Communications 101

Morning Fam, hope you're doing well this fine Saturday morning. This newsletter will focus on a single subject, how we can improve our MCJ communications. Right now I would say that our overall communications are moving in the right direction but could certainly be greatly improved. The goal is to have the maximum number of people to receive and absorb the highest amount of relevant information.

First, let's take stock of how we're communicating and what is being communicated. As of our last business meeting we agreed that we would stop sending snail mail letters and go exclusively to electronic communication. I believe this was the right decision for a number of reasons. Reduced costs, immediacy, improved technology, and efficiency are all reasons for this change. Our electronic communication channels consists of the MCJ website, our email list, and Facebook. Eventually we'd like to add a text list to our communications channels but there are concerns that have to be overcome before we add the text list to our communications channel. Here's the current breakdown and what we need to do to improve.

MCJ Website - The MCJ website represents the best communications resource we have but it is currently greatly underutilized. Although over 250 family members have at one time registered for log-in credentials for the website, the utilization rate (those who actually logon to the site regularly) is less than 25% of that number. So please, if you or any other family member you know is not going on to the website at least once a month, please go to www.mcjfamilies.com, logon and tour the site. Pay particular attention to the MCJ blog section which features all of the MCJ newsletters in chronological order, most recent being first but featuring the entire list from day one of the website.

If you have any difficulty logging onto the website or if you misplaced your log on credentials, no worries, thats an easy fix. The logon screen includes a box for your email address (username) and contains a password retrieval function which allows you to update/change your password. Also please note the remember me box so you can check it and that makes the logging on process much simpler thereafter. I know some of this can be a bit challenging for older members or less tech savvy users but please do your best and it will be well worth it when you can easily gain access to all the great MCJ updates. So once again, everyone please, tell all family members to go to www.mcjfamilies.com and start using the website!

Facebook - As most family members know we have an MCJ Facebook page originally started by the crew in Dayton. It's listed as MCJ family reunion 2016. Many family members post to this page and whenever I post a new newsletter I share it on this facebook page. However, the link that appears is just a headline for the newsletter and once you click it it takes you to the MCJ website. So in order to read the entire newsletter you must log on to the MCJ website.

Email List - Everyone who registers on the MCJ website and includes an email address is automatically added to the MCJ email list. Whenever I post a new blog (newsletter), it will go to every name on this email list. That's a very large list, except that technology kicks in and constantly culls the list to make sure its going to those that actually look at it. If you haven't opened these emails for a while, you're taken off the list. If you entered the wrong email address and its undelivered, you're taken off the list. So the only way to stay on the list is open the email when you receive it. Sometimes these emails go to the promotions folder or even the spam folder but you can easily fix that buy saving the MCJ address in your browser. Also, note that the email that you receive on this list is only a portion of the message and to get the entire newsletter you have to click continue reading and it sends you to the website. (no getting around going to the website).

We'll be adding more great content to the MCJ website in the future including a family tree which shows how we're all connected. In fact, you can get the short version right now in the Our Roots section on the website. Also please complete all information sections when registering or updating your info on the website. We're not the government, we're just family trying to get to know you better.

Well, that's about it MCJ. Let's all commit to going all-in for better communications starting with the website at www.mcjfamilies.com.

Much Love,

Ernest Collins