PARISH DIRECTORY COMPILATION

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Accumulate information and compile a Parish address/telephone directory of everyone in the parish, with or without photographs of families.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Some kind of parish directory is needed for many purposes by parish organizations committee chairmen and other leaders. Most parishes probably already have some form of a card file and/or a directory that includes the names of those in the family along with address and telephone number. Some parish directories include family photos, ages of children and whether or not people are baptized or confirmed members. Directories have been compiled in many cases by Brotherhood chapters and we feel a photo directory is a valuable asset for parishes.

HOW IT WORKS

Parishioners usually need not be contacted if family photos are not used, although this would present an opportunity to call people just to let them know a directory is being prepared and to check parish records. A directory including family photos requires that the family come to the parish or another central location for the photo taking. This kind of directory is especially practical if some member of the parish can do the photographing without charge for his or her time. Parishioners could be asked to pay a small amount to order a copy of the directory. This would pay for the cost of materials. It may also be desirable to list the place or name of the company where the husband and/or wife works and the birth dates of children under 21. This could be obtained when people come for their photo. Whatever is done, a reasonable completion deadline date needs to be set and held to.

HOW TO GET STARTED

After a chapter decision to compile a directory, the approval of the rector and vestry should be obtained. It might be helpful in selling the idea to prepare a sample directory of Brotherhood members to show what a parish directory would look like.

Since printing the directory would be the largest cost item, an estimate of costs including the price directories would sell, for should be estimated and included in the proposal to the Vestry. If the project is approved, it should be publicized well in the parish prior to telephone calls for information and scheduling for photos.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

None

Last Update 03-31-2007