Elizabeth+Potito+Proposal


 * CAPSTONE PROJECT**

eapotito@hotmail.com
 * Project Contact:** Elizabeth Ann Potito (Volunteer)


 * Project Title**: Social Media Policy and Presence for the Parish of Most Holy Trinity, Diocese of Scranton.


 * Project Description**:

As a member of the parish with some knowledge of and interest in communications and use of the internet, I am aware that our online presence is weak. In addition, we do not have a written internet/social media policy for parish groups to follow. In fact, from the Diocesan website, I am unable to determine what the Diocese’s policy is.

We know that the best way to reach youth is online. We know that the quickest and most inexpensive way to get a message out quickly is social media. (We also suspect that is the //best// way; an albeit unscientific survey of my particular group of friends finds that people get constant and immediate notice of new postings on Facebook, but don’t always check their email.)

My project is to develop and implement a comprehensive social media policy and presence for the Parish of Most Holy Trinity. Because of the size of this project, the expectation is that Phase I, the Short Term Goals, will be completed during this Capstone project, and that Phase II, the Long Term Goals, will continue to develop thereafter. However, the description of Phase II is included in this description in order to show the full scope of the project.


 * Project Goals:**
 * Phase I/Short Term**:
 * o Utilizing our existing Webpage and Facebook page, improve our presence by increased postings to and use of those sites.
 * o Add additional electronic programs to further our presence. In Phase I, add Twitter and Instagram.
 * o Utilize Wikis for adult faith formation programs.
 * o Utilize Remind or similar programs for various parish groups, including each specific grade in Religious Education.


 * Phase II/Long Term**:
 * o Consider having a Video presence on line, such as a YouTube channel, or by using JoinMe. Important meetings and even homilies can be recorded and posted.
 * o Purchase a parish membership to Formed.Org so that parishioners have a one-stop online source of books, movies and videos with Catholic content.
 * o Introduce use of computer technology to Religious Education program, by training teachers in the use of programs such as Animoto and Imgur. Note: This will necessitate cooperation of the Catholic School, whose wi-fi network would likely need to be utilized, although we would not expect to use their computers. If the school is not amenable to that, we would need to explore other ways to offer internet access.
 * o Use Hoot Suite or a similar program to automatically share content between sites.
 * o Use an online program such as Ministry Scheduler to schedule Altar Servers, Readers, Extraordinary Ministers, Ushers, Greeters and other liturgical ministers. Note: We anticipate that giving people the ability to schedule themselves will increase participation, and help cut down on “no-shows”. The present reason for not doing this is a belief that not all ministers have access to the internet, however, this appears to be a fallacy, as all ministers presently receive the schedule by email.
 * o Continue to research and add websites and programs to our offerings so as not to become stagnant.


 * Implementation of Phase I / Timeline**
 * o Develop a written Internet/Social Media Policy for the Parish. While the Parish Internet/Social Media Policy is being refined, the guidelines will be the Internet/Social Media Policies set forth by the USCCB and the Diocese of Scranton from time to time. In the event of a discrepancy between the Parish Social Media Policy and the Social Media Policies set forth by the USCCB and the Diocese of Scranton, the Pastor will determine the policy to be followed. **Timeline**: First draft to be provided to Pastor by October 31, 2016; revisions made within two weeks of Pastor’s response
 * o Have each parish group, (for example, Ladies Guild, KofC, youth religious education, adult religious education) designate a contact person who will routinely provide information regarding upcoming events so that they can be placed on the various social media. **Timeline:** Requests to be made by October 15, 2016.
 * o Assist each contact person in developing information designed for each media. For example, a version of the usual paper flyer for an upcoming bakesale can be put on Facebook; a photo of it can be posted on Instagram, and an announcement can be tweeted. On the day of the event, further promotions can be tweeted, and photos of the goodies on Facebook and Instagram are a great selling point. **Timeline:** October 16, 2016 – November 15, 2016
 * o Invite the parish into the conversation! Announce each new account in the bulletin, and put links to each site on the parish website. **Timeline:** October 16, 2016 – November 15, 2016
 * o Cooperate with other parishes in the Deanery to cross-promote events of interest in each other’s parishes. **Timeline:** Make initial contact with each parish November 1, 2016 – November 15, 2016

Entire parish, and others interested in the parish.
 * Audience**:


 * Implementation of Phase II** (Begins January, 2017)

To grow further from Phase I, we will need to develop a structured framework for management of internet use. This will be the cornerstone of implementing the remainder of Phase II.

We now have a webmaster, and we will also have Content Managers as described in Phase I. While it is a good thing to have all these people involved (“Content Manager”), there must be a single point of contact. As the project develops, the parish will ultimately need to have a designated Social Media Manager. The Social Media Manager’s job is:
 * o Administer the Parish Social Media Policy, including suggesting updates from time to time
 * o Provide a single contact for any individual or group who wants something posted
 * o Coordinate with the Content Managers to oversee the continuity of the sites.
 * o Ensure that each Site complies with the guidelines set forth by the Parish.
 * o Ensure that the daily readings are posted each day on the applicable Parish Accounts.
 * o Develop a timetable for content to be delivered for scheduled events. (For example, the Ladies Guild luncheon and bag sale held in September should begin to be promoted by late May.)

The Social Media Manager’s job is //NOT// to replace or interfere with the Content Manager. However, the Social Media Manager may also be designated as the Content Manager for one or more accounts.

Each individual Social Media account should have a Content Manager. The Content Manager is the direct contact for each site, and is responsible to the day-to-day management of the site, as set forth in the Responsibilities chart on the next page.

All of these accounts are free. Hoot Suite does have a cost, and we should expect to put that in the parish budget within the next two years.
 * Costs**

This Capstone Project proposal has been reviewed and approved by my pastor, Father John Boyle. No other approvals are necessary.
 * Approvals**

It is anticipated that the Social Media Manager will be a volunteer position, as will the various Content Managers and Facilitators. If the parish joins Formed.Org, we would also aggressively promote the availability of their programs.
 * Miscellaneous**

The Pastor, Assistant Pastor, and all Deacons are encouraged to open their own Twitter accounts, which will of course be followed by the Parish account. || Oversee the account; Post the initial entry for each class meeting; post other updates as necessary or as requested by Social Media Manager, Pastor or other responsible person, respond to questions or comments; delete inappropriate questions or comments ||
 * **Account** || **Content Manager Responsibilities** ||
 * Website || The same tasks and description as the current Webmaster. As other Social Media Accounts “go live”, links to them should be added to the Website. ||
 * Facebook || Oversee the account; post updates as requested by Social Media Manager, Pastor or other responsible person, respond to questions or comments; delete inappropriate questions or comments; and “block” others as necessary ||
 * Twitter || Oversee the account; post updates as requested by Social Media Manager, Pastor or other responsible person; “follow” other accounts of interest (e.g., Pope, USCCB, Bishop Kopacz, Bishop Bambera, Father Tudgay, other priests of the Diocese, and other accounts of interest.) The Pastor has the ultimate authority as to what accounts may be followed.
 * Instagram || Oversee the account; post updates as requested by Social Media Manager, Pastor or other responsible person; “follow” other accounts of interest (e.g., Pope, USCCB, Bishop Kopacz, Bishop Bambera, Father Tudgay, other priests of the Diocese, and other accounts of interest.) The Pastor has the ultimate authority as to what accounts may be followed. ||
 * Wiki(s) || Each separate Adult Faith Formation program should have its own Wiki. The Facilitator of each individual program should be the Content Manager for that Wiki. At the discretion of the Pastor, Wikis may be set up as open to all in the parish, or open only to participants in that particular program.
 * Other || Other Social Media activities to be added as new platforms become viable. ||
 * Remind || This will actually have numerous Content Managers, as each group and each grade will utilize. For example, teachers may send out a reminder about a particular homework assignment. Each Content Manager is responsible for timely sending out announcements as needed. ||
 * Blogs || It is recommended that the Pastor’s Page now published in the Bulletin be also memoralized in a Blog. The Bulletin is available online for a week; the Blog has an indefinite lifespan. It does not call for any additional content from the Pastor, just the addition of way to view and review the material. ||