Development Directions
ISPD’s team writes a monthly newsletter on advancement, enrollment management, and strategic planning in Catholic schools and parishes.
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,...
A Pause for Prayer, A Cause for Mourning
January 3, 2025
10 min
Here in the Greater New Orleans Area, where our company is located, all of us at ISPD extend our sympathies and condolences to those who were killed and/or injured in the early New Year’s Day tragedy on Bourbon Street. We are heartbroken and grieve for those families having to endure the reality of this senseless act. New Orleans is a city built on resilience. Through the years, we have faced adversity and risen stronger. As a friend of mine said this morning, “We stand together, not just in mourning, but in our resolve to heal and grow from adversity.” Mardi Gras will go on; the Super Bowl will be held, the spring festivals will take place, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival will be staged; and our company’s annual three-day conference (ISPD Summer 2025 Development School) in June will welcome Catholic leaders from throughout the country. We will rise and come back better than ever. As we said in our December Christmas story: “It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.” Candles of remembrance, respect, reverence, and hope are lit in the City of New Orleans.
Case Study: Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Enrollment Management Plan (Part II)
December 13, 2024
6 min
Optimize your school's enrollment with strategic management. Learn how to attract, enroll, and retain students while meeting budget goals.
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 --...
