Back from CODE (Conference for Diocesan Executives)

Back from? Well, I didn't actually have to go very far because CODE (Conference for Diocesan Executives)  met in Baltimore this year.

My plenary presentation was scheduled for the Lord-Have-Mercy slot of 3:45-5:00 PM. On a Friday after they'd already been meeting for a couple of days. Still, ~ 25 folks showed up and that was fine with me. Years ago, I learned to embrace this wisdom: whoever is there, is supposed to be there.

It was a good group, which I define as open and interested. Only two people shot their hands up when I asked, "Who wishes social media would just go away?"

Here's a slide I've created to address that wishful thinking:

Social Media Jobs & Salaries? Not for us!

This is a visual excerpt from a stunning infographic about social media jobs and salaries posted on Twitter by Amy Bishop (AmyL_Bishop) and faithful user of the #ChSocM tag. (Thanks, Amy!) Created by OnwardSearch, the full infographic is here.

My first thought upon seeing these: Jesus will come again in glory before church communication folks get paid anything remotely close to these salaries.

QOTD (Quote of the Day)

Some wisdom about the Digital Divide from the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference. These comments, part of the Social-Networking Protocols issued by the Catholic Church in Australia, transcend denomination:

While the gifts of social networking are vast, it is important to remember in our engagement that the digital world is not exclusive. Social networking should never replace real relationships with people, and particularly in a ministry context, efforts should be made to avoid simply digital relationships.

This is also important in the sense of retaining the Church’s focus on the poor. The majority of the world still cannot afford a computer, many have little access to educational possibilities and as such struggle with literacy; or perhaps they live in remote areas with limited access to technology. Hearing others talk about their social networking experiences can be profoundly isolating for those unable to take part.

─ The Bishops Commission for Mission and Faith Formation (Australian Catholic Bishops Conference)