ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

Introduction

It is important that this capital campaign be done in a way that creates excitement and has spiritual integrity. It is built around a network of people designed to provide the necessary access and influence. The following suggested organizational structure can provide the leadership necessary for an effective program. It is helpful to build upon the structures and resources already in place. Leadership for all gathering money for ministry activities during the capital campaign will be centered in the following bodies:

The Governing Body

First and foremost, the capital campaign is under the aegis of the vestry/bishop’s committee. Governing body members are ultimately responsible for what is achieved and the policies and procedures related to the annual offering. Their role will be that of advisors, advocates, and offering workers. Their actions by word, deed, and gift will set an example for others to emulate. They are also responsible for overseeing the stewardship and accounting of the monies associated with the annual offering.

The Capital Campaign Co-Chairs

They establish the leadership required to direct the servant leaders and activities of the campaign. They also recruit and chair the Steering Team meetings, and coordinate with the vestry/bishop’s committee and church staff. The chairs also are helpful with asking for Witness Gifts and are the public “face” for the campaign.

The Capital Campaign Steering Team

This group will provide day-to-day leadership for the total effort. Membership on the team will include the chairs of all key campaign teams. This is the group of leaders that plans the campaign, guides it through the preparatory phase, gives first, coordinates invitation to give of the vestry/bishop’s committee and staff, and invites and enlists other key leaders. The latter then conducts the rest of the annual offering with the help and guidance of this Steering Team.

The Capital Campaign Steering Team has both marketing and administrative functions. The team’s marketing function is to present, by all available means, the Vision for Ministry for support to the congregation. Its specific marketing and communication tasks focus on the identification, discipling, invitation to giving, and stewardship of givers.

In addition to the specially recruited sub-team chairs, the rector/vicar is a regular member of the Capital Campaign Steering Team and the staff and Treasurer are ex officio members. The purpose of their membership on Steering Committee is to facilitate and coordinate the annual offering’s administrative functions with those of day-to-day congregation life. In this regard, the committee chairs and staff act in concert with the Steering Team.

The Co-Chairs will head up the Steering Team. They will select and appoint chairpersons of the sub-teams that, in turn, will recruit others to serve as the manpower of the capital campaign. These can be organized as follows:

The Spiritual Emphasis Team

This group of individuals will set the spiritual and theological tone for campaign. They will form a mechanism for ongoing prayer, provide a spiritual context for committee meetings and gatherings, and design a communication system for people to tell their stewardship stories. Spiritual growth is to be a hallmark of a well run capital campaign and multiple options are needed for congregations and individuals.

Communications Team

This team should include individuals with knowledge of developing printed materials and the options for regular communication with parishioners. They will be helpful in developing plans to increase the congregation’s receptivity and in the development of all capital campaign materials. Their first task will be to assist with the redevelopment of the Vision for Ministry-for-giving. They are also to work with the Spiritual Team to develop ways for stewardship stories to be told.

Inspirational Speakers

This group may be a subcommittee of the Communications Team. These individuals are recruited because of their special abilities to tell their faith and stewardship stories.

Personal stories are powerful connectors that allow us to see how the biblical story is happening around us every day. Stories of joyful giving on the part of individuals invite others to give and to share their stories, creating a circle of thanksgiving and celebration in the church.

Those who have understood stewardship as limited to fundraising can discover a broader, richer opportunity than they have ever known before as they hear stories from the diverse people who are their brothers and sisters in Christ. These powerful individual stories merge to become community stewardship stories as members write statements which begin with the words “we believe…”, “we commit…”, “we invite…” These stories serve as inspiration and as a model for teaching a theology of stewardship in our church.

Event Team

The event team will be responsible for developing and implementing any events that are needed for the capital campaign. A kick-off event might be a good way to start the capital campaign and there might be smaller events for offering workers and other servant leaders. Most campaigns have a celebration event to put closure on it. Sub-teams would include such things as: invitations/RSVP’s, entertainment/ program, food, location/logistics, & promotion.

Technology Team

This team is made up of people with specific skills and access to technology resources. Communication is a key to good discipling and gathering money for ministry. This team will explore ways that modern technology can be used to manage and convey information. This might include computers, multi-media, e-mail, websites, PowerPoint, downloads and the like. These resources are used to support the work of the other teams.

Leadership And Witness Gifts Team

Members of this team assist the Co-Chairs, the rector, and the Capital campaign Steering Team in inviting gifts from all individuals who might consider giving $5,000 or more. (This Witness level of giving could be as high as $25,000 or $100,000 depending on the total goal of the campaign.) Generally, individuals who serve on the Witness Gift Team should be capable of making substantial gifts themselves. This team may include sub teams focused on various constituencies or groups of people. This team also makes recommendations regarding named gift opportunities and suggested gift amounts. It is understood that the Witness Gift portion of the Capital campaign is critical to long-term goal success.

Adapted from The Alleluia Fund:  A Guide for Dioceses and Congregations