Fanari Winter Camp held its Junior GOYA session from Friday February 28th to Monday March2nd. Over 70 participants were able to come to the SIRC for this event.
Loyola Academy Held its February Kairos retreat at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center. Over 25 students and staff from Loyola Academy participated in this event which was held at the Tomaras Lodge.
St. Marys Coptic Church held its annual family retreat at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center from Friday February 14th to Sunday February 16th. Over 15 families participated in this annual event.
Metropolis of Chicago Family Synaxis held its annual women’s retreat at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center from Friday February 7th to Saturday February 8th. Over 20 individuals from the Metropolis participated in this event.
The South-East Quilters of Wisconsin held its annual winter retreat at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center from Thursday February 6th to Monday February 10th. Over 30 quilters participated in this event.
Orthodox Christian Fellowship held its first retreat of 2020 at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center. Guests. Over 60 individuals participated in this event which held all meetings in the Log Lodge.
Metropolis of Chicago Family Synaxis held its annual men’s retreat at the St. Iakovos Retreat Center from Friday January 31st to Saturday February 1st. Over 30 individuals participated in this event.
The St. Iakovos Retreat Center held the 2020 St. Marys Coptic Youth Retreat from Friday January 31st to Sunday February 2nd. Over 50 youth participated in this event.
Fanari Winter Camp held its Senior GOYA session from Friday January 17th to Monday January 20th. Over 50 participants were able to come to the SIRC for this event.
Metropolis of Chicago Fanari Camp held its first staff training session from Friday January 1st to Sunday January 12th. Over a dozen counselors and support staff participated in this training program.
The January 2020 edition of The Ark is now available. Please click here to view it or copy and paste the link in your browser.
https://gallery.mailchimp.com/68fd9250d4311948f04416a85/files/326fcb10-c6a3-41c5-96c2-5beaa6132ef9/The_Ark_January_2020.pdf
Gather your friends and family for a fun filled afternoon! The St. Iakovos Retreat Center is teaming up with the Chicago Wolves hockey team as they challenge the Cleveland Monsters! This is a great event to gather your GOYA, YAL, Philoptochos, Seniores, and the entire community! Proceeds from ticket purchases will benefit the St. Iakovos Retreat Center. Please read below for all of the information. If you have further questions, contact us at events@gosirc.org.
Chicago Wolves challenge the Cleveland Monsters
Sunday, February 16, 2020 at 3:00pm
Allstate Arena
*First 100 tickets purchased will receive a free limited edition Greek Night scarf!
*All tickets include ice time after the game! (400 tickets must be sold to be granted access to the ice).
Please click here to purchase your tickets or copy and paste the following link in your browser:
https://offer.fevo.com/chicago-wolves-vs-cleveland-monsters-htuizbz-4f8b9e8
A portion of all ticket purchases benefit the St. Iakovos Retreat Center!
DEPARTMENT: Development / Fundraising
REPORTS TO: St. Iakovos Retreat Center (SIRC) Board of Directors / Fundraising Committee Chairperson
SUPERVISES: None
WORK SCHEDULE: Monday through Friday / 40 hours per week, which will include certain evenings and weekends as required.
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
Contact: SIRC Development Committee / SIRCDevelopment@gmail.com
OVERVIEW
The Development Officer is responsible for the Saint Iakovos Retreat Center’s (SIRC) efforts to manage fundraising and other giving programs. Development officer will also be responsible to work with the events committee to assist planning and executing special events. This position plays an important role by providing fundraising support to the fundraising committee’s chair, SIRC board members and SIRC staff to solicit major restricted, unrestricted and planned gifts. This position will coordinate efforts with key partners including Fanari Camp, The Metropolis of Chicago Council, and regional affiliate groups. The Development Officer is responsible to meet revenue goals and manage expense budgets.
For more information please contact the SIRC Development Committee via email at SIRCDevelopment@gmail.com
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Major Gifts
• Responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of new and current donors including unrestricted, restricted, planned gifts, and campaign gifts for the retreat center.
• Manage a portfolio of donors and prospective donors, developing individualized asks for each. Develop and implement campaign fundraising plans, and other special initiatives.
• Increase awareness about the importance of major gifts at the retreat center with major donor prospects.
• Maintain a visible presence with external audiences including but not limited to presentations to Parishes as well as Orthodox Agencies.
• Maintain donor database and manage donor acknowledgement process
Annual Giving
• Manage donor, cultivation, solicitation and renewal process.
• Oversee development of annual giving plan and donor engagement.
Special Events
• Assist the events committee for the organization, implementation, and execution of Fundraising Special Event.
Planned Giving
• Promote planned and estate giving opportunities.
SUPERVISION & EVALUATION
• Work closely and report to the Board of Directors and/or its representative to schedule a to be determined number of weekly update meetings via the necessary reporting venues.
• Monthly evaluations of productivity with fundraising committee.
• Attend a quarterly board meeting to report on progress.
• To thoughtfully, productively and intelligently develop a donor weekly contact goal number or touches with prospective donors.
QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
• Bachelor’s Degree required. Master’s degree or fundraising certificate preferred.
• Two years of progressive fundraising experience required; Five years preferred. Must have experience in direct solicitation of major gifts.
• Proven track record of achieving financial goals and developing productive and professional relationships with volunteers and support groups involved in the development process.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills, as well as ability to effectively manage and supervise volunteers required.
• An understanding of prospect research and cultivation strategies is required, as well as, experience with personal computers and on-line data.
• Ability to operate general office equipment and to have mobility throughout the SIRC campus, offices and event spaces.
On September 26th, 2019 the St. Iakovos Retreat Center made a presentation during a Plenary Session at the Clergy Laity Assembly which took place in Minneapolis Minnesota. During this presentation members of the Board of Directors spoke on behalf of the retreat center including its history and background, as well as its current financial situation. In person testimonials were given by Mr. Paul Kaors of Minneapolis, sharing the impact and value of the Retreat Center’s Ministry. Lastly, the Retreat Center Board of Directors asked the assembly to continue the parish support of the retreat center for 2020 and 2021, a motion which passed by overwhelming majority.
Additionally, the Board of Directors is seeking support from the Parishes, Philoptochos Chapters and Parishioners of the Holy Metropolis of Chicago for the 2019 budget shortfall of $270,000.00.
It was asked that the materials shared during the presentation be made available on our website so that they can be shared at the parish level. Here you will find all the materials needed to share with your parish. Please note that the presentation deck asks that you watch two videos, this can be done one of two ways; 1) using the link below, click on the title of the video and open the video in a new tab to be played via YouTube. Or, 2) Watch the videos which are embedded directly in this page.
Video’s Via YouTube Link
Just click on the title below and a new browser window will pop open with your video via the Retreat Center’s YouTube Channel.
VIDEO 1: Experience the St. Iakovos Retreat Center
Video 2: Why Should We Own the Retreat Center
Embedded Video’s
Below are both the video’s you are asked to watch through the above decking, just hit play on each video when the desk asks you too!
Video 1: Experience the St. Iakovos Retreat Center
Video 2: Why Should We Own the Retreat Center
The St. Iakovos Retreat Center recently completed an independent audit of the years 2015, 2016, 2017 with the auditing firm Michale Silver. Read the entire audit results by clicking the link below.
The July edition of The Ark is fresh of the press! Please click here to view the Ark and feel free to subscribe below.
The Ark: Delivering the Good News from the St. Iakovos Retreat Center
The St. Iakovos Retreat Center thanks the Board of Directors
Our beloved Fanari Camping Ministry hosted their annual Winter Camp March 22nd- 24th. Over 95 campers stayed in the cabins and enjoyed a weekend of Faith, fun and fellowship while getting a preview of Summer camp.
St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church hosted a Women’s Retreat March 8th-9th. About 25 women stayed in the Tomaras Lodge and enjoyed faith and fellowship amongst each other.