Thanks to all of those who were able to come out for the Capital Campaign Team Building Workshop last Tuesday. We still need many more volunteers! Please contact Cheryl Amick at cherylamick@yahoo.com to find out how you can be part of the team. Also please mark your calendars for the Capital Campaign Kick-Off, a family-friendly early evening event to be held on March 22. More information coming soon!

As you can see from the new logo, the Capital Campaign is designed to create a platform for DPC from which we can build for the future — build connections between our community and Christ. In support of this goal, we’ve got some exciting events coming up. Thanks to the frosty weather of late, we’ve moved our Capital Campaign Team Building Workshop to Tuesday, February 24. The workshop will begin at 7:30pm in Fellowship Hall. All are invited to learn more about the campaign and explore volunteer opportunities. There are tasks large and small in need of helpers, but all have a short lifespan. This is a great opportunity to jump in and help with a short-term commitment! Also please mark your calendars for the Capital Campaign Kick-Off, a family-friendly event to be held on March 22. More information coming soon! Questions? Contact Cheryl Amick at cherylamick@yahoo.com.

The first step in conducting a capital campaign is to gauge the church’s willingness to support such a campaign, including the goals of the building program.  Our campaign consultant led a readiness assessment over the course of the last month which included numerous focus group discussions.

The following are the professional recommendations offered to Darnestown Presbyterian Church by James D. Klote & Associates as set forth in their report. They are based upon the information and data gathered during the Readiness Assessment, analysis of that data and the professional interpretation of analysis results.  These recommendations were accepted by the DPC Session at its meeting last evening.

Recommendation # 1

Darnestown Presbyterian Church should immediately proceed with a fundraising campaign.  The Assessment’s Findings indicate the affirmative presence of the necessary and sufficient conditions conducive to successfully undertaking a capital campaign at this time. The fundraising activities should consist of:

. Immediately conducting a capital campaign lasting 12 to 14 weeks

There are several factors supporting the immediate initiation of a capital
campaign:

. Through the Focus Group activities, awareness among congregants is
very high and there is a prevailing expectation of further action.
. Congregants have clearly demonstrated support for fundraising
activities.
. Delay will sap momentum generated by the Focus Groups, threaten the
availability of funds when needed, and the readiness assessment
process will have to be repeated.

Recommendation # 2

DPC should set the following goals and targets for the recommended capital campaign.

. The target for a fundraising campaign shall be $4.0 million with a
recommended pledge fulfillment period no longer than five years.
. Scope of the Master Plan shall be scaled down to be fully implementable
for the campaign target of $4.0 million. Phasing will be limited to issues
related to constructability.

Recommendation # 3

Session establishes priorities for capital funds raised.

1. Expansion of worship capacity
2. Creation of a true narthex and gathering area
3. Demolish the Manse
4. Other construction related expansion, modifications and renovations as
reported and recommended by the BEAR Committee.
Priority designation will be further based on the receipt of funds, incurrence of costs and other considerations deemed pertinent by
Session.

Recommendation # 4;

A Steering Committee shall be formed to direct and oversee the Capital Campaign.

. Chairmanship of the Steering Committee shall be vested in William and
Cheryl Amick who will develop a leadership framework and recruit
members to serve on the campaign.
. The current duties and responsibilities of the Campaign Committee will be melded into the Steering Committee.
. The Steering Committee shall establish and maintain a Communications
Plan to inform the Congregation of the Campaign’s progress.

The full report issued by Klote can be found at these links:

Volume One

Volume Two