During the 2019-2020 year, Interim Pastor Paul Blankenship encouraged the Meeting to consider ways to let the public, both Spokane and beyond, know more about Quakerism in general and this Meeting in particular. Early projects included having street meetings in Spokane, delivering care packages to our members and neighbors during COVID restrictions, establishing a relationship with Faith and Values Spokane (FaVS), and advertising there and in Fig Tree our Peace Month presentations on learning about other faiths.
More recently we have surveyed our members and attenders to ask what values, projects, etc. were important to them and should be shared with the public at large. We were assisted in this by Walter Simon whose professional life has involved organizing media exposure for clients. From the survey results, Walter crafted a sumary of material to use in various media, devised a timeline, and made a preliminary budget for publicizing Quakerism and Spokane Friends Meeting.
Walter’s first draft for this project appears below
Presentation to Monthly Meeting for Business, October 18, 2020
[The results of the Survey allowed me to digest many of the values and abilities of the Friends’ community, also to build a comprehensive campaign for you to consider, one I anticipate will increase membership, treasury and provide significant social interactions centered on your community issues.
The success of reaching the goals of the SF community is up to you. Consider these three questions: Do you want it; when do you want it; what will you do to make it happen?
What I cover today needs to be tightened, the next step After review or this presentation, the next step will be to tighten it into a comprehensive campaign for your stated goals.
1. POSITION & SUPPORT
2. MEDIA
3. COMMON BONDS
4. RELATIVE CONNECTION
5. SIGNIFICANT VALUES
6. COMMUNITY ISSUES
7. FRIENDS REPRESENTED
8. SF/WEBSITE: MEMBERSHIP ESSAYS
9. COUNSIL OF CHURCHES
10. Action Committee: Outreach & internal focus
NOTES: The Package for Process
A CONSIDERATION BETWEEN GOALS AND PUBLIC REACH
(Identifying more action, support, publicity and outreach.)
STEPS: PUBLIC POSITION AND MEDIA SUPORT:
Research (in progress) -- elder approval – get non-profit (vital) status – establish a speaker’s bureau -- association of other religious organization – kick off media reach for new members – purchase access and reinforce with PR distribution – use releases and word of mouth.
Application: Media released by the quarter: (Timetable needed)
January – March 2021 …basic concepts and events
April – June “ … values and events
July - September “ … community issues and events
October – December “ …seasonal issues and events
Media access preferred: (print and radio/Use TV for special guests.)
Inlander*
TV: commercial & public,*
Public Radio*
Facebook*
Others considered: Spokesman Review, Gonzaga outlet
Common Bonds among Spokane Friends: Difference Internal appreciationlove),Social Awareness, Connections
Other connections:
Theolog & political view
Self-decision
Soft Landing (SFC)
Quaker Enthusiasm
Self-decision
Common vision
Faith community
Community support*
Nonviolence
Equality
2/SF
Significant Values: (*noticed preference)
Community (*)
Justice
Peace (*)
Environmental justice
Act on beliefs
Honesty
Transparency
Compassion/love
All welcome
Participation
Concentrated outreach
Focused
Kindness
Equality
Non-violent
Christ centered
Gradual growth
Transformation/Renewal
Encouragement
Quaker process
Values Well Represesnted
Community*
Outreach
Justice
Theological respect
Equality
Challenge & renewal
Acceptance
Community Issues:
Spiritual support
Help Working Poor
LGBTQ support (community)
Homelessness
Racism*
Non-violence
Struggling parents
Tutoring children
Internet for neighbors (?)
3/SF
Representing Friends:
Doing the best with given means
Ground up leadership
Diversity/ecumenical; love*
Longevity of thought
Manageable and sustainable
Non-profits
Advocacy for the vulnerable
Public Speaking
Refuge for seekers and weary
One local issue to act on
More racial/ethnic diversity
Attending and learning from other faith communities
Website Changes Considered:
Keep the basic structure but add on screen right topics of interests and essays that represent community issues and support as written by membership and other noted articles that represent SF VALUES. Draw from AFSC and other like writings. Original work from SF members. Report a reflective thought from pulpit speakers.
Form Council of Churches: (something to think about)
Add substance and political reach in our region. Have quarterly meetings to discuss and report on salient issues and release to local press and sympathetic internal and external community organs.
Form Action Committee: Select leaders - 4 Public Speakers noted
4/SF
NOTES:
Growth of membership, need children for longevity
Completing non-profit status (alternative considered).
Establish budget for a 1-year campaign;
Present a direction from elders to membership for approval;
Determine starting point of campaign;
PBS seems a significant medium for Spokane Friends;
Make modest additions to SP WEB site;
Establish strong connection with other community churches;
Open to suggestions sent to SF office;
Use advertising connection to get in on their social n network through receptions. Pass out cards;
Argue for the need of an advertising budget until community issue well established;
Design one-column 2-inch ads: 10 pica column/12- pica reach
Suggestions for SF to move the project along.
Back-up PR replacement
Select Action Committee to direct and represent campaigns
This action plan was presented to Spokane Friends by Walter Simon during Monthly Business Meeting on October 18, 2020.
Spokane Friends Meeting 