SAGINAW — The Most Reverend Joseph Cistone, Bishop of Saginaw, and Mr. Jerome Blaxton, President of the Catholic Community Foundation of Mid-Michigan (CCFMM), jointly announced a re-alignment of personnel for the diocesan Development Office and the Foundation.
Dan McKune, currently the Director of the Development Office for the Diocese and Executive Director of the CCFMM, has been appointed to Executive Director of the CCFMM on a full time basis. Colleen Rabine, currently Director of Events and Community Affairs for the Diocese, has been appointed to Marketing Director, including administrative responsibilities, for the CCFMM on a full time basis.
Patti Suppes, currently the Office Assistant to the diocesan Development Office and to the CCFMM, has been appointed to the diocesan Development Office on a full time basis.
These three assignments will be effective beginning in October, 2016.
Annette O'Brien, currently Director of Stewardship, Planned Giving and the Catholic Services Appeal (CSA) Marketing, several months ago informed the Diocese that she had elected to retire in June, 2016, following 22 years of service to the Diocese.
In the upcoming weeks, the Diocese will initiate a process of seeking a director for the diocesan Development Office, as well as someone to assume the responsibilities presently performed by Ms. O'Brien.
In the Fall of 2015, Bishop Cistone enlisted the assistance of Community Counseling Service (CCS) to evaluate the effectiveness of development operations within the Diocese and make recommendations on adjustments that would enhance financial giving and stewardship opportunities for the Diocese, parishes and CCFMM. Separating staff resources so that the Development Office and the Foundation each have independent personnel was one of several recommendations offered by CCS to Bishop Cistone. This affirms the Foundation's judgment that the work and assets of the Foundation have grown in such a way that a full time director is required.
CCS's evaluation was extensive. In addition to reviewing diocesan financial giving data, CCS also interviewed diocesan staff, parish leadership, CCFMM leadership, donors, and volunteers to gather perceptions, advice and insights on fundraising initiatives.
Bishop Cistone discussed these findings with diocesan staff, including the diocesan Development Office, as well as the Diocesan Finance Council and the Foundation's Board of Trustees, all of whom supported this re-alignment.
Catholic Community Foundation of Mid-Michigan (CCFMM), a nonprofit organization formed in 2006, supports the ministries of the Diocese of Saginaw and its parishes, Catholic schools, agencies and affiliated organizations. The Foundation continues to grow and today it develops and manages approximately $24 million to secure and further the work of Jesus Christ in our communities.
Community Counseling Service (CCS) is a nationally (internationally) recognized agency specializing in fundraising, development services and strategic counseling. Members of the CCS team include executive consultants and resident campaign directors, as well as research, communication, planned giving, and campaign support personnel.