Possible Scenarios for Students
Oasis Ministries (www.oasismin.org)
We are a small non-profit that has been around for over 20 years. We teach people
contemplative prayer practices and offer training in spiritual direction. We employ three
part-time people, and could use some fresh eyes and youthful assistance with regard to our
organization. Below are some possible scenarios for students/classrooms to offer
suggestions, insight and wisdom. Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Rev. Cindy Garis, Executive Director
MARKETING/COMMUNCATION
1. Oasis Ministries is a small non-profit organization that has been in the area for over
20 years. Their mailing list is about 2500 and their email list is about 850. Typically,
Oasis has sent mailings to its list, and worked through some local ‘councils of
churches’ to get its word out. Its operating budget is approximately $165,000
annually, with relatively nothing for advertising and marketing. Develop a marketing
plan to help Oasis expand its reach by 10% or more in the next year. (Identify the
costs to the organization.)
2. Oasis Ministries has wrestled with how to communicate its message with the world.
It has determined that its mission is:
Oasis Ministries is a contemplative community that invites people to
experience God in their daily lives.
We do this by:
- Providing training in spiritual direction
- Educating in mindfulness and prayer practices
- Offering retreat opportunities for groups and communities
a) In what ways might Oasis communicate better both with people in typically
religious circles and those not necessarily familiar with spiritual language?
b) Review Oasis programs at www.oasismin.org and develop a new general brochure
for the organization.
3. Oasis is considering a capital campaign to help with the costs for enhancing its
communication with the world. Identify the costs Oasis might expect with
developing new graphics/logos, slogans, glossy brochures, and advertising for each
of its programs (Contemplative Living, Spiritual Direction for Spiritual Guides,
Leading Contemplative Gatherings, Returning to the Well, and Deepening Year for
Direction Ministries).
Option 1: develop/create graphics, logos, slogans/taglines for one of these
programs.
Option 2: write a press release for one of these primary programs, as well as for
Souls on the Journey (Oasis book retreats) and for the Bring Many Names day
retreat.
TECHNOLOGY/MARKETING
1. Oasis Ministries is a program, like a retreat facility without the facility. They rent and
borrow space as needed. Oasis is interested in creating a “virtual home.” What are
the questions Oasis needs to consider in order to create a virtual community?
Identify the tools they need and the costs involved.
2. Oasis Ministries has come into the 21st century through the back door. To save
costs, the webmaster is a self-taught, in-house person who uses Microsoft Frontpage.
Visit www.oasismin.org.
a. Suggest ways in which Oasis might enhance their web presence for it to be
more user-friendly and inviting.
b. What costs can Oasis expect if it “out-sources” it web development and
maintenance?
c. Identify on-line resources and/or other software that might be helpful for
Oasis to use if their web design stays “in-house”.
Practical application/experience opportunities: Develop a new website for Oasis.
3. Oasis Ministries is a small non-profit organization that has been in the Mid-Atlantic
region of the United States for over 20 years. They teach people contemplative
prayer practices and offer training in spiritual direction. Their mailing list is about
2500 and their email list is about 850. How might Oasis use email marketing, social
networking, and direct mail to expand its database and presence?
TECHNOLOGY
Oasis Ministries is a small non-profit organization that has been in the Mid-Atlantic
region of the United States for over 20 years. They teach people contemplative prayer
practices and offer training in spiritual direction. Oasis employs three part-time people:
Executive Director, Director of Training and Program, and an Administrative Assistant.
Their mailing list is about 2500 and their email list is about 850. Its operating budget is
approximately $165,000 annually, with 20% coming from unrestricted contributions.
Oasis Ministries rents a space in a church for its contemplative community (2 desks, two
PCs). One of its employees lives over an hour away (MAC user), and many of its 15member Board of Directors live out of the area.
1. What kind of “cloud” technology is available to Oasis? Identify the costs and
benefits
2. What are the costs and technology requirements involved in setting up an in-house,
wireless network with remote access? Identify the security concerns and solutions.
3. Oasis would like to hold video conferences with committee members and staff.
What is required and what might it cost?
4. Oasis Ministries would like to establish on-line classrooms for some of their
programs. What does Oasis need in order to do so?
Practical application/experience opportunities: Set up a wireless network and backup
system for Oasis.
NON-PROFIT MANAGEMENT
Oasis Ministries is a small non-profit organization that has been in the Mid-Atlantic region
of the United States for over 20 years. They teach people contemplative prayer practices and
offer training in spiritual direction. Oasis employs three part-time people: Executive
Director, Director of Training and Program, and an Administrative Assistant. Their mailing
list is about 2500 and their email list is about 850. Its operating budget is approximately
$165,000 annually, with 20% coming from unrestricted contributions.
Oasis has successfully transitioned from its founder who retired 3 years ago. However, it is
now looking at ways to improve its business practices. Its mission:
Oasis Ministries is a contemplative community that invites people to
experience God in their daily lives.
We do this by:
- Providing training in spiritual direction
- Educating in mindfulness and prayer practices
- Offering retreat opportunities for groups and communities
Help Oasis with its improvement and self-evaluation by:
a. Identifying what a new start-up ministry might need for their business plan…
are their benchmark percentages and practices any non-profit should strive to
meet?
b. Reviewing present financials, budget and program pricing, and suggesting
areas of improvement
c. Developing a plan for fundraising and development, including capital
campaigns and e-campaigns.