|
|
| 1st Annual Charlottesville Piedown - what?? |
I attended the first annual Charlottesville PieDown yesterday. Yes, the first annual Cville Piedown, held at Mudhouse on the downtown mall. This event, a competition for the title of Charlottesville Pie Master, was phenomenal. Not just because it was fun, or the pies pretty and delicious, or the company wonderful, but because this all came about as the result of Twitter. Unbelievable I assert, that over 30 people filled Mudhouse to standing room only on the Sunday of a holiday weekend, just to watch 5 people eat pie (and get a tiny taste if patient). Mayor Norris was there, participating as a judge (lucky!) and before it ended Congressman Tom Perriello stopped by as well. The event was well covered by both The Daily Progress and NBC 29. All because they follow social media darling Twitter. Count me among them. What does twitter mean to me? A FAST, let me repeat, FAST and easy way to find and communicate with corporate customers, colleagues (local and otherwise), and friends or family in 140 words or less. Already a person of few words, I confess I love it. I might even receive complaints, but that is encouraged. I want to be trusted and available, and want the opportunity to tackle a problem if at all possible. In addition, Twitter allows all followers to see the post and response, promoting sharing and creativity in a new and improved way. Following peers in aviation, I am able to network more than before; and, following news (or anyone!), the opportunity to hear it first on Twitter.Most importantly, I have met the most congenial, helpful, friendly, bright, intelligent group of people imaginable. During my initial Twitter days, it was pretty obvious who the original tweeters of Charlottesville included, and while significantly more techno-intelligent than me, they were gracious and accommodating, helpful and encouraging. Turning to park at the back of the Omni, I voiced a moment of trepidation to my daughter who eagerly accompanied me to the Piedown. However, it turned to excitement when I saw Joe Meade & family as I parked my car. No, I had not yet met Joe, but already recognized him as I pointed him out to my daughter. It was a bit unique, finding familiar faces that I had never met. Try explaining that one to your great aunt! And I think that's what I found most unique and intriguing yesterday, recognizing that this group of online commuicators understands that it's not just about the technology, but the relationship as well.Oh, and in case you are interested, it's all documented-be sure and visit the website for pictures, recipes and the people who made it possible.Stay tuned to Fall 2009 - First Annual Crozet Piedown to come!
|
|
|
 |
| Tags:
charlottesville, annual, twitter, piedown |
|
|
|
Twitter for Event Promotion, Collaboration and Community Building
|
"It all started on Twitter," said Steve Whitaker , kicking off the first-ever pie bake off in the community of Charlottesville, Va. The C'ville Pie Down , as the event came to be known, started with an innocent tweet. First, Jamie Schwartz of Brown Automotive , a local car dealer, wondered who made the best pie in town. I modestly mentioned that "I am the pie master" and Brian Geiger, The Food Geek , asserted that his pies are pretty darn good, too. Thus inspiring the following tweet: That's all it took, and over the next 16 days, the execution of the event moved pretty quickly. The hashtag #cvillepiedown trended throughout the local Twitter community and within the first day, four judges self-identified, via Twitter. A wiki was set up so the judges and competitors could frame out the competition with rules, criteria and event details. Over Twitter, a local coffeeshop offered space with free coffee for the judges, free Wi-Fi (for on-site tweeting), signage and promotion for the event. One of the judges set up a Web site. There was a promotional photo shoot and ongoing Twitter buzz to promote the event. I set up the event in Facebook to keep track of attendees. The event took place on May 24 and gained significant media coverage, with the local NBC affiliate filming and interviewing participants, the local daily newspaper covering the event with a fabulous photo slideshow and the next day, page three, color, half the page, above the fold, fantastic story with photos. No wonder, because the event saw more than 50 people in attendance (whole families turned out for the Sunday afternoon fun). The mayor of Charlottesville and Congressman Tom Periello (also invited via Twitter ) even made an appearance to taste some pie. The blogosphere was just as eager to cover the event, an impressive number of links to the local blogger community's posts following the Pie Down appear below. In short, the C'ville Pie Down turned out to be a remarkable case study in what a community can do using Twitter and other forms of social media ; how online interaction turned into real-life interaction and got the attention of traditional media in doing so. This is, so far, the most compelling demonstration of Twitter at work in a community that I have witnessed firsthand. http://shoulderblog.wordpress.com/2009/05/25/pie-and-social-media-go-together-like/ http://www.molliecoxbryan.com/journey_of_a_cookbookbiog/2009/05/spreading-the-pie-love.html http://pyle-associates.blogspot.com/2009/05/piedown-on-may-24.html http://www.gocho.com/airport/blog/1st-annual-charlottesville-piedown-what/#When:18:11:00Z http://www.finecooking.com/item/10652/competition-pies http://pyle-associates.blogspot.com/2009/05/2009-pie-down-results.html http://www.realcentralva.com/2009/05/26/charlottesville-pie-down-ridiculously-good-fun/ http://www.stlworkingmom.com/2009/05/17/cville-pie-down-the-web-site-and-details/
|
|
|
|
 |
Using Twitter for Customer Service? Five Reasons Not to Tweet
Some notable examples of how Twitter is being succesfully used for customer service have emerged; Frank Eliason is Comcast's leader in caring for customers via Twitter; a pioneer in this practice. Whole Foods is another business with a significant presence on Twitter. This week, Best Buy launched , with significant media exposure, its new Twelpforce -- a top-notch team of tech pros offering advice and being responsive to the Best Buy community on Twitter.
These examples are creating a ripple effect in businesses large and small, with businesses jumping directly on to the Twitter-for-customer service bandwagon. We believe that there are several key considerations before a business begins to tweet. Five Reasons Not to Tweet for Customer Service Y our business lacks the ability (time, resources and staff) to be responsive on Twitter. If you're only able to staff your customer service presence on Twitter 9am-5pm M-F, that's fine, just make sure that's clearly posted on the company's Twitter profile. You're not monitoring for opportunities to respond and engage using tools such as Tweetbeep or Twitter Search; if you're unaware of what's being said, you won't be able to respond to it. Your brand, product or service -- in a word -- sucks. Now more than ever, technology is separating the pack and those who lead in customer service and quality products and services are clearly separated from those who do not. You can't fix your customers' issues. Either you don't care, or can't provide them the assistance they need, or direct them to a resource. In any case, the point of being there is to help; if you can't, then stay away. (And it may be time to reexamine your customer service department as a whole). Twitter is your only social media presence. Do your business a favor and publish FAQs and other content to help customers help themselves, first. Producing this content on a Web site, a Facebook page and other searchable resources will not only save your Twitter team time, but gives your customers total access to the information they seek. Don't, above all, make it more difficult for customers to access your company and your services.
|
|
|
|
|
Same-gender blessings task force meets today in the Diocese of Virginia
Today I am participating in the "R-14 Task Force," the 11-member panel appointed by Bishop Shannon Johnston of the Diocese of Virginia to determine how/when/whether we can proceed with same-gender blessings. This will be the first meeting, and I will give a report in this space as best as I am able when we are done.
So that you are on the same page with me, I am reprinting below the "R-14" resolution approved by the Diocesan Council of Virginia that set up this task force, followed by "C056" approved by General Convention last summer that called for a "generous pastoral response" on same gender blessings. Please read these carefully.
I am mindful that the stakes are large for many people, and there are only 11 of us on this task force. So I invite your advice, your wisdom, your opinions and especially your prayers. Please feel free to post here on this blog under "comments." And please have the courage of your convictions by giving your name and church affiliation. I will not respond to anonymous comments -- they interest me not -- but I will consider all comments with all due respect. Hateful or bigoted comments will be deleted with no apologies.
Here are the resolutions, beginning with C056, the General Convention resolution, followed by R-14, the diocesan resolution:
C056 - approved by the General Convention of the Episcopal Church Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 76th General Convention acknowledge the changing circumstances in the United States and in other nations, as legislation authorizing or forbidding marriage, civil unions or domestic partnerships for gay and lesbian persons is passed in various civil jurisdictions that call forth a renewed pastoral response from this Church, and for an open process for the consideration of theological and liturgical resources for the blessing of same gender relationships; and be it further Resolved, That the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, in consultation with the House of Bishops, collect and develop theological and liturgical resources, and report to the 77th General Convention; and be it further Resolved, That the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, in consultation with the House of Bishops, devise an open process for the conduct of its work inviting participation from provinces, dioceses, congregations, and individuals who are engaged in such theological work, and inviting theological reflection from throughout the Anglican Communion; and be it further Resolved, That bishops, particularly those in dioceses within civil jurisdictions where same-gender marriage, civil unions, or domestic partnerships are legal, may provide generous pastoral response to meet the needs of members of this Church; and be it further Resolved, That this Convention honor the theological diversity of this Church in regard to matters of human sexuality; and be it further Resolved, That the members of this Church be encouraged to engage in this effort. R-14 - approved by the Council (convention) of the Diocese of Virginia Substitute for R-3 (Inclusiveness in Ordained Ministry), R-4 (Authorizing Rites of Blessing) and R-11 (Defining Sacramental and Civil Definitions of Marriage)
Adopted as substituted. Whereas, the Rt. Rev. Shannon S. Johnston stated in his pastoral address to the 215th Annual Council of the Diocese of Virginia: “I do regret that, in this address, some important matters in our common life will seem to be slighted while others are omitted, such as the several topics arising from the debate on sexuality. But I look for us to address these issues thoroughly in regional forums in 2010. It is unfortunate that some of the weightiest deliberations that come before us cannot be adequately and justly dealt with in the very short time allowed by Annual Council,” [verbatim transcript of the bishop’s pastoral address], and Whereas, the necessary process will involve both the bishop’s regional forums, which will allow for broad individual contributions on these issues, and the drafting of proposed canons for the effective and consistent exercise of pastoral ministry should same-gender blessings be authorized; be it therefore Resolved, the 215th Annual Council of the Diocese of Virginia recognizes that: 1. Our clergy and people remain divided over the wisdom and theology of blessing same gender relationships, as well as how much weight to give to the views of others in the Anglican Communion about these issues, particularly to views from those with whom we are in mission partnership; 2. The growing differences between Christian and Civil understanding of marriage and relationships create immediate pastoral issues for our clergy and congregations; 3. There are numerous same-gender couples in our diocese engaged in long-term monogamous relationships who have engaged in productive and vital ministries for the proclamation of the Gospel. Many of these couples strongly desire the church’s blessing of their relationships; 4. These issues deserve to be collectively addressed in an orderly, careful, and deliberate way assisted by appropriate legal and canonical experts; and
Recommends that: 1. Our Bishop is asked to empanel a group of clergy and lay people, including attorneys admitted to practice in Virginia and recognized experts on canon law, as well as knowledgeable clergy and lay representatives of a variety of theological perspectives on the issue of blessing same-gender relationships. 2. Such panel shall recommend consistent standards to be written into diocesan canons so that, if services of blessing same-gender unions are authorized, our clergy and people have a clearly understood and enforceable set of rules to guide the application of clergy discretion in providing pastoral care to same-gender couples seeking such blessings. 3. In formulating these recommendations, the following issues may be addressed (based in part on General Convention Canon I.1.18 and I.1.19): (a) Whether individual members of the clergy have the right, as a matter of theological principle, to decline to conduct any such service, without adverse disciplinary consequences or personnel action; (b) Whether individual members of the clergy have the right to decline to conduct such a service for a particular same gender couple, without adverse disciplinary consequences or personnel action, similar to the current rule for clergy asked to conduct weddings; (c) The age, capacity and degree of kinship, if any, of the parties; (d) The effect of prior marriages or unions blessed by a licensed clergy person or registered with civil authorities, the responsibility to any former spouse or partner in such union, and responsibility to minor children of any prior marriage or union; (e) The appropriateness of advance medical screening, if any; (f) The effect of any legal union or marriage entered into between the parties in another jurisdiction; (g) The appropriate role of the Bishop for advanced review of any proposed blessing of a specific same-gender couple; (h) Review of financial arrangements to protect the parties in the absence of state law presumptions governing married couples, presumptions intended to protect the weaker party from potential exploitation, oppression, or improvident action by the other party in the relationship; (i) Other factors listed in the General Convention canons for marriage, Canons I.1.18 and I.1.19, including the baptismal status of the parties, the commitment to life-long union, the voluntariness of consent, the absence of coercion, fraud, mistake of identity of the other party; (j) The minimum time line between notification of the clergy of a desire to obtain such a blessing and the performance of the ceremony; (k) The number of witnesses and the record-keeping requirements for the clergy and any congregation involved; (l) Any requirement for written affirmation by the couple that the commitment is to a life-long union; (m) Any statement of the theological basis for the union to which the partners are to subscribe; (n) Provision to address possible dissolution of a blessed same-gender relationship, including the considerations of factors enumerated in Canon I.1.19 to address marriages which are in distress or which have been terminated by a civil court, as well as the circumstances, if any, under which another same-gender relationship may be blessed where both partners to an earlier such relationship remain living; (o) The restriction in the General Convention canon on marriage in the church to heterosexual couples; (p) Whether any blessing service for same-gender union may be used in lieu of marriage for heterosexual couples under any circumstances, and if so, what those circumstances are; (q) How these might apply to all members of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Trans-gendered community; (r) Any other factor deemed important by the panel. 3. If the Bishop appoints such a panel, the panel shall strive to deliver its report (including proposed canonical language) to the Executive Board by All Saints Day, 2010, in time for careful and orderly consideration of its recommendations by the 216th Annual Council of the Diocese. The panel is not to opine on whether the blessings of same-gender unions should be authorized, but it is to set forth its canonical recommendations to govern blessing such relationships if such services of blessing are authorized. 4. The consideration of any authorization for Virginia clergy to enter same gender unions should be deferred until after consideration of the preceding process.
|
|
|
|
|
What We’re Reading: August 1-6, 2010
Standing Partnership's picks of must-read links for the week
1. Overwhelmed by Twitter? This article shares some helpful tips on finding the right people to follow.
2. Health care communicators take note: a new study reveals the power of text messaging as an effective communications tool for motivating patients to adopt healthy behaviors.
3. Arianna Huffington, creator of The Huffington Post, may be "the patron saint of new media and the one person who's figured out the future of journalism." However, according to Newsweek , that future isn't going to be easy, due to the challenging online-media revenue model.
4. Urging your C-suite to embrace social media? Here's a great overview of relevant Twitter lists for them to follow.
5. Although it may be a little late to join the party this year, keep this Brandweek article (on leveraging back-to-school season) in mind during 2011 planning.
6. Lots of great lessons in this tell-it-like-it-is post: " Why Do So Many Companies Suck at Social Media?" from the Online Marketing Blog , shared via @suzannehenry .
7. And for a little Friday fun ... the folks at Ragan help you analyze whether you or your team members are the Batman, Flash or maybe even Wonder Woman of your communications team .
|
|
|
|
|
A Cville Thing: the PieFest
|
If you're not on Twitter, you might not yet have heard of the upcoming Cville Pie Fest. The Fest is an outgrowth of last month's twitter-conceived, s Cville Pie Down, in which local bloggers Marijean Jaggers (STLouisWorkingMom) Brian Geiger (TheFoodG...
|
|
|
|
|
|
