1. Through Effective Communication
Making Connections
Through Effective Communication

2. The Connection Evolution
Telephone
Texting/Messaging
The Web
Apps (Instagram, Twitter, etc.)
Blogs
Pinterest

3. The Evolution of Communication…

4. What’s Your Preferred Method of Connecting?
Audience Participation
Welcome

5. Two Ways to Stay Connected
CaringBridge
Free “journal” for those who want to keep subscribers informed about their journey
Facebook
Free social media outlet which can be open to the public, confined to just “friends” or even confined to a “members only” type group

6. More About CaringBridge
Ginny Bourland
My Background
I had limited knowledge of it when diagnosed
Very little exposure to cancer patients
It took four s to notify friends and family of my news due to the number of people we wanted to reach
Too many s to respond to
My Experience
Started an account in the hospital after hysterectomy
CB has evolved and expanded
Reaches more people than I would have imagined

7. What is CaringBridge
The CB mission: To amplify the love, hope and compassion in the world, making each health journey easier.
Started with the birth of a premature baby and a friend
Began in 1997; became a non-profit in 2002
World-wide
Relies on volunteers and donors

8. Why Use CaringBridge
Simplification! Originally, appeal was enabling news to reach a mass audience
Privacy controls allowed a range of options
Supporters could offer encouragement – became a drug
Writing became therapy
Improvements over time:
Attaching pictures
Comments on each entry vs Guest Book
Meal planners, visits, childcare, etc
One-to-one correspondence, videos, even art

9. How to Use CaringBridge
Get access to a computer/device and an address
A friend, spouse, child, etc can open it for you and author it, or you can manage yourself
Sections:
Overview – provide background/history
Journal – where you write your story
Comments – guest’s encouragement with each entry
Guest Book – Guests can respond
Photos – limited size but not number
Planner – Meals, errands, housework calendars can be helpful
Tributes – donations to the site in patient’s name
Settings – “extras” to personalize

10. Overview

11. Journal

12. Guestbook

13. Photos

14. Planner

15. Tributes and Settings
Tributes can be made in your loved one’s name – donations made for CB to continue
Settings
Theme can make your site your own
Fundraising info
Reports ( s of subscribers)
Adding/removing pages

16. More About Facebook Doris Moody Personal Story Why I began
What I’ve experienced since that time
The good, the bad, the ugly and everything in between

17. What is Facebook?
Facebook is a popular free social networking website that allows registered users to create profiles, upload photos and video, send messages and keep in touch with friends, family and colleagues. The site, which is available in 37 different languages, includes public features such as:
Marketplace - allows members to post, read and respond to classified ads.
Groups - allows members who have common interests to find each other and interact.
Events  - allows members to publicize an event, invite guests and track who plans to attend.
Pages - allows members to create and promote a public page built around a specific topic.
Presence technology - allows members to see which contacts are online and chat.

18. Why use Facebook?
Keep up with family! (kids, grandkids, siblings, friends)
Support each other (prayer requests, illness, deaths)
Current news and events
Entertaining
Hobbies (via groups)
Bargains
Causes (such as CanSurvive or LCBF)

19. How to Use Facebook Must have e-mail address
Visit and begin.
Basic set-up of your account
Check privacy settings!
Making “friends”
Finding causes (such as CanSurvive) to “Like”

20. When and What Do I Post? No set rule (see next slide…)
Occasional photo or photos
Favorite quote or philosophy
Funny experience or joke
Interesting recipes
Share posts by others (seen in your News feed)

21. When and What NOT to Post

22. When and What NOT to Post
Post month/DOB but not the year.
No home address – phone numbers, etc.!
Vacation plans
Favorite song, pet’s name, mother’s maiden name, etc.
Negativity about employer or co-employees
Financial information (credit card debt, IRS audits)
Racy photos
Oversharing!

23. How Can We Help You?