Here’s how to run a successful virtual auction. 

A virtual auction is different because it operates on a software platform.  I recommend 32 auctions because it is easy to use and cost effective. More information about this platform is available at https://www.32auctions.com/. As with any silent auction, you will need to dedicate time to soliciting silent auction items.  It is a good idea to work with a group of volunteers to do this so that you are tapping into as many networks for items as possible.  Provide each volunteer with a sheet describing your event to send to the people and businesses they will be soliciting. Instead of a live display of the items, you will enter photos along with text descriptions, including the dollar value of the items and the starting bids, into 32 auctions. 

Virtual auction pros and cons

Initially, setting up your virtual auction is time consuming; however, many of the tedious parts of running an auction are easy because they are covered by the software: tracking bids, enforcing minimum increases, and managing bidder activity. The software also manages winning bidder payments. There are advantages to going virtual, even when you have the option to do an in-person event:

Less hassle: You don’t have to haul auction items to a venue, make a display, keep track of bids on paper, or handle check out for prizes.

Larger audience: People can bid from anywhere, at any time, which gives you the opportunity to reach a wider audience.  

More options:  Usually a silent auction at an in-person event is limited to the beginning and end of the event.  With an online auction, it is possible to extend the bidding over a longer period and continue to highlight specific items through social media. You can also add new items or stagger bidding to keep people engaged and bidding.

The main con for virtual silent auctions is that it is challenging to match the excitement that is built into a live event.  

Promotion

In order to generate interest, it is very important have a clear plan and timeline for promotion of the silent auction. Your communications strategy could include posters around town, social media posts, eblasts, and advertisements in your parish’s newsletter and in any local publications. Here are more ideas to consider:

• A segmented email campaign to appeal to different groups of supporters
• A press release to local media
• An auction-specific landing page on your parish’s website

With planning, timeline, communications strategy, items, and platform in place, a virtual silent auction is well worth doing and often raises much more than an auction at a live event. If you have questions about online silent auctions, please contact Jane Scanlon at jane-scanlon@ottawa.anglican.ca, or Heidi Fawcett at heidi-fawcett@ottawa.anglican.ca.

The post Online silent auction tips for your parish appeared first on Perspective.

• Ensure consistent messaging
• Keep messages aligned with your parish’s vision
• Engage audiences (both internal and external)

Here are some questions to ask to get started to build your communications strategy:

What kind of communication does your congregation prefer?  For example, are reminders and updates sent by email effective?

What channels of communication get a better response? For example, do text messages perform better than phone calls?

When is the best time to send messages for maximum impact? For example, instead of reaching out just on Sundays, will a middle of the week text, email, or social media post improve engagement?

By considering the answers to these questions, you will have some helpful information to begin developing a communication plan that is aligned with your parish’s mission and vision.

Communications options to consider

Before building a communication strategy, it is important to understand the church communications options that are available. Knowing what they are and understanding how they can impact your audiences will help you craft a more effective communications plan.

There are two kinds of church communications to consider.

Internal communication is all communication that is focused on keeping church members informed, engaged, and involved. Internal church communications include updates to the congregation, pastoral communications, and communications with volunteers.  Internal communications channels include texts, emails, phone calls, announcements, and so on.

External communication is all communication that is focused on reaching audiences outside of your congregation. It aims to promote the church and its events to the outside world giving it more visibility and boosting new member registration.  Examples of external communications include social media updates about events, advertising, updates on the church website, and so on.  Typical external communication channels are social media, website, signage and posters, and word of mouth.

A good church communication strategy strikes a balance between both forms of communication and uses storytelling to present compelling and consistent messaging. Here are some links to help you to begin developing your parish’s plan:

• https://callhub.io/church-communication-best-practices/
• https://callhub.io/web-based-church-management-software/
• https://callhub.io/church-communication-strategy/

Compiled by Jane Scanlon, from CallHub

The post Building a communications plan for your parish appeared first on Perspective.

At the logistical level, my team is The Communications Collective (TCC): Heidi Fawcett (Social Media Coordinator), Cathy Kent (Webspinner), Leigh Anne Williams (Crosstalk Editor), and Jane Waterston (Crosstalk designer and production manager). 

Although Communications is Strategic Priority1 for the Diocese of Ottawa, it intersects with three important priorities:

• The Shape of Parish Ministries and Buildings
• Engagement with the World
• Lifelong Formation, Worship, and Hospitality

The advisory panel is tasked with developing a three-year strategic plan. The vision of the Communications Panel and the strategic plan is “to employ vibrant, clear and timely communications, using all forms of media effectively to engage with its different audiences.  

“These communications will position the diocese as both a leader and an active partner with the parishes in carrying out God’s work and ministering to all communities in the diocese.” 

As well as communicating locally, the goal is to reach out to and engage the wider world.

Objectives for 2021

In 2021, the Communications strategic plan includes the following priorities:

• to develop a new “brand” and a common look and feel for diocesan communications including a new logo and protocols to guide all of our communications
• to update the website to simplify it and make it easily navigable for all target audiences
• to ensure vibrant, clear and timely website and social media content to represent all of our ministries
• to develop protocols for website content and social media posts to ensure they include opportunities for parishes to showcase their ministries
• to integrate Crosstalk with social media and the website to ensure that stories are posted quickly
• to feature and promote ADO On the Move podcasts

The new branding will be “unveiled” in the second half of this year so please stay tuned. In the meantime, the Panel will be working hard behind the scenes to guide this exciting and creative process along.

Please note that TCC welcomes people to join in their zoom meetings on Mondays at 11 am, to discuss any communications requirements or questions they have.  To join a meeting please send a note to  jane-scanlon@ottawa.anglican.ca.

The post Priority, time and effort being given to strengthening our communications in the Diocese of Ottawa appeared first on Perspective.

—2 Timothy 1:7

Even during a pandemic, I encourage you to think about messages of abundance  and gratitude to share with your congregation(s).  

Think about how people in the congregation can serve others who are lonely, struggling, suffering or at-risk at this time.  There are plenty of ways to make that connection if your parish leadership thinks creatively and considers the abundance of gifts available. 

The stewardship message does not always have to be about money; instead it could be about opportunities for mission.  

How is your congregation engaged in communities and helping others now? 

How is it being the light in the midst of the darkness? 

I believe these are very important questions for all of us to pray about and consider at this point in time. 

Please send any of your creative initiatives that might inspire others to jane-scanlon@ottawa.anglican.ca. Thank you!

The post Stewardship challenge for the month of March appeared first on Perspective.

In addition to resources for your Stewardship campaigns, they are offering three virtual trainings.  One has already taken place in January. The other free virtual trainings will be available in August and October. Please look for more information about these webinars and for online registration.  TENS is also offering additional consulting packages to enhance stewardship formation in the Diocese.   As well, they will offer four custom virtual consultations for stewardship leaders.  I am planning to take full advantage of these offerings so that all of our congregations have access to them.

The webinars topics include a choice of:

• Year-round Formation for Stewardship
• Crafting a Mid-Year Budget and Stewardship Review
• Recruiting, Training and Retaining Stewardship Leaders
• Creating Compelling Stewardship Case Materials

A TENS webinar consists of 60 minutes of content presented on a slide deck.  Included will be up to 30 minutes of an optional Q&A session.  Please contact me for login access at jane-scanlon@ottawa.anglican.ca and then go to www.tens.org to look at the resources available. Now is the perfect time to begin your Stewardship ministry planning for 2021.  These resources will be very helpful!

The post Online stewardship resources appeared first on Perspective.

During 2020, many generous people supported Today 4 Tomorrow both financially and through volunteer efforts.  All of the Community Ministries and the people they serve as well as the participants in the Youth Internship Program, the Refugee Program and All My Relations are grateful to our generous and loyal donors. Thank you for making a difference in people’s lives!

Plans for T4T 2021 are underway, and more information will be published in Crosstalk when the appeal is launched during Lent and Easter. In the spring, our annual fundraising event and silent auction will be advertised to take place early in the fall. If you would like to support the T4T partners now, please visit www.today4tomorrow.ca to make a donation, and if you would like volunteer, please call Jane Scanlon, Director of Communications and Stewardship Development at 613-232-7124, ext. 225.

Thank you, in advance, for contributing to building a community of hope!

The post Today 4 Tomorrow gives hope! appeared first on Perspective.