Communication/Strategy
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Communications strategy
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Communication strategy 2007
In progress
Contents |
Introduction
Never Again is a decentralised global network in which all members are empowered to make their own contribution to peacebuilding.
This strategy will provide a framework for communications activity across the Never Again network, including shaping the work of the Communications committee and communication between the new bodies of the international structure, as well as ensuring fruitful interaction between individual members.
Internally, our strategy is to promote the free exchange of ideas, concerns and questions amongst the whole membership in order to build trust amongst members and develop effective working practices.
Externally, our role is to demand the same freedom to take part in dialogue. Never Again International should not become another brand with another message, but a shell, a safe space from which questioning, critical individuals can address the powers of the world on an equal level. It should, however, have a coherence to the outside world and our objectives should be easily understood by everybody.
Our methodology connects us and emphasises the humanity we all share. The most effective communications strategy will not impose a set of rules on our community of individuals, but will build on proven communications method to enhance our ongoing conversation as members and executives of the organisation.
Rules must exist to protect the entity of Never Again as a legal organisation, which is registered as a limited company in the UK and a charity in Rwanda. These particular conventions apply to Never Again International. Until any other structures are agreed, it is assumed that countries will have different communications practices and this strategy applies only to international representatives working internationally or in the name of Never Again International.
With that said, it is hoped that as the communications committee develops, it will work collaboratively on harmonious communication materials in across the different thematic centres through which we operate.
Internal communications: an overview
Hubs
Internal communications will be managed by the communications committee which is made up of a coordinator, hub coordinators and other roles that are deemed necessary by the committee such as country communications coordinators and a website editor. These roles may overlap and there will be additional members whose presence is helpful to overall communication.
Hub coordinators spread the burden of multi-directional communication by taking care of fairly small groups which should represent the full active membership of Never Again. Until more ways can be found to draw more Group and Chapter members into the international structure, sometimes one person will be deemed to represent the views of many more members. New hub coordinators will be appointed to meet the growing needs of the organisation and a new members hub will operate on the wiki.
- Role of the hub coordinators
- (to add: Illustrative diagram)
Through meetings and ongoing individual dialogue, hub coordinators will be responsible for ensuring that Never Again International is centrally aware of members' activities and views, including:
- Adding news, requests for help and forward planning information to the global roundup
- Ensuring views and concerns of members are communicated to the international committee through any of its members
Occasional international events in the vein of 2006's Jigsaw Conversation will be oportunities for hub members to join global conversations which focus on particular issues in the life of Never Again International or a shared concern.
Depending on the size of the communications committee, there will be rolling meetings with the minutes posted to the wiki. Between meetings, business will be conducted through email. Collaborative work will be on the wiki in most cases unless there is a very pressing reason to keep the work private. Training will be provided for anybody who needs to use the wiki or would like to and any registered member will normally be welcome to give their help.
The communications coordinator will be responsible for ensuring that the IC is fully informed and in approval of the committee's work.
Communications Committee members
As well as being hub coordinators or having specific IC positions, members have nominal coverage of particular areas, indicated in brackets
- Clare White - chair/international coordinator (UK)
- Nick Gerda - deputy chair, website editor (USA)
- Melanie Tomsons - Canada communications coordinator (Canada)
- Heddy Nam (USA)
- Marian Hodgkin (IC, USA)
- Ruth Gonzalez (USA, new members)
- Poppy Sebag-Montefiore (IC, UK)
- James Sevitt (IC, fundraising, UK)
- Mireille Saurette (Rwanda)
- Jed Oppenheim (Rwanda)
- Joseph Nkurunziza (IC, Rwanda)
- Albert (IC, Rwanda)
- Jean Claude (Rwanda media group)
- Will Paterson (legal, Canada, IC)
External communications
Letters and press releases
Normally press releases, statements and letters on behalf of Never Again International will be coordinated by the International Committee or delegated to the Communications Committee.
All international communications should include the NAI logo.
Failure to follow the process above may cause the international committee to take action to withdraw the communication in order to protect the legal structure and its directors.
Countries & Groups
As stated before, thematic programme centres decide on their own working practices. However, to maintain the coherence of the organisations as a whole, representatives of each thematic programme will have places on the international committee and the communications committee.
It is the responsibility of those representatives to:
- Give the IC advance notice of public documents and websites issued in the country's name
- Keep the CC informed of media campaigns and archive press contacts, media appearances, statements signed and press releases issued in Never Again's (the country) name
- Ensure that external communications are generally harmonious with the aims and objectives of the international organisation and certainly not in conflict (this would be for the IC to rule on)
- Ensure that the overall activities of the group are reported on the monthly global roundup and in the annual report.
Website
The communications committee has responsibility for the domain www.neveragaininternational.org and will ensure it is up-to-date and in line with the overall strategy of Never Again International. A logo will be provided for all pages on other websites which are part of the NAI structure.
Changes to the website should come to Clare White, communications coordinator and Nick Gerda, website editor, and should be made within a fortnight of being received. These two will be responsible for getting any necessary approval for changes from the IC.
Publications and newsletters
Core publications such as brochures and annual reports will be coordinated by the CC under the direction of the IC.
The Global Roundup is the main monthly e-newsletter. It will be coordinated by the CC and sent out around the first week of each month by CMW or a delegate. Will Paterson, legal officer, will be responsible for making a weekly check on the global roundup as it develops on the website and reporting anything of concern to CMW.
Mailing lists
The following lists will be kept centrally
- Global roundup - open to all members and anybody interested in NAI's work
- Press list - all journalists interested in NAI's work, to be gathered by CC members
- Partner list - potential and full partners or funders of NAI, to be gathered by IC members
Reference & tools
Background
Areas of development in 2007
- Clearly, the hub structure does not give voice to the greatest numbers of NAI members in the Great Lakes. Particularly by supporting projects that get youth online and trained, the CC will make efforts to find ways to better involve these members and ensure they are heard in the global conversation.
- Currently coordination and capacity for publications, flyers etc is low internationally. Communications coordinators of the different countries should work towards common branding and consistent core messages from Never Again.
Guidance documents to be developed
- A guide for new members
- - Who's Who in Never Again International
- - Wiki Guide
- - Weblog Guide
- - Newspaper (hosted by Exact Editions) Guide
- A guide for experienced members
- - How to use skype
- - How to use Del.icio.us
- - How to become an NA blogger
- A guide for funders
- A guide for partners
