Updated 11.27.11
MARKETING
Click here for this week's free marketing tip, Marketing Matters (SM)!
ENROLLMENT
Click here to find out more about BASICS - a FREE TOOL to help bring more students into your school! Enrollment Estimators (TM) are now available for the 12-13 school year!!
DEVELOPMENT
Development Development
A monthly article to help you form a development mindset from a fundraising one. Click here for this month's artilcle!. If you're already developed in Development, and want to advance toward an Advancement mindset, check out Advancementality:. Every week, a new post is made to advance your ability to attain an attitude necessary for Advancement.
PRESENTATIONS
Access to presentations given throughout the year can be found here!
* "Miracle Marketing" - For those in the Diocese of Harrisburg, click here to view or download the presentation. For those in the Diocese of Buffalo, click here to view or download the presentation.
* "Retention: The First Step To Growing Your Enrollment"
For those in the Diocese of Harrisburg, click here to download handouts from the presentation.
For those that attendend the NYSCIRS Conference in Albany, click here to download handouts from the presentation.
For those that attended the Alliance of Catholic Schools of Lancaster County, click here to download handouts from the presentation.
For those that attended the West Virginia Christian Education Association Conference, click here to download handouts from the presentation.
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History
An archive of "What's New?" from the "Home" page (most recent items listed first).
August 23, 2010
July 8, 2010
- New links have been added to Development Developments, focusing on Development resources, like blogs and other ePublications geared to Non-Profits. Check out the left navigation panel on the Development Developments page.
May 19, 2010
- A new page on the main navigation has been added - The DREAM Archive. Here you'll find back issues of the SchoolAdvancement.com eNewsletter, The DREAM.
May 1, 2010
- A new page on the main navigation has been added - "Dear Mike Z:" Several folks have written to ask questions, and in responding, just like the classroom, I've found that the responses might be applicable to other situations. So, if you have questions, email them to me at mikez@schooladvancement.com, and put "Dear Mike Z" in the subject line. Appropriate questions with responses will be posted. Remember that they are just one person's opinion. You can discuss your opinions with other Advancement professionals on the eCommunity.
December 23, 2009
- Dan Allenby's blog, "The Annual Giving Exchange," is a great resource for your Development efforts. Every few days, a new post is made with some great Development insight, information, tips and success stories. How fitting that we post this right before Christmas, the first "Annual Giving Exchange." http://danallenby.wordpress.com
October 20, 2009
September 14, 2009
- BASICS has been updated with tools to estimate enrollment for the 2010-2011 school year. New school grade configurations have also been added. You can also download spreadsheets before using them, or enter data online and download the results!
August 24, 2009
- The "Products & Services" page has been renamed "Enrollment Essentials" in light of the fact that marketing leads to enrollment, and that all we do at SchooAdvancement is provide service at no monetary cost.
August 4, 2009
- From The NonProfit Times, an article titled "Donors: You Never Know Until You Ask." Even with the downturn in the economy, are you asking more? Everyone else is. A recent study also showed that while overall charitable giving is down, contributions to churches and other religious institutions is on the rise! Time to rise and capitalize! http://www.nptimes.com/instantfund/09Aug/IF-090804-1.html
December 8, 2008
- A new logo! As SchoolAdvancement has progressed from a GoogleGroup and a weekly email to 10 development directors, we've seen that the greatest thing necessary for a successful school in the 21st Century is visionary leadership. That's the reason why SchoolAdvancement does not concentrate on "Advancing your school's mission," but rather, "Advancing toward your school's vision." This way, we parallel what we are to do in our personal lives day by day, advancing toward Christ's vision "That all may be one." The new logo represents two concepts that are necessary to move from where schools are to where schools need to be. The new shape works in multi-dimensions, just as we must be multi dimensional in our approach to learning as well as relative to advancement. From a three-dimensional perspective, the image is a four sided pyramid, which represents the first four aspects of the DREAM acronym - Development, Retention, Enrollment and Asset Management. The volume of the object (the center, if you will) represents the fifth aspect, Marketing (If you need another visual, recall the movie, "The Fifth Element." All five must work together). From a two-dimensional perspective, the two Greek letters Delta and Psi are formed. Delta is the triangle, and in mathematics, represents "change." Psi is the white object (the vertical line with the central crescent) giving reference to "the mind." (Psi is first letter of the Greek word "psyche," which is the root of "psychology."). The combination of Delta and Psi points to the need to change one's mindset in order to advance from a point of stagnation or to turn around from a pattern of declination. The crescent is also a reference to Mary, the Mother of Jesus, reflecting a personal commitment to Marianist spirituality.
July 7, 2008
- From The NonProfit Times, an article titled "New Study: Donors and Revenue Both Drop." The meaningful engagement of constituents becomes more important than ever. If you're just sending "thank yous" and hoping that your contributors will continue to support you with a yearly gift, it's time to step it up - big time. http://www.nptimes.com/08July/news-080707-1.html
July 1, 2008
- Two new features have been added - a monthly eNewsletter which you can sign up for (for free!) and tell your colleagues about so that they can join in the discussion. As a way for more people to share their views - and so you can see what perceptions are out there (since perception is reality) - we now have a blog called "Advancementality" so that schools (faith-based, private AND public) can begin to stretch their minds and develop new sources and streams of revenue. Realizing that it's in our nature to be linear rather than systemic, "Advancementality" will try and capture the advancement process (which is systemic) into something linear. The nature of advancement is, to paraphrase Scripture, for all things to work together for good. Development, Enrollment, Retention, Asset Management and Marketing all impact one another, so you can't just focus on one item, and then move on to the next once one aspect has been created and nurtured. Future "Marketing Matters" will also examine these issues, as will "The DREAM" eNewsletter. eNewsletter sign-up is conveniently located at the left of every page, and the link to "Advancementality" is on the top navigation bar of every page.
April 23, 2008
- From the Spring 2007 issue of Education Next from the Hoover Institute comes "Can Catholic Schools Be Saved" by Peter Meyer. This article provides a retrospective of how Catholic school arrived at this point in history, the trends in demographics that seem to be paradoxical for Catholic schools, and the current issues which provide hope as well as threats to Catholic schools in America - the only such system of its kind in the world! http://www.hoover.org/publications/ednext/6010606.html
April 4, 2008
- From NPT Technobuzz, a publication of the NonProfit Times, an article titled, "Social Networking Becoming Old Technology In a Hurry." Technology is just a tool - not a silver bullet - when it comes to storing information about your school and reaching out to supporters. It's an important tool, but don't drop other systems that have been effective for your organization.
http://www.nptimes.com/technobuzz/tb20080212_1.html
- Also from NPT Technobuzz, an article titled "Developing a Pool of Free Fundraisers Online." Before you think that fundraising is not development, let me tell you that you are correct - and it's even stated in the article. However, the meaningful engagement of the community can always be supplemented by ways to reach out to others through technology. http://www.nptimes.com/technobuzz/TB20080212_2.html
February 8, 2008
- From NPT Instant Fundraising, a publication of the NonProfit Times, an article titled, "10 Tips: 2008 Holiday Planning Starts Now." Although the holidays just ended a few weeks ago, the time to start planning for a successful holiday season and end-of-year giving is RIGHT NOW!" http://www.nptimes.com/instantfund/08Feb/IF-080207-1.html
- From Dewey & Kaye's "Mosaic" Newsletter, an article titled, "The Dos and Don'ts of Site Visits." Mary-Phan Gruber states the proper framing of a site visit from a potential grantor, and offers 10 things that you can do to blow any chance of being funded!
December 10, 2007
- A new Advancement Article is posted, titled, "The Experience." While marketing leads to enrollment, a different kind of marketing strategy is required to enhance retention. The first step to increasing enrollment is keeping those already enrolled.
November 13, 2007
- From the NPT Weekly, a publication of the NonProft Times, an article titled, "Economist: Change Favors the Prepared Mind" speaks to the fact that one's mindset is important to the ability to accept change. We prefer status quo, since status quo means stability and stability means security. Change forces us out of that security, and is therefore disruptive. However, if we prepare, we can face change and the potential it holds and can unleash. After reading the article, you might want to subscribe to their publication. http://nptimes.com/07Nov/news-071113-1.html
- "Can Catholic Schools Be Saved?" by Peter Meyer from the Spring 2007 issue of Education Next, a journal of opinion and resarch from The Hoover Institution. This article provides some historical insight regarding how Catholic schools arrived at this point in history, as well as the opportunities that provide hope and the threats that compound the difficulties. http://www.hoover.org/publications/ednext/6010606.html
September 26, 2007
- Links to Advancement Articles:
July 24, 2007
- "Development Developments" are added to SchoolAdvancement. These are important items to note, implement, consider, or enforce (NICE). NICE people are informed people. From Convio comes the article "Facebook Opens Up - Philanthropy Rushes In." The major online communities, like Facebook and MySpace, are places where friends connect in cyberspace. Since friends are usually like-minded, they may be inclined to support the same causes. Unfortunately, the article is no longer available online.
July 16, 2007
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From the NonProfit Times, a link to read their article, "650,000 Charities to Get Letter From IRS." If your charitable organization had gross receipts under $25,000, it never had to file an IRS Form 990. Now, it may have to file an IRS Form 990-N. Click here to read the full story.
May 20, 2007
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Two new articles, Marketing IS Education and The Marketing Origin (or, Pieces of a DREAM) are posted. SchoolAdvancement speaks to individuals involved in schools with backgrounds in education. These articles build on the concept that educators already know "what makes marketing work"...which is a huge advantage over those with business backgrounds that know "what marketing is."
May 15, 2007
March 16, 2007
February 1, 2007
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Check out "Development Developments" - important items to note, implement, consider, or enforce (NICE). NICE people are informed people.
January 22, 2007
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A new article, "4 Rules of Word of Mouth Marketing," is posted. From Janine Popick, President and CEO-Founder of Vertical Response, it gives four necesssary aspects to the most effective form of marketing.
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December 19, 2006
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A new article, "THINK," is posted. From today's "Sales Caffeine" eNewsletter published by sales guru Jeffrey Gitomer, it's an invitation to start thinking about thinking.
December 18, 2006
November 28, 2006
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A new article, "An Open Letter to Bill Gates," is posted. From the August 2006 issue of District Administration, it provides a rebuttal for those who want to "give up" on Catholic Schools - seems that public schools "aren't working" either.
November 13, 2006
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A new category, "Especially for Parent-Teacher Guilds and Organization," is added to the forum as a place for leaders of parent-teacher guilds and organizations to discuss matters of leadership, responsibilities and fundraising. From our research, this is the first time that schools within a diocese have a forum for their Parent/Guardian Teacher Guilds and Organizations to convene, replicating the structure of the "next higher level" that exists within the public school system's PTA/PTSA framework.
October 19, 2006
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The Institute for School and Parish Development (ISPD) is added to the "Support" section as a partner organization. Catholic School Enrollment Solutions (CSES) was added earlier in the year, but effective November 1, 2006, it became part of ISPD.
September 27, 2006
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A new article, "We're On a Mission From God," is posted. It details the importance of mission and cooperation in addition to development in order to support our schools.
September 7, 2006
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A new category, "Teacher Talk," is added to the forum as a place for teachers to discuss classroom related matters, since many of our development/marketing/advancement coordinators are also teachers.
August 28, 2006
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Two new articles are posted. The first is an excellent piece from "Fast Company" magazine titled, Change or Die. Would you be able to change your lifestyle if you were told that if you did not, you would die? Recent research shows that the odds are 9 to 1 against you. Now, apply this to "business as usual" and "how we've always done it" at our Catholic Schools. New challenges call for new thinking. The second is a press release from St. Vincent College in Latrobe, whose admissions counselors are now communicating with prospective student...as well as their parents...via Instant Messaging and Text Messaging. Yes, something else for us to learn how to do.
July 4, 2006
- First article, "Renewing Our Commitment to Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools in the Third Millennium," published in 2005 by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Inc., is posted.
- Site needs to be reconstructed due to computer malfunctions. Proof that the evil one is still trying to destroy all that serves to build the Kingdom of God. Tells us we're on the right track.
- Later in the month, FACTS Grant and Aid Assessment is added to the "Support" section as a partner organization.
July 3, 2006
July 2, 2006
- Opening quotations changed to provide thoughts for reflection. The first from 2nd Corinthians provides a framework the adoption of a cost-based tuition/need-based aid program in all Catholic schools. Charging tuition according to a subsidized model assumes that everyone has an equal ability to pay for a Catholic school education. This change in mindset is necessary to begin to reverse the vortex created by the rising tuition/decreasing enrollment scenario. The second is in response to those individuals that think we can go back to "the way it was" in spite of being where where find ourselves at this point in history. The third is directed to those that refuse to adopt new ways to solve new problems. Recall the lines from scripture that point to the importance of pouring new wine into new wineskins, as well as the words of Jesus Christ: "Behold, I make all things new."
June 5, 2006
- Nationwide marketing efforts begin. Later in the month, the first SchoolAdvancement partner is added to the Web site, Catholic School Enrollment Solutions.
May 25, 2006
- Forum successfully installed and launched
May 1, 2006
April, 2006
- Hosting and software support research conducted.
March 3, 2006
- Work begins on creating www.schooladvancement.com to make this vision a reality.
- Almost one year has passed, with more Dioceses deciding to undertake a strategic approach to planning for their Catholic Schools' future. While ideas are shared in publications and consulting services are provided by organizations with development and marketing experience, there has yet to emerge a grassroots community to take up the charge of advancing the mission of Catholic Schools.
September 14, 2005
- Four months later, a gathering of Development Directors of some of the schools in the Diocese of Greensburg (PA) created a small online group to share sucess stories. Since the Diocese cover 3334 square miles, monthly meetings proved to be unrealistic, and quarterly meetings seemed insufficient. Yet, there was a need to communicate with each other, and develop a calendar so that event planning between schools could be coordinated. Almost immediately, it became clear that this format could be expanded to include development, marketing, and enrollment professionals across the country. Since God does not call the equipped, but equips the called, those that find themselves serving in this ministry could have a place to gather and discuss 21st century issues in a 21st century millieu.
May, 2005
- "Fast Company" Magazine's cover story is titled, Change or Die. Although the research it sites shows that the odds are 9 to 1 against someone being able to change their habits and lifestyle in the face of impending doom, the correlation that can be made to for-profit AND non-profit businesses is evident, since "living systems" are generated within any type of organization. One can easily see our Catholic schools as examples of institutions on the losing side of those odds.
March 10, 2005
- As research on various topics affecting educational leadership in the Catholic School of the 21st century took place, it became clear that a new paradigm of education was emerging. Catholic Dioceses have conducted studies to address the issues affecting their particular situations, and resultant plans have been published on their respective Web sites. However, as time advances, and plans are put into action, committee members involved in the planning in sites across the country can become overwhelmed by the huge amount of work that is required to change mindsets that have been formed and reinforced during the previous century.
- Framework established for the importance of viewing "Marketing as Education." As a result, the web address www.market-ed.com was purchased. The hope was to allow Catholic School leadership, administration, and staff realize that, in this changing world, the role of the Catholic School was not simply to teach children, but to transform the minds of adults - the parents, the parishioners, the community, business leaders, and, ultimately, the world. We are empowered to do this because of our universal call to holiness by virtue of our Baptism. It was thought that today's Catholic school educators could make the connection between their abilities as seasoned educators and the need to market the school to the community - after all, at its most basic level, marketing
IS education! The techniques used to teach children the basic concepts of mathematics and science as well as the proper spelling and grammar associated with language arts could be used educate young adult parents about the benefits of a Catholic school education for their children. However, pedagogy and andragogy are, by definition, different. Additionally, it was soon discovered simply focusing on marketing issues was too limiting. Schools also need to be aware of the systems (marketing, development, enrollment, retention, and asset management) that affect their financial stability, and ability to advance their vision into the future. www.schooladvancement.com was an all-encompassing theme that would convey this message.
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