Communications

The purpose of the Communications and Information Technology Department is: 

• Provide a connective link between the Conference staff and ministries, the churches, lay leaders and clergy, congregations, other agencies of the General Conference, and future disciples of The United Methodist Church, through an appropriate mix of communications tactics to best reach these audiences.
• Provide a source for information, news, ideas, joys and concerns, tools, training and more for Wisconsin United Methodist clergy, lay leaders and members.
• Encourage ongoing dialogue among the different audiences and participation in conversations about topics and events of interest.
• Provide a primary point of access to Wisconsin United Methodists for persons/agencies on the General Conference level.
• Direct, administer and provide maintenance for the Conference's multi-level communications network. Provide technical support and consultation in conjunction with other conference agencies/boards/committees for our Annual Conference sessions and other Conference events, and integration of communication resources throughout the Annual Conference.
• Provide a primary point of access to the workings of the Wisconsin Conference UMC for both secular news and religious media, and other organizations.
• Provide multiple avenues of outreach to the wider Wisconsin community.
• Provide Conference leadership through the Full Cabinet and Connectional Table.

To meet our mission for the greater ministry of The United Methodist Church, we have established many goals and strategies for Communications and IT:

• Develop communication efforts that will support and integrate the Live the Fruit of the Spirit messaging, the Imagining Wisconsin Anew initiatives, as well as Bishop Jung's Fruit Producing strategy (shifting focus from "scarcity" to "abundance," shifting from "retention" to "recruitment," and celebrating the gifts of all God's people.) on both a local and more global level. Ensure these messages and focuses are woven into our Wisconsin Conference's communications.
• Plan and implement an ongoing communications strategy with supporting tactics to promote our mission and vision, and provide a connective link with the Conference, clergy, lay leaders, congregations and potential disciples. Tactics will include, but are not limited to:
  • Website
  • Enews
  • Printed literature
  • Soul Food message and social media
  • Public relations (both secular and non-secular)
  • Communication tools/materials for events, such as banners, displays
  • Audio/visual presentations, YouTube, Flickr and U-Stream sites
  • Face-to-face meetings and webinars
• Continue to promote several key events and initiatives for the Wisconsin Conference to ensure their success and support
• Solicit and share stories of best practices witnessed in churches, circuits, organizations and districts in Wisconsin.
• Continue to provide research and training as needed for UMC initiatives.
• Develop and promote tools (both those created by the Wisconsin Conference and the general church boards and agencies) to help clergy and lay leaders in their ministry.
• Continue to provide Help Desk IT consulting for clergy and lay leaders.
• Maintain appropriate level of computer and IT infrastructure and support for Conference staff and regional offices. We will continue to communicate policies and procedures to ensure centralized purchasing of computers and software. We will also continue to stay abreast of emerging technologies and launch/invest in them as appropriate.