Generally speaking, I'm the kind of person that refuses to get in over the head. Fiji taught me that...among several things. I am however, currently in over my head.
I agreed to organize the move for YFC. Then they added changing internet companies on me. Now I have a friend coming in from out of town, a wedding next week, AND the girls Ministry to run. I think I'm stretched too far.
Now I have to learn to say no. So today (Hopefully) I'm going to let them know I can work on the move this week and thru Wednesday of next week and then after the new year. Does that sound good?
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Day Job: I'm Seeking Feedback Please
Okay, so my day-job is this: Youth Guidance, Youth for Christ Grand Rapids. What does that mean? I get to hang out with at-risk girls all the time, the more the merrier. I love what I do. But I have one constant problem. I'm asking for your opinion.
I have a support base for which I cannot be thankful enough for. Without the people who write monthly checks to YFC on my behalf, I would not be able to do what I do. It is thru their sacrifice, that I am able not only to do what I love, but to share with them all these great things that God is doing. For some of them, it is the only way they will be able to tell someone else about Jesus. Here is my problem:
Ideally, I would love to send out a newsletter once a month telling everyone what is going on. For those who write monthly checks its a reminder...sort of like a nice bill that's personal and friendly and doesn't have late fees. For others, maybe the ones that this is how they tell others about Jesus, they see the fruit of their labor. But this presents a problem: $67+ dollars a month for postage not to mention the time it takes to stuff, label, and write these things (I will mention here that I love writing them, formating them, and being able to share with everyone all the cool things God is doing). ...It is however, impractical because of the time and expense.
YFC has also developed a Calendar of sending out newsletters rotating letters directly and only from the Executive Director (ED), general YFC Newsletter...which is news/highlights from all of our ministry sites (of which we are each limited to about 250-300 words), personal Newsletters (one newsletter from each ministry site), and no newsletter at all (only twice in the year). This leaves a lot of what goes on out of anyone's ears. From my point of view, this is simply bad PR...when you don't communicate effectively and thouroughly with your supporters who DO sacrifice to give.
So now, we are looking into doing e-newsletters. Several advantages arise from doing it this way: way less expensive, way less time consuming, can be as personal or organizational as desired, and this 'instant' communication also provides means of better two-way communication. These are some of the possibilities. Some disadvantages I currently see are some who have limited or no access to internet - do we send them a snail mail one?, the slightly less personal and more spam-like looking email in the inbox - will people ignore it or pass it off as something not involving them? Okay, those are the only ones I can think of.
In other news, quick a minute before I close: Its not really an official thing yet but I like the thought of it and I like the odds of its potential. I heard yesterday that I may have an opportunity to get my masters! Not in communication (which I have a BA in) but in Criminal Justice/Youth Ministry area. Its thru a university in St.Paul Minnesota: Bethel University. Its one of those short-term, highly intense days with months of follow up. The program is currently being developed I hear. Pray for it, it would be a huge help in understanding the kids I work with.
Again, I would like your feedback on the communication thing above. If you would take a minute and let me know your preferences. I want to communicate frequently not because I like or want to be annoying, but because I see a lot of joy and I see a lot of God working and I think its important for the sake of encouragement and so much more!
I have a support base for which I cannot be thankful enough for. Without the people who write monthly checks to YFC on my behalf, I would not be able to do what I do. It is thru their sacrifice, that I am able not only to do what I love, but to share with them all these great things that God is doing. For some of them, it is the only way they will be able to tell someone else about Jesus. Here is my problem:
Ideally, I would love to send out a newsletter once a month telling everyone what is going on. For those who write monthly checks its a reminder...sort of like a nice bill that's personal and friendly and doesn't have late fees. For others, maybe the ones that this is how they tell others about Jesus, they see the fruit of their labor. But this presents a problem: $67+ dollars a month for postage not to mention the time it takes to stuff, label, and write these things (I will mention here that I love writing them, formating them, and being able to share with everyone all the cool things God is doing). ...It is however, impractical because of the time and expense.
YFC has also developed a Calendar of sending out newsletters rotating letters directly and only from the Executive Director (ED), general YFC Newsletter...which is news/highlights from all of our ministry sites (of which we are each limited to about 250-300 words), personal Newsletters (one newsletter from each ministry site), and no newsletter at all (only twice in the year). This leaves a lot of what goes on out of anyone's ears. From my point of view, this is simply bad PR...when you don't communicate effectively and thouroughly with your supporters who DO sacrifice to give.
So now, we are looking into doing e-newsletters. Several advantages arise from doing it this way: way less expensive, way less time consuming, can be as personal or organizational as desired, and this 'instant' communication also provides means of better two-way communication. These are some of the possibilities. Some disadvantages I currently see are some who have limited or no access to internet - do we send them a snail mail one?, the slightly less personal and more spam-like looking email in the inbox - will people ignore it or pass it off as something not involving them? Okay, those are the only ones I can think of.
In other news, quick a minute before I close: Its not really an official thing yet but I like the thought of it and I like the odds of its potential. I heard yesterday that I may have an opportunity to get my masters! Not in communication (which I have a BA in) but in Criminal Justice/Youth Ministry area. Its thru a university in St.Paul Minnesota: Bethel University. Its one of those short-term, highly intense days with months of follow up. The program is currently being developed I hear. Pray for it, it would be a huge help in understanding the kids I work with.
Again, I would like your feedback on the communication thing above. If you would take a minute and let me know your preferences. I want to communicate frequently not because I like or want to be annoying, but because I see a lot of joy and I see a lot of God working and I think its important for the sake of encouragement and so much more!
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