Transcript communicating-through-re-imagine-journey-orientation-2004

Communicating Throughout
Your RE-IMAGINE Journey
Orientation II
The RE-IMAGINE Project of New York
A Project of the Experiment in Congregational Education ● Sponsored by UJA-Federation of New York
June 30, 31 and July 1, 2004/10-12 Tammuz 5764
Experiment in Congregational Education (ECE)—A Project of the Rhea Hirsch School of Education, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, Los Angeles
The work of the ECE is made possible by generous contributions from many funders. www.eceonline.org/funders
What Questions Are You Afraid They’ll Ask?
Communicating to Prepare for Change
Response to change communication depends on:
• When and how often you communicate
• Who communicates it (and to whom)
• How you communicate
• What you communicate
• Where you communicate
When: Communicate early and often
• Once is not even close to enough
• While you are waiting to have something to say,
keep “talking.”
• When experiencing change, people want:
– Control
– Predictability
– Information
Who: Every TF Member an Ambassador
• Task Force members are links to sub-communities
within the congregation
• Communication in congregations is both formal
and informal; need to be ready always
– Prepare your “elevator speech;” make clear what Task
Force members can and cannot say
– Make it two-way; listening is more important than
talking
• Model the message; actions speak louder…
How: Tell the Truth
• Condition your audience for experimentation and
innovation by “indexing” what you communicate:
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–
–
–
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The date
What we know
What we don’t know/can’t say
What we can speculate about
Add later: What’s changed that we “knew” or
speculated about before. What we tried and how it
worked.
– When you can expect to hear from us again
How: Vary the media
• Choose “rich” media to convey emotional
messages
• Choose “lean” media to reinforce or share facts
What: 5 P’s—Purpose, Process & Picture
• Plant seeds; focus on the purpose
– Why are we doing this?
– What is creating the need or opportunity?
– What would happen if we didn’t change/innovate? Who
says so?
• Communicate openly about the process and the
picture (i.e. vision)
– Where are we headed?
– Can I trust the process? How open has it been?
– How can I get involved, have my voice heard?
What: 5 P’s—Plan
• Lay out the plan
– What will be different and what transformation will it make
possible?
– What will be the same; how does it fit with our past and
support our values?
– When will changes take place?
– What kinds of “side effects” are likely to occur?
– Who will be affected by the change/innovation (individuals
and groups)? In what ways?
– How will negative effects be dealt with?
– What path will we follow to get “there”?
What: 5 P’s—Part
• Explain their part
– What will people be expected to do differently?
– What can people do to contribute to the success of the
innovation?
– What is my role?
Who: Match the source to the “targets”
• To whom is the communication “targeted”?
– What are they concerned about?
– What will make them feel connected?
• Consider and plan the source; should the message
come from:
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A lay person?
The educator?
The rabbi?
A parent or student?
• Think about credibility, attention-getting, and
symbolism
Where: Pay Attention to Context
• Pay attention to place
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–
–
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In what forums do you choose to communicate?
Where do you choose to hold a meeting?
How is the room set up?
Where do you choose to “publish”?
• Pay attention to time and timing
– On what occasions do you choose to communicate?
– How much time does the communication take?
– What else is going on?
Communication Planning Grid
Bulletin
Article
Sermon
Letter
Other…
To
Whom?
What?
From
Whom?
How/
Where?
When?
By Whom?
Audience/
Concerns
Message
Source
Media/
Setting
Timing
Responsible
Al Regel Achat (On One Foot)
• Who: Everybody communicates
• When: Early and often
• How:
– Listen
– Tell what you know; index your message
• What: Purpose, process, picture, plan, and part
• Where: Pick your spots
• Be open, inclusive, strategic, and spontaneous