As predicted, this has been a year of transition and growing pains for PSALM. As we began to
examine fundraising opportunities, it became clear to me that other aspects of the organization had to
be put in place first for PSALM to become more fundable.

MEMBERSHIP
I chose to direct my initial efforts towards membership, since membership is the heart of the
organization and a significant portion of PSALMs financial base. In July 2002, right before the All
American Council of the OCA, we revised the membership categories, adding two different Parish
Memberships, as well as several other options for individuals. Also in July 2002, for the first time,
we sent out renewal notices to the existing membership. This action, and our presence for one week
in a booth at the All American Council had a big influence on the increase in membership numbers
this past year.

Also in time for the All American Council we developed a PSALM brochure, which has been
distributed by Board members and Advisory Council members at various workshops and events
throughout the past year to promote PSALM mission and goals. Since marketing, public relations
and general public awareness of the organization impact fundraising, we have begun to work on these
areas to set the stage for successful fundraising.

SOLICITATION LETTER
In October of 2002, we sent to our membership and donor list the first ever request for a donation. It
makes good sense to approach the membership and Friends of PSALM once a year for a donation,
over and above their membership dues. I would recommend that, in the future, this annual request be
made for a specific project, rather than be a general request.

STRATEGIC PLANNING
Since fundraising for large projects needs to begin one to two years prior to implementation, it
became evident to me that PSALM needed to develop a long-range plan that would enable the Board
and staff to fundraise effectively. I also sensed that there was a need for consensus within the Board
about which specific needs PSALM would address in the next several years. In an attempt to
encourage the Board of Directors to more clearly articulate PSALMs core values and priorities, I
recommended that we begin a strategic planning process in early 2003. The Board met for a
weekend in Santa Rosa, California, and with the assistance of a facilitator (Fr. John Reeves) we
began the exciting work of developing a plan for the next three years. While this plan is still in
process, the strategic planning session in California made it crystal clear that PSALM needed to
develop an administrative structure that would support its many wonderful goals. A committee was
formed in March 2003 to study administrative and staffing needs and to present a proposal to the
Board of Directors. Clarifying this structure will greatly enhance PSALMs ability to actualize its
goals for the next three years.

VOLUNTEERS
The planning process has precipitated the need for an aggressive campaign to recruit qualified
volunteers to staff the new committees that are being formed. This campaign will continue