FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

OVERALL PROJECT SCOPE

1. What is the objective of this capital campaign?
The first financial goal of the campaign is $3.3 million for the school expansion and renovation.
This money will be used to bring all St. Joseph School children under one roof. It will allow them to learn in a safe environment and provide much needed upgrades to the library/media center, science labs, art and music rooms, and gymnasium. In addition, the faculty and staff will be able to share resources, plan curriculum and integrate learning more effectively.

The second financial goal of the campaign is $500,000 to $1.5 million for a parish Fellowship Hall.
This money will be used to renovate existing space or for a new building that will accommodate social gatherings, wedding receptions, bereavement meals, youth and senior activities, meetings and any other event that will help foster a deeper sense of community within our parish.

2. Will tuition or suggested stewardship levels increase due to the school expansion?
No. Tuition and stewardship levels are not a source of funding for the expansion or for the new Fellowship Hall. Costs should be covered by the capital campaign. (Please note that tuition and suggested stewardship levels will increase due to normal increases in staff salaries, utilities, school supplies, etc.)

3. Who is the Covenant Group and how are they being reimbursed?
The Covenant Group is a strategic planning, fundraising, marketing and business/leadership development consulting firm. They exist to help organizations achieve lasting success by providing customized services, senior level counsel and effective programs within the context of a covenant.

The Covenant Group is a member firm of Giving Institute, which is a national organization of 38 firms distinguished as leaders in advancing philanthropy and assuring the highest ethical standards and professional practices. In fact, ethical standards and professional practice are Giving Institute hallmarks in that their Code of Ethics dictates two tenets with regard to fees. First, fees will be mutually agreed upon in advance of services. Second, a flat, fixed fee is charged based on the level and extent of professional services provided. Fees are not based on the amount of charitable income raised or expected to be raised. If the goal is exceeded, the fee does not change.

4. Why did we engage fundraising counsel?
Fundraising consultants are cost-effective and have a high success rate. More importantly, the Archdiocese requires that professional counsel be engaged to determine the feasibility of a campaign. The Archdiocese recommended The Covenant Group as a reputable firm to engage for campaign counsel and the parishes of St. Dominic, Springfield, and St. Francis Xavier, Mount Washington, strongly echoed that endorsement. Our parish Finance Committee interviewed The Covenant Group and negotiated the fee they are receiving for their services.

A fundraising consulting firm brings objectivity, breadth of experience and intensification of effort to comprehensive projects like capital campaigns. For example, counsel increases an organization's productivity and efficiency by allowing it to engage in activities to which staff and volunteers cannot effectively devote adequate time.

Outside consultants see an organization more objectively than its staff and volunteers. They can recognize and voice matters that staff or volunteers do not recognize or may be reluctant to discuss. Professional fundraising firms also are expert in working with all types of programs and institutions. That said, they bring many tried and true options to the table and help organizations avoid pitfalls and costly mistakes.

5. Will any of this money be reserved for use by Bethlehem High School?
No. None of the money raised in the capital campaign is designated for Bethlehem. However, Bethlehem certainly will benefit from a stronger St. Joseph Elementary School as well as benefit from the addition of a parish Fellowship Hall.

6. Is Bethlehem High School raising money at this time?
Yes. Bethlehem High School is in the first of 3 phases of their ANNUAL FUND Appeal. This is a campaign that Bethlehem undertakes every year in order to help with its operating budget. This annual appeal has been going on for many years and has recently been restructured to involve more direct, face-to-face interaction, rather than just a letter-writing campaign. However, the nature and scope of an annual appeal is very different from a capital campaign seeking five-year commitments.

7. What happens if we don't raise enough money?
We are confident that we can raise enough money through this campaign; but the project does have an order of priorities. The first priority is the school expansion and infrastructure improvements such as a new heating and air conditioning system. The second priority is a refurbished gym, and finally, the third priority is the fellowship hall.

8. Does the Archdiocese receive any of the money raised?
Yes. All income earned by a parish is assessed by the Archdiocese and this includes a capital campaign. However, please note that this amount has been factored into the total amount of money that we are trying to raise.

9. At what point will it be determined that a Fellowship Hall can become a reality?
With our Commitment Sunday being March 8-9, then we should be able to make a determination of our success by April.

SCHOOL EXPANSION/UPGRADES

10. What is the construction time-frame?
Once construction begins, it will take 15 months to complete everything -- approximately 9 months to complete the new addition and then 6 months to complete the upgrades to the existing facility.

11. Will the handicap parking and entrance at the West Sacristy be affected by the expansion?
No. The lane around to this area will remain the same; the available parking spaces will remain the same.

12. Will the school be handicap-accessible?
Yes. An elevator will be installed in the new addition which will allow access to the entire building. There will be restrooms in the new addition that are handicap-accessible as well.

13. Will the school have a secure entrance?
Yes. Anyone entering the building will need to enter at the new entrance lobby located in the new administration area and be admitted further by the receptionist.

14. What renovations will be made to the existing facility?
All classrooms will have new lighting and new acoustical ceilings. The entire building will have a new heating and cooling system. All emergency exit lights and fire alarms will be brought up-to-code. All bathrooms will have hot water. The gym will have new locker rooms, a new floor, new bleachers, a new concession stand, and four additional side-wall basketball goals.

15. Who will do the work?
BCD, Inc. has been hired as the construction manager for the project. In addition, preference will be given to qualified contractors and sub-contractors who are part of the St. Joseph Parish community.

FINANCIAL

16. Can I shift my regular giving over to the campaign?
Giving to this campaign needs to be over and above what you normally give on an annual basis. Our weekly collections fund our budget and activities, so to shift that money to the campaign would hurt the ministries of the church.

17. How do I make my commitment?
Commitment cards and envelopes will be available for every family in the parish. They will be made available on Commitment Weekend. Simply fill out the card with your information and commitment amount, and then put it in the envelope and seal it.

An additional note: It is important that we hear from everyone, so each family will be asked to fill out a commitment card and turn it in, even if the amount is zero.

18. When do I begin fulfilling my commitment?
It can begin as early as Commitment Weekend, but we ask that you complete your pledge within a five-year timeframe. You may break it down into weekly or monthly payments, although some people prefer quarterly or annual payments.

19. How can I give?
There are several ways to give:

20. Will commitments be announced?
No. All commitments are kept private.

21. How long will I have to make my commitment?
The pledge period is for 5 years.

22. Will there be naming opportunities?
Yes. Details are still being worked out.

23. When will the results of the campaign be known?
All specific commitments will be kept private, but the campaign total will be announced in March.

CAMPAIGN STRUCTURE

24. What will happen at an Information Fellowship Meeting (IFM)?
There will be a brief time of fellowship. Then the pastor/facilitator will inform the group about the plans for school expansion/upgrades and the Fellowship Hall, and the process of the campaign. The facilitator will show a brief video/DVD and then answer any questions people have. The entire process should take no longer than 1½ hours.

25. Will commitments be taken at IFMs?
No. The IFMs are for information sharing only. Most commitments will be taken on Commitment Weekend, March 8 and 9.

26. What is Commitment Weekend?
Commitment Weekend is a celebration to which everyone in the parish will be invited. It will be an exciting time of inspiration and information and will serve as the climactic event in our campaign.

27. How can I get more information?
You may contact one of the campaign coordinators: Mary Spalding, Debi Mathis, or Mary Stuart Haydon for general questions; Kenny Kute for construction questions; the parish office for financial questions. The parish office will provide you with phone numbers if needed.