The Benefits of Good Communication

Who is Your Communications Officer?

The local paper profiled a new city communications officer, a first for the city. The reporter asked why the city needed a communications officer. She said:
• Each resident was a shareholder in a multimillion dollar organization that needed to be informed.
• Communication is more complex than in the past.
- The use of visual images, or
- Other communication vehicles
made a difference in communicating effectively.
• A dedicated communicator ensured that the right message got to the audience at the right time.

When asked about her responsibilities, she included:
• Informing residents about programs, projects and services.
• Making sure the messages were disseminated through the right media.
• Coordinating special events and meetings.
• Creating and maintaining a clear identity for the city.
• Providing photography, graphic design, and production services.

How do the residents benefit from her services?
• They feel more plugged in.
• They have easy access to understandable information.
• Residents would view the city as being more transparent.
• Good communication fosters support, partnerships and understanding
between the residents and the city.
• Residents would be aware of the many good things taking place in the city.

I immediately related what she was saying to churches. By developing a system to communicate through your website, newsletters, brochures, and during worship, you can realize the same benefits my neighboring city did. Depending on the size of your church, this doesn't necessarily take a full time staff member to do.

Food for thought.