Mission & Media: Web 2.0

How media is changing and what that means for the work

of the Province

Web 2.0

A Web 2.0 site allows users to interact and collaborate with each other in a social media dialogue as creators of user-generated content in a virtual community, in contrast to websites where users are limited to the passive viewing of content that was created for them (Web 1.0).

Examples of Web 2.0 include social networking sites, blogs, wikis, video sharing sites and other media.

Making New Connections with New Friends

Where Many Young People Will Find Us

Social Networking

In this new way of communicating, what’s your reaction?

What are the dangers? Possibilities?

Join the Rest of the World

Some Potentials for our Congregation

New avenues for sharing the stories of our missions and missionaries

Advertising online for fundraising and online donations

With those closer to our houses, potential new database to invite

For those farther, providing online content to inspire them

Costs much lower for vocation ads online with a greater reach

Becoming main way to reach out to young people

Can you think of other potential uses?

David & Goliath Factor

Our Province has a long history of employing the power of the media from the very first magazine in the 1940’s. Today, we understand how vital it is we have a significant presence both in print, visual and internet media. And, as we get smaller in number, we will rely more on media to help us to share.

We needed to develop a “communications plan” that involves all aspects of media. With the smaller number of confreres in the future available for this, and the greater need for more expertise, we need to…

The Illumicom Report

The congregation lacks a clear public identity, congregational mission statement and focus in publications

Xaverians are not known outside of immediate circles

External communications efforts sought in congregational feedback

Good internal congregational communication

Newsletter, website, interpersonal communication top sources for information; blog of little interest, e-newsletter read by many

Strong online presence attractive but could be even more effective at articulating the Xaverian mission

What’s your reaction to “Xaverians are not known outside of immediate circles”?

Our Communications Plan

“Our founder was among the first to use modern means of mass communication in the service of the Gospel. The new technological possibilities we have today offer previously unheard of possibilities and we should take advantage of them; nevertheless, we must never forget that they should never substitute an authentic life witness.” (60: What We Do: RMX)

Develop core Mission Statement Develop Vision Statement to incorporate and reflect the

values and goals of the Congregation of the United States Region

Develop modern logo as an accurate graphic representation of the Xaverian Mission and ministry

Expand advertising and development efforts using traditional and online media, including secure web solicitation

We need to investigate the most appropriate method for online donations using the Congregation’s 501C3 status

Assist the Congregation to expand vocational outreach

Mission Media Office’s Work - 1

Assist Congregation to expand and effectively use and monitor

mobile and web based social networking to expand vocational outreach and fundraising

Initiate and maintain secular public and media relations Highlight ministries in areas of encouragement of new

Christian communities; interfaith and intercultural dialogue; and solidarity with the poorest through justice, peace and the integrity of creation

Promote the knowledge, understanding and appreciation of Xaverian charism with specific emphasis on the founder’s spirit

Explore to possibility of using the internet for additional outreach, including, but not limited to, “chat rooms” and Internet radio, online retreats, webinars, etc…

Mission Media Office’s Work - 2

So what’s the big deal?

What are the possibilities in your mind? What makes you uncomfortable about all of this?

What strikes you about our communications plan? What do you have questions about?

What do you think of our need to reach out beyond our known circle given we are getting smaller as a group? How would you suggest we do this?

Main Website

Facebook

You Tube

Twitter(To come

soon)

Flickr

Mission Blog

Our Web Network

Provincial Newsletter

Total numbers going out each issue is about 9000

Internet presence of our newsletter

Extras going out to the parishes we assist

Media Office role Suggestions for

content

Our Official Web

Fr. Turco created our website and recently updated the code

We get more than 3000 visits a day on the web

You may email articles and share on social networking sites

Access our social networking sites

You suggest content to be published

www.xaviermissionaries.org

Provincial Mission Blog

• The blog was created several years ago to illicit a conversation about issues and share mission issues more rapidly

• It is visited about 1000 times a month

• There are opportunities for anyone to comment on any blog post

• You may suggest a blog post anytime

• www.xaverianmissionaries.blogspot.com

Our Facebook Page

More than 3900 people follow this site with 1591 monthly active users

You can comment on any posting

It is an opportunity to share your story

www.facebook.com/catholicmissionaries

Our Flickr Page

Flickr is a way to share photos and albums across the web

Mission pictures can be shared here and available to all

You may upload your own photos

You can comment on any photos and your comment is shared

www.flickr.com/catholicmission

Our You Tube Page

YT is a medium to share short videos on the internet

We have our videos seen about 79 times over the last three months

If you have access to videos on computer that could be shared, let me know

No Borders E-Newsletter

We have a database of about 245 contacts

It is a tool reach out to young people and their ministry leaders

It is a concrete tool we can offer anyone interested

It can be developed as the E-newsletter of our new youth office later in the year

This can be a transitional list into our main files as friends and benefactors

Analysis of Web 2.0 Use

ADVANTAGES Cost effective Opportunities to reach out

to a much larger group of people in more effective ways

Opportunity to share different types of content

Important tool in our desire to improve development

Opportunity to link people with our missionaries

CHALLENGES It takes time to develop a

presence on the web We need technical help in this

area – cost involved We need to keep constant ads

on the internet Danger of not being able to

move from the virtual world to the real world

Open to liabilities regarding abuse in new way

USCCB norms for social media use important

Challenges we need to solve yet

We need to learn to funnel those in touch with us to a more serious commitment

We need to set up and advertise online donation possibilities

We need to learn how to have greater interaction on our sites

We need to find ways to have more confreres sharing in this media

We need to find ways to use this media to connect with vocation possibilities and new donors

What else are the challenges we need to learn more about?

Any other questions?