No raw data is available for download, which means that any information I’d look to receive would have to be extracted from the data presented in the form of .pdf outputs from the CD.

Extraction

I figured out a while back that what I really wanted to do was be able to develop a better set of information, and while i’ve been working on building a much stronger set of information, I have finally gotten all of the data I need.
[table id=1 /]

Well, it finally came. This past Sunday [May 30, 2010], we [the Magnolia Park church of Christ] officially rolled out the One capital fundraising campaign for the congregation. After months of first planning, then sitting on our thumbs, then really picking up the ball and running with the fundraising idea, we finally got to present the message to the congregation. I had been developing a giving campaign outline for some time and it was great to see it finally get to play out as I had initially thought it up.

Now, the reality is that the campaign, as it was presented today, was more in line with the way I had initially thought it up a few years ago; a folio, presentation graphics, and a giving pledge card. This had always been my plan in terms of the best way to present the campaign to a smaller congregation. We also have the component of the giving report which will be delivered once we’ve actually begun the full-fledged giving campaign. I’ve already built the system for tracking information and also reporting on the giving that i developed initially for general layby collecting.

We made the plans for this 5th Sunday to present the plan because this is traditionally our friends and family day where we generally see our largest crowds of the quarter. Everything went as planned with a short presentation complete with background information on the congregation, our short and long-term plans for growth and the final plea to the congregation as we look to begin the campaign in earnest in late summer.

I ended up developing a presentation based on the information found in the booklet which ended up serving as a rather simple solution to the problem of being unable to develop a serious video presentation at the last minute. I believe that, moving forward, I’ll be able to work on a more refined presentation or at the least be able to take a more formulaic approach to developing a more complete package. Until the next time I’m asked to work on anything of this type though, i’ll be looking develop new strategies for the system.

//

Finally got around to doing the setup work for the Four Christian Stars album project.

Good Times!

As I was thinking about where to begin, I’ve looked at the various elements of strategic focus, and decided that i’m probably going to get back in the habit of storyboarding, hopefully allowing for the free flow of ideas, understanding wholely that the impact of visual stimulation is good for work and, in the whole chain of operations management, where I generally find myself working, I believe this will allow for greater success in tracking progress in terms of where I should be at any given moment.

Now, understanding that I myself cannot draw, storyboarding, for me, really used to take on the more simplistic approach of writing ideas out on 5×7 cards of processes and of ideas, and anything else that really caught my eye; much more-so than the traditional idea of drawing out scenes. I’ve loved this concept ever since High school when I read Stephen Tweed’s ‘Strategic Focus: A Gameplan for Success’ and it talked about the idea of corporate executives writing down ideas on index cards and organizing them according to priority and overall scope of operational pull. For me, I simply would like the cards to serve as some sort of launching pad for daily ideas, a compass of sorts for daily operations.

I think the David Seah approach of the Groundhog’s Day resolution really appeals to me and works perfectly in that I generally wait until February 2nd to get things rolling myself. This year, of course, I look to actually utilize some of his strategies for productivity and organization, especially where I see the ability to redevelop habits, particularly in the area of management of my freelance operations.

One of the things that I truly plan to work on in earnest this year is developing a framework by which congregations can manage operations, especially smaller congregations in a larger local brotherhood setting. Having already begun the process of putting together my Griffin Lake layout of general statistics, I want to now work on applying concepts that can be developed into works ready for publishing. I’ve published a few pieces of work on my site, but I would like to go a bit further in developing full scale projects for the public, even more-so than the general work that I do on a private basis for independent parties.

It’s always interesting to begin thinking about goal-setting, something I’ve only ever vaguely been accustomed to doing. I’ve always been a sort of ‘Go-Get-It’ type, which most of times lends itself to taking what may come as a result of my particular doing in any given situation. This year, of course, I am going to set up just a few goals, most for the purpose of tracking my focus throughout the year. I figure, at worst, I will be able to possibly look back six-months from now and say,’What in the World was I thinking in February! That was never gonna work’, but then, we could be looking at it from the polar opposite and think that these were some of the greatest moves ever. In hoping to stay within the reasonable confines of reality, I’ve decided to begin with a manageable set of ideals for 2010;

1. Cultivate a more focused networking mindset – I often find myself the wallflower at events and this really isn’t the greatest trait for someone whose main focus is marketing. In terms of real lfe metrics, I first thought I would link this to some sort of numerical goal in terms of people met, utilizing some sort of crazy guide like new Facebook friends or Twitter followers, but I’ve decided that for me I think I’ll measure success by real-life measure and that means trying to make true connections and not just artificial ones. That being said, I want to work also on being inclined to, as well as prepared to, deliver a quick pitch on whatever it is I am currently working on as I often run into people that I know would probably be interested in the various projects I am working on, if only I could quickly articulate those thoughts to them.

   As a sub-goal to that, I’ve decided that I really need to always have my marketing resources with me. I recently attended an event where I was given the opportunity to make a quick pitch to the audience, and I have to admit, I wasn’t the least bit prepared. I had no graphics, no collateral to hand out. It turned out okay enough, but it taught me the lesson of always being prepared.

2. Devote more Time to worthwhile projects – I say this every year, but I really am going to make a focused effort to put time in things I feel will advance my enlightenment; simple projects that don’t take much energy, but are generally in need of attention of some sort in order to make them happen. I currently have a number of items on my to-do list that would fall into this category, including My song service planner, an artist event management package, as well as simple items here and there that I know would be of great use when released. I am going to devote time to projects each day, be it morning or evening as a way to free my mind and hopefully enhance creativity.
3. Be more inclined to do instead of simply Plan – I have found that I do an awful lot of planning, both for myself and others, only to sit back and watch others execute on those plans. I’m looking to have a mind to get more involved in the execution of plans and not simply standing idly by while others make those moves. In that sense, I would like to begin a more defined approach to working on a daily basis, allowing for myself to get out more and not simply sitting in front of a computer all day.

I’d imagine three goals for the new year are enough to keep me busy and they’re just enough that I really do believe I can accomplish them. I also have some minor goals for the new year, primarily dealing as funtions of the previous goals. They’re simple, but are compelling in that I feel they will ultimately be the driving force to developing my main goals in the coming year. One just happens to be taking time to go out and hit places like Panera Bread on a more consistent basis. Being locked up for too long on a daily basis can drive a grown man crazy. But, I digress.

Finally, I look forward to finding a new purpose for this site. I’ve had it for nearly 4 years now and to this point have never really gotten around to using it the way I had initially imagined I would. I really do have a different mindset now in terms of how I want to attack this whole internet/blogging thing which involves mostly just jumping in and allowing my thoughts to take over. We’ll see!

Good Times!

Finishing up the guide has helped me gain a better understanding as I begin to tackle my Griffin Lake Church project. I was looking for a way to develop an analytics package for congregations that will allow them to see exactly what their footprint was at any given moment, and I now think I’m on the right track.

I’m beginning to think more and more about what projects to tackle in the new year, and how those projects will impact the other elements of my work life. But, enough of that, on to the booklet.

It’s rather large if you’re not on a hi-speed line [2mb]. 37 pages.

[download#6#nohits]