Effective communication

Topic: Effective

CommunicationPresented to the ZWAC UMYF

Leaders’ Retreat

By: Pastor Taurai Emmanuel Maforo

Communication Definition

• the imparting or exchanging of information by speaking, writing, or using some other medium.

• "television is an effective means of communication"

• Synonyms: transmission, imparting, conveying, reporting, presenting, passing on, handing on, relay, conveyance, disclosure; spreading, dissemination, broadcasting, circulation, circulating

Communication Definition• Two-way process of reaching mutual

understanding, in which participants not only exchange (encode-decode) information, news, ideas and feelings but also create and share meaning.

• In general, communication is a means of connecting people or places.

• In business, it is a key function of management--an organization cannot operate without communication between levels, departments and employees.

http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/communication.html#ixzz3SmEo

Quotes On Effective Communication• "The most important thing in communication is

hearing what isn't said.” Peter Drucker• "Effective communication is 20% what you know

and 80% how you feel about what you know.“ Jim Rohn

• "To effectively communicate, we must realize that we are all different in the way we perceive the world and use this understanding as a guide to our communication with others.” Tony Robbins

• "Effective communication occurs only if the receiver understands the exact information or idea that the sender intended to transmit. Many of the problems that occur in an organization are either the direct result of people failing to communicate and/or processes, which leads to confusion and can cause good plans to fail.” Pranav Mistry

Communicating in CONTEXT

• The United Methodist Church Communications Mandate

• United Methodist Youth Fellowship

The responsibility to communicate is laid upon;

• Every church member• Every pastor• Every congregation• Every annual conference• Every institution• And Every Agency of the Church eg.

UMYF

For UMYF to Communicate Effectively we need to set up effective teams

– Publicity Secretaries

Publicity Secretary

• Is the Public Relations Officer of the organisation

• Has up-to-date information of the organisation activities(Calendar)

• Comes up with a creative communications strategies for up-coming events(Camps, Retreats, Revivals, Outreaches) – Fliers/Banners/Posters

• Recommends appropriate media eg. Text/whatsapp/Facebook/Youtube

• Administers the social media

Communicating in a Global Village

Social Media/Groups

1,39Billion Users(Feb 2015)Facebook Messenger 500million

Over 1Billion Users300hrs of Video Uploads every minute

600million plus users468million users overtaking Google+ and Twitter

Zimbabwe Episcopal Area Facebook Stats

UMCZEA Videotube

Website:www.umczea.org

Links for UMYF are provided

on the Web

Emails Messages distributed by electronic means from one computer user to

one or more recipients via a network.

Use CC: (“Carbon Copy”)

• to inform, to keep others in the loop

• when you email your supervisor’s colleague

• to show your supervisor the task is done

Use BCC: (“Blind Carbon Copy”)

• to hide a long list of recipients

• to notify your boss(Director/Ds/Bishop) of a sticky situation

• use with caution!

Using CC & BCC Appropriately

Which have you used?

Why are some better than others?

In what circumstances? How best can social media be an How best can social media be an effective communication tool in effective communication tool in UMYFUMYF

What other means of communication can be employed

– non-internet based?• Letters• Newsletters• Fliers & Pamphlets• Banners• Text Messaging – Frontline SMS• Calls – Telephone/Cellphone• Fax

Caution on Use of Internet Based Communication

A note of caution: Don’t lose people through the digital cracks

• Not everyone is tech savvy • Some training / orientation is advised • Not everyone has equal access to internet • Careful not to leave someone behind or set

unrealistic expectations for the group • Seek feedback / input on the tools you’re

using and revise the strategy as needed

Conclusion

• In order therefore to communicate effectively UMYF needs to employ appropriate tools relevant to their context

• Understand and appreciate that communications is not divorced from context

• Appreciate the connectional nature of UMC as an enabler of effective communication