Commission uses online videoconference
to consider regional ad plans

The Commission on Communications discussed a grant application for a spring regional advertising campaign Oct. 13 during a historic meeting.
Members of the agency did business for 45 minutes via an online videoconference. It was the first known official interactive meeting conducted on the Worldwide Web by any Southwest Texas Conference agency.
The Southwest Texas group agreed to apply for $50,000 in matching funds from the General Commission on Communication for radio and billboard advertising in February and March.
The proposed $100,000 regional advertising blitz would be part of the denominationwide Igniting Ministry image campaign.
Southwest Texas ads would raise awareness of The United Methodist Church and establish a backdrop for invitations by church members to March 9 Bring a Friend Sunday activities. Visitors would then be invited back to Palm Sunday and Easter services.
Meeting participants saw each other on their desktop computers through web cameras. They heard each other through headphones or speakers connected to their computers. They could see documents, text messages and presentations on their computer screens as well.
“It was a great first step,” said commission chair Fred Key, who presided from San Angelo. “Our commission has been discussing teleconferencing options for at least two years. The idea is still a work in progress, but we see tremendous potential in this technology. It could increase involvement in meetings and reduce travel costs.”
Other participants were in Goliad, San Antonio, Utopia and Victoria.
The commission and the Communications and Public Witness Office will continue to explore teleconferencing, Key said. The goal is to test various ways that conference agencies might take advantage of new technology.
“By the time you consider the driving time to San Antonio for most meetings, you’re talking about quite an investment in time and energy for most participants,” Key said. “I think you might have more involvement if groups did some meetings online.”
Key noted he would have driven for six hours roundtrip to attend the 45 minute meeting Oct. 13. Other participants said the online session saved them three-to-four hours of travel that day.
The commission used a commercial Web-based service recommended by the Nebraska Conference, said Douglas Cannon, communications and public witness director. Nebraska leaders have been meeting online for several years.
“As soon as we can work out some of the bugs, (videoconferencing) will be wonderful,” said the Rev. Virgilio Vazquez-Garza, San Antonio District superintendent. He took part in the commission meeting from his home.