Petrus Blog

In this episode, we flip the mic and interview the host, Andrew Robison. Andrew shares about his background, some of the successes and failures that he has experienced after 15 years in this business and that time that he was in a plane crash and nearly died (spoiler...he lived but missed his catering job the next day).

Show Notes:

In this episode, Andrew visits with Kathryn Whitaker: Catholic wife and mother of six, Business Owner, Graphic Designer, Blogger, and Author of Live Big, Love Bigger. Andrew and Kathryn discuss her professional background and her work in graphic design, especially with Catholic non-profits, with great tips, including the importance of cohesiveness in your brand and telling your ministry's story. They also discuss Kathryn's book, an extension of her blog, which sprung from the traumatic birth experience of her fifth child, and led to a more intentional, Christ-centered family life.

Show Notes:

Do you want to attend the 2020 Petrus Leadership Conference in Breckenridge on June 7-10, 2020, one of the best annual conferences for learning Catholic and faith-based fundraising and leadership practices?

Do you know other people who might like to attend as well?

Would you like to earn money back on your conference fees? 

Well...have we got good news for you!

This year, we are introducing the PLC Ambassador Program for the first time ever. Don't worry...it's very simple.

When you register, you will be given a unique code. You can then share that code with your network. Anyone who registers using your code will receive a $15 discount. And the best part is that you will then receive a $15 refund on your conference fees! See...we told you it was simple. 

There is no max to how many people can use your Ambassador code, so the sky is the limit. If enough people use your Ambassador code, you could attend the conference for free! 

The two best aspects of the Petrus...

In this episode, Andrew visits with Julie Kenny. Julie is the National Program Director for iGiveCatholic. Julie explains the origins of iGiveCatholic, why it exists, it's partnership with #GivingTuesday, and what it is designed to do for Catholic dioceses, parishes, schools, and ministries. Andrew and Julie discuss how the movement-turned organization began, the mechanics of the iGiveCatholic platform, some basic questions about the platform and certain security concerns that some considering the platform might have. Finally, Julie addresses the future of iGiveCatholic and plans for moving forward. Ultimately, as Andrew notes, the movement is driven by the question - "How can we serve the Church in a way that is responsive to the culture and technology?"

 Show Notes:

Julie Kenny  National Program Director for iGiveCatholic

By Julie Kenny, National Program Director for iGiveCatholic

Participation in a giving day by nonprofit organizations is becoming more popular with every passing #GivingTuesday. I like to think of giving days as the evolution of telethons! Thinking back to the Jerry Lewis telethon every Labor Day to raise funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), our family tuned in every fall to watch. Having classmates with the disease, my siblings and I, as well as seemingly our entire school, volunteered to wash cars, bake goods, and staff a table at our parish rummage sale donating all proceeds for the cause. We couldn’t wait to see what the grand total raised would be to help our friends!

As National Program Director for #iGiveCatholic, I recognize this same excitement and engagement as thousands of Catholic organizations prepare for the annual giving day held on #GivingTuesday, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday. And, I see how participation in...

In this episode, Andrew speaks with Tim Glemkowski, Co-Founder and President of L’Alto. L’Alto Catholic Institute exists to help parishes meet the challenges and opportunities of this New Evangelization head on by helping them Win, Build, and Send missionary disciples. Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati’s famous battle cry, “Verso l’alto” means “to the heights” and L’Alto Catholic Institute seeks to inspire Catholics to seek after the heights of holiness and mission. Tim is also one of the founding members of Revive Parishes. Revive serves pastors, staff, and volunteers of parishes to help form joyful missionary disciples among the faithful. Tim’s new book, Made for Mission: Renewing Your Parish Culture was just released and can be found on amazon. Andrew and Tim discuss the risk of mission in this interview. Tim’s goal is to make Jesus Christ the center of personal and parish life.

Show Notes:

In this episode, Andrew speaks with Stan Guimont, Account Manager with Palmer Non-profit Communications, a commercial direct mail provider that works with the general non-profit world. Stan has been an account manager with Palmer since 2005. As an air force veteran, Stan began working in advertising in the mid eighties, then spent some time as a radio account executive. He then worked for a publishing company whose clients were mostly non-profits. Stan has found a fulfilling career with Palmer using his creativity and natural sales ability to help his clients. He demonstrates a deep and genuine care for his clients and their needs and provides a wealth of knowledge about direct mail best practices.

Show Notes:

In this episode Andrew visits with Chris Hanzeli about two of his different roles in development and his masters research. Executive Director of Institutional Advancement for the Western Dominican Province, Chris Hanzeli has a Masters of Philanthropy and Development through St. Mary’s University in Winona, Minnesota. His masters research, entitled, Lessons from online consumer behavior: How non profit organizations can enhance trust-building strategies for online donors, explores how non-profits can utilize the example of online retailers to establish trust with potential online donors.

Show Notes:

Graduate of University of Washington in Seattle. Bachelors in Speech Communications. Didn’t know what development/fundraising was. After graduation, worked in politics, then in a start up company, but that wasn’t successful. Unemployed and his wife was expecting.  Dominicans called and asked if he wanted to be the development director at the campus ministry at...

By Mary P. Walker, Petrus Blog Contributor

I love the TV show The Profit. Marcus Lemonis, a serial entrepreneur, invests in struggling businesses and offers advice on how to turn things around. Often even small adjustments in managing people, capital, or processes yield amazing results.

Following Marcus’ lead, I’m proposing a small tweak in your development efforts that could pay off big time! With just a bit of effort and minimal expense, you can educate and invite your partners in ministry to consider gifts from their IRA Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs).

The idea behind RMDs is that the government usually requires a person to “spend down” a retirement fund over the course of his or her life (exception, Roth IRAs). Of course, the government can’t predict when a particular person will die (and I for one am happy about that!), but it can use data to estimate a life expectancy. The amount a person is required to “spend down” by taking...

Director of Campus Ministry for the University Catholic Center at the University of Texas at Austin, Fr. Larry Rice discusses his role at the UCC and also his previous role as Chaplain and Director of Campus Ministry at St. Thomas More Newman Center at the Ohio State University. He compares and contrasts working in campus ministry at these two schools. Fr. Larry just celebrated his 30th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood with the Paulist Fathers. He understands campus ministry and the principles of development and takes his role as supervisor seriously. Share this episode with a priest.

Show Notes:

• Fr. Larry was Andrew’s boss from 2008-2011 when Andrew was the Director of Development at St. Thomas More Newman Center and Fr. Larry was Chaplain and Director of Campus Ministry.
• Sophomore at Penn State University – he was surprised by his vocational calling to the priesthood.
• Fr. Larry just celebrated his 30th anniversary of ordination
• Has had a variety of...