Petrus Blog

108 Hours...

No, this isn’t an intro to how I got stuck hiking in a Utah canyon, rather, it’s about Petrus that went from 12 hours of digital content to 108 hours’ worth of Zoom calls in 3.5 months because of a worldwide pandemic!

So what else could you do in 108 hours??

• Drive coast to coast 2.4 times
• Play 31 rounds of golf
• Watch 72 Disney movies
• Ride 3,465 roller coasters...

When I say we did 108 hours of Zoom calls, that’s what we pulled off. Now, I love roller coasters, and I have two girls and a little boy who I watch my fair share of Disney movies with; but 108 hours is a lot of time. How did we pull it off? Why does it even matter? And weirdly what does it even mean?

Lesson 1: Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and attempt new ideas.

The first sign that things were going to be different came on March 11, 2020, when the Archdiocese of Seattle suspended all public Masses to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Many of the ministries...

In this episode, Josh Whelan, Petrus Vice President, visits with Matt Bond, Director of Development at St. John's Catholic Student Center at Oklahoma State University. They discuss the current Capital Campaign that is taking place at St. John's Catholic Center. They will discuss the $25 million campaign to build a new Church and Student Center, expand the campus ministry team and establish an endowment.  They have raised over $15 million in gifts and pledges and will launch the campaign to the public in September. In this interview, you will learn steps to launching a campaign and get insight into what to expect. This interview originally took place during the Petrus Virtual Conference 2020.

Show Notes:

This will be a broad overlay of the campaign along with Matt’s unique viewpoints.

Matt Bond

Matt graduated from Oklahoma State University with a degree in business administration and a minor in accounting. After graduation he spent 2-3 years flipping and selling...

In this episode, Andrew visits with John Cannon, Founder of SENT Ventures. They discuss the challenges that Catholic entrepreneurs face and how to find success in chaotic times. During this episode they talk about Saintly stories, fantastic failures, lasting legacies and divine inspiration. And even more deeply, new ways of serving the Church and the people of God. This interview originally took place during the Petrus Virtual Conference 2020.

Show Notes:

Before SENT, John worked in politics and different business management arenas. He experienced an intense conversion where he discerned the priestly life with the Carmalites and then continued on to studied theology. During his studies he recognized a spirit of entrepreneurship through Saints Benedict, Francis and other saints that ultimately led him to starting SENT.

What is SENT?

SENT contributes to Catholic Church renewal by fueling the next generation of leaders to meet their business, personal and spiritual goals with the...

In this episode, the Petrus Team recaps moments from the Petrus Virtual Conference 2020. From recalling their favorite quotes and stories from the speakers to epiphany moments, they unpack it all. Don't miss out for their take-aways and how you can continue to be "Always Forward" in your ministry, especially in these uncharted times.

In this episode, Andrew visits with Joe Hendrickx, Major Gifts Officer at St. Paul's Newman Center at NDSU and Frank Cummings, Director of Development at School of Faith. They discuss how to make calls and get appointments with donors and potential donors. They talk about the anatomy of a phone call and walk through different troubleshooting ideas when the donor says no. And how to deal with motivation versus action. Frank and Joe presented this talk at the Petrus Virtual Conference 2020.

Show Notes:

Frank: You need to love your cause. When you get on a call, you have to lean into why you love your organization. And when you are having a bad day at work, you lean into how to help those find joy in giving. 

Cold calling is a formation of virtue. It's building mental toughness. 

Set an activity call. Frank sets 2 visits per week and keeps calling until he fills his calendar for the month. You need accountability set up for you in your organization and separate from...

By Matt Aujero, Campus Minister at The Catholic Student Center at University of Maryland

This past week I attended a three-day virtual conference on fundraising put on by Petrus Development.  Watching hours of online webinars one would think it would leave me exhausted and “zoomed-out”.  Instead I felt energized and renewed.  More importantly, I cannot deny that the content was striking my soul.

On day three, in the middle of the conference, I “left” to go to a virtual orientation for freshmen at University of Maryland to represent our Catholic Student Center.  On that call were two other Christian ministers.  One asked me (divinely timed?) how I go about fundraising.  I found I couldn’t shut up!  This inner joy in me came out of me like an open fire hydrant.  In a half hour,  I was sharing as much advice and stories as I could about our fundraising efforts at the CSC for the past four years.  I...

In this episode, Tara Troy Doyon, Petrus Development Consultant, engages us with 10 tips for Donor Zoom Calls. This Petrus Lunch and Learn session is so helpful in wading through all the changes we are dealing with in this new time for fundraising. Tara breaks the process down so easily and makes it achievable. Let us know what tips you try.

Show Notes:

Tara's 10 Tips:

1. Outline what you want to say

• Have cue cards
• Have a compelling story
• Make sure you are clear on the ask project & amount

2. Practice your session

• Talk through different scenarios, be prepared to totally shift if they   deliver bad news
• Test computer audio & video
• Redirect your eye to the computer camera

3. Create an appropriate environment

• Be aware of background and surroundings, including lightening.  Play   around with different settings
• Minimize noise distractions such as children or pets, or cell phones

4. Dress professionally

• Wear muted color clothing, no...

By Mary P. Walker, Petrus Blog Contributor & Local Charity Board Member

Most conferences offer a combination of (1) “how to” knowledge; (2) leadership development; (3) hope and support for the challenges the attendees face; and (4) insight, trends, and directions in the industry. The Petrus Virtual Conference (June 8-10), for example, offers programs in all these categories, plus opportunities to worship and honor God—something not found in MOST conferences!

Over the years, I’ve attended many conferences, on many different subjects. Just about all my conference experience has been in the physical world. That is, you get out of your normal environment, travel offsite, stay in a hotel, and attend various events. Eventually, we WILL return to that model. Yet, some of that model can be adapted to the virtual world, where, at least in the near-term, we will be “attending” conferences.

For quality content, virtual conferences have a great...

by Andrew N. Robison, President of Petrus Development 

Fundraising, at least the way we used to do it, is OVER.

Let me explain. Before the world shut down due to COVID-19, I was training for the grueling Texas Half Ironman. I was dedicating hours of my life to running, biking, swimming and trying not to die in the Texas heat. And then the race organizers canceled the race. I was disappointed - no I was crushed - but in hindsight it gave me an opportunity to hyper focus on Petrus and more importantly, our clients. Adjusting to quarantine, helping to homeschool young children, planning our Virtual Summit and Virtual Conference, and lamenting a canceled race sapped all of my time and motivation and my training came to an abrupt halt.

One day off led to a week, then a couple of weeks, and eventually I realized I needed to get out and exercise again. When I strapped on my shoes and stepped outside, it started raining but I wasn’t having it. I threw open the door and ran,...

In this episode, Andrew visits with Liz Schriner, Director of Market Engagement & Special Gifts at Franciscan University of Steubenville.  They discuss how to approach fundraising in new ways. From innovation and extension to Catholic impact investing and donor advice funds. They will also discuss how to step forward into this new era of current and post pandemic philanthropy.

Show Notes:

Liz Schriner is the Director of Market Engagement and Special Gifts at Franciscan University of Steubenville. She is originally from New Zealand. She earned a degree in agriculture science and entered into public relations in that field. Her journey led her to America in her late 20s where she met and married her American husband. For the next 15 years they entered apostolate and pro-life work, traveling with their three children, living the camper life. Living the faith life. This led to grassroots work. After 15 years on the road, with their children growing too big for the camper,...