May 17 provided a training session on communication for 7 LGBTI+ associations
02/11/2020 | 17 Mayıs
With the participation of seven LGBTI+ associations, May 17 organized a training session on corporate communications and social media campaigns.
May 17 has started its works in institutional support to build the capacity of LGBTI+ organizations.
To maintain the sustainability of LGBTI+ organizations, May 17 provides support in resource building, finance and administrative affairs, advocacy, and digital safety. In doing so, May 17 both enables experts to work in collaboration with LGBTI+ organizations and offers training for the organizations.
The first training offered by May 17 took place yesterday- 1 November and it was on corporate communications and social media campaigns. The training conducted by Yıldız Tar, the Media and Communications Programme Coordinator of Kaos GL, involved the participation of Ankara Rainbow Families Association (GALADER), Pembe Hayat and Ünikuir from Ankara, BİZ Association from Antalya, Hêvî LGBTI+ Association from İstanbul, Genç LGBTI+ Association from İzmir and Muamma LGBTI+ Association from Mersin.
Stating that when considered in its basic sense as a transmission of a message from a sender to the receiver, communication tends to be limited and less functional, Yıldız Tar said:
“In every step and planning of the communication process, how, in which medium, and through which tools communication is established need to be given serious consideration. Rather than seeing communication as one-way process, it is worth thinking of it as a cycle that is repeatedly constructed.”
Different ways of communication
Explaining the concepts of mass communication, interpersonal communication, and group communication, Tar brought the questions of “What is mass communication?”, “What is meant by mass?”, “Who is the target audience?” and “What are the differences in communicating with other groups?” to the table. Claiming that participatory communication involves stakeholders and is rendered viable through the process of feedback, Tar went on to say that:
“Communication is a process of relationality involving two or more parties. When thought within the context of an NGO, communication falls into different subcategories, such as communication within the organization, communication with rights-holders, communication with stakeholders, communication with the public, communication with the press, communication with international organizations, communication with sponsors. We, therefore, we need to develop different strategies and tools for each.”
The workshop continued with case studies presented to discuss communication principles and tools regarding public communication, communication within the organization, communication with rights-holders and communication with persons seeking for consultancy.
Campaigns and communication
Tar provided examples on telling the story of a human, gathering facts and data before creating the message, or reviewing them, activating the facts and data, strengthening the self-worth of rights-holders, visualizing the message, and creating a unique discourse. Tar further said:
“A successful campaign entails a preparation period before the communication cycle, determining the objectives of the campaign, considering the target audience and a relevant medium for them, feedback strategies appropriate for the discourse and the tools, and finally reflection on how well the objectives have been achieved and starting the process over again.”
Translation: Kerem Selçuk