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From Our Co-Chairs: Just 2 Weeks to Go!By Ocean Mills and Bill Haffner We've come a long way since last fall! We have just 2 more weeks until we announce the capital campaign contributions thus far including all of the donors (names will not be attached to amounts--see more in the FAQs below). If you haven't sent your card in - or if you haven't been visited - time is of the essence to be part of the big announcement! We will be announcing the contributions to date at the May 5th service to celebrate this milestone and to thank all of the donors to date. Over these next few weeks, the committee is hustling to reach out to everyone who hasn't been visited yet to share the exciting news of improvements to sustain St James for the next 100 years. If you haven't been contacted, please let us know by responding to this email or signing up at the visitor link below. We hope you can be a part of the exciting announcement for May! |
NEW: "Next Phase FAQs"As We Enter a New Phase of our Campaign, What Are People Asking NOW? + April 23, 2024
What's important about the May 5 deadline?
May 5 concludes the "Active Phase" of the campaign, where we've attempted to contact every member of the church to give them the opportunity to make a pledge. On May 5 we will celebrate how far we've come, and publish the list of people who've pledged to the campaign. Note that names will not be published in giving categories, except for those who gave on a Memorial Level ($100,000 and above), and only if they consent. After May 5, we will be able to map out the cash flow over the next few years and time our projects accordingly.
Can we expect the campaign number to grow after this, or is this the final number?
Yes, it will continue to grow. After this active phase, we will enter a phase we call "Keeping the Campaign Alive." During this phase, we'll continue to contact active parishioners who, for whatever reason, weren't able to meet with us before May. We'll also invite newer members, neighbors, friends, and alumni of St. James the Less to contribute to the campaign. Finally, we'll apply for more grants. Two are in process now: a diocesan grant for up to $40k for the exterior masonry work by the cloister entrance, and a grant (amount TBD) through Sustainable Westchester for the boiler replacement.
Who will decide which projects are carried out and in what order?
A Capital Campaign Steering Committee has formed (more volunteers are always welcome), consisting of parishioners with a background in finance and development, and the rector. The group will begin meeting after May 5, and will meet frequently. They'll start by mapping out gifts and cash flow over the next year, two years, and beyond. Then, starting with the top projects (boiler and parking lot), they'll create a draft timeline for those projects. An architect and project manager will be brought into the process to help structure the projects in a way that fits our income flow and practicalities of the jobs -- seasonal considerations, best sequence of projects, accommodations for the parish during peak construction time, and so on.
What about projects that may not be done?
All the projects outlined in our Focus Groups last fall were important to someone. Overwhelmingly, we agreed on the top projects, and have secured pledges for those. Projects further down the list--window restoration, interior floor replacement, the downstairs kitchen--may need to wait for the next campaign. If you're passionate about one of these, however, and would like to give an extra donation to cover them, please talk to us!! Note that projects addressing safety issues will get completed, even if further down the list. This may include particular items in the downstairs kitchen, and the ceiling in the Great Hall.
Where do things stand on our Sustainable Westchester Grant for replacing the boiler?
Sustainable Westchester and Blocpower are continuing to evaluate our buildings for the best possble energy efficient system for our space within our limited price range. While they are evaluating a number of options, we are simultaneously pursuing quotes on a more conventional system so we can compare the upfront costs, ongoing costs to operate, and environmental impact in order to give our vestry the most complete set of options.
Because of the age and nature in which they were built/added onto over time, our buildings are tremendously complex and require a signficant amount of advanced study. We're moving as quickly as we can. Mother Storm and Co-Chair Bill Haffner are the primary contacts for this project at this point, to keep communication as clear and efficient as possible. We expect to have several proposals in hand this summer or fall.
Is it too late to be visited and/or make a pledge?
No!! Someone will visit you right up to midnight on May 4! (Though we'd prefer to see you sooner.) Bear in mind that the visit really does make you think about your commitment to the church, and so you may want some time afterward to think and pray about your gift. In other words: the sooner, the better. You can schedule a visit by clicking the box below OR by responding to this email, and someone will be in touch with you quickly.
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Ruth Boser & Robert Faith: Why We Give
Ruth and Robert describe their journey to St. James the Less in the past decade, and what motivates them to give, both annually and also to our Capital Campaign. For more infomation visit:
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Schedule Your Campaign Visit
Having trouble connecting with a visitor or haven't yet been contacted? Please let us know! You can also schedule your own visit, even selecting (if you wish) who you'd like to have come visit you. Visits are the heart of this campaign--and people often say, the best part. We hope to see you soon. For more infomation visit: http://stjamesscarsdale.org/blog/schedule-your-own-campaign-visit--6
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How Many Projects Can We Do?
On May 5 we'll announce our dollar amount raised, and then begin the work of mapping out what projects we can do and in what order. What we can accomplish depends on how much we raise. See the co-chair message in a recent email for the next threshhold, and what reaching it would mean for our goals. Keep the momentum going! Have you received a visit but have yet to pledge? You can send your pledge card to the office, put it in the plate, or ask your visitor to come pick it up. You can also pledge via the QR Code provided in the book you received at your visit. Remember, pledges come in all sizes and shapes. We're thankful for every pledge, whether it's $5000.00 or $50,000+ (and remember, gifts are typically given over a 3 to 5-year period). |
Volunteer to Help
Choose from a variety of roles, from visiting, to serving on the project team once work begins. For more infomation visit:
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