MACUCC Webfest '10

an event for church webmasters & communicators

Saturday, May 15, 2010
9 AM - 3 PM

Framingham Conference Center,
1 Badger Road, Framingham, MA

Registration deadline extended through Wednesday, May 12, 2010!

Can your church work in the clouds?

You’ve probably heard reference to cloud computing in the media, and either wonder what that means or assume it’s too advanced to be of interest to your church. However, it may surprise you to realize that you, your church or your neighboring churches have already ventured into this area.

There are varying definitions for cloud computing, but at it’s simplest it is the practice of doing work using online technology instead of programs on our personal computers. Did you know one Conference church uses Google Docs to share a volunteer calendar online? Another is trying out a wiki as a place to save instructions for how to perform church tasks. Several churches use Wordpress to allow multiple people to work on their websites or to blog. And many church youth groups use Facebook to interact. They are all doing ministry through cloud computing.

These are just some of the ideas that we’ll share at the May 15th Webfest. And, as always, we’ll divide up into small groups around varying topics of interest to the folks who are charged with helping churches to minister online.

The cost is $30.

Join other MACUCC website developers on our Yahoo group Register online with your credit card Dowload flyer & registration form

Agenda 8:45 - 9:00 AM Coffee & check-in 9:00 - 10:15 AM Gathering time Panel discussion 10:30 AM - Noon Small group Noon - 1 PM Lunch 1:00 -2:30 PM Small group 2:30 - 3:00 PM Gathering time

Small Groups

We're offering the following break-out groups. Attendees will be able to participate in two groups, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. We ask that you give us your top THREE choices when registering.

1. Website sharing
   Come gather with your colleagues from other churches, check out one another's sites and share ideas for next steps and improvements. Led by Eric Anderson, Minister of Communications and Technology for the Connecticut Conference UCC.
   
2. Improving your site’s findability and using Google Analytics to create and measure goals
   Presentation will give practical tips on how to improve a site’s findability (how findable the site is using Google or other search engines) using some basic, but proven, search engine optimization (SEO) techniques followed by an introduction to Google Analytics and how to use the tools to set measurable goals. Led by Mark Keeler, Webmaster of First Parish Church in Newbury
   
3. Introduction to Wordpress
   Wordpress is a free, open source application that can be used to create blogs and websites. Hear and see the experience of one church webmaster who is trying it out for his own church. Led by Joe Lima, Webmaster, First Congregational Church UCC, Holliston.
   
4. Creating a Facebook Page for your church
   Learn the step-by-step process for creating a Facebook Page for your church, and share tips on how to use it to enhance communication among parishioners and beyond. Led by Tiffany Vail, Associate for Communication, Massachusetts Conference UCC.
   
5. From the Pulpit to the Website
   A hands-on workshop to publish audio files to your website. This workshop will include a discussion of necessary equipment and software and a demonstration of publishing a file online. Led by Werner Griesshammer, Webmaster, Topsfield Congregational Church and Steve Nelson, Webmaster, East Milton Congregational Church.
   
6. 1 (or 2)-on-1 sessions
   A coaching session where we will pair up our more experienced webmasters with those who need some assistance. Experienced webmasters will receive a $10 discount on registration for volunteering their time for this session. Please help us help our brothers and sisters at neighboring churches.

The registration fee is $30 and includes lunch and materials.

Questions?
Contact Tiffany Vail at vailt@macucc.org or 508-875-5233, ext. 229