August 3-6, 2006 two of us from the synod - Joanne Hamilton from Our Savior's in Rochester and I - attended the ELCA Communicators' Conference in Chicago. This biennial event is a great continuing education opportunity. As congregations look at budgets, consider asking your council to budget for this event in 2008. The cost this year was about $500 (includes hotel, meals and workshops). Thrivent provides some travel scholarships (the whole cost may be covered, depending on how many go). Below are the reasons that Joanne used (successfully!) to persuade her council and her message to you:

1. I brought back a large amount of knowledge of how communications happen between Churchwide to the Synods to the Pews.

2. I also brought back knowledge of how to better use our website, how to use e-mail effectively, how to encourage volunteerism and how to accomplish a communication audit.

3. I also made a wonderful array of contacts for future needs, which I have used.
4. It helped me to get excited about communication.

5. It felt great to be so support by our other communicators. It was truly a great learning experience.

I would strongly suggest that we all attend this conference. You will not disappointed by what you learn and it is fun. Remember to tell your budget committee that is an every other year expense.