Building A Strong Foundation Although Brotherhood membership ...
Building A Strong Foundation Although Brotherhood membership recently topped the 5,000 mark and the national organization helped sustain five major ministries and finish “in the black” for the first time in years, all agreed changes needed to be made to the role of the National Office, and policies and procedures needed to be modified to reflect the current realities. First up will be a survey to enable employees, volunteer leaders and officers to obtain a better understanding of who they serve. Then a national strategy for recruiting and engaging new members will be undertaken. An additional step will include updating all our printed materials and providing materials in Spanish to reach new populations of men.
Expanding Ministry Outreach New membership training materials exist, but they are seldom used, Brothers generally agreed. More dynamic training that emphasizes the disciplines of prayer, study and service are needed. Other projects will include developing a comprehensive communications plan and engaging bishops, rectors, priests and seminarians “at a different level”. Increased use and training in electronic media-web site, face book, twitter. White papers need to be developed to define priority program areas, and to define Brotherhood added value to congregations. Structuring For Success Five major ministries - Veterans, Restorative Justice, Scouting, Mentor Training, Discipleship, and Recovery Ministry already exist. Other proven projects exist in many of the Brotherhood’s 367 chapters and could become expanded to a national level. One of the major keys to success will be the development of fund raising and fund development strategies to insure a Solid financial base to support the many programs and ministries that will change men’s lives.
Strategic Directions This three-day process resulted in 20 specific goals expected for Building a Strong Foundation, 16 specific goals to Expand Ministry Outreach and 14 specific goals to Structure For Success. Each goal has been assigned to individual retreat participants with action steps, timelines, and follow-up objectives to insure the plan and all its components are implemented and evaluated. “This was a very successful endeavor that will produce a national office that truly serves individual chapters and men. The National Office will help chapters coordinate ministry projects – if needed – and will be financially stable with the resources to meet the ministerial needs at all levels,” President Jeff Butcher stipulated. In addition to the hard work of strategic development, Brothers enjoyed a beautiful St. Andrew’s Day celebration that included a bagpipe procession, Kirking of the Tartans, Eucharist and special recognition of the Brotherhood leadership by Episcopal Diocese of Kentucky Bishop Terry Allen White. “To see everyone travel so far to work so hard – and then for us to worship together – is a bit overwhelming for me,” President Butcher said, “I am very grateful.” Jim Goodson is editor of the St. Andrew’s Cross, the publication of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew. He can be reached at [email protected].
Expanding Ministry Outreach New membership training materials exist, but they are seldom used, Brothers generally agreed. More dynamic training that emphasizes the disciplines of prayer, study and service are needed. Other projects will include developing a comprehensive communications plan and engaging bishops, rectors, priests and seminarians “at a different level”. Increased use and training in electronic media-web site, face book, twitter. White papers need to be developed to define priority program areas, and to define Brotherhood added value to congregations. Structuring For Success Five major ministries - Veterans, Restorative Justice, Scouting, Mentor Training, Discipleship, and Recovery Ministry already exist. Other proven projects exist in many of the Brotherhood’s 367 chapters and could become expanded to a national level. One of the major keys to success will be the development of fund raising and fund development strategies to insure a Solid financial base to support the many programs and ministries that will change men’s lives.
Strategic Directions This three-day process resulted in 20 specific goals expected for Building a Strong Foundation, 16 specific goals to Expand Ministry Outreach and 14 specific goals to Structure For Success. Each goal has been assigned to individual retreat participants with action steps, timelines, and follow-up objectives to insure the plan and all its components are implemented and evaluated. “This was a very successful endeavor that will produce a national office that truly serves individual chapters and men. The National Office will help chapters coordinate ministry projects – if needed – and will be financially stable with the resources to meet the ministerial needs at all levels,” President Jeff Butcher stipulated. In addition to the hard work of strategic development, Brothers enjoyed a beautiful St. Andrew’s Day celebration that included a bagpipe procession, Kirking of the Tartans, Eucharist and special recognition of the Brotherhood leadership by Episcopal Diocese of Kentucky Bishop Terry Allen White. “To see everyone travel so far to work so hard – and then for us to worship together – is a bit overwhelming for me,” President Butcher said, “I am very grateful.” Jim Goodson is editor of the St. Andrew’s Cross, the publication of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew. He can be reached at [email protected].
