Happy New Year

SAY WHAT YOU WILL ABOUT 2009
. . . . .BUT BORING IT WAS NOT!

Tasked with running our company in the midst of the greatest recession in seventy years, my brother and I have found the experience has left us with conflicting emotions. Over the past fourteen months, we’ve experienced great disappointment as well as extraordinary stress and pressure. This has been tempered, however, with many instances of our entire team pulling together in a spirit of collective sacrifice to help each other, to assist our clients, and to help the firm endure the hard times. As a company, we have never worked harder, better, more efficiently and dare I say, joyfully then we have over these past months. Hardship and sacrifice have brought out the best in us all.

As I proudly write this letter, I can’t help but think that every one of our client pastors could say the exact same things about their staff, about their volunteers, and about their parishioners. We have witnessed tens of thousands of families digging a bit deeper each weekend to help support their parish in these difficult times; the work of the church has never seemed more important! We have stood in awe as thousands of pledge cards from capital campaigns all across the country arrived in our office; each completed card giving witness to the importance of Church, Faith, Sacrifice and Hope.

We have witnessed the courage of pastors and lay leaders as they boldly made the difficult decisions that were necessary to keep their parishes operating and to maintain the services that their parishioners needed more than ever. We have seen those parishioners respond. Throughout one hundred fifty-seven appeals this fall and approximately three hundred over the course of the year, in dozens of dioceses, in almost thirty states; we have not seen a single instance where the faithful didn’t respond abundantly. It has been humbling.

Looking back, this has been the most difficult year in my professional life; it has also been the most rewarding. I have never felt more proud of the work that our firm does, of our staff, and of the clients we serve. What we do is important because what you do is essential. This year has been humbling and empowering; difficult, yet, wonderful. I look to the future with a renewed spirit of optimism and a deeper belief in the work that we do.

Thank you for permitting Cunneen to assist your parishes, your dioceses and the people who you serve. Your work is important; it is essential! It remains a privilege to serve our Church.

Hamden Hall dedicates its new Field House. I get a chance to speak!

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My favorite case letter of the season.

This letter inspired by the words of our client-the pastor at Saint Francis-but credit for the writing belongs to Harry Colin of the Cunneen team.

Saint Francis of Assisi Parish is blessed in so many ways! We are an active, vibrant parish that accepts with great eagerness Christ's call to evangelization. We center our worship on the Eucharistic Liturgy and from this wellspring all of our ministries flow. It is sometimes instructive for all of us to review just how far and in what directions our outreach extends, so permit me to briefly review just some of the highlights of our parish life and to discuss some exciting plans for our future.

Our celebrations of the liturgy are infused with energy, passion and prayerfulness. Our music ministry is superb and in the words of Saint Augustine, “ one who sings prays twice.” To strengthen this integral component of our parish life we want to appoint a Worship Ministry Coordinator to make our celebrations even more powerful and consistent.

We educate children from Pre-K age all the way through the elementary, middles school and high school years. This process is critical to our future and requires adequate resources to insure our children are properly catechized to go forth into a challenging world. Our RCIA and adult education programs also are important to us.

Effective and Gospel- inspired social action is an important ministry for us here also. Among the most prominent programs are Americares, the Christmas toy collection, our food drive and our ongoing care and outreach to our sick. We also sponsor a number of social gatherings that are important to sustain and buildupon our fellowship here at Saint Francis.

Communication that is far-reaching and effective is required to link all of our people and ministries together. We want to revive the parish newsletter and strengthen our presence on the website to further this aim.

We have now reached an important, exciting yet critical point in our parish life. We must take the opportunity presented to us now to insure these ministries survive and prosper. All of these ministries require resources to operate. Our parish offertory collection is the lifeblood that nourishes the heart from which our actions draw their inspiration. That is why I am asking each one of you to prayerfully consider making a modest increase in your weekly giving.

The members of the parish finance committee and I understand these are challenging times. Such times, however, require more from our parish ministries, not less and a strengthened collection is the only way for this to occur. By making every effort to be a regular and consistent user of your envelopes, and by making the commitment to nudge your weekly gift upward a bit, we can survive and flourish in our parish life.

Please pray over this important request I have presented you and respond as best you can. We are good stewards of what you have given us and we ask that you in turn practice good stewardship with your blessings. As Sacred Scripture tells us, “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” (Hebrews 13:16) Whatever your decision, I ask for your prayers and assure you of mine on your behalf.

This parish has recorded a 25% increase in weekly giving-the message worked!

One of those fundraising stories.

This is one of those stories that fundraising people like me love to tell. I'll let the article do the telling but its one of thee good ones. Enjoy-and if you ever happen to be sitting in on one of my talks and I use this, please act surprised!

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111091624

Leadership! You know it when you see it.

Statement of Bishop Tobin in Response to Congressman Kennedy’s Attack on Catholic Church(PROVIDENCE, R.I.) -

The Most Rev. Thomas J. Tobin, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence, today issued the following statement in response to a Cybercast News Service article that reported: Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I) told CNSNews.com that the Catholic Church is doing nothing but fanning “the flames of dissent and discord” by taking the position that it will oppose the health-care reform bill under consideration in Congress unless it is amended to explicitly prohibit funding of abortion.

“Congressman Patrick Kennedy’s statement about the Catholic Church’s position on health care reform is irresponsible and ignorant of the facts. But the Congressman is correct in stating that “he can’t understand.” He got that part right.

As I wrote to Congressman Kennedy and other members of the Rhode Island Congressional Delegation recently, the Bishops of the United States are indeed in favor of comprehensive health care reform and have been for many years. But we are adamantly opposed to health care legislation that threatens the life of unborn children, requires taxpayers to pay for abortion, rations health care, or compromises the conscience of individuals.

Congressman Kennedy continues to be a disappointment to the Catholic Church and to the citizens of the State of Rhode Island. I believe the Congressman owes us an apology for his irresponsible comments. It is my fervent hope and prayer that he will find a way to provide more effective and morally responsible leadership for our state.

Our client in the news! Almost at goal...

We are pleased to report that St. Mary Star of the Sea in New London, CT, has crossed well beyond the $500,000 mark and are closing in on their $600,000 goal! No small accomplishment in this economy and in an economically challenged community. Father Washabaugh is an outstanding leader and his parishioners have really rallied to restore this historic church.

It's fun to celebrate the victories!

www.theday.com/article/20090921/NWS01/309219975

A Widow's Might version 2.0

A bone to the dog is not charity. Charity is the bone shared with the dog, when you are just as hungry as the dog. Jack London

Now THIS was a good question.

At a morning meeting with Monsignor Greico of Weston, CT we were discussing the "case for support" for his parish's upcoming offertory enchancement appeal. We covered the usual topics of budget vs. income, rising expenses, a slight dip in offertory due to the recession, the desire to expand ministries.

I thought we were doing pretty well-Monsignor didnt seem quite satisfied. As the discussion continued Monsignor became quiet, leaned back in his chair and seemed to settle into deep reflection. After a few moments he asked me this question:

"John, with all that is going on today, where do my people go to get hope?"

And there you have it...

The Ask! A slightly different version.

How Am i Doing,v by Jack Canfield,

One of life's fundamental truths states, "Ask and you shall receive." As kids we get used to asking for things, but somehow we lose this ability in adulthood. We come up with all sorts of excuses and reasons to avoid any possibility of criticism or rejection. This is especially true when it comes to asking for opinions on our appearance, behavior, or performance. When is the last time you asked for a status report from a beloved or co-worker on your attitude, for example? How about a report card from a best friend? A grade on your parenting from your spouse or kids?

If you are not moving closer to what you want, you probably aren't doing enough asking. And you're probably not asking the single most important question that can help you achieve a higher level of success and personal fulfillment: How am I doing? This question can be asked in a variety of settings--at work, at home, with friends and colleagues, and even within yourself. The information you gather can be used to set new goals, refine your habits, and generally help you to make the improvements you know you need to make. Have faith that the person you ask will enjoy offering you truthful answers. After all, it's an opportunity to enrich that relationship and exchange very personal insights. You may even find yourself answering the same question back at the other person.

How to Ask

Some people don't enjoy the fruits of asking because they don't ask effectively. If you use vague language you will not be clearly understood. Here are five ways to ensure that your asking gets results.

1) Ask Clearly
Be precise. Think clearly about your request. Take time to prepare. Use a note pad to pick words that have the greatest impact. Words are powerful, so choose them carefully. If you throw the "How am I doing?" question out without specifics, it may take time for the other person to understand what you're getting at. Instead of being vague at the start, it may help to begin with a direct reference to exactly what topic you're referring to. For example, if it's your fitness habits, try "I really appreciate your thoughts on how I'm doing in my attempts to shape up physically. I'm hoping to drop a few pounds and eat better, but I'm wondering (since you're my husband and you see me more than anybody else) how you think I'm doing?" Later on, you can add something like, "Where do you think I could be going wrong, or could be doing better?"

2) Ask with Confidence
People who ask confidently get more than those who are hesitant and uncertain. When you've figured out what you want to ask for, do it with certainty, boldness and confidence. Don't be shy or feel intimidated by the experience. You may face some unexpected criticism, but be prepared for it with confidence. Try to have an open mind and heart. Don't get defensive if you hear something you don't like or that makes you uncomfortable. It's good to get a little squirmy once in a while upon the observations of others. They will inspire you to stop, reflect, and take steps to make a lifestyle shift for the better.

3) Ask Consistently
Some people fold after making one timid request. They quit too soon. Keep asking until you find the answers. In prospecting there are usually four or five "no's" before you get a "yes." Top producers understand this. When you find a way to ask that works, keep on asking it. You may, for example, want to ask a co-worker about your performance on an important team project, but you sense a reluctance from that person to offer an opinion. You can always ask another person who is more receptive to the question, or consider how you are asking it and try again. Because people don't normally go around asking others for opinions on how well they are doing, it's not a question typically heard. So be prepared to ask over and over again before you hear a clear--useful--answer.

4) Ask Creatively
Everyone is busy these days keeping up with life and To Dos. Asking someone to stop and evaluate you can seem awkward or time-consuming. Your asking may get lost in the crowd, unheard by the people you hope to reach. There is a way around this. If you want someone's attention, don't ask the ordinary way. Use your creativity to dream up a high-impact presentation. Example: "If you wanted me to do one thing differently in our relationship, what would that be?" Find right time to ask the question.

5) Ask Sincerely
When you really need help, people will respond. Sincerity means dropping the image facade and showing a willingness to be vulnerable. Tell it the way it is, lumps and all. Don't worry if your presentation isn't perfect; ask from your heart. Keep it simple and people will open up to you.

If you own your own business or have a lead role at work in dealing with customers, the how-am-I-doing question can go a long way in bringing you priceless information. And don't for a minute think that this is only a question for Customer Service. Asking for feedback is critical regardless of one's position. How do you really know if your product or service, for instance, is meeting your customers' needs? Ask them, "How are we doing? What can we do to improve our service to you? Please share what you like or don't like about our products." Set up regular customer surveys that ask good questions and tough questions. It's a powerful way to fine-tune your business--and all the relationship you forge in that business.


Think about taking an inventory of "how-am-I-doing" from various people in your life at least once a year. Make it an annual habit. I trust you'll be surprised and delighted at what you discover about yourself in this process. And it will surely lead the way to higher, more satisfying levels of yourself.


(c) 2009 Jack Canfield

Jack Canfield is America's #1 Success Coach, co-founder of the billion-dollar Chicken Soup for the Soul brand

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jack-canfield/how-am-i-doing-the-one-qu_b_268600.html?view=print

It takes a big shovel to fill an even deeper hole!

Approximately eighteen months ago, we were given the unique opportunity of conducting a diocesan-wide offertory enhancement appeal for the Catholic Diocese of Ogdensburg, NY. Under the guidance of then Most Rev. Bishop Robert Cunningham (now Bishop of Syracuse) and with the careful attention of Vicar General Murphy and the Development office, we successfully raised the offertory by an average of 25% across their 113 parishes.

While I would love to spend the next several paragraphs expounding about the outstanding Cunneen process, that is not what this newsletter is about. We are proud of our work in Ogdensburg and they are very pleased with Cunneen. The purpose of this article is to challenge you, the reader, to think a bit bigger about parish and diocesan finance.

What impact would a 25% increase in giving have not just on the parishes in your diocese but on the entire diocese including all the programs and services funded through the Cathedraticum and diocesan assessment. A 25% increase in offertory at the parish level translates to a 25% increase in revenue derived from the Cathedraticum or assessment (without having to ask parishes for an even greater sacrifice).

Referencing the Diocese of Ogdensburg, they negotiated a 25% decrease from the regular fee and agreed to subsidize the remaining fee by one-third. This left the parishes with two-thirds of a greatly reduced fee. The diocese took it one step further and advanced this money to the parishes with the parishes reimbursing the diocese once their appeals were conducted. At that point, the new income was already flowing into the parish and the Cunneen guarantee met.

√ 100% of the parishes participated, and
√ 100% of the parishes realized a significant increase

Eighteen months later, pastors completed a survey and indicated that their increases were holding. The base was solidified, all parties benefited greatly, and the Church in Ogdensburg is stronger.

We, as a Church, as well as The Cunneen Company cannot keep trying to solve the same problems with the same solutions. We need to move beyond just fixing individual problems at individual parishes. Local solutions just aren’t big enough. If the will to conduct an appeal, diocesan-wide, does not exist, perhaps it does city-wide, deanery-wide or regionally. If the parishes who need it the most won’t or cannot conduct an appeal, perhaps the diocese can under- write the fee or subsidize its most needy parishes.

Cunneen remains ready to partner with your diocese, your parish, your deanery, or all of the parishes in your city on BIG solutions that solve BIG problems.