Rossschool of Business At

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RossSchool of Business at

the University of Michigan

Community Consulting Club

2005-2006 Project Client Application
GENERAL INFORMATION

Name of Organization:

/ The Society of St. Vincent de Paul in the Archdiocese of Detroit

Address:

/ 3000 Gratiot
Address (cont’d):
City:Detroit / State: MI / Zip Code: 48282
Phone: (313) 393-2930 / Fax: (313) 393-2934 / Email Address:
Organization Website Address:
Name of Primary Project Liaison: Ray Minton
Title/Position: VP – Thrift Store and D.C. Operations
Phone: (313) 790-8044 / Fax: (248) 652-1455 / E-mail Address:
Please describe your agency’s current stage of development (select one):
Start-up Undergoing transition
Growth Crisis
Established
MISSION AND SERVICES
Please check the category that best describes your organization’s mission:
Arts/Culture/Humanities / Human/Social Services
Health / Social Justice
Environment / Other (please describe)
Please provide your organization’s mission statement below (or attach).
Inspired by Gospel values, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a Catholic lay organization, leads women and men to join together to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to the needy and suffering in the tradition of its founder, Venerable Frederic Ozanam, and patron, St. Vincent de Paul. . As a reflection of the whole family of God, Members, who are known as Vincentians, are drawn from every ethnic and cultural background, age group and economic level. Vincentians are united in an international society of charity by their spirit of poverty, humility and sharing, which is nourished by prayer and reflection, mutually supportive gatherings and adherence to a basic Rule.
Organized locally, Vincentians witness God’s Love by embracing all works of charity and justice. The Society collaborates with other people of good will in relieving need and addressing its causes, making no distinction in those serviced, because in them the Vincentians see the Face of Christ.
Please provide a brief history and/or overview of your organization’s work and goals.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul in the Archdiocese of Detroit, empowered by the Gospel values of charity and Justice, and strengthened in our Catholic identity through our national and international links, will be the paramount provider of services and aspire to become a proactive advocate who stands alongside of all those in need, in order to work together toward breaking down barriers that dehumanize.
The Thrift Store Operation supports the mission of the Society by efficiently operating a low-cost resale merchandising business, to provide goods and services for those in need, and an acceptable return to the Society to help fund other programs.
Please describe the programs or services within your organization.
Provide free food, clothing and furniture and assist in housing for those in need, who cannot pay.
Thrift Stores to provide economically priced merchandise to those who are in need.
Community Food Depots.
Summer Camps for underprivileged children.
Car Donation Program.
CONSULTING PROJECT
Please check the category or categories that best describes the type of project:
Strategy / Finance
Business Development / Organizational Change
Marketing / Other ______
Please describe the project that a Community Consulting Club team of 4-6 students could complete for your organization in approximately 10-12 weeks.
Develop the organizational structure staffing requirements needed to support the Thrift Store and Distribution Center Operations for the future. Recommend staffing and training resources that can be used to develop a qualified supervisory, management, and associate staff.
Please list the organization’s goals for the project.
Provide an organizational structure and staff base that will maximize the performance of our Thrift Store Operations, including:

• Donation solicitation
• Donation scheduling, routing, pickup and delivery
• Merchandise processing, marking, and display
• Sales and marketing
• Store operations
• Customer service

Please provide any additional background information about the project that would be helpful to the consulting team. Attach additional documents as needed.
Attached to e-mail.

Thank you for your participation! Please feel free to attach any materials you think would be helpful.

Please submit this application via email to and . If you prefer to submit via U.S. Postal Service, please email or call either of us for postal mailing instructions. Deadline: July 29, 2005.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Mindee ElamJohn McKeown

Vice President – Business DevelopmentVice President – Business Development

(734) 674-4069(734) 277-5764