| EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY
M & M International
was retained by Our Lady Queen of the World Roman Catholic
Church of the Archdiocese of Toronto, to conduct a Planning
Feasibility Study to investigate the support from parishioners
for a $1,650,000 financial campaign to fund the work
prescribed by the building committee.
Study Findings
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Our Lady Queen of the World is a wonderfully warm and
faithful parish community. Parishioners cited the friendliness
and fellowship of the parish as strengths. The respondents
also cited a community that is warm and welcoming in
addition to the pastoral leadership of Father Michel.
The church, as a spiritual home and the Roman Catholic
tradition were valued aspects of Our Lady Queen of the
World
The forty four (44) respondents had a total number
of 797 years of association with the parish. M &
M interviewed parishioners with as little as 1 year
of experience to a maximum of 50 years. The average
was 18.53 years which is a representative sample.
On balance parishioners are very happy with the overall
state of the parish: Specific strengths are:
• Fr. Michel & Fr. Anthony
• Strong faith community; strong pastoral team
• Very positive spirit in the air
• Getting youth involved; choirs
• More life with this pastoral team
• Relaxed & Welcome
When asked what weaknesses were present, most respondents
cited the physical aspects of the buildings. The parking
lot, basement and lack of fellowship opportunities due
to a dysfunctional kitchen and hall were major weaknesses.
• Parking lot
• Building old and needs work
• Priests aren't living on premise - not accessible
• Church building needs attention
• Disrepair of building and sidewalks and flooding
• Lack of young families
• Few youth
• Ageing parishioners
Case for Support
In summary, 89% of respondents were graded
as positive towards the overall plan as outlined in
the Case for Support, as appraised by
the M & M International interviewing associate.
Respondents are extremely supportive of the plans, as
outlined in the Case for Support, and eighty-two (82%)
percent were aware or somewhat aware of the needs. Seventy-five
percent (75%) of respondents were fully supportive while
seven (7%) percent were somewhat supportive of the needs
described.
Overall, respondents believe that the work described
in the Case for Support is important and necessary.
When it comes to the issue of groundwater seepage, re-grading
the site and roof repair, the overwhelming majority
are supportive of the work. Respondents were careful
to prioritize the work and there are some clear areas
of support. In addition to the water issue, life safety,
family friendly washrooms and handicapped or motion
challenged access to the basement is seen to be a priority.
The remaining elements in the Case for Support were
all mentioned as “important”, however, they
received fewer high priority indications.
“Other needs”
that require funding were difficult to identify by respondents.
Respondents cited the parking lot and replacement of
the carpet in the sanctuary as the two leading priorities.
Finally, one half (50%) of participants felt that a
campaign in support of the needs identified in the case
would be a high philanthropic priority 
In all, participants strongly support a financial campaign
initiative at this time. Participants are in favour
of the building infrastructure projects. Building maintenance
and a well maintained infrastructure is extremely important
to the respondents. However, many also feel that the
community can be best supported if the basement is improved
with kitchen and basements renovations and the benefits
that come with an enhanced narthex. Eighty-one percent
(81%) of respondents are supportive of the plans while
another eleven percent (11%) are somewhat supportive.
Parishioners have a very good sense for what they consider
the most important aspects of their church at this time,
the building itself.
It’s important to note
that these results may not bear up under the weight
of a broader cross section that includes the “naysayers”.
Many from this constituent group chose not to attend
the interview sessions. They feel that a new church,
even located on the same site, is a preferred option
to spending $2,000,000 on restoration and renovation
projects. However, they are not informed about the basic
good health of the building structures as detailed in
the building audit. And many are not aware of the defining
issues that led to the decision to undertake the renovations.
Leadership
Leadership and volunteerism can be increasingly more
difficult when it comes to launching a campaign today.
People often prefer to write a cheque to volunteering
their time in support of the parish. Complicating this
factor is the aging population found in many parish
churches today. Our Lady Queen of the World has some
of these issues; being a parish of some 1200 families
which tend to draw on many of the same people for leadership
activities. This community is one defined by the commute
to work and the fatigue that comes from a full day of
driving to and from the office; not to mention the work
that is found there. Support for participation as a
volunteer was rated by an M & M associate was seventy
percent (70.45% excellent and good) shows that people
appear capable of lending support to a capital campaign.
Campaign leadership potential was lower at approximately
forty five percent (45%) of respondents rated as good
or outstanding as a Chair. These numbers are average
and do not, on their own, indicate that there is an
issue for volunteering at this stage.
Goal Attainability
Participants were extremely optimistic about the attainability
of a $2,000,000 goal with eighty five (85%) percent
stating “YES” and “MAYBE”.
Participants suggested that people in
the parish are very generous and have the financial
resources and commitment which would ensure attainment
of the goal. However, a range of goals of $1,000,000
to $1,200,000 was indicated by respondents if they did
not feel that the $2.0 million goal was attainable.
Financial Support
A very high proportion, ninety-six percent (96%) of
participants would consider a financial gift to a campaign
at Our Lady Queen of the World. Eighty six percent (86%)
of participants disclosed an amount while an additional
fourteen percent (14%) of respondents preferred to withhold
their gift amount at this time.
Other
Participants were eager to offer opinions and suggestions
that would support the successful implementation of
a campaign. Increased communication of plans was highlighted.
These are threads common to many church initiatives.
Fourteen (14%) percent of respondents said that they
would or possibly would consider PAG for their regular
offertory and thirty six (36%) percent would or may
consider PAG for their financial campaign gift. PAG
is already available at Our Lady Queen of the World
with eleven percent (11%) of participants indicating
they are already using this method.
Fourteen (14%) percent have left a gift to the church
in their will. When asked if they would consider leaving
a gift in their will, nine percent (9%) said “YES
while forty five percent (45%) said “MAYBE”.
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