (workbook) was released in November 2017; and, this last one – 15 More Lessons Learned in 30+ Years in Catholic School Development – was released this month. As you can see, this is a total of 40 lessons, and this was before the COVID-19 Crisis. What is interesting, as I go back through the 40...
Relationship-Building for Catholic Schools and Parishes in These Challenging Times
Yesterday, in the middle of my fourth Zoom meeting, I had a pastor and a principal from a parish and school in the Midwest exclaim, “You know, by the time this is over, we all are going to be experts in the field of virtual communication! Who would have ever thought that this would be one of the primary ways we would conduct business, build relationships, and reach out to our constituents?” No truer words have been spoken. With every passing day, there are two dominant thoughts that keep coming to mind: What a wonderful time to be part...
From Crisis to Challenge to Change
With our mission of bringing people, process, and ministry together to help build the Kingdom of God alive and active, ISPD continues to create, share, and offer resources that may be helpful to Catholic schools and parishes. As you may know, the following is being done: Offering Virtual Catholic School and Parish Development Cohort sessions every Monday at 1:00 PM Central Time; Surveying Catholic leaders throughout the country every 10-15 days in order to understand challenges, learn best practices, hear wonderful human-interest stories, and share those results; Creating newsletters – once monthly, now bi-weekly – in order to offer...
Best Wisdom and Practices for Catholic Schools/Parishes
In a continuing effort to seek the best wisdom, the best practices, and best understand the situation we all are facing during these challenging times, ISPD has created our second survey, and we invite your input. Please know that the results of these surveys are being shared with hundreds of Catholic school, parish, and diocesan leaders throughout the country. Please e-mail catholicdev@ispdconsulting.com in order to receive the results from Survey #1 conducted on March 13th and also to receive the results of this survey. Thank you! Begin Survey On Monday March 30, 2020 at 1 PM CENTRAL TIME,...
Case Study: Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Enrollment Management Plan (Part I)
November 23, 2024
4 min
Enrollment management is an intentional, strategic process employed by schools that focuses on attracting, admitting, enrolling, retaining, and supporting families from admittance through graduation. Enrollment management historically began in higher education and has expanded into primary and secondary education.
Capital Campaigns: Why do Some Succeed and Some Fail?
October 21, 2024
6 min
Do you ever wonder why some capital campaigns in Catholic schools and parishes are successful and some...
How will 2024-25 Be Different in Your Catholic School and/or Parish?
August 15, 2024
6 min
HOW WILL 2024-25 BE DIFFERENT IN YOUR CATHOLIC SCHOOL AND/OR PARISH? One of the greatest joys in...
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...
