Eastern Mennonite School - Shenandoah Yearbook (Harrisonburg, VA)

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Richard L. Benner BA Director of Development lames V. Bishop BA Director of Media Relations Norman H. Derstine ThB Director of Church Relations Carl B. Harman BS Director of Alumni Relations Samuel Z. Strong MA Director of Deferred Giving 31

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 Development is precisely what the word implies — we are planning the future of this institution, stated Richard Benner, director of Development. In this context, the role of the Development Division becomes much broader than merely a front for fund raising. Ideally, fund raising should be at the end of a long progression of planning and projection rather than a haphazard scramble for money when a need suddenly arises. This year, the Development staff gave priority to ideas, projections, and long-range planning. Pointing out the crisis-planning nature of EMC Development in previous years, Benner stressed that proper develop- ment is being twenty-five years ahead. In putting this philosophy into concrete practice, the Development personnel worked closely with department chairmen to ascertain their dreams and visions for the future and drew up concrete proposals for facilities needed in the next decade. The Develop- ment Office then increased contacts with foundations in attempts to finance their proposals. Capital projects studied this year included chapel renovation and a field house. To carry out these plans for the future, continued support was needed from communities outside of EMC. Media, Church and Alumni Relations departments strengthened communication channels with their con- stituencies. The Media Relations Office increased production of television specials and ran more advertising for EMC in nationally-distributed maga- zines. The Alumni staff encouraged community involve- ment in EMC by placing responsibility for regional chapters under the Alumni Association. The Church Relations director strengthened ties with congregations through increased extension team contacts. Development planning session 30

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EXTENSION TEAMS Norman Derstine The greater spiritual interest among students and their willingness to bridge the gap between the college and the institutional church increased this year's extension team involvement. Student-faculty teams gave programs in Pennsylvania and Ohio throughout the year. After attending an EMC team program, one pastor commented, I hope we can have teams like this visit a lot more churches. Our people are hungry for this type of reconciliation with the seemingly foreign college world. Norman Derstine, director of Church Relations, responsible for coordinating the teams, said, Our goal is to inform outside churches about how Cod is moving among young people. The teams' unstructured prayer and praise services were characteristic of their increased effort to get audi- ences involved and to remain open to the Spirit's leading. One student said, In our planning sessions we are unified as we share and spend hours in prayer. It is this core unity and our open spirit that frees the congregation to risk honesty with us. Each program is unique as Cod meets the special needs of each congregation. Participants discovered that in sharing faith with others, their own faith grew and matured. Sandy Yoder, Phil Mininger