Programs

Professional In-Service Programs

NATRI & LRCR 2008 National Conference

Hyatt Regency, Denver Colorado

November 18 – 21, 2008

Tourist brochures provide us with the information that Denver was founded in 1858 during “Pikes Peak or Bust Gold Rush.” New beginnings for the city were witness to the history making “Wild West” events that have given us colorful tales of settlers, gold miners, and personalities like Buffalo Bill. Emerging realities present us with a decade of growth in diverse cultures. In the 1990s an average of 1,000 new residents a week settled in Denver. Currently Hispanic and Latino descendents make up 35 percent of the city and African-Americans make up 11 percent. New Beginnings witnessed the Spaniards and Germans designing a cowboy boot from cowhide leather for the settlers who often times spent the whole day in the saddle rounding up cattle. One Emerging Reality from the same Denver area focuses on comfort, relaxation, and color. Yes, Crocs, made of a proprietary closed-cell resin material called Croslite, were born right here in Colorado.

This year’s NATRI Conference theme, “New Beginnings, Emerging Realities” reflects on the past, reviews the present, and begins to help shape the future. The mountains that surround us in this place provide us with a symbol of past progress in developing our religious institutes. Worn down peaks that were subjected to the forces of weather, rivers, glaciers stand beside the relatively newly formed sharp peaks of the Rockies. We are in the New Beginnings phase once again. Emerging Realities, like the mountains, are calling us to wonder, to be creative, to help shape our future.

2008 Conference attendees will begin to experience the Emerging Reality of a single new organization that will combine financial and legal education, advocacy and consultation. Introducing legal presentations into each session of the conference will illustrate the collaboration that is part of the foundation of the soon to be new organization. Dean Carolyn Woo, from the Mendoza College of Business, University of Notre Dame, opens the conference with her keynote on Preparing Lay Leadership for Religious Service Organizations and the evolving Social Agenda of the Private Sector. This will be a presentation that further develops last year’s theme of faith and finance. On Thursday morning Lynn Jarrell, OSU & Dan Ward, OSB, representing our legal partners present a major address on Trends and Challenges for U.S. Diocese and Religious Institutes/Societies.

We will have a chance to pray together and celebrate Eucharistic Liturgy with Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, OFM, Cap of Denver on Thursday afternoon. More evening time is allowed in the program to meet with exhibitors. And we are trying a Friday morning, sit down, buffet style breakfast instead of an evening banquet.

We hope that you will come and join us in this land of Emerging Realities. Come and experience the history of the “Wild West” and the newness of Crocs. Come and learn from members who have experienced the changes from the past and are adapting to ever more Emerging Realities.

Hotel Registration Form

ATTENDEES’ INFORMATION

Program

Registration Form

TRENDS Pre-Conference Workshops Beginners Experienced

Legal Pre-Conference Workshop

TOURS

Information & Registration Form

M ercy Housing Tour

EXHIBITORS’ INFORMATION

Invitation Letter

Registration

SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION

Information

Application

2007 National Conference – Miami, Florida

Session Descriptions with Links to Available Handouts

TUESDAY, November 6

General Session – Keynote

Doing Right in a Shrinking World — Religion vs. Business     Handout

Br. Louis DeThomasis, FSC

In the free-enterprise system the quest for social justice is often overshadowed by the profit driven motivations of business. Brother Louis explores how globalization affects the tension between religion and business. He contends that the golden rule, religious tenets and other static belief systems alone are no longer viable options in our ever-changing world. He explores how we can accomplish ethical agreement between faith and finance.

WEDNESDAY, November 7        Session I: Workshops

WORKSHOP #1:

Protect the Future You Envision with a Business Continuity Plan        Handout

Diane Engstrom

Any organization can experience an unexpected event that interrupts ministry. This session focuses on the information needed to develop a basic business continuity plan that will protect the well being of your organization. Step-by-step instructions and a template will be provided.

WORKSHOP #2:

Adapting Investment Strategies for Changing Times                Handout

Kathleen Hegenbart

What in the current landscape presents us with unprecedented opportunities for a more secure financial future? This workshop discusses how changing times compel us to respond with new strategies for investments and financial issues. Participants will benefit from a better understanding of the historical context from which transformative ideas are born and better outcomes are achieved. A practical step-by-step approach for crafting a well considered plan will be provided.

Workshop #3:

Unification, Consolidation, Reconfiguration, Oh My! What’s a Finance Officer to Do? Handout

Mary Kelly, RSM, Vicki Loring & Jerry Gumbleton

This session discusses financial and operational planning for transition; the finance officer’s role in proactive and effective working relationships with leadership and members; and tactical activities of implementation: lay employees, policies, Sisters’ budgets, and ministry funding.

Workshop #4:

Translating Financial Realities: Reporting the “Numbers” for Various Audiences    Handout

Carol Lichtenberg, SNDdeN & Keith Zekind

This workshop presents practical ideas for reporting and presenting information to leaders, members and various publics. Presenters will share experiences and give useful tips for monthly, quarterly and annual finance sessions.

Workshop #5:

Property and Liability Exposures of the Religious Institutes. Do You Have the Right Insurance?

John Gorski

This seminar identifies the property and liability exposures facing the religious institute today and discusses appropriate risk management techniques. It includes the proper insurance coverage for institute and volunteer liability.

Workshop #6:

Creating a New Future    Handout

Carol Bauer, SC

As laity shares more responsibility for the future of institutional ministry, how will we stimulate commitment to and ensure sustainability of mission and charism? This workshop explores sponsorship, mission, governance, leadership and formation.

Session II: Workshops

Workshop #7:

Strategic Planning for the Spirit Led                Handout 1

Dr. Marisa Guerin

The strategic planning process for a religious institute involves the distinctive way in which it applies its resources to the pursuit of its mission. Strategy encompasses performance organizations like schools and hospitals, and adds the deeper dimension of relational communities of persons. This workshop presents fundamental concepts, practical methods, and examples of strategic planning with faith-based organizations and religious communities.

Workshop #8:

Internal Control Self Assessment                     Handout 1 of 2              Handout 2 of 2

Robert Craig and Susan Hall

Participants will learn how to design and execute an Internal Controls Self-Assessment in order to identify and mitigate control risks that could prevent them from achieving organizational objectives such as: safeguarding assets, compliance with laws and regulations, accuracy in financial reporting, and efficiency and effectiveness of operations. Participants will receive questionnaires and checklists that help identify and control weaknesses in their organization and strengthen internal controls over high risk areas, as well as practical advice implementing appropriate control procedures.

Workshop #9:

An Investment Policy Checklist        Handout 1 of 2                 Handout 2 of 2

Mary L. Tomanek & Julia C. Lanigan, GNSH

This workshop introduces “An Investment Policy Checklist” – a tool that provides guidance and suggestions for an institute investment policy. This document is useful for varying needs of the membership and assists in identifying discussion items for committee driven organizations. It aids the development of consensus for a variety of issues including spending policies, risk tolerance levels, asset allocations, investment philosophy and long term goals, and evaluation.

Workshop #10:

It’s Still about the Mission: Engaging in Development in Challenging Times    Handout

Georgette Lehmuth, OSF

This session addresses current issues and future concerns regarding resource development. Topics include state and federal regulatory issues, accountability and transparency, fundraising costs, postal rates, and donor intent from the perspective of collaboration and shared stewardship for mission.

Workshop #11:

Benchmarking and Monitoring Investment Managers: When to Make a Change?

Handout 1 of 4              Handout 2 of 4              Handout 3 of 4              Handout 4 of 4

James Modelski & James Jensen

Performance measurement and monitoring are critical parts of a sound investment program. This interactive workshop helps fiduciaries through the process of picking the right indices, multiple benchmarks, universe comparisons, portfolio analysis and style analysis. An important focus of the workshop includes when to change an investment manager, what warrants placing an investment manager on a “watch list” status, and what diligence must be done before changing an investment manager.

Workshop #12:

Catching Their Attention with TRENDS    Handout 1 of 3    Handout 2 of 3    Handout 3 of 3

Laura Reicks, RSM

This workshop for experienced TRENDS users explores how to present TRENDS content creatively, including ideas for identifying appropriate data, techniques for moving data to Power Point and Word, use of scenarios, and ways to tailor graphics for your audience.

THURSDAY, November 8

General Session – Keynote

Religious Apostolates, Past and Future: Lessons from the Present Refounding Cycle

Handout

Patricia Wittberg, SC

Throughout its history, religious life has served as a catalyst for addressing emerging needs and problems in a changing society. Thus, in the nineteenth century, religious were involved in operating agencies to care for newly-immigrant and/or urbanized populations. Today the needs have changed and a new theology – either of apostolic institutions or of apostolic religious life – is needed, as well as new organizational models connecting the two. An examination of new or growing religious congregations will reveal some of the challenges to this task.

Session III: Workshops

Workshop #13:

Finance Issues of Members                              Handout

Donna Sauer

This workshop examines frequently asked civil law questions including such issues as: gifts to departing and former members, employees, and others; IRS denial of a member’s deduction for a charitable donation from taxable income; administration of patrimony; credit cards and members; qualifying and maintaining eligibility for SSI/Medicaid; Medicaid Recovery Act and patrimony; and the current provision for the non-taxable donation of IRA funds to charities.

Workshop #14:

Inviting Transformation: Perspectives on Financial Relationships with Members of

Women’s Communities in Developing Nations in a Time of Reconfiguration

Handout

Mary Kelly, RSM

Community members living and ministering beyond the U.S. call us to personal and systemic transformation. This workshop addresses the unique challenges and responsibility that treasurers face in creating and/or adapting financial systems for use beyond the U.S., including the ability to learn another culture and language, identify new priorities, and develop a collaborative perspective.

Workshop #15:

Social Security for Members of Religious Orders                     Handout

Maria Diaz & Frank Medina

Maria Diaz, Public Affairs Specialist from the Miami area Social Security Administration and Al Fatur, Policy Expert in the Office of Income Security Program, will provide an overview of Social Security, SSI and the Medicare Low Income Subsidy Program and how it affects the members of religious orders.

Workshop #16:

Asset Protection – Safeguarding for the Future                        Handout

Keith Zekind, Beverly Erickson, Robert Bamberger

This workshop provides an overview of what asset protection is, and explores money and real estate assets, and your options for protecting these vital assets.

Workshop #17:

Exit Strategies and Dissolution Plans    Handout 1 of 5 Handout 2 of 5 Handout 3 of 5          Handout 4 of 5 Handout 5 of 5

Margaret Mary Cosgrove, BVM

Exit Strategies examines planning for down sizing facilities; deconstructing existing space; and consolidating space. It includes the philosophical context for exiting facilities and questions to consider in down sizing. This workshop also explores what factors need to be considered in planning for dissolution of an organization (mission, charism, philosophy, emotions, finances) and what planning needs to be done to provide for the last members and the assets remaining when the last member dies.

Workshop #18:

The Power of Mission: Working with Lay Boards to Integrate Faith and Finance

Francis G. Coleman

This seminar offers practical advice to help the religious educate their lay counterparts and imbue them with a sense of the religious institute’s charism, Church teachings regarding finance, and the ways in which investing can further the institute’s mission.

Session IV: Workshops

Workshop #19:

Albatross or Eagle? – A look at Religious Institutes’ Buildings            Handout

National Religious Retirement Office

Many religious institute buildings are under-utilized and/or poorly suited for an aging population. This workshop relates NRRO’s Best Practices Study, stories of institutes that have implemented creative solutions, findings of a NRRO Property Focus Group, and suggestions of low-cost initiatives that can make existing buildings more elder-friendly.

Workshop #20:

How Religious Institutes Comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act        Handout

Task Force Members

This examines eight SOX principles: Audit Committee, Document Management, Ethics, Whistleblower Policy, Internal Controls, Certified Statements, Transparency and Board Development. “Best Practices for Religious Institutes” and “Best Practices for Sponsored Works” will be presented, as well as information on these topics that can be implemented easily and cost effectively and which will complement auditor requirements.

Workshop #21:

Slick Tricks for Presentation of TRENDS Excel Data in PowerPoint                  Handout

Elizabeth Worley, SSJ

Features of PowerPoint will be demonstrated including paste linking with Excel for easy updates, application with TRENDS data, and a taste of PowerPoint 2007’s charting capacity. Electronic copies will be available.

Workshop #22:

2007 Introduction to Government Programs: “All Things Work Together”       Handout

Constance Neeson

This seminar describes benefits and basics of benefit eligibility for various Government Programs: Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, Medicare and Medicaid. Topics include distinguishing what is countable as income and assets when applying for benefits, utilizing application process “shortcuts,” locating resources for benefit application, and methods for creating and implementing a plan for managing benefit eligibility within a religious community.

Workshop #23:

Sharing the Charism: Lay Formation and Mission Effectiveness                      Handout

Timothy O’Brien, Ph.D.

This workshop develops the need for religious institutes to provide initial and on-going formation for laity, and examines the concept that mission effectiveness depends on laity who are not only professionally competent, but who understand the heritage and mission of the religious institutes they serve.

THURSDAY, November 8

Session V: Updates

Update #1:

2007 Update: What’s New with Government Programs        Handount

Constance Neeson

This update covers the latest changes in government benefit programs for 2007, including income standards for various programs, Medicare D changes, Patrimony Exemptions in the SSA POMS Manual, and an Addendum to the SSA Authorized Representative Form. Information will assist the Benefit Eligibility Coordinator in managing ongoing participation in government programs.

Update #2:

Advanced Topics in Accounting                       Handout

Sue Novak

This discusses variations of financial statement reporting, accounting and reporting for merged / consolidated communities, common areas of confusion in accounting and reporting, new auditing standards, and key internal control concepts.

Update #3:

Religious Organizations Responsibilities as 501(c)(3)Organizations

Carol Keehan, DC

This update presents the moral and legal responsibility religiously sponsored tax exempt organizations have to be what they claim to be. It examines The Catholic Health Association’s successful initiative to address this assurance in a consistent and credible way, and shares their methodology which can be utilized by health care and non healthcare ministries.

Update #4:

Trends in Developing a Comprehensive Wellness Program for the Elderly      Handout

Catherine Keevey

This update looks at the overall planning needed for a wellness approach to care of the elderly and the shift from a medical model to a patient centered and a holistic model. It includes developing a philosophy of aging, the role of non-medical interventions and the inter-relatedness of mind, body, spirit, and implications for budgeting for services and programs.

Update #5:

Conference Evaluation through the Lens of Small Community Treasurers and Leadership

Mary Rochelle Guertal, OSST

This session requests feedback which will help NATRI better serve and to reach out to small communities. It includes an evaluation of the pre-session meeting for small communities in regard to the conference experience, and asks for ideas in shaping future NATRI local workshops and consultations that will assist the ministry of the finance office in small communities.

2007 Conference Tape / CD Order Form



Orientation to Financial Management of Religious Institutes

A seminar for Financial and Leadership Personnel of Religious Institutes

OFM 2008 Booklet