Mandate for the Communications Group
Purpose of the Communications Group:
The purpose of the Communications Group is to manage communications infrastructure for the Branch, handle and respond to email inquiries, requests for promotion and support, and to promote anthroposophical events locally through online postings and disseminating announcements for both Branch and broader community events and activities. It is also the purpose of the Communications Group to be informed of and coordinate with other regional and national initiatives and Branches in order to maximize impact, make effective use of limited resources, and foster coherence across the movement including the School for Spiritual Science with its Class and Sections.
Composition:
The Communications Group is chaired or co-chaired by members of the Branch Council and may include others as appropriate to identified responsibilities. It requires at least 2 and up to 3 members with a commitment to consistent participation for at least 6 months. Members can include at the recommendation of standing members others outside of Branch Council who will be vetted and authorized for participation by Branch Council. Branch Council retains the right of appointing members of the Communication Group in order to maintain overall coherence of both this mandate and the Branch Branch Council
Responsibilities:
- Meet regularly to coordinate activities
- Document user accounts and vendors which Branch depends on for communications; Establish structures and processes to enable the above; Identify and propose budget to maintain ongoing communication needs; Ensure that infrastructure support bills are paid in a timely way
- Engage with the Branch Council and wider circles in fostering best communication practices
- Propose guidelines, solicit input and agreement from Branch Council around the above
- Manage and regularly update Branch email list
- Ensure consistent monitoring of and timely responses to emails where needed
- Maintain the Calendar of Events on website
- Identify and grant permission for registering appropriate users to post events
- Support the Programs Group by promoting and disseminating events and activities
- Create and maintain a new public facing branch website
- Create and regularly publish a branch Newsletter
- Propose and provide content for the website and other publications
- Coordinate with other anthroposophical initiatives
- Increase regional participation in anthroposophical activities
- Encourage membership in the Anthroposophical Society in America and, if there is a membership program, membership in SFBB
- Communicate important information back to Branch Council
- Updating information in the branch records and on the website
Authorities:
The Communications Group will develop and propose to the Branch Council an annual budget for user accounts and vendors which Branch depends on for communications. Once agreed to by the Branch Council, the Communications Group has the authority and responsibility to maintain vendor relations provided it remains within the approved budget. The Communications Group will develop and propose best communication practices to the Branch Council. Once agreed to by the Branch Council, the Communications Group has the authority to handle responses to inquiries and requests independently.
Accountability:
The Communications Group will report regularly at Branch Council meetings on its activities and plans.
Review and renewal:
Mandate approved and adopted by consensus of the Branch Council on mm/day/yr
Mandate will be reviewed and renewed one year from this date
The Secretary will keep this Mandate and any suggested changes on file with the minutes and other association records.