FUMC Communications Team minutes

March 11, 2008 by Jerry Niebaum

The Communications Team met from 7p.m. to 8:30p.m. at the home of Jerry and Judy Niebaum, on Tuesday, March 11, 2008. In attendance were Jerry Niebaum, interim chair; Rob Bickers, Bill Bartscher, Ted Kihm, Mike Murfin, Judy Niebaum, and Candice Ranney.

Items demonstrated by Jerry were:

A) Organization and structure of the http://fumcweb.com web site

B) Using FTP (File Transfer Protocol) to create new Web pages

C) Creating blog entries to existing blogs

D) Management of existing blogs

E) Creation of new blogs

F) New Forum software now available

Items discussed were:

G) Update on the 2008 Guidebook & Directory

H) How should we educate church lay leaders on use of blogs for communication with their teams?

I) How can we publicize and use the Forum software?

Jerry presented an idea of creating an online directory with individual members choosing which items would be included in such a directory. He distributed an example letter to go to members inviting them to be part of the directory. Jerry will pursue this idea and a plan for how it might be implemented.

Ted described the Forums software and agreed to create a write-up on its use for inclusion on the Web Annex site. There is considerable enthusiasm among the group for this software.

Rob agreed to look at the design of the Web Annex site and propose changes to make it more visually appealing. He will work with Jerry on creating the new web look.

Jerry distributed information about the Communications Team budget for 2008 which includes these major items:

1) Advertising (Easter & Advent): $5,000

2) Internet (Sunflower): $1,140

3) Radio ministry: $2,340

Our next meeting will be at 7p.m. on

Tuesday, April 15 in Room 303 downtown

Other scheduled meetings are:

Tuesday, May 13 (location tba)

After the May meeting the Team will resume meetings in September.