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SUMMARY OF FEASIBILITY STUDY
First off, I would like to thank everyone for participating in the Feasibility Study. Mark Davy & Associates remarked that we had the best participation rate in 20 years! The Feasibility Study was completed by 110 households. Using interviews and surveys to conduct the study, the results validated the Building and Planning Committee’s Vision. Some of the specifics of the study are:
· Sixty-three percent of the participants felt they were very well or reasonably well informed about the vision.
· The Newsletter and Weekly Bulletin are the most effective communication forms.
· The Education project was considered very important while the Administration and Sanctuary spaces were important but tied.
· The top strengths of the congregation are: Pr. Jim, the friendly/welcoming congregation, the intern program, music and mission work.
· The Economy and age of the congregation were the top concerns.
· Sixty-five people said they would accept or consider a leadership or supportive role in the capital campaign.
· Eighty-seven percent of the participants would give or consider a gift to a capital campaign.
· The potential money that could be raised in a capital campaign is $500,000 to $700,000.
· Forty-five percent of the participants said they would or would consider including Zion in their will.
· Advice to Zion’s leadership: Communicate, don’t get discouraged, educate members, create multi-purpose rooms, find the right, thoughtful leader, updates need to be done to continue Zion’s growth, don’t do it in phases, and do it in phases.
Next, let me answer some of the more common questions:
So what are our next steps? We need to proceed with a capital campaign to determine the amount of money we can commit to our vision of the proposed building project. Once the total dollars are determined, we can ‘go ahead’ or select an alternative plan developed by the Building and Planning Committee. This is a step by step process. We will have future special congregational meetings that will commit specific dollars to specific tasks.
Will the capital campaign cover the expense of the building project? We won’t know until after the capital campaign. An ad hoc funding committee is looking into bank financing in conjunction with the capital campaign.
How can I help? Zion has a strong tradition of pulling together and getting things done. We foresee many areas for volunteering; working with the capital campaign, office assistance, working on the actual building project, landscaping, praying for those involved in the project, and much more. Watch the Tidings and Sunday bulletins for opportunities!
In Christ’s Service,
Jim Olson
Chair, Zion Council