SILVER SPRNG, Md. — Friars are invited to a two-day program at St. Camillus Friary next month that will offer best practices to common church administration challenges. The workshop, titled “Strategies for Effective Parish Management,” will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on April 7 and 8 and will focus on finance, human resources and decision analysis.
The instructor is Michael Castrilli, OSFS, an experienced management consultant who is a scholastic with the Oblates of St. Francis De Sales.
The course, a mixture of lecture, discussion and interactive tools, will comprise two main topics:
Thursday: Human Resources for Church: Recruit, Retain and Develop your Team
Friday: Improving Decision-Making: Cost Benefit Analysis for Church
Attendees are welcome to attend one or both days of the workshop, according to Karen Siewert, a leadership consultant to the Province. Some of the skills that will be featured in the program are:
| • | strategies for leading effective meetings, managing conflict between staff members and motivating people to achieve their highest potential while advancing the Franciscan mission |
| • | fundamentals of cost benefit analysis |
| • | how to calculate and evaluate return on investment for the varied decisions that need to be made when running a parish |
“With the Congressus behind us, this is a perfect time to think about refreshing our skills,” said Christopher Keenan, OFM, of the HNP Leadership Development Committee.
The workshop will be a hands-on approach to learning, blending lecture, discussion and interactive tools, Siewert said, adding that Castrilli uses an energy, enthusiasm and sense of humor in his presentations.
Details about the program including registration information are available on the informational flyer that was distributed last week to the friars. The cost of the workshop is being paid by Michael Johnson, OFM, pastor of St. Camillus Parish.
Lodging is being offered at Holy Name College,adjacent to St. Camillus. Reservations can be made by contacting guardian Thomas Conway, OFM.
Other leadership programs for friars are being planned for this year, said Provincial Vicar Dominic Monti, OFM, co-chair of the LDC. “We encourage friars who hear of leadership courses and workshops that are relevant to their ministry to let the Provincial Office know about them.”