Showing 91 results

Archival description
CA ON00340 F515-7 · Series · 1968-1997
Part of United Church of Canada Division of Communication fonds

Communication education had been an activity of several of the Departments in the Board of Information and Stewardship, including Press and Information, Broadcasting and Audio-Visual. These Departments continued their activity in the new Division of Communication. In the 1960s and 1970s Rev. Robert Reid took on the work of communication education and was responsible for increasing the churches understanding and familiarity with different media of communication through seminars, workshops, bursaries, scholarships, seminary courses and professional consultations. Reid worked closely with Helen Currie to bolster communication education concerning audio visual materials. However in 1971 Reid was removed from the audio visual focus and was tasked to oversee communication education concerning all types of media. In 1973 Communication Education was placed under the purview of Media Services and offered advance courses in theological schools, and workshops at conference and presbyteries levels typically involving other denominations. When the 1973 transition happened, Keith Woollard, former Director of Broadcasting, concentrated his energies on a new Communication Education Staff Group and on regional relationships. The Communication Education Staff Group assigned the responsibility of giving leadership on Communication Education within the Division and in relation to conferences. The group was devoted to aiding United Church ministers and workers in utilizing all manner of communications (print, audio, visual) to more effectively make their message heard. In 1975 Division of Communication authorized the formation of a Communication Education Task Force to develop a strategy for communication education within the United Church. The staff group was assigned to follow through with the Task Group’s strategy, to follow through with involvement in community cable projects and absorb the responsibilities of the Media Outreach Task Force originally established to encourage and assist the Maritime Conference and the Saskatoon Presbytery to design informational-motivational campaigns. The same task group also communed with local congregations, presbyteries etc. to create a guidebook for media outreach.

Series contains six subseries: 1) Administrative Records, 1968-1982, 2) Records relating to Communication Education Events, 1968-1980, 3) Records of the Communication Education Committee, 1985-1996, 4) Records of the Probe Communications Seminars, 1975-1989, 5) Records of Television Awareness Training and TV Scope Programmes, 1976-1981, 6) Records of Evangelism/Communication Program, 1983.

United Church of Canada. Division of Communication.
CA ON00340 F515-13-5 · Subseries · 1965-2006
Part of United Church of Canada Division of Communication fonds

The Department of Media Services and later Media Resources participated in interchurch and interfaith broadcasting throughout it’s history, adopting this area of work from it’s predecessor the Department of Broadcasting. In the early years the Department was a participant in Interchurch Broadcasting and later Interchurch Communications: a channel for main-line Christian denominations. Later the Department was involved in Vistion TV and interfaith network for religious programming developed from a call for application from the CRTC.

Subseries consists of ICB and Interchurch Communications Committee minutes, reports, and correspondence as well as United Church correspondence with other participating denominations, and reports on cable television projects. Also included are files on Between Ourselves, a radio show produced by ICB, and records pertaining to the formation and operation of the Canada Interfaith Faith Network and Vision TV.

United Church of Canada. Division of Communication.
CA ON00340 F515-13-10 · Subseries · 1976-1988
Part of United Church of Canada Division of Communication fonds

Mission interpretation, previously part of the Committee on Education for Mission and Stewardship, became part of the new Department of Media Resources in 1983. Interpretation enjoyed special relationships with the Division of World Outreach and the Division of Mission in Canada, as well as active work at the congregational level to ensure a devotion to mission understanding and support. One of its principal activities was arranging tours by missionaries in Canada on furlough. In 1989 Mission Interpretation was transferred to the new Department of Education and Information.

Subseries contains Coordinator and Unit Staff correspondence, Coordinator Carolyn Wilkinson’s correspondence and documents re overseas guests visiting Canada as part of various mission themes, files on Native Ministry Interpretation, general correspondence with overseas personnel including some annual (Christmas) letters to Canada, and photographs and plans for speaking tours during furloughs.

United Church of Canada. Division of Communication.
CA ON00340 F515-13-6 · Subseries · 1948-1980
Part of United Church of Canada Division of Communication fonds

Nancy Edwards joined the Department of Radio and Television of the Board of Information and Stewardship as an Assistant to the Director in 1956, and until her retirement in 1980 held various positions (subsequently in the Departments of Broadcasting and Media Services) relating to radio production. During her involvement with the Departments she hosted two radio shows, "Nancy Edwards Reports" and "The Human Gamut," which were short broadcasts featuring interviews with people of varied backgrounds, the sole topic being the interaction of people with the world around them. In addition, Edwards participated in several media organizations, especially those concerned with women in the media.

Subseries contains Nancy Edwards’ correspondence relating to her programming, reports and miscellanea. Also included are program materials and production files relating to the Nancy Edwards Reports and The Human Gamut.

United Church of Canada. Division of Communication.
CA ON00340 F515-6 · Series · 1969-2016
Part of United Church of Canada Division of Communication fonds

The Department of Press and Information originated in the Board of Information and Stewardship, and became part of the Division of Communication in 1968. This Department was the liaison between the Church and the news media. It also produced several publications for distribution within the Church including editorial work on Mandate, Unchurched Editorials (a series distributed to Canadian publications on behalf of the Board of Evangelism and Social Service and later the Division of Mission in Canada), Words to Live By, Profiles (biographical sketches of church workers) and News/News Releases. The Department also played a role in developing communications awareness among church employees through presentations and seminars. In 1972 The Department changed its name to News Services, and in 1982 it was renamed News and Public Relations.

In 1985 the Statistics and Information Office was transferred from General Council to the Division of Communication’s Department of Finance and Administration as part of a new Information Services Unit. This unit also took over the News and Public Relations functions. The unit was also responsible for producing the General Council Record of Proceedings, the United Church of Canada Yearbook, and press releases by the publicist. The position of Publicist was first created in 1987. The position was held by Mary-Frances Denis from 1987-2017 however the title changed various times through subsequent departmental changes. Marketing was never an official part of her job description but there were de facto marketing elements due to the public image impact that media relations involves.

In 1989, Information Service Unit functions were transferred to a new Department of Education and Information. The Department combined Information Services (from the Department of Finance and Administration) with Mission Education, Interpretation, and AVEL (from the Department of Media Services), and also absorbed the responsibility of the Publicist.

In the 1996 the responsibilities of the Department of Education and Information, including publicity and statics, were transferred to the Public Relations and Information Unit in the Division of Communication’s General Secretaries Office. That unit became a part of the Public Relations and Marketing Cluster in 1999. After the re-organization of General Council administrative units in 2001, the responsibility of publicity was moved from the Division of Communication to the General Council Support and Services Unit under the new position of Communications Officer. When the Office of the Moderator and General Secretary was created in 2003, the position became a part of that unit.

Under another re-organization in 2005, the Communications Officer position was moved to the newly created Resources, Production and Distribution Unit (formerly the Division of Communication). In 2010 the Resources, Production and Distribution Unit was re-named Communications, and the position title was changed to Manager, Public Relations and Information.

Fonds contains nine series: 1) Correspondence of the Director of Press and Information/News Services/News and Public Relations 1973-1982; 2) Office Files, 1969-2012; 3) Records re Editorial Work, 1972-1981; 4) Records re Communication Education Work, 1976-1979; 5) Records of the Information Services Unit, 1970-1988; 6) Records of the Publicist and Antecedent Positions, 1986-2008; 7) Records of the Department of Education and Information, 1975-2000; 8) Records of the Public Relations and Information Unit, 1996-1998; 9) Communication Documents, 1969-2016.

United Church of Canada. Division of Communication.
CA ON00340 F515-9 · Series · 1967-1980
Part of United Church of Canada Division of Communication fonds

The Division provided grants to Conferences for production costs related to local programming. In 1967 there were regional broadcasting centres operating in the British Columbia Conference, in western Canada (including the Prairie Regional Broadcasting Council) and in Ontario (including the Western Ontario Regional Broadcasting Council), all of which received block grants from the Division. The programme had initially been administered by the Department of Broadcasting under Keith Woollard; he served as Associate Secretary for Regional Relations and Communication Education after leaving the Department of Broadcasting in 1973, until his retirement in 1983. Conferences continued to have their own Communications Committees which were supported by the National Division.

Series contains fifteen subseries: 1) Administrative Records, 1968-1976, 2) Records relating to Newfoundland Conference Relations, 1975-1979, 3) Records relating to Maritime Conference Relations, 1969-1980, 4) Records relating to Montreal/Ottawa Conference Relations, 1969-1980, 5) Records relating to Bay of Quinte Conference Relations, 1967-1980, 6) Records relating to Toronto Conference Relations, 1968-1980, 7) Records relating to Hamilton Conference Relations, 1968-1980, 8) Records relating to London Conference Relations, 1971-1980, 9) Records relating to Manitou Conference Relations, 1975-1980 10) Records relating to Manitoba Conference Relations, 1968-1980, 11) Records relating to Saskatchewan Conference Relations, 1968-1980, 12) Records relating to Alberta Conference Relations, 1968-1980, 13) Records relating to British Columbia Conference Relations, 1968-1980, 14) Records relating to the Western Ontario Regional Broadcasting Council, 1968-1980, 15) Records relating to the Prairie Regional Broadcasting Council, 1968-1975.

United Church of Canada. Division of Communication.
CA ON00340 F515-12-6 · Subseries · 1961-1972
Part of United Church of Canada Division of Communication fonds

Subseries contains production files concerning projects produced by Religious Television Associates in partnership with the Department of Broadcasting 1961-1972. Included are files kept by Keith Woollard and Peter Flemington, a producer for RTA and liaison with the Department of Broadcasting.

United Church of Canada. Division of Communication.
CA ON00340 F515-3-6 · Subseries · 1986-2006
Part of United Church of Canada Division of Communication fonds

Resources Centres were hubs for the distribution of United Church produced material. The Resource Distribution Department and UCRD worked with Presbytery and Conference resource centres and outlets across Canada to deliver a comprehensive range of United Church and other recommended resources, bringing information, advice and resource access to church members. Under the umbrella of Resources Centres were Book Rooms: retail outlets overseen by the Conferences and Presbyteries. AVEL outlets were also under this umbrella offering free AV resources to Conferences. At some point some AVEL Outlets began to sell resources in order to counteract a lack of funding.

Subseries contains records relating to the various types of Resource Centres which included administrative groups like the Retail Distribution Branch Managers, the Resource Centre Administrative Task Group, the Book Room Branch Managers, and the Retail Operations Management Team. Files and subsequent arrangement reflect the type of resources centres including Presbytery Resource Centres, Book Rooms and AVEL outlets

United Church of Canada. Division of Communication.
CA ON00340 F515-5 · Series · 1990-2012
Part of United Church of Canada Division of Communication fonds

Before the creation of the Resource Coordinators work area, there were no resource coordinating functions within Communications or across the Church House. The Division of Communication and the Division of Mission in Canada had editors. These divisions were the largest resource producers. They worked on specific tasks and resources, like magazines and books, and did not share work or coordinate work. All the divisions used the services of Communications in terms of graphic design, and video and website design. The divisions (other than DMC and the Division of Communication) may have hired writers or possibly editors, but in general the material was not edited. And staff people in all the units (many of whom did not have communication backgrounds) had to decide first what kind of medium they wanted to produce (video, print, web) and then go to the appropriate staff person in Communications. In 2002, the work area of Resource Coordination was created. Resource Coordinating staff were liaisons with the General Council Units to provide professional advice about producing resources and to shepherd resources through the production process, which included editing, graphic design and web posting. Often the resource coordinator edited the resources (for print or Web) from their assigned units, or if they couldn't, ensured that they were edited by another resource coordinator or a freelancer.

Series contains three subseries: 1) Records of the Resource Planning Group and Print Resources Steering Group, 1990-1996, 2) Records of the Senior Editors, 1996-2012, 3) Records of the Resources Coordinators, 2003-2010.

United Church of Canada. Division of Communication.