Organizational Statement

An association of media, marketing and design professionals with an Anabaptist connection.

History

The name of this organization was officially changed in October 2007 from “Council on Church and Media,” which had originally formed in 1984 out of “Inter Mennonite Media Group,” which was ad hoc production consortium formed in 1975 to produce joint projects.

Membership

Organizations, agencies and institutions of North American Mennonite and Brethren denominations working in communications are eligible for participation in Anabaptist Communicators (AC). These entities include but are not limited to Mennonite Church USA, Mennonite Church Canada, Mennonite Brethren, Church of the Brethren, Brethren in Christ and Conservative Mennonite Conference. In addition any individual who is Mennonite/Brethren/Anabaptist, or interested in these groups, and is working in non-church communication is eligible to join AC.

Members include but are not limited to broadcasters, freelancers, writers, editors, filmmakers, videographers, artists, graphic designers, journalists, web designers, marketers, publishers, educators, administrators, and students in communication or related programs.

Purpose

Anabaptist Communicators is organized to facilitate and enhance communication, professional enrichment, fellowship, and development among those working in communication in separate, but related denominations.

Member Benefits

  1. An e-mail newsletter, e-Forum, sent six times a year
  2. An annual educational and networking conference, usually held in October.
  3. An e-mail notice called “Inter-office Memo” is sent to announce media job openings or other breaking news relevant to members.
  4. Opportunities to hear about others in similar professions, and to share news and exchange information.
  5. A chance to connect and meet face-to-face with others who practice similar professions and share a faith background.
  6. Participating organizations are encouraged to share their plans for new media activity with other members for both awareness and to facilitate cooperative partnerships on projects or research.
  7. Access to the AC e-mail list to reach members through Inter-office Memo.

Meetings

The AC will meet annually in October (formerly May) with adequate time to perform its basic functions including a plenary session(s) with a member or non-member resource person, and annual business meeting. Members values opportunities to meet with others in their field during the conference. Meeting locations will take into account the geographic composition of the membership.

Additional meetings, conferences and consultations may be called as appropriate in connection with communication events or specific needs and interests of members.

A local conference planning committee will plan the annual meeting in consultation with the executive director and officers. A calendar will help guide the conference planning process.

Organization

  1. The officers shall be a chair, vice-chair and treasurer.
  2. A paid executive director is hired to direct the business of the association. Currently the executive director is a .10 position (averaging 4 hours a week).
  3. The chair and vice chair shall be chosen to serve for two year periods, elected on alternate years and not succeeding themselves in their respective offices. Elections shall be held at the annual meeting or by e-mail, and officers will take office at the close of the annual meeting.
  4. In order to provide continuity, the executive director shall be appointed for three-year periods with the privilege of reappointment. The appointment shall be made by the association at the annual meeting upon the recommendation of the chair and vice chair.
  5. The executive director may appoint a recording secretary for each meeting.
  6. The treasurer acts as the receiving and disbursing officer. Generally it has been found desirable for the funds for Anabaptist Communicators to be housed at one of the major church agencies that can cover for periodic shortfall in cashflow, with an in-house acting treasurer/bookkeeper for Anabaptist Communicators, who also serves on the executive committee, appointed every two years, with affirmation of the members present at the annual meeting. The appointment should last as long as the treasurer can serve, with review every two years at the annual meeting.
  7. The executive committee needs to meet at least once a year face-to-face and more often by phone as needed, usually at a time strategic for conference planning or debriefing.
  8. The executive committee has expressed a desire for a regional representation/directors system whereby the executive committee would be expanded to include reps from the Eastern U.S., Midwestern/Great Lakes area, west of Mississippi River, and Canada.
  9. The executive director shall be responsible for:
    1. Minutes and correspondence.
    2. Budget, bookkeeping oversight, and financial reports
    3. Preparation of agendas in consultation with the chair and vice chair.
    4. Planning and administering of the annual meeting.
    5. Producing and editing the newsletter and e-mail update.
    6. Maintaining the membership list and collecting dues.
    7. Overseeing and updating the website.

Membership fees

Corporate members are defined as church-related organizations, businesses, mission groups or divisions (but not entire religious denominations.) Membership for the first five persons in the organization for a 12-month period is $225 U.S./Canada. Membership fees are due on an annual basis from the date an individual or corporate body joins or renews. Individuals who join without a corporate membership pay $50 a year.

If an organization has more than five members, dues for additional members are $40 each from the same organization. If a staff member leaves an organization, his or her successor may fill out that person’s membership year at no additional charge.

The fee for students and retirees is $30 U.S./Canada per year.

Voting

Each member has voting privileges, which are exercised at annual meetings or between meetings by e-mail.

Finances

AC will function on a limited financial basis. Individual members are expected to cover all travel and meeting costs for their representative(s). Officers will be expected to carry responsibility on time provided by their respective organizations. The executive director’s travel costs and other incidentals will be the responsibility of Anabaptist Communicators.

The executive director may make arrangements for systematically handling accounting and reporting on finances to the members.

Current office information:

Anabaptist Communicators
Fred Steiner
226 Grove St.
Bluffton OH 45817
info@anabaptistcomm.org
419-889-3065
www.anabaptistcomm.org