Terms of Reference: Communications Team
Preamble
Communication is a vital component of life in fraternity. We are a family and as in any family, it is important to be informed as to what is happening, to celebrate our joys and to share our challenges.
We are a diverse fraternity in Canada with two official languages and many cultural expressions. According to the Minister’s report of January, 2018, we have approximately 1,777 professed members belonging to 114 local fraternities grouped into regions across the country. As well, we form part of an international fraternity which has a presence in 112 countries with some 300,000 members.
It is important for us to use all the communication tools at our disposal to create a sense of unity and belonging among our members.
Objectives
The purpose of the Communications Team is to utilize various means to help connect our local OFS members in Canada with what is happening at the national, regional and local level as well as at the international level. A good communications strategy will help promote our vocation and keep our members up to date on what is going on in the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) at every level. It will also serve the purpose of informing the larger community as to what the OFS is doing to build a more fraternal and evangelical world.
Scope
The National Communications team responsibilities will include managing the National Fraternity website, exploring the use of other social media; e.g. Twitter, Facebook and YouTube to foster communication, the publication of various documents including a national newsletter and articles/brochures which promote vocations to the OFS. The team will also research what would be involved in creating a national directory of members. A means to make census and demographic information available will also be explored.
The team co-chairs Marion Clorey and Debbie Tessier will invite OFS members with expertise in website support and development, social media, news publications and communications strategy to join the team. In addition, members must have the time and energy to commit to the team. It is anticipated that the team would consist of approximately six members which would include the co-chairs. The communications team mandate and membership will be in place up to the date of the next elective chapter.
Schedule
The co-chairs will be responsible for organizing and facilitating teleconference meetings and overseeing project development. The National Fraternity Council will be kept informed of the activities of the Communications team through reports which will be presented at the face to face national Council meetings. Brief updates will also be delivered at the national council regular teleconference meetings. It is anticipated the Team would hold 3-4 teleconferences per year. The National newsletter will be published at least twice per year. The website will be updated regularly as new information becomes available.
Members’ Roles and Responsibilities
The co-chairs will lead the team in the development of a communications strategy. Marion Clorey will lead the Website and Social Media component and Debbie Tessier will oversee the Publications component. Other specific roles and responsibilities will be assigned once the team is in place. All members will be required to serve for the duration of the term of the National Communications team. Members will be expected to participate in the teleconference meeting and to work between the meetings on specific projects as assigned.
Submitted by Marion Clorey and Debbie Tessier.
Communication is a vital component of life in fraternity. We are a family and as in any family, it is important to be informed as to what is happening, to celebrate our joys and to share our challenges.
We are a diverse fraternity in Canada with two official languages and many cultural expressions. According to the Minister’s report of January, 2018, we have approximately 1,777 professed members belonging to 114 local fraternities grouped into regions across the country. As well, we form part of an international fraternity which has a presence in 112 countries with some 300,000 members.
It is important for us to use all the communication tools at our disposal to create a sense of unity and belonging among our members.
Objectives
The purpose of the Communications Team is to utilize various means to help connect our local OFS members in Canada with what is happening at the national, regional and local level as well as at the international level. A good communications strategy will help promote our vocation and keep our members up to date on what is going on in the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) at every level. It will also serve the purpose of informing the larger community as to what the OFS is doing to build a more fraternal and evangelical world.
Scope
The National Communications team responsibilities will include managing the National Fraternity website, exploring the use of other social media; e.g. Twitter, Facebook and YouTube to foster communication, the publication of various documents including a national newsletter and articles/brochures which promote vocations to the OFS. The team will also research what would be involved in creating a national directory of members. A means to make census and demographic information available will also be explored.
The team co-chairs Marion Clorey and Debbie Tessier will invite OFS members with expertise in website support and development, social media, news publications and communications strategy to join the team. In addition, members must have the time and energy to commit to the team. It is anticipated that the team would consist of approximately six members which would include the co-chairs. The communications team mandate and membership will be in place up to the date of the next elective chapter.
Schedule
The co-chairs will be responsible for organizing and facilitating teleconference meetings and overseeing project development. The National Fraternity Council will be kept informed of the activities of the Communications team through reports which will be presented at the face to face national Council meetings. Brief updates will also be delivered at the national council regular teleconference meetings. It is anticipated the Team would hold 3-4 teleconferences per year. The National newsletter will be published at least twice per year. The website will be updated regularly as new information becomes available.
Members’ Roles and Responsibilities
The co-chairs will lead the team in the development of a communications strategy. Marion Clorey will lead the Website and Social Media component and Debbie Tessier will oversee the Publications component. Other specific roles and responsibilities will be assigned once the team is in place. All members will be required to serve for the duration of the term of the National Communications team. Members will be expected to participate in the teleconference meeting and to work between the meetings on specific projects as assigned.
Submitted by Marion Clorey and Debbie Tessier.
