Handling Negative Reviews & Comments Online
Caffeinated Church offers some tips and tricks for engaging (or not) with snarky, negative, hateful, or spam comments on social media or a review site:
Don’t ignore negative messages, especially on public platforms. Unless you are a church with thousands of negative comments and messages a day, you do not have the luxury of affording those comments going unnoticed or unacknowledged. This not only makes the commenter feel as if their experience and anger has gone unheard, but it makes visitors, church shoppers, and everyone else who can see that comment believe that you are trying to avoid confronting the issue and the person behind it. In this moment, everyone who can see the unacknowledged comment or message will begin to doubt your level of public engagement with your community.
Caffeinated Church offers some tips and tricks for engaging (or not) with snarky, negative, hateful, or spam comments on social media or a review site:
Don’t ignore negative messages, especially on public platforms. Unless you are a church with thousands of negative comments and messages a day, you do not have the luxury of affording those comments going unnoticed or unacknowledged. This not only makes the commenter feel as if their experience and anger has gone unheard, but it makes visitors, church shoppers, and everyone else who can see that comment believe that you are trying to avoid confronting the issue and the person behind it. In this moment, everyone who can see the unacknowledged comment or message will begin to doubt your level of public engagement with your community.
A note about sharing health manuals from the Association of Camp Nursing
Sharing resources is one of the simplest ways to engage within the ECCC and UMCRM networks. We ask questions, share job descriptions, page through other camps’ websites, in search of inspiration, support, or direction. Here are a few considerations from the Association of Camp Nursing about sharing health-related policies and procedures:
Defining a "health manual" is challenging and may contain a variety of items. For some camps, this is a brief summary of health policies while other camps include everything in their health manual.
Each state has different camp regulations that may impact your health protocol decisions.
Camp facilities/structures/layout are different, meaning how you communicate, operate, and access health services at your camp are unique to you.
Camps serve different populations (boys, girls, special needs) that drive decisions about care policies (Ex; a Sports camp will have robust orthopedic policies while an asthma camp has well-constructed protocols for respiratory conditions).
Camps are located in different places which impacts their access to higher-level healthcare services. Decisions about onsite camp health services are impacted by distance from ER or other health supports.
Camp healthcare providers onsite may have significant variance in their scope of practice so you need to understand what camp healthcare providers (typically nurses) can and cannot do and what oversight is required in each state to provide care.
These are some examples of variance between each camp. The beauty of camp is that we are diverse; the challenge of camp is that we are diverse. As you develop or refine your camp health policies/procedures/guidelines, be sure to consider all of these elements (and more) so that your policies reflect your practice, your structure, your state regulations, and your activities. There are many resources available to help you develop your camp "Health manual" on the Association of Camp Nursing website (www.campnurse.org) under Educational Resources.
Sharing resources is one of the simplest ways to engage within the ECCC and UMCRM networks. We ask questions, share job descriptions, page through other camps’ websites, in search of inspiration, support, or direction. Here are a few considerations from the Association of Camp Nursing about sharing health-related policies and procedures:
Defining a "health manual" is challenging and may contain a variety of items. For some camps, this is a brief summary of health policies while other camps include everything in their health manual.
Each state has different camp regulations that may impact your health protocol decisions.
Camp facilities/structures/layout are different, meaning how you communicate, operate, and access health services at your camp are unique to you.
Camps serve different populations (boys, girls, special needs) that drive decisions about care policies (Ex; a Sports camp will have robust orthopedic policies while an asthma camp has well-constructed protocols for respiratory conditions).
Camps are located in different places which impacts their access to higher-level healthcare services. Decisions about onsite camp health services are impacted by distance from ER or other health supports.
Camp healthcare providers onsite may have significant variance in their scope of practice so you need to understand what camp healthcare providers (typically nurses) can and cannot do and what oversight is required in each state to provide care.
These are some examples of variance between each camp. The beauty of camp is that we are diverse; the challenge of camp is that we are diverse. As you develop or refine your camp health policies/procedures/guidelines, be sure to consider all of these elements (and more) so that your policies reflect your practice, your structure, your state regulations, and your activities. There are many resources available to help you develop your camp "Health manual" on the Association of Camp Nursing website (www.campnurse.org) under Educational Resources.
Small Business Disaster Loan Enhancement Act
The Small Business Disaster Loan Enhancement Act was introduced in Congress on July 2. It’s intended to to boost funding and lower interest rates for the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. Specifically, this bill calls for the following:
Lower interest rates to one percent, in line with the PPP loan rate
Allow new EIDL loan applicants to receive up to $2 million, based on their financial need;
Enable current EIDL loan recipients to request an increase in their EIDL loan up to $2 million, based on their financial need;
Require the SBA to provide the full amount of the EIDL advance requested by an applicant, up to $10,000;
Create a new EIDL advance of up to $25,000 for applicants that have experienced a reduction of 50 percent or more in gross receipts from a comparable 8-week period before the public health crisis began;
Provide an additional $80 billion for EIDL loans and $20 billion for EIDL advances.
We will post updates as we see them.
The Small Business Disaster Loan Enhancement Act was introduced in Congress on July 2. It’s intended to to boost funding and lower interest rates for the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. Specifically, this bill calls for the following:
Lower interest rates to one percent, in line with the PPP loan rate
Allow new EIDL loan applicants to receive up to $2 million, based on their financial need;
Enable current EIDL loan recipients to request an increase in their EIDL loan up to $2 million, based on their financial need;
Require the SBA to provide the full amount of the EIDL advance requested by an applicant, up to $10,000;
Create a new EIDL advance of up to $25,000 for applicants that have experienced a reduction of 50 percent or more in gross receipts from a comparable 8-week period before the public health crisis began;
Provide an additional $80 billion for EIDL loans and $20 billion for EIDL advances.
We will post updates as we see them.
Pandemic Risk Insurance Act (PRIA) Introduced in Congress
If you’re up for some legalese, this act is worth keeping an eye on.
If you’re up for some legalese, this act is worth keeping an eye on.
Recent PPP Loan Updates: Seasonal Employees & Forgiveness
The US Department of Treasury has taken steps to correct a disparity in the Paycheck Protection Program’s (PPP) that penalized businesses with a peak season during the summer— camps included — in determining the loan amount they can request. Read more.
The Senate approved the House’s earlier passing of amendments to the forgiveness criteria on Payroll Protection Program loans. It is expected to become law. Details here.
The US Department of Treasury has taken steps to correct a disparity in the Paycheck Protection Program’s (PPP) that penalized businesses with a peak season during the summer— camps included — in determining the loan amount they can request. Read more.
The Senate approved the House’s earlier passing of amendments to the forgiveness criteria on Payroll Protection Program loans. It is expected to become law. Details here.
First Look at Applying for PPP Loan Forgiveness
Here’s a detailed document from national CPA firm, Capin Crouse.
Here’s a detailed document from national CPA firm, Capin Crouse.
A 6-Step Approach to Bridging Your Camp to 2021
This is a helpful camp-specific business continuity plan from the American Camp Association.
This is a helpful camp-specific business continuity plan from the American Camp Association.
Change goes better when staff feel appreciated
When employees feel truly appreciated for what they do and who they are, disruption and resistance to change can be reduced significantly. Laying a foundation of appreciation with your colleagues can go a long way in helping them approach organizational changes with a more open mind.
Read more from the author of The 5 Languages of Apprecition at Work.
When employees feel truly appreciated for what they do and who they are, disruption and resistance to change can be reduced significantly. Laying a foundation of appreciation with your colleagues can go a long way in helping them approach organizational changes with a more open mind.
Read more from the author of The 5 Languages of Apprecition at Work.
Onboarding a New Leader Remotely
If you can look past the jargon, there’s some good guidance here.
The good news is that it’s quite possible to onboard new leaders effectively into a remote-working environment. The biggest barrier is probably mindset. We are all being tested to adapt to new ways of working, and it’s no different with virtual onboarding. Here are some principles to guide you.
If you can look past the jargon, there’s some good guidance here.
The good news is that it’s quite possible to onboard new leaders effectively into a remote-working environment. The biggest barrier is probably mindset. We are all being tested to adapt to new ways of working, and it’s no different with virtual onboarding. Here are some principles to guide you.
A Guide to Overcoming Screen Fatigue
Give yourself brain breaks At least 15 minutes between meetings.
Move your workplace around
Reduce on-screen stimuli
Give yourself brain breaks At least 15 minutes between meetings.
Move your workplace around
Reduce on-screen stimuli
Communicating decisions and uncertainty: Messaging examples from around ECCC
As you consider your program’s plans, here is a compilation of different messages.
Summer Camp Decisions/Contingencies (Kanuga, North Carolina)
Camp Transformed to Camp @ Home (Diocese of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin)
Summer Camp Cancellation Email (Diocese of the Rio Grande, Camp Stoney)
Summer Camp Postponement (Youth-written in the Diocese of Kansas)
Summer Camp Cancellation Video (Diocese of Idaho, Paradise Point)
Summer Camp Cancellation Announcement (Diocese of Arkansas, Camp Mitchell)
If you would like another set of eyes on your program’s messaging in the time of COVID-19, please feel free to reach out to Ashley@EpiscopalCCC.org.
Here are some helpful guidelines for communication right now from the American Camp Association.
As you consider your program’s plans, here is a compilation of different messages.
Summer Camp Decisions/Contingencies (Kanuga, North Carolina)
Camp Transformed to Camp @ Home (Diocese of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin)
Summer Camp Cancellation Email (Diocese of the Rio Grande, Camp Stoney)
Summer Camp Postponement (Youth-written in the Diocese of Kansas)
Summer Camp Cancellation Video (Diocese of Idaho, Paradise Point)
Summer Camp Cancellation Announcement (Diocese of Arkansas, Camp Mitchell)
If you would like another set of eyes on your program’s messaging in the time of COVID-19, please feel free to reach out to Ashley@EpiscopalCCC.org.
Here are some helpful guidelines for communication right now from the American Camp Association.
SBA Releases PPP Loan Forgiveness Application and Detailed Instructions
The SBA, in consultation with the Department of the Treasury, released the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Forgiveness Application and detailed instructions for the application. The documents released May 15 will help small businesses seek forgiveness at the conclusion of the eight-week covered period, which begins with the disbursement of their loans.
The form and instructions inform borrowers how to apply for forgiveness of their PPP loans, consistent with the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).
The SBA will soon issue regulations and guidance to further assist borrowers as they complete their applications, and to provide lenders with guidance on their responsibilities.
The form and instructions include several measures to reduce compliance burdens and simplify the process for borrowers including:
Options for borrowers to calculate payroll costs using an “alternative payroll covered period” that aligns with borrowers’ regular payroll cycles.
Flexibility to include eligible payroll and non-payroll expenses paid or incurred during the eight-week period after receiving their PPP loan.
Step-by-step instructions on how to perform the calculations required by the CARES Act to confirm eligibility for loan forgiveness.
Borrower-friendly implementation of statutory exemptions from loan forgiveness reduction based on rehiring by June 30.
Addition of a new exemption from the loan forgiveness reduction for borrowers who have made a good-faith, written offer to rehire workers that was declined.
The SBA, in consultation with the Department of the Treasury, released the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Forgiveness Application and detailed instructions for the application. The documents released May 15 will help small businesses seek forgiveness at the conclusion of the eight-week covered period, which begins with the disbursement of their loans.
The form and instructions inform borrowers how to apply for forgiveness of their PPP loans, consistent with the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).
The SBA will soon issue regulations and guidance to further assist borrowers as they complete their applications, and to provide lenders with guidance on their responsibilities.
The form and instructions include several measures to reduce compliance burdens and simplify the process for borrowers including:
Options for borrowers to calculate payroll costs using an “alternative payroll covered period” that aligns with borrowers’ regular payroll cycles.
Flexibility to include eligible payroll and non-payroll expenses paid or incurred during the eight-week period after receiving their PPP loan.
Step-by-step instructions on how to perform the calculations required by the CARES Act to confirm eligibility for loan forgiveness.
Borrower-friendly implementation of statutory exemptions from loan forgiveness reduction based on rehiring by June 30.
Addition of a new exemption from the loan forgiveness reduction for borrowers who have made a good-faith, written offer to rehire workers that was declined.
Grieving the Loss of Summer 2020
Dr. Chris Thurber offered a webinar earlier this week on the concepts that adults must understand before talking with campers about changes and cancellations to their summer plans. They are summarized here.
Dr. Chris Thurber offered a webinar earlier this week on the concepts that adults must understand before talking with campers about changes and cancellations to their summer plans. They are summarized here.
Compiled List of ECCC Cancellations (2020)
Here is the list of which organizations have canceled summer camp or retreat season operations for 2020, with links to their announcements. This will be continuously updated. This is a resource for ECCC members. Email Ashley@EpiscopalCCC.org for the password.
Here is the list of which organizations have canceled summer camp or retreat season operations for 2020, with links to their announcements. This will be continuously updated. This is a resource for ECCC members. Email Ashley@EpiscopalCCC.org for the password.
Virtual-Camp.org domains available May 15
With our Outdoor Ministry Connection partners, ECCC is working to build a library of resources for sibling camps who want to offer virtual programming this summer. Any ECCC camp can purchase a Virtual-Camp.org subdomain, which will offer a customizable template for daily, weekly, or age-based camp programs, for $200 (This includes the domain, access to the activity library, and hosting until August 15.). Subdomains will be available to purchase and begin populating this Friday, May 15.
Are you willing to share activity instructions or videos in the library of ecumenical camp partners? Please send Ashley@EpiscopalCCC.org anything you’re willing to share, with credit -- a photo of a document, a link to your staff training manual, or your site’s YouTube channel. We can update activity outlines, like for staff training, to be camper-facing. The categories we are looking to populate are: Thank you for considering sharing your energy and expertise!
With our Outdoor Ministry Connection partners, ECCC is working to build a library of resources for sibling camps who want to offer virtual programming this summer. Any ECCC camp can purchase a Virtual-Camp.org subdomain, which will offer a customizable template for daily, weekly, or age-based camp programs, for $200 (This includes the domain, access to the activity library, and hosting until August 15.). Subdomains will be available to purchase and begin populating this Friday, May 15.
Are you willing to share activity instructions or videos in the library of ecumenical camp partners? Please send Ashley@EpiscopalCCC.org anything you’re willing to share, with credit -- a photo of a document, a link to your staff training manual, or your site’s YouTube channel. We can update activity outlines, like for staff training, to be camper-facing. The categories we are looking to populate are: Arts & Crafts, Nature Exploration, Physical Movement, and Faith Formation. Thank you for considering sharing your energy and expertise!
Post-Pandemic Medical Logistics
If you make the decision to run camp in 2020, OR if we’re still here for 2021 (heaven forbid), there’s going to be a lot to think about as we’re preparing to welcome people to our sites.
It’s going to take time, but you definitely want to start with a medical perspective.
If you make the decision to run camp in 2020, OR if we’re still here for 2021 (heaven forbid), there’s going to be a lot to think about as we’re preparing to welcome people to our sites.
It’s going to take time, but you definitely want to start with a medical perspective.
Tips for Communicating with Children During Social Distancing
Communicating with children, their families, and caregivers looks very different during this time of social distancing. We know not all children are safe at home. Here are some questions/talking points that may help you check in on the well-being of children, their families, and caregivers.
Communicating with children, their families, and caregivers looks very different during this time of social distancing. We know not all children are safe at home. Here are some questions/talking points that may help you check in on the well-being of children, their families, and caregivers.
Safety Guidelines for Virtual Youth Programs
The Redwoods Group offers this practical outline for establishing effecitve safety online when offering virtual youth programs.
The Redwoods Group offers this practical outline for establishing effecitve safety online when offering virtual youth programs.
The COVID-19 Funding Landscape
There’s a series of interesting resources about fundraising and development today, from the former Guidestar team (now Candid).
Make sure to join ECCC for a webinar with the Vandersall Collective on Wednesday, May 13 at 2pm ET/11am PT.
Funding our Camps and Conference Centers: Giving in a Changing COVID-19 Landscape
Since February, new donor motivations for giving have emerged, giving trends (where the money is going) have dramatically changed, the timeline for annual appeal shifted signficantly, our volunteers are worried about their health, many of our camp leaders are furloughed, and the CARES Act went into effect. In a few short months, how we approached giving this year moved from challenging for Episcopal Camps and Conference Centers to crucial.
Our giving increasingly testifies to what we believe and how we concretely act. Learn how to meet your own camp's needs through donor-based strategies for annual giving while rooting it as a contextual ministry. Utilizing hands on research and expertise, Mieke Vandersall and Erin Weber-Johnson will present new adaptive practices, provide opportunities to apply in your own camp and conference context, and walk away with needed tools to support your fundraising work right away.
Email Ashley@EpiscopalCCC.org for the Zoom link.
There’s a series of interesting resources about fundraising and development today, from the former Guidestar team (now Candid).
Make sure to join ECCC for a webinar with the Vandersall Collective on Wednesday, May 13 at 2pm ET/11am PT.
Funding our Camps and Conference Centers: Giving in a Changing COVID-19 Landscape
Since February, new donor motivations for giving have emerged, giving trends (where the money is going) have dramatically changed, the timeline for annual appeal shifted signficantly, our volunteers are worried about their health, many of our camp leaders are furloughed, and the CARES Act went into effect. In a few short months, how we approached giving this year moved from challenging for Episcopal Camps and Conference Centers to crucial.
Our giving increasingly testifies to what we believe and how we concretely act. Learn how to meet your own camp's needs through donor-based strategies for annual giving while rooting it as a contextual ministry. Utilizing hands on research and expertise, Mieke Vandersall and Erin Weber-Johnson will present new adaptive practices, provide opportunities to apply in your own camp and conference context, and walk away with needed tools to support your fundraising work right away.
Email Ashley@EpiscopalCCC.org for the Zoom link.
How to authentically remind your staff that you care.
Whenever it is, summer camp post-COVID is going to look different, from logistics to programming.
One thing that we absolutely can’t miss is how we address the staff that we’re going to be working with. How we address them, how we listen with them and how we empathize with what they’re going through now, will show your true colours as a camp leader. We don’t know what their current pandemic normal is and we can’t assume. We have to remember that no matter their age, our staff need to know that you are there for them and that you have their best interest in mind.
Whenever it is, summer camp post-COVID is going to look different, from logistics to programming.
One thing that we absolutely can’t miss is how we address the staff that we’re going to be working with. How we address them, how we listen with them and how we empathize with what they’re going through now, will show your true colours as a camp leader. We don’t know what their current pandemic normal is and we can’t assume. We have to remember that no matter their age, our staff need to know that you are there for them and that you have their best interest in mind.