Business Office Forums

Business Office Forums are informational meetings held three times annually by the Diocesan Finance Department and are intended for parish and school office staff. The meetings cover a variety of topics, including accounting procedures, technology, employee benefits, property management, security, risk management, insurance, and general best practices.

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• ^CANCELLED Thursday, December 11, 2025 -NEOLA due to inclement weather

RESCHEDULED 

• Thursday, December 18, 2025 -COUNCIL BLUFFS: St Patrick Catholic Church

^{RSVP & Add to Calendar}

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Resources & Content from our Business Office Forums

All the content discussed at the business offices forums can be found below. If something is missing, you can contact Jessica Holcomb at jholcomb@dmdiocese.org.

September 2025 ALL DAY Business Office Forum

Catholic Mutual -Safety & Security was presented by Dustin Heino. Mission Work Trips-Service Projects 11 or more Passenger Vehicle Usage Safety & Security Guide Vehicle Selection Quick Reference Guide Please access the Cares Library through CMG Connect for training materials. You'll need to signup for an account to access content. In "Additional Resources," please find the Parish Safety & Security Guide. Also recommended to watch the video "Critical Incidents: Preparation and Response." Deacon Jim Houston presented on the Permanent Diaconate. Electronic Banking presented by West Bank. Paper checks put you most at risk for fraud. Electronic payments have the most security and fraud protection capabilities when reviewed daily. CFSWIA Investment Opportunities presented by Sue McEntee and Reid Bailey of Morgan Stanley. Additional information can be found on their website.  Renny Crawford from Stewardship & Development presented on the Annual Diocesan Appeal. Sierra Freeman & Eileen Valdez from Human Resources & Safe Environment presented on the Employee Lifecycle; covering: recruiting, onboarding, resources and separation. Internal Reviews are done by Scott Smyth. Please reach out if you have any questions regarding audits or controls. Laura Hofstrand, Controller for the Diocese, presented on changes to the Resource Manual specific to Section 405 Paylocity.

May 2025 Business Office Forum

"Request for Permissions" and Service Agreement by Bob Larson Closing the Fiscal Year presentation & Checklist for Closing the Fiscal Year in ParishSOFT by Lisa Triplett Tech Survey for Cyber-Liability Insurance Review by Greg Miller Information Systems Security Best Practices/Minimum Requirements guide. Proposed Deanery by Fr. David Fleming Fidelity Frequently Asked Questions handout. 403(b) plan related questions should be directed to Fidelity.

December 2024 Business Office Forum

Facility Usage & Safety by Norm Bormann Onboarding, I-9s and the FLSA by Eileen Valdez Annual Financial Review Report by Jane Gaffney Year End Tasks/Restricted Accounts/Q&A by Laura Hofstrand & Lisa Triplett

September 2024 ALL DAY Business Office Forum

Cyber Security by Greg Miller Development & DFSWIA Investment Opportunities by Laura Holmes & Sue McEntee Computer Virus-a real cyber security event at St. Boniface in Waukee-George McNulty Fillable Funeral Planning Guide Morgan Stanley Funds Transfer Service (ORIGINAL ACH form) Investment Time Horizons CFSWIA Statement of Investment Policy Diocesan Strategic Visioning & Tool Kits by John Gaffney Parish Discernment Process Pastoral Priorities -English or Spanish Strategic Plan Implementation Human Resources & Safe Environment by Eileen Valdez Building Projects, Safety, Security & Insurance by Norm Bormann Paylocity & 403B by Laura Hofstrand AFR's, Insurance & Accounting Q&A by Finance Staff