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Quarterly Publication of Ruotolo Associates Inc. |
I am also very appreciative of all the comments and notes of encouragement surrounding NetLinks. It is our great privilege to be able to communicate with so many of our clients, friends, and associates throughout the philanthropic world. We can only hope this medium will grow and develop in the years to come. I am, sincerely,
MEET OUR CHURCH DIVISION DIRECTOR
The fourth grade students of Assumption School were singing "Something Beautiful for God" while Father John gently encouraged participation in the parish capital campaign in order to provide for the future education and faith formation of the young people of the parish. "What you are hearing in the background is the sound of our blessings ...we thank those of you who have pledged to insure our future blessings." On Wednesday afternoon, 1700 messages were delivered. The following weekend over 100 pledges were made, including four who had previously declined to make a pledge. The RealCall technology, the innovation of the pastor and the voices of the children proved to be a powerful force to motivate the people of Assumption Parish in Atco, New Jersey. ST. VINCENT PALLOTTI PARISH: A WINNING STRATEGY
In the words of the pastor, Monsignor Louis A. Marucci, "It is evident that excellent development strategies require excellent relational skills. A comprehensive capital campaign invites the entire parish community to assume leadership, responsibility and accountability for the temporal and spiritual needs of the parish. The strategies utilized in the capital campaign for a parish primarily comprised of senior citizens encouraged all to participate and take responsibility for their Church."
During the feasibility
study, parishioners articulated that the need for roof repair was evident,
but there was less desire and understanding of the need for renovating
the rectory rather than utilizing the existing convent for parish offices
and meeting space. An essential part of the campaign strategy was clear
communication about the toxic mold issue and its effect on the rectory,
and that using the current convent where the rectory is now housed would
not be a cost-effective solution to the problem. Through a well-attended
open house (with tours of the rectory and convent) after Mass, and accompanying
bulletin inserts and pulpit talks, the need for renovation of the rectory
became widely understood and laid the groundwork for fundraising. The
campaign case statement brochure was comprised of a compelling rationale
for the transformation of the rectory into a pastoral center, including
meeting areas, a conference room and an elevator to ensure accessibility
to all parishioners. A portion of the second floor would be dedicated
to priests’ living quarters. This plan would essentially convert
and expand the building from a private residence for the priests to a
public space, which represents the most cost-efficient alternative. Post-campaign follow-up is another important element in the continuing support of the parish. A newly-formed committee will monitor pledge payments, report to parishioners on the progress of the campaign, continue to solicit additional gifts and, most importantly, thank those who have contributed to the campaign through letters and after-Mass receptions. A successful campaign not only provides a one-time injection of needed funds, but benefits a parish for years to come by educating the community on the importance of giving and being actively involved in the parish. It is our sincere hope that St.Vincent Pallotti will continue to grow as one community and that the parish family will continue to be blessed by parishioners’ generous sharing of their time, talent and treasure.
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CORPORATE DIRECTORS
PAM DELUCA RECEIVES MANNING AWARD
The 2003 award was given to Senior Associate Pam DeLuca of Glen Ridge, NJ. In his own words, George Ruotolo described Pam’s tenure with the firm as “full of successes and challenges. She has served her clients with distinction and professionalism, including Grace Church in New York, which has just exceeded its goal – no small feat.” Pam has been with Ruotolo Associates for the past three years. She has worked with several nonprofits in New York and New Jersey, both as a consultant and a volunteer, and continues her work with Jersey Cares and the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. She is very active in her parish where she is a Teen Youth Group advisor and Board Member. *This award was renamed in 2001 as a tribute to the late Tim Manning whose work ethic, creativity, character and professional standards are attributes to which the RA staff members aspire. New
Address for New England Office February
6, 2004 February
28, 2004 March
20, 2004 CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR CLIENTS! The following highlights represent some of our clients’ recent accomplishments. Blessed John XXIII University Center, Fort Collins, CO, Rev. Don Willette, Pastor: Serving Colorado State University, this parish plans to build a new facility that would house classrooms and meeting spaces, as well as to renovate the sanctuary, parish offices and rectory. The parish has raised more than $1.17 million in commitments toward its goal of $1.3 million. Brooklyn Friends School, Brooklyn, NY, an independent Quaker institution, completed a mid-campaign evaluation to determine the strategy for support for further renovations and additional space. The school is preparing to launch the next phase of its capital campaign under the leadership of Michael Nill, Head of School. Cathedral Preparatory Seminary, Elmhurst Queens, NY, celebrating its 90th Anniversary in 2004, has completed a feasibility study and is going forward with the quiet phase of a capital campaign. The campaign is under the leadership of Father Joseph Calise ’72, Rector/Principal; Louis D’Amico ’82, Business Manager; Jim Dilg, Alumni Director; and Sister Mary Ann Tirelli, Director of Development. DePaul Catholic High School, Wayne, NJ, has been retained by RA to conduct a confidential feasibility study for a comprehensive capital campaign. A number of recent initiatives have realized positive and significant results for the school, under the leadership of Father Geno Sylva, President. Glastonbury Abbey, Hingham, MA, has begun soliciting members of their community for its capital campaign to cover the building costs of the new conference center that was completed in 2001. To date the Abbey has raised $409,000. Robert and Denise DiCenso, campaign co-chairs, have been working actively with Fr. Nick Morcone, Abbott; Chris Nagle, Business Manager; and Carol Stanton, Development Director, to ensure the campaign’s success. Greater Lawrence Family Health Center (GLFHC), Lawrence, MA, has completed its planning study and has retained RA to initiate a major gifts program and design a comprehensive development plan. RA has been working with Bob Ingala who serves as CEO. Trenton Area YMCA, Trenton, NJ, is continuing on a campaign initiative to raise support for the building of a new full-service, 70,000 square foot, $10 million facility for which half of the funds they seek to raise philanthropically. Campaign co-chairs recruited for the effort are Doug Palmer, Trenton's mayor, and Mercer County executive Bob Prunetti. Mel Hill serves as executive director. Harvard Public Library, Harvard, MA – Ruotolo Associates helped raise $1.2 million during Phase I of its campaign. RA is now working with the library to coordinate a communication effort as it approaches town meeting in late March. Jackson School and Walnut Park Montessori School, Newton, MA – RA has been retained to facilitate the strategic planning process for the two schools which are part of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston. Susan Niden and Sr. Mary Ann Connolly serve as principals, respectively. Mercymount Country Day School, Cumberland, RI, is in the organizational stage of a capital campaign to build an addition which will provide more classroom space and a library for the school. The campaign goal is $750,000 - $1,000,000. Sr. Martha Mulligan, R.S.M., is principal at Mercymount. Merrimack Montessori School, Haverhill, MA has retained Ruotolo Associates to conduct a feasibility study, as well as facilitate a strategic planning process at the school which is part of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston. Ronni George serves as principal. Morris Catholic High School, Denville, NJ - RA completed a planning study and development program assessment, and they have recently begun the quiet phase of their capital campaign. Mount Saint John Home and School for Boys, Deep River, CT - RA is conducting a planning/image study. Cathi Coridan serves as executive director. New Jersey Center for Visual Arts (NJCVA), Summit, NJ, has met two $250,000 challenge grants issued by a local philanthropist and family members during the quiet phase of a $5 million campaign to raise funds for building expansion and renovations, and an endowment to develop and support educational programs and professional development. Eric Pryor serves as President and Betsy Smith is the director of development. North Shore Community College, Danvers, MA, has retained RA for a second year of managing a major gifts initiative, partnering with Wayne Burton, President, and Sandy Edwards, Vice President for Institutional Advancement. Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Oakland, NJ, has recently completed its planning study as part of a capital campaign to renovate their church and make capital improvements to the grounds. Father Thomas Paul Lipnicki serves as pastor. Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, Bensalem, PA -- This order, founded by Mother Katharine Drexel, has retained the services of the Church Division to raise $3.5 million towards to the building of the new St. Katharine Drexel Mission Center and Shrine. Sister Juliana Haynes, SBS, Director of Public Affairs, oversees this campaign along with MaryAnn Piccioni, Director of Development. South Church in Andover, MA – RA has completed its work with South Church having helped the parish raise $1.7 million. Rev. Cal Mutti, Senior Pastor, and the campaign co-chairs are continuing with the campaign and are confident they will reach their goal of $2 million. Springfield Catholic Schools, Springfield, MO, is conducting a $1.6 million endowment campaign. They have raised $700,000 to date in the Advanced Gift Phase of the campaign. Ann Meese is director of the school system and Mick Denniston serves as the director of development. St. Agnes, Clark, NJ – RA completed a planning study, and a capital campaign is anticipated to address the needs articulated in a Ten Year Master Plan. Rev. Msgr. James S. Choma serves as pastor. St. Ann, Raritan, NJ – RA's Church Division is moving forward with a Stewardship Initiative within the parish. Father Kenneth D. Brighenti, Ph.D. serves as pastor. St. Barnabas, Portsmouth, RI is in Phase II of a campaign to build a new rectory, which will include an office for the pastor, Fr. Kevin Brassil. Campaign Chair, Kevin McCarthy, has been an active leader in the campaign. St. Joseph High School in Hammonton, NJ, celebrated the opening of its newly renovated building in September. Formerly a public middle school, the building was purchased and renovated to include a state-of-the art library/media center. Paul Ordille and James Rodio are co-chairs of the steering committee for a major gifts initiative that has raised nearly $1.3 million to date. St. Paul’s Memorial Church, Staten Island, NY, an Episcopal Church located in the Greenville section of Staten Island, has completed a feasibility study for a capital campaign that will be directed to renovations, repairs and historic preservation for the church and rectory. Father William A.F. Blasingame is the Rector. St. Peter the Fisherman Parish, Mountain Home, AR, has now raised $1.73 million toward its $2 million capital campaign to build a new parish hall/educational building. The parish has received generous donations from the Knights of Columbus in Mountain Home. Rev. Jim Fanrak is pastor. St. Philomena School,
Portsmouth, RI, is concluding its general phase of a campaign to construct
a new building for grades 6 – 8. Funding from area banks and a family
foundation has helped the school raise $930,000 to date. Sr. Ann Marie
Walsh, FCJ is principal at St. Philomena.
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Dear
Friends,
Father
John O'Leary was at first hesitant to consider an automated calling service
to reach his parishioners. Father John took an innovative approach to
the task and utilized the speed and clarity of 
The
capital campaign conducted at 
The
four-phase plan began with a feasibility study conducted by Ruotolo Associates
in February and March of 2003. Monsignor Marucci, was an inspirational
powerhouse, effectively communicating the needs of the parish and utilizing
all the tools and resources available to him. He personally recruited
the co-chairs of an 18-member cabinet that was instrumental in soliciting
$400,000 from 87 families during the Advanced Gifts Phase of the campaign.
To date, the parish has raised nearly $870,000, surpassing its goal of
$800,000.
In
its November 2003 issue, 
The
Each
year,
ANNOUNCEMENTS