Monthly Archives: June 2008

Elevator speech #2

Another elevator speech from the workshop “Spreading UUism Using New Media.”

Note: video host blip.tv is defunct, so this video no longer exists.

Transcript of this elevator speech by commenter Martin:

Q: I heard you say you’re a Unitarian Universalist. What does that mean?

A: That’s a big mouthful. But it means that we are a movement of diverse people who unite around the idea of human dignity. And we figure that religious mysteries should be determined ultimately by each person. You can be humanist or theist, Christian or non-Christian. But so long as we’re committed to the dignity and worth of every person, we believe that we can be in a religious community together.

Q: Sounds like a pretty cool church. So where is your church?

A: [gives address]. We meet at 11 o’clock, and let me know when you are coming, I’ll be there to greet you.

Another view of GA

Lance, one of the other Web workers here at General Assembly, gives his impression of General Assembly, saying in part: “Too. Damn. Hot.” Read Lance’s post.

Are you blogging General Assembly? Don’t forget to tag all your posts with “uuaga08” — and if you want, give us links to your GA posts in the comments section of this post!

Microblogging 2008-06-26

  • Sitting in the Web room at GA trying to write a story. Yes I’m procrastinating. #
  • At a workshop on voter registration and organizing, only 40 people in a room that seats 100s. #
  • Note to presentes: don’t take questions in the middle of your presentation. #
  • At dinner with bloggers Jess Journal, Obijuan, & UUJester #

Elevator speech #1

During the workshop “Spreading UUism Using New Media,” we shot four short videos. I asked volunteers from the audience to come forward and give their “elevator speech,” i.e., the capsule summary of Unitarian Universalism that they would give if they were riding on an elevator with someone who wanted to know what the Unitarian Uni-whatever stuff was, anyway….

P.S. If you think you could do a better elevator speech, don’t complain in the comments — shoot a video of yourself giving your elevator speech, post it online somewhere, and then give us the link to your elevator speech in the comments.

Note: video host blip.tv is defunct, so this video no longer exists.

Spreading Unitarian Universalism Using New Media

1. Introduction

Hi, this is a workshop called “Spreading UUism Using New Media.” I’ll quickly introduce myself. I’m Dan Harper, and I’m serving as the minister of First Unitarian Church in New Bedford, Massachusetts. We’re a small church that’s trying to grow, and using new media is important part of our growth strategy. Before I became a minister, I worked in sales, and I also have a background in visual arts, and half a degree in creative writing.

Peter Bowden was also supposed to be here as my co-presenter. Peter is an independent television producer and consultant. However, last month Peter got a job working on a project for public television which is requiring him to work seven days a week, so he was unable to attend General Assembly.

What we hope to do during this workshop is tell you how your congregation can use new media — like Web sites, video, recorded music, and so on — to spread the word about what your congregation is doing, and what you stand for. Continue reading

Microblogging 2008-06-25

  • Ft. Lauderdale: palm trees, parrots, gated communities, towering clouds in blue sky. #
  • Ft. Lauderdale is “America’s Venice.” It has canals and a beach but no locally distinctive culture. #
  • Lizards everywhere: big ones little ones brown ones green ones #