Sinsinawa
Spectrum
A Congregation News Magazine
Dominican Communicators Meet in Chicago
by Nathan Mihelich
Director of Communication for the Dominican Sisters of Springfield
 The Dominican Communicators’ Network, front row, from left: Srs. Donna Brunell (Hope), Peggy Ryan (Caldwell), and Anne Lythgoe (Catherine de’ Ricci). Back row: Dominique Mintz (Mission San Jose), Sarah Miller (Peace), Sr. Joan Smith (Sparkill), Isabelle Williamson (St. Martin Province), Jean Mullooly (Racine), Dana Brantley (DLC communication representative), Nathan Mihelich (Springfield), Jennifer Schaaf (Blauvelt), Sr. Dolores Mitch (Maryknoll), Sr. Durstyne Farnan (Adrian), and Tricia Buxton (Sinsinawa). |
|---|
Chicago served as the site of the Feb. 2–5, 2010, Dominican Communicators’ Network (OPCOMNET) Annual Conference. What happened there set the stage for what will surely be another progressive year as Dominicans continue to keep people in the loop via the world’s biggest forms of emerging modern technologies.
Guiding the communicators this year was the spirit of JoAnn Niehaus, OP, former director of communication for the Dominican Sisters of Houston, who in December entered into eternal life. Her peace and gracefulness were carried on in the daily prayers led by Sister Peggy Ryan, OP (Caldwell). Sister Mary Ellen O’Grady, OP (Sinsinawa), facilitated the conference.
From New York to California and Louisiana to Wisconsin, Dominican communicators from across the nation gathered and let the Spirit pour into each of them with new ideas and a new breath for spreading the life and mission of Dominican Sisters and Friars. Social networking continues to be a resource for communicators as it has proven to strongly influence public opinion, shape important decisions, link religious networks, connect family and friends, reach millions outside established networks, and target specific demographics. Its power to disseminate information and change the landscape of marketing, advertising, and business is unprecedented. As discussed during the conference, these social networking utilities continue to expand the role and responsibility of who a Dominican communicator is today. Today they are social networkers, bloggers, digital strategists, database managers, brand managers, advertising managers, internet marketers, media managers, content providers, and web developers, just to name a few!
Social networking presentations by Springfield Director of Communication Nathan Mihelich and Sinsinawa Director of Communication Tricia Buxton were a hit with attendees because of the ease of use and ability to reach audiences across great distances. Technologies like Facebook, Twitter, Skype, and Google Apps make it possible to share video, photo, and other documents over computer screens like one could share over a table.
A special tribute was held for Donna Brunell, OP (Hope). After almost three decades ministering in the field of communication, she is moving on. Her partner communicators recognized her for years of service with thoughts of praise, gifts, and the Dominican Blessing.
Goals for communicators for 2010 include distinguishing themselves by their willingness to take the responsibility for envisioning and creating new futures through new technologies. They will continue to support the Dominican Leadership Conference (DLC), up and until the time it is dissolved, the new entity which will replace it and support Dana Brantley who has taken on the duties of Anne Lythgoe, OP (Catherine de’ Ricci), who has left her job as the communications coordinator of the DLC and is now the prioress of her community.