SHEs Organized

Blessed, how long do they think it will take DD to heal from this? I'm glad she is getting help.

OKay, that must have been scary with storms so close to you. I remember when you were working on those doors, I'm sure you're glad they're secure now. Yahoo for rain!

Dee, hope DGD makes stunning progress there; mowing & weeding can be a good thing!

Kathryn, that sure sounds like a complicated/confusing process. Wouldn't a written survey sent around have served the same purpose? I'm sure I'm being too simplistic...

Today was busy. I went out twice to 2 supermarkets, having found DH's list only after the first trip, and I didn't want him irked at me so I went twice. I made a big pot of chilli and generally just cleaned and tidied up around here, changed sheets on guest room bed, stocked the bathroom. DD2 (she's not two, I just say it that way, she is my 2nd DD!) was working south of here and came here to eat and sleep overnight. She works in my town tomorrow morning, then drives home.

It was nice to get to see her, even for this short time. After supper she promptly fell asleep on the couch. (she's been up all night) and I hope she wakes to shower and get a good sleep in a comfy bed...

I still have dishes to do and lunches to make. Better get that done next..

Harmony: the idea was that if it was a group discussion with a facilitator monitoring tone and body language, we'd get better feedback and make the congregations realize we are really listening. With paper surveys subtleties get lost. This was conceived to be more open ended and brainstorming. The problem is that we are expected to do this with technology. So internet is a must. High speed. And since internet phone calls are unreliable, we are to call the church and be put on speaker phone.

So suddenly the church has to have a phone line with speaker phone, high speed internet and a computer preferably with a separate webcam and a projector so everyone in the room can see what I'm projecting (the questions) and what I'm recording (their feedback.) And see me as I talk with them. I'm sure in the big city this sounded like a no-brainer.

My church has neither a phone or internet. Our pastoral charge does not have a projector. Our charge does not have a webcam. I happen to have all this stuff so our charge can participate, but not at either church, in my home. Because no place large enough to seat 8 people has a phone line in it at the church that does have internet and a phone (I'd still have to bring my computer, projector, and webcam.)

The facilitators have to have speaker or headset phone (can't talk and type while holding a phone), a computer, webcam (so the group can see me to make it 'personal') and high speed internet and access to one of 15 online 'meeting rooms'. Only 15 of these 3 hour interviews can be done at a time.

Sound complicated?! You bet! And I've got 10 churches I'd be happy to drive to and do a real in person interviews with. But they'd rather I use the technology. In fact, they haven't figured out a way for me to do it in person. So instead of doing this at one of the local churches in a neighbouring town, I've been asked to set something up with a church in Manitoba (1/4 of the way across the country from me.)

Grumble.... And you poor guys get to hear me whine for the next few months!