Annual Conferences filled with Tweets this year?

I am such a church nerd.

Many of the people I follow on Twitter are clergy and active UM laity. Several of them are in the Kansas West Annual Conference, which is meeting now -- one of the earlier meetings in the 2009 Annual Conference season. So, I'm far more aware of what's happening on the floor of the Kansas West gathering this year, without really trying to be. Some examples:

- Real-time reports on the discussion over proposed constitutional amendments (ballots are being tallied as I type);

- Andrew Conard is serving as a teller, and has even been instructed to report for duty via Twitter;

- Reports on the civil nature of discussion and debate, and how tension in the room seemed to lift as soon as constitutional amendment ballots were submitted;

- Mary Lou Reece, spouse of Bishop Scott Jones, apparently had some time at the microphone this morning, during which she elicited a "You're right, dear," from the Bishop and mentioned that his 55th birthday is tomorrow;

- Gifts to the Bishop from the youth included a firefighter-in-training shirt (a fire damaged the Conference office earlier this week);

- News that the Conference office should be fully functional again by June 8;

- Introductions of young clergy on the floor of Annual Conference;

And lots more info in real-time.  Follow it via the hashtag #kswumc.

I'm wondering: How will Twitter change the face of Annual Conferences all over the connection this year?

Comments

[beth g sanders]

I think Twitter has enormous potential to change the way we read any news, not just Conference news.

I can't help but believe it's positive if it engages more people in the issues that the Church faces. To some it seems inaccessible and somewhat mysterious. Twitter, Facebook and other social networking sites can mobilize a group of people very quickly and empowers them to share feedback. I just hope someone will be listening as well.

[Andrew Conard]

Amy - Thanks for the article. It has been fun and it has enlivened my annual conference experience :)

Andrew

[Lisa Buffum]

Hi, Amy! I am at the Kansas West AC right now -- last day! Your report is remarkably accurate from Texas! :) I guess I'm going to need to Twitter now. I've posted a couple of status posts on Facebook, but I guess you didn't see those!

[Mark Conard]

Twitter at conference was a worthwhile experience. It is dependent on the availability of technology, which can be an issue. It was great to have wireless internet without cost at the Kansas West Conference meeting site. I suspect that will rapidly become a criterion for our Sessions Planning Committee in the future.

[Cindy]

Having a laptop instead of a printed pre-conference journal at AC allowed me to access a particular page # or document at the pressing of a single key. KUDOS TO THE TX CONFERENCE STAFF for making this possible! Also, am used to TV "news channels" with data on bottom, on sides, and in middle of screen. Having multiple stimuli (Facebook, Twitter, sanctuary screen, sanctuary audio) during AC made for an interesting conference. I came away less frustrated and more aware of all that had been accomplished in LESS time. KUDOS TO THE TX CONFERENCE STAFF for the streamlining of AC, also!