Minutes of the Communications Committee Meeting

Minutes of the Communications Committee Meeting 4 March 2004

Present: Pat Elliot, G.R. Davis, Rosemary Bergeron, Chris Voso, Clayton Bankston, Paul Strelow, Richard Avery, Joe Fierova, Nick Nichols, Michel Staggs, Fr. Chuck Snopeck.

Persons who signed up during the Ministry Fair but were not in attendance at this meeting: Robert Mason, Cynthia Elliot, Nan Breon, Karen Coleman, Judy Wright, Mark Creamer, Crissy Fant, Theresa Waldby, Jeanne Woods.

At approximately 7:10 pm, Fr. Chuck opened the meeting with a prayer, and indicated his support for this committee.

Attendees briefly introduced themselves (see appendix) and indicated the duration of their membership in our parish and their particular interests and talents in regards to the Communications Committee (CC).

Responsibilities of the CC are:  Publicity to the Catholic Miscellany  Publicity to local news agencies  Posters to advertise activities  Take pictures at parish activities  Put together a parish video  Maintain bulletin boards  Publish a monthly calendar  Maintain a parish photo album  Update and issue a new parish directory  Maintain parish website  Maintain parish marquiee/sign at entrance of the church

Rich Avery provided a brief history of the CC and reported that the CC has been inactive for a while. Since the former CC ceased to function, Rich has continued to produce the Monthly Parish Calendar. The present volunteers determined that leadership was needed and Clayton Bankston agreed to chair this committee. G.R. Davis agreed to record the minutes.

The top priority for this committee is the publication of a parish newsletter, preferably under a name other than The Chimes which has enjoyed only sporadic success over the years. The purpose of the newsletter is to provide information on events (past, present, and future) and is to be mailed to each of the 640 current registrants of the parish. Information is to be obtained from the other parish committees, many of which are presently being constituted. Michele Stagg volunteered to seek information from each of the committees for inclusion in the newsletter. There was discussion of a need to publish the newsletter in Spanish, especially since our parish will now be responsible for the Hispanic ministry that will no longer be administered by St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in downtown Spartanburg. We learned from Fr. Chuck that a priest from Bolivia will be based in Greenville to serve the Hispanic population of the upstate. All agreed that the newsletter should include photographs and should avoid showing the same parishioners repetitively. Contributions can be solicited from members of the youth group by contacting the Youth Director Kathleen Fryml. Individuals listed below volunteered to assume primary responsibility for the newsletter. Paul and Rebecca Strelow, both employees of the Spartanburg Herald-Journal, will oversee the publication of the newsletter. Everyone on the CC is invited to come with ideas and articles. Fr. Chuck intends to write a column for the newsletter each month and will contribute a sonnet.

Discussion turned to the issue of a parish website and its purpose (to provide information about our parish, especially contact information, directions, a schedule of events, and a means by which those seeking information about our parish could do so easily.) It was noted that substantial effort is required to maintain a current website and that outdated information, such as old bulletins, detract from the effectiveness and may project an image that is not appealing. Our former webmaster has registered elsewhere and Rich is seeking to get the passwords and access information so that members of this committee can resume work on the website. Rich has received quotations for designing a website ($3000) or training individuals to create and maintain a website (at $80 / hour). All agreed that these prices were far beyond reasonable and that any webmastering should be done locally by volunteers. Rosemary offered the services of her grandson who has some expertise in this area, but GR cautioned about depending upon the work of friends and relatives. Michele volunteered to follow up with this information that Rich will obtain from the former webmaster, and Clayton will seek the assistance of a fellow Knight who has experience webmastering. It was also recommended that someone consult Kay Beerman as to the status of the website.

Once discussion of the newsletter and webpage subsided, CC members volunteered assume various duties listed below:

Sending announcements to the Catholic Miscellany- Clayton Bankston Sending information to the Herald Journal: Jean Woods Editor of the parish newsletter – Paul Strelow Newsletter team: Rebecca Strelow, Michele Stagg, Chris Voso, and Nick Nichols Newsletter stuffers and mailers: Rosemary Bergeron and Rich Avery Art, graphics, posters, bulletin boards, and parish video: Joe and Susan Fierova Parish Events Calendar and Marquee: Rich Avery

The value of a parish video was discussed and it was concluded that such a video could be very beneficial for newcomers by providing a wide range information about our parish. Parish videos could be distributed to newcomers as they register in the church office. Joe Fierova has the equipment and desire to produce a parish video.

Fr. Snopeck cautioned us about taking on too many things all at once and insisted that we would need the assistance of the Holy Spirit to accomplish what we’ve set out to do.

CC members are to email their ideas for the actions of the committee and ideas for inclusion in the parish newsletter to Chairman Clayton who will compile the results for the next meeting. Clayton’s email addresses are [email protected] or [email protected].

Budget proposals should be ready two months in advance of the July Finance Committee meeting. Our next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 25th at 7:00 pm. Chairman Clayton will reserve a room for us.

Fr. Snopek closed the meeting with a prayer at 8:38 pm.

Respectfully submitted, GR Davis

Appendix of committee members and backgrounds

Nick Nichols, 14 years at JORS, worked with The Chimes in the distant past.

Joe Fierova, at JORS since 1988, musician at 8:30 Mass

Rosemary Bergeron, at JORS since July 2004, recently widowed, moved to Sptbg to be near family, was editor of a magazine, is computer literate, retired and has time to work for CC.

Rich Avery, at JORS since 1998, is the remaining member of the CC, produces the Parish Calendar.

Paul Strelow, former Lutheran from NC, with wife Rebecca are employees of local newspaper, excited about editing and publishing parish newsletter.

Pat Elliot, member at JORS for 20 years. Daughter Cynthia also interested in CC work. Was one of the original editors of The Chimes.

Clayton Bankston, former Baptist, lawyer, active in Knights of Columbus, enjoys web and email.

Michele Staggs, new to JORS, from CT and Boston, is Clinical Social Worker and fluent in Spanish.

Chris Voso, at JORS since 1988, local architect designed Dorman High School, formerly on administration committee at JORS.

G.R. Davis, at JORS since 1999, former parish council member, Biology teacher at Wofford College, fluent in webpage authoring.