The Four Essential Types of Parish Planning
There is a saying about parish planning which has become quite popular: "parishes that fail to plan, plan to fail." The saying is mostly directed to long-range planning but there are other essential types of parish planning which may qualify as well. The four essential types of parish planning are:...
Reminiscing with Neal Meitler
The Meitler origin story is not what you'd expect of a company marking its 50th year. Listen to the story in Neal's own words. Do you have a favorite Meitler memory? We'd love to hear it.
Successful Data-Based Enrollment Management in the Diocese of Richmond
Everyone who has worked with Meitler knows we don't like to guess. We rely on the quantitative and qualitative data that forms the foundation for all planning. We recently partnered with one of our long-time friends, the Diocese of Richmond, in updating their comprehensive data report. We are delighted to...
Meitler at 50: Reflecting on the amazing clients we have met!
I am in awe that Meitler is celebrating 50 years of service to the Catholic Church through its schools and parishes. The lives that are touched, the challenges met, and the transformation that takes place then and now is remarkable. The dream given form by Neal Meitler and all who...
Ideas for Parish Evangelization Efforts
From a previous blog, you are aware that the Catholic community until recently did not have to concern itself with evangelization efforts. Immigration and birthrate filled our churches and parish rosters. Today, most evangelization efforts in Catholic parishes are directed toward making intentional disciples and then sending them to evangelize...
Our Strategic Alliance
Our strategic partnership with Ruotolo Associates will deliver seamless services for our clients, from data collection and analysis to creating the strategic plan to capital campaign and full implementation of fundraising and development services. Our job is to take care of the organizations who hire us and make sure their...
Meitler Minute
It's already back to school time! The entire Meitler team wishes each school a blessed school year, and that the coming year is filled with the presence of our Lord. We look forward to watching your schools grow and thrive in 2021-2022. We are here to support you in any...
Triangulation and Pentecost Listening
"Be assured we will always triangulate the data" is a phrase used by the Meitler team when working with our clients. We triangulate the data to ensure we are not dealing with outliers and are accurately reporting the quantifiable and qualitative data collected. More specifically, a survey reveals information that...
Meitler at 50 – Formation
My consulting career started in 1970 with an MBA in finance, six years of experience in a General Motors HR department, and a willingness to take some risks. However, with no experience in consulting, no sales experience, and zero knowledge of Catholic schools and churches, it is a "God story"...
Why Strategic Planning?
When you have a map, you know where you're going and how you're going to get there. This is a great time to develop a strategic plan for your organization to have that map. Our experienced team can help you clarify your organization's goals, then develop and guide your community...
Evangelization Then and Now
The notion of a Catholic church in the United States which evangelizes was not a common understanding for most Catholics in the past. From the days of the earliest Catholic settlers to the latter part of the twentieth century, the church grew primarily through immigration and birthrate. The church also...
Dreams of Parishes Future
The July of 2020 document from the Congregation for Clergy in Rome which issued a new instruction on parish reform refers to the current model of parish as "no longer measuring up to most people's expectations" and "outdated." To become a more missionary and evangelizing parish, the document states, will...
Meitler Minute
Meitler consultants are back to meeting with parishes and schools in person to listen to their visions for the future. Virtual meetings are good, and they definitely serve a purpose, but nothing beats meeting face-to-face to feel the energy and passion people have for their schools and parishes!
It’s In The Numbers
Figures often beguile me, particularly when I have the arranging of them myself; in which case the rework attributed to Disraeli would often apply with justice and force: "there are three kinds of lies: lies, damn lies, and statistics. -Mark Twain Mark Twain's and Disraeli's observations on data and statistics...
National Catholic School Mentorship Program Reflections with Dr. Mazie McCoy
Enrollment management, both new enrollment and retention, is one of the primary concerns of Catholic School leadership. Dr. Mazie McCoy developed a strong plan for Corpus Christi Catholic School with support from her peers at the National Catholic School Mentorship program and Meitler consultants.
Meitler Minute
Why is now the right time to make a plan? Planning helps differentiate between "urgent" and "important." Planning articulates a vision that pastors, lay leadership, and principals will use as a basis for making decisions about organizing and utilizing resources. We would be happy to meet with you to show...
Is Getting Money Really That Hard?
I accepted my first principal position in 2000. I was excited at the prospect of leading and creating a culture of learning and continuous school improvement. I set my focus on developing a comprehensive plan for curriculum and instruction, expanding programming, and onboarding new staff. With my skilled and dedicated...
The Growing Number of Nones
Your eyes are not deceiving you. The title neither refers to "nuns" nor is it a misspelling. For the first time in the history of the United States, a 2020 Gallup poll has revealed that only 47% of American adults said they were members of a church, mosque or synagogue. ...
Program Reflections with Principal Jessica Saglio
Jessica Saglio, Principal at Our Lady of Carmel School in Bristol, Rhode Island, is a member of the National Catholic School Mentorship Program's first cohort. Hear how her school has benefitted from connecting and working together with other Catholic school leaders from across the country.
Meitler Minute
We all love to nurture things and see them grow. How can you help your parish grow? Mark Kemmeter has decades of experience and insights that can help your parish add new members without simply pulling Catholics from another parish, or waiting for new Catholics to move into town. Mark...
