Social Media and Technology

 What are you already doing to communicate with: – Parents – Parishioners – Youth Question

 Benefits – Reach a lot of people – Can communicate with people when you don’t see them in person – Tool for Evangelization – Makes life easier (sometimes)  Drawbacks – Identity Theft – Privacy – Inappropriate responses – Technology is constantly changing and we have to keep up Technology Benefits/ Drawbacks

 Web content should consistently represent the views/teachings of the Catholic Church  Public websites should not contain personal and/or contact information about young people  Written permission must be attained prior to posting photographs, or other identifying information, of minors/ young people on websites. When posting photographs of minors/young people, it is advisable to caption the photographs using only the individuals’ first name.  In photographs of youth activities, youth should not be “tagged,” or identified by name in the photograph.  Parents should be informed that a social networking site is being utilized as a standard part of the ministry. They should also be informed of the use of communication tools such as or group texting. NFCYM Technology Guidelines

 There is a difference between initiating a “friend request” and accepting one. Friend/connection requests should be initiated by the young people, not the adult representative of the parish, school, and/or organization.  Make sure communications are professional. It is recommended that clear guidelines or parameters be established with regard to times of communication between adults and young people. While young people may be on the phone/texting in the late evening hours, those who minister with young people should pre-determine a timeframe when it is too late to take a professional call, except in the case of serious urgency  Things can be misinterpreted. Ask, “If my bishop/pastor/principal asked to see this communication, would I be embarrassed by what I have written?” If the answer is “yes,” do not send the message. NFCYM Technology Guidelines

 Be consistent. People need to know where to find information  Use multiple platforms. However, quality vs. quantity  Balance between posting too much and never posting  Have a team that helps  Know the popular times to send information (ie. Not during school hours) Creating a Communication Plan

 For Parents and other adults in the parish community: – Texting – Mailchimp – Facebook – Bulletin – Parish Announcements – Website  For Teens: – Group Text (GroupMe) – Social Media apps  Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, Youtube  Teens not using Facebook or Creating a Communication Plan

 Google Sites – Forms, Docs, Calendars  Weebly  Wordpress Creating a Website

 Doodle- for scheduling  Event Brite  Google Forms  Sign-up Genius (for volunteers) Registration

 Instagram  Twitter  Snapchat  Youtube Social Media Avenues

 (SF Archdiocese Youth Ministry)  (St. Augustine Youth Group)  (St. Andrew Youth Group) Samples…

 Microsoft Publisher  Adobe Photoshop  CANVA.com  Picmonkey.com  App: Vanillapen Creating Fliers

 Attractive, attention-getting  Include relative information: – Title – Date – Time – Location – Cost – Who it’s For – Transportation information – Why they should go Creating Fliers

 Evangelization posts: – Look up bible verses on google images to post. – Scripture of the day – Saint of the Day  Follow social media accounts: – USCCB, Pope Francis, etc.  Apps – Holy Bible App – Rosary App – Laudete App – iStations of the Cross – 40 Day Spiritual Workout App  Lifeteen blog  Video Catechism Technology as an Evangelization Tool

 Wordle (putting words together into an image)  Prezi (creative presentations)  Dropbox (file sharing) Other Helpful Tools

 Personal Invitation still wins! And yet….

Other Suggestions/Ideas? Questions?