Planned, professional, open and transparent communications enables the New York Annual Conference (NYAC) to create an environment where our internal (Episcopal office; NYAC Church leadership and Conference staff) and external (current and prospective congregants; current and prospective NYAC Clergy, Laity; people and organizations outside of the denomination, etc.) audiences are better able to:
- Understand how NYAC puts its mission into action on both the organizational level and within our individual churches.
- Engage with personal and congregational stories of Christian experience, faith, and service; and other means that give expressions of witness for Jesus Christ.
- Gain buy-in to NYAC’s mission and begin to look forward to engaging in and communicating about mission-focused activities.
- Direct Christian “seekers” and “questioners” (desirable “targets” for all denominations) to envisioning a UMC church environment that can meet their needs.
- Better understand strategic messaging needed to help NYAC address issues, build credibility, create brand awareness and prevent misfires that can harm the perception of the work that NYAC does.
- Embrace the future and increase engagement based on the positive/hopeful messaging offered.
In the best circumstances, the Conference mission, vision and core values will shine through all of our public-facing activities and encourage all to see the importance of what we do, how we do it and future possibilities.
*Conference Communicators are tasked to:
- Identify, equip and coordinate the work of a communications team (volunteer/staff);
- Develop and guide the implementation of strategies for effective communications among Annual Conference agencies, districts and local churches;
- Promote and organize activities to enhance the awareness and reputation of the church;
- Help guide the strategy to promote the Conference budget and other benevolences;
- Provide guidance and training in effective communications to Annual Conference, District and/or local church leaders;
- Lead the Conference in developing effective relationships with news media within the Annual Conference;
- Guide Conference Leaders in developing and implementing an effective communication strategy under the Connectional Ministry;
- Lead the Conference in using new and emerging technologies for ministry; and
- Provide connectional relationship between the Conference and United Methodist Communications.
It is recommended that the Director be part of the Extended Cabinet (or equivalent leadership structure) to provide advice and counsel concerning communications strategies related to the Conference program, apportionment and benevolence interpretation, crisis management, and other matters as the Cabinet and director may determine.
About Our NYAC Director Of Communications
Lisa Isom, NYAC Director of Communications, is a former journalist with an extensive background in media, corporate communications and marketing/communications for not-for-profits.
A self-described “storyteller and lover of words," she has more than 15 years of management experience in communications, multi-channel marketing and media relations, with a strong focus on supporting leadership with strategic messaging and producing communications collateral while keeping costs low and quality high.
She has:
- Worked closely with organizational leadership to develop communications strategies to achieve strategic goals.
- Served as executive editor and editor-in-chief of award-winning magazines and newsletters.
- Launched monthly internal newsletters and external magazines.
- Developed proactive media campaigns and managed executive communications.
- Organized press conferences and served as media spokesperson.
- Developed and authored strategic print and digital communications.
- Devised long-range media relations strategies.
- Directed enterprise internet, intranet and microsite builds.
- Authored and edited content for digital, print and video media.
- Managed large teams of print, digital and video content producers for a range of communications.
- Supervised external firm’s production of multimedia story packages and digital collateral.
- Worked with C-suite executives, attorneys and physicians to shape news coverage of controversial stories.
- Coached organizational leaders for successful interviews.
- Devised and implemented guidelines for social media marketing, crisis communications, and leadership briefings.
- Created and managed large-scale communications/marketing campaigns for a variety of media platforms.
Have questions communications, marketing and the tools and tactics needed to elevate your church's engagement and outreach to new levels? Call us at 914-61-2218 or email Lisa Isom, our Director of Communications, to see how we can help.
*The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church 2016: ¶642