Monday, August 20, 2012

Cultivating Communication


- by Dorothy LeBaron and Mark McAlister

Dear Members,

One of the main questions meeting the council at this time is in the area of communication. How do we meet the challenge of facilitating communication? How do we create a vehicle for members’ voices to be heard? How do we become visible to each other? How do we develop an interest in each other, in what is happening across Canada in the various groups and Branches?

As a first step, the editor has occasionally included a “Local Activities” section in the eNews and Glimpses.  This is a place where members can publicize their local events. This section is also intended to inform and to create interest and curiosity about what other groups are doing. For instance, an article about the Sherbrooke Group Towards The Sources was featured in a recent issue, and contained this invitation:  “We send our warmest greetings to all Canadian members. We’d love to have news.  Perhaps each group, big or small, could take turns in writing a little something about themselves for this bulletin.  It could cultivate the feeling of being part of a larger community.”

Thank you Colin!  Your article will no doubt stimulate other members to contribute.  If there was at least one article like this in EVERY issue of the newsletter, the sense of community in our Society would become so much stronger.

To help make this happen, we suggest that each Branch or group designate someone who will collect possible articles and event notices, and be a liaison with the newsletter editor.  We would list all the contact information in the newsletter, and encourage members to get in touch with each other and start a dialogue. 

If you need encouragement or assistance, don’t hesitate to contact the editor. He will be happy to discuss your ideas with you and help get your creative juices flowing.

Dorothy LeBaron, for the Council
Mark McAlister, Newsletter Editor

No comments: