Catholic Academy for Communication Arts Professionals at 1645 Brook Lynn Dr., Ste 2, Dayton, OH 45432-1933 US - CA President's Annual Report

Anaheim

May 27-29, 2009

 

Dear Catholic Academy Colleagues:

 

            On behalf of the Catholic Academy Board of Directors, I express a warm welcome as we gather for our annual assembly, this year in Anaheim. A great amount of work went into putting together this year’s program. The planning began early last year. As someone who has put together these national assemblies, I know the multitude of challenges faced by those working with the hotel, plenary speakers and workshop facilitators. It’s no easy task with constant changes the name of the game. I am very grateful to the planning committee, with a special nod to the CA members who were involved, Larry Rich and John Feister, who joined Planning Committee Chair Dan Pitre in including sessions requested by CA members. We have a solid program this year with cross-over possibilities for both CA and CPA participants.

 

            Our annual gathering is the time when the Board reports on the status of the organization. The membership of CA is holding firm at just under 200 members, where it’s been for the last few years. Financially, we are living day-to-day, due in large part to a drop in the Gabriel Award entries.

 

            Funding for the organization comes from three primary sources, membership fees, award entries and sponsorship of the Gabriel Awards. Family Theater Productions has been the sponsor of the annual Personal Achievement Award for at least a dozen years. These past four years, Faith & Values, now Odyssey Networks, has also been a sponsor of the Gabriels. We are grateful to both organizations and to others, which have contributed from time to time, as their budgets allowed.

 

            As we are well aware, the economic crisis is impacting every aspect of our economy, including broadcasting. Staff reductions and cutbacks are being felt across the industry. As a result, one of the line items impacted is award entries. We feared that and saw that concern being realized as the deadline for entries neared. We contacted several regular entrants and found that to be the case. We had several potential entrants ask if we could forego the fee this year. As a result, we decided to offer a two for one entry fee and to reduce the price of a single fee. We came to find out that other organizations that offer rewards were doing the same. That helped increase the number of entries, but at a reduced income. That translates into walking a fine line in an already bare-bones budget. However, we are not the only Church organization facing similar problems and tight budgets.

 

            This past year, the Board began working on a strategic plan. That work is not yet complete. Of the initiatives under review, we have members who, because of their expertise, can be of considerable help in accomplishing these initiatives. Therefore we are asking for your help. We have an organization full of gifted people, leaders in Church communication, whose talents and experience can be of benefit to CA members with a small commitment of one, two or three hours a month. Can you help? We will discuss initiatives under consideration at this business meeting and welcome your input.

 

            May these few days we share together be enriching as well as relaxing as we renew old friendships and begin new ones.

 
In Christ,

Frank Morock