"Telling Stories in New Ways"
Thursday, November 17, 2022 — noon to 4 p.m. EST
Friday, November 18, 2022 — noon to 4 p.m. EST
Virtual Conference
| Download the Conference Schedule |
“The newest computer can merely compound, at speed, the oldest problem in the relations between human beings, and in the end the communicator will be confronted with the old problem, of what to say and how to say it.”
The quote sounds like it was said yesterday. But it was actually said in 1964 by famed CBS journalist Edward R. Murrow. Not much has changed!
We all have good stories to tell. But how to tell them has become a lot more challenging. Print is on the ropes. Social media provides ways to engage people, but which one to choose? How to find the one that’s right for your audience and use it well? And what about your social media personality? And what about some old tried and true ways, like direct mail. Does it still have a role to play? And don’t forget diversity—the people we want to reach are more diverse than ever.
These are some of the topics we’ll address at the 2022 virtual Anabaptist Communicators conference.
Join other members of Anabaptist Communicators Nov. 17-18 for information and inspiration to help you deal with the old problem of what to say and how to say it.
Keynote Speakers
November 17: Michael Duerksen, founder and president of BuildGood, a company that helps non-profits do their best job of telling stories to raise funds. Their medium is direct marketing, and their heroes are the people you serve, your volunteers, your staff and your supporters. Mike will also do a deep-dive workshop for fundraisers on strategic ways to engage donors better. Read more about Michael.
November 18: Cyneatha Millsaps is 2008 AMBS graduate who serves as executive director of Mennonite Women USA, is co-pastor of Prairie Street Mennonite Church and team-teaches communications for business and professionals at all levels at Goshen College with a focus on social media, media relations, writing in the workplace and public speaking and presentations. Cyneatha will help us think about creative and respectful ways to engage diverse audiences. Read more about Cyneatha.
Along with the keynoters, there will be workshops and panels on developing a social media personality; creative ways to use social media like TikTok and Facebook reels; a deep dive into fundraising strategies; and challenges and opportunities facing communicators today.
And don’t forget affinity group meetings! A chance to connect with people doing similar work over the conference theme.
Schedule
Nov. 17 (all times ET)
Noon-1 PM: Keynote #1 with Michael Duerksen, followed by a Q&A
1-1:15 PM: Break
1:15-2:15 PM: Workshop—a deep dive into 21st century fundraising strategies with Michael Duerksen
1:15-2:15 PM: Panel and open discussion—challenges and opportunities facing communicators with Will Braun (new editor of Canadian Mennonite), Jesse Huxman (Mennonite Disaster Service), Laura Kalmar (MCC Canada) and host John Longhurst (Mennonite Disaster Service and Winnipeg Free Press)
2:15-2:30 PM: Break
2:30-3:30 PM: Workshop—developing a social media personality with Jordan Kauffman of Lightbox
3:30-3:45 PM: Break
3:45-4:30 PM: Anabaptist Communicators Annual Meeting
Nov. 18 (all times ET)
Noon-1 PM: Affinity Groups
1-2:15 PM: Keynote #2 with Cyneatha Millsaps, followed by Q&A
2:15-2:30 PM: Break
2:30-3:30 PM: Panel—creative ways to use social media like TikTok and Facebook reels with Anna Yoder (Mennonite Central Committee), Greg Wiens (Global Vision) and Caleb Gingerich (Mennonite Disaster Service)
3:30-4:00 PM: Wrap-up
The quote sounds like it was said yesterday. But it was actually said in 1964 by famed CBS journalist Edward R. Murrow. Not much has changed!
We all have good stories to tell. But how to tell them has become a lot more challenging. Print is on the ropes. Social media provides ways to engage people, but which one to choose? How to find the one that’s right for your audience and use it well? And what about your social media personality? And what about some old tried and true ways, like direct mail. Does it still have a role to play? And don’t forget diversity—the people we want to reach are more diverse than ever.
These are some of the topics we’ll address at the 2022 virtual Anabaptist Communicators conference.
Join other members of Anabaptist Communicators Nov. 17-18 for information and inspiration to help you deal with the old problem of what to say and how to say it.
Keynote Speakers
November 17: Michael Duerksen, founder and president of BuildGood, a company that helps non-profits do their best job of telling stories to raise funds. Their medium is direct marketing, and their heroes are the people you serve, your volunteers, your staff and your supporters. Mike will also do a deep-dive workshop for fundraisers on strategic ways to engage donors better. Read more about Michael.
November 18: Cyneatha Millsaps is 2008 AMBS graduate who serves as executive director of Mennonite Women USA, is co-pastor of Prairie Street Mennonite Church and team-teaches communications for business and professionals at all levels at Goshen College with a focus on social media, media relations, writing in the workplace and public speaking and presentations. Cyneatha will help us think about creative and respectful ways to engage diverse audiences. Read more about Cyneatha.
Along with the keynoters, there will be workshops and panels on developing a social media personality; creative ways to use social media like TikTok and Facebook reels; a deep dive into fundraising strategies; and challenges and opportunities facing communicators today.
And don’t forget affinity group meetings! A chance to connect with people doing similar work over the conference theme.
Schedule
Nov. 17 (all times ET)
Noon-1 PM: Keynote #1 with Michael Duerksen, followed by a Q&A
1-1:15 PM: Break
1:15-2:15 PM: Workshop—a deep dive into 21st century fundraising strategies with Michael Duerksen
1:15-2:15 PM: Panel and open discussion—challenges and opportunities facing communicators with Will Braun (new editor of Canadian Mennonite), Jesse Huxman (Mennonite Disaster Service), Laura Kalmar (MCC Canada) and host John Longhurst (Mennonite Disaster Service and Winnipeg Free Press)
2:15-2:30 PM: Break
2:30-3:30 PM: Workshop—developing a social media personality with Jordan Kauffman of Lightbox
3:30-3:45 PM: Break
3:45-4:30 PM: Anabaptist Communicators Annual Meeting
Nov. 18 (all times ET)
Noon-1 PM: Affinity Groups
1-2:15 PM: Keynote #2 with Cyneatha Millsaps, followed by Q&A
2:15-2:30 PM: Break
2:30-3:30 PM: Panel—creative ways to use social media like TikTok and Facebook reels with Anna Yoder (Mennonite Central Committee), Greg Wiens (Global Vision) and Caleb Gingerich (Mennonite Disaster Service)
3:30-4:00 PM: Wrap-up
Cost is $25 USD for Anabaptist Communicators members, $50 USD for non-members. Students in communications or journalism programs are free.
AC Members, check your email or visit the Membership Portal for your $25 off discount code! | Students, email us to receive a free conference registration!
Thanks to Jake Smucker, freelance designer and AC member, for designing the conference graphics!
Thank you to this year's conference sponsors!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AC's annual conferences provide a rare, valuable opportunity for people working in the faith-based communications space to share ideas, challenges, questions and keep up to date with trends and best practices within Anabaptist organizations across North America."
–Mike Strathdee, MEDA
Anabaptist Communicators Conferences Include:
|
Affinity GroupsConnect with people who really understand the work you do. Share your successes, challenges, and projects you're working on during meet-up times! Groups include:
|
