2006 saw many changes across NWMC. It seems that turning 101 made a lot of people speak out boldly about whatever was on their mind. I thought you might be interested in the process behind changes at the chatter. I'll post a series of e-mails between myself and Don Dawson. The first don asking me to take the assignment. The second is my reply to his invitation to return as the chatter editor. I did the job for the first time in 2005. Before that I was on the Young Adult staff, which was great. I think it's obvious from my e-mail that I didn't exactly want this job.
Kelly,
I got your forward. I didn't think you had disappeared from the face of the earth. I am waiting patiently for your discernment about returning to the Chatter position. However, I really would like to know by next Thursday. The board meets Friday and I would like to have all the coordinator positions settled.
You did a fine job last year, especially coming into it late in the game. I would be glad to have you back in the position. Is there another position you would prefer? Would you rather be a delegate?
I have a couple of other prospects for the Chatter. I can pursue them if you would like out. Please let me know by next week. I am praying for you as you seek the Lord on this.
All blessings in Christ,
Don
That was March 23rd. Here's what I wrote back on the 27th.
Don,
Thank you so much for your kind note. I am eager to return to NWMC this summer. I am also glad to know that there are other possibilities out there for the Chatter office. It was truly an amazing experience that I really do treasure. If there is someone else ready to take on the challenge I will gladly assist.
Here is the product of my discernment. I don't know why I keep waiting for God to tell meI'm wrong and drop these ideas but it seems I am supposed to share my vision with you so you can speak to the board. I began to see these things last year during conference. It's not like me to shake things up so I patiently waited for these ideas to fade away. Instead, like a mustard seed, they grew.
The Chatter is not reaching it's full potential at this point. In the last ten years, conference has embraced many technologies to expand our communications between staff and delegates: mass e-mails throughout the year, announcements on the screen in Anderson, videos and dvds of speakers available for purchase, photo pages on the conference web site are only a few examples. The Chatter has not been integrated into the overall communications system.
Several problems were evident to me last year. People are more comfortable with "technology" than "manual." Lots of people at conference had their own laptops. They could type an article and transfer it to me using a floppy disc, CD, or jump drive. Not many had access to the internet but a few were able to e-mail articles, especially before the conference began. Receiving articles as a word document was always preferred because it removed the steps of deciphering hand writing and typing, allowing the editor to move straight to editing the piece into the framework of the Chatter. The chatter could use a space that allowed others to bring in their equipment to type up and submit an article as well as a "spare" computer for in need of that convenience. This computer would only need to have Microsoft Word.
People often wish to submit an announcement to more than one outlet. It should be easier to get an announcement to the Chatter editor, Conference Director for microphone announcements in Anderson, the Tech guys for video screen announcements and anyone else for a staff meeting announcement. I think that The Chatter office should be located with/near Rising Sun. I don't want to incur a greater expense for the Conference by using more campus space but it would be a great benefit to keep all of our paper in a climate-controlled space. Humidity can make printing the Chatter a big headache.
The other big idea I have has to do with expanding the Chatter from a one size fits all publication to a multi page publication. Every day there were articles that couldn't be pursued because there was not enough room in the chatter for articles that appealed to only one age group of delegates. I think that there should be a Junior High issue, a High School edition, a Young Adult edition and a Career/Adult edition every day. The front could be the same for everyone, with general information. The back page would have information specific to each group. For example, there would be room to interview summer service team members for the Young Adult edition, encouraging them to interview early. The career/Adult edition would have room for bios on mission hour speakers, allowing people to choose their day's events more easily. It would also allow a larger print for readers with older eyes. The biggest drawback is that this would need a larger staff. I think these people could be found within existing staff without bringing in any extra people. Each area coordinator could find a member of their staff to head this up. Delegates might even write the actual articles. The chatter needs a feeder program. It is like a flame that needs oxygen to live.
The last piece of my vision has to do with the paperwork that is mailed ahead of conference to delegates and picked up at registration. I believe that most of the material going out before conference is simply set aside by delegates until they arrive. Wouldn't we save on the cost of our mailing if we sent less? The rest of the papers could be combined in a booklet form that delegates could carry with them throughout the week. The front page could be the regular schedule of events that never vary. The centerfold could be the campus map. The back could be a calendar of the week with space to write in appointments, such as a summer service interview, or added events, such as the Junior High car wash.
This brings me to the most troubling portion of my vision. My help may be needed to make this booklet. I am supposed to offer it. I feel that I am supposed to say I could come up a week early to do this but I have no idea how that could be true. I don't know how I could get away for that length of time and get our delegation from Oklahoma to Pennsylvania. If I leave it up to the Lord I know that it will all work out.
In closing I will say that my heart is forever with the Young Adult program. In my wildest dreams I would like to be the person that produced the back page for the Young Adult edition of the chatter as well as whatever other duties came my way. My assistants last year were invaluable and I believe they could serve the Career/Adult delegates well. Their interviews were the lifeblood of the front page.
In short, in all my deliberations with God, he never shows me that I am running the Chatter. Instead He shows me how the Chatter should work. Maybe there is someone out there that shares my vision that is supposed to be the editor. Maybe it is supposed to be me. At any rate, I have given you material for the board meeting. As always my prayers are with you, the conference, the staff and the board.
Running with Grace,
Kelly Couch