Community college catering class in Myanmar | Myanmar Jesuit Region
Development Officers across the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific (JCAP) held an online meeting on 12 April to discuss the performance of their fundraising programmes, the lights and shadows of the previous year, as well as their learnings, priorities, and desires for the year ahead.
The meeting was organised by JCAP Development Officers Coordinator Helen Forde of Jesuit Mission Australia, and Assistant Coordinators Fr Vids Gornez SJ from JCAP and Gillian Donoghue from Myanmar Region. Participants came from various Jesuit provinces and regions, including Cambodia, Chinese Province, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia-Singapore, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam.
Fr Sebastian Jeerakassery SJ, the General Treasurer of the Society of Jesus, also attended the meeting briefly and shared his observations. He pointed out that while most provinces or regions already have a development office, some lack the administrative support to set in place a fully functioning development office. He also emphasised the need to move from project-based fundraising, which is what many provinces tend to do, to fundraising in support of the Society’s arca funds, in particular for formation, and aged and infirmed Jesuits. He stressed the importance of solidarity among provinces in supporting not only young Jesuits in formation but also elderly Jesuits and the need to build facilities for them.
The presentations highlighted several challenges faced by development officers across the conference, including increasing government regulations, overlapping with local fundraising activities, internal competition in fundraising, and the fact that many Jesuits take on multiple roles in addition to their responsibilities as development officers.
The participants shared their desire for training in setting up a development office, which should cover personnel needs as well as the systems and tools necessary for efficient donor management. Some mentioned the need for mentoring from more established development offices, sharing of best practices in fundraising, and insights on how to maintain good long-term relationships with benefactors.
They also acknowledged the generosity of people, the hope sparked by young people in the ministry, especially in Myanmar, and the importance of Christ-centered fundraising as all resources belong to Christ. It was also noted that support for development work can take different forms, such as people giving their time and prayers, and is not limited to financial contributions.
It was a fruitful, constructive, and productive afternoon for the development officers, including those who are new in their roles. By sharing their initiatives, positive outcomes, desolations, and consolations, the network hopes that this regular meeting of development officers will pave the way for more efficient and effective fundraising programmes in the future, all in the service of the faith.
