The following is from Section IV. Conference Boards, Committees, and Agencies of The Desert Southwest Conference Journal:

U. COMMISSION ON COMMUNICATIONS
1. Purpose: The Commission on Communications will serve to guide and assist the communications staff and volunteers of the Desert Southwest Conference in their mission to facilitate Christian disciple-making through communications ministries, particularly (1) by facilitating communications within and among the agencies, leaders, and membership of the Desert Southwest Conference and (2) by helping to equip local congregations to communicate with their membership and communities. The Commission on Communications will focus and guide the communications ministries of the Desert Southwest Conference as directed by ¶645 of The 2004 Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church and as guided by guidelines adopted by the Annual Conference and Commission on Communications members.

2. Membership and Structure: The Commission on Communications shall consist of between 8 and 16 members elected at each year’s annual conference session. Per Conference Rules (p223, 2006 Journal Yearbook), members shall be elected to four year terms divided into classes, with tenure not to exceed two terms.

Membership in the Commission on Communications is to be based upon interest and expertise, but each District is asked to help identify at least 2 representatives from their region. The Commission recommends each district nominate at least 1 person to serve on the Commission and work with the superintendent and assistant, as a connection between conference and district communications. The Commission recommends that each local church identify/elect a lay member to serve as a point of contact for communications ministries.

Members of the Commission may be self-identified or recommended by district or conference nomination committees. Elections to the Commission on Communications shall be preceded by consultation between the conference lay leadership committee, district superintendents, and the Commission on Communications.

Members may serve as leaders of Ministry Teams [see #4] consisting of additional volunteers not elected as members of the Commission on Communications.

In addition to the 8 to 16 elected members, the following conference staff shall be a part of or relate to the Commission on Communications: Director of Communications, Communications Assistant/Editor, and Information Systems Manager.

3. Responsibilities: The Commission on Communications will:
a. Be accountable to the annual conference session.
b. Meet regularly to envision, encourage, and equip conference staff and volunteers as they serve to create and distribute communications pertinent to the mission and strategic direction of the annual conference.
c. Periodically review, and guide staff in fulfilling, the strategic direction developed for conference communications.
d. Create ministry teams to serve in the creation and distribution of communications and the training of local congregations in communications ministries.

4. Ministry Teams and General Guidelines: The Commission on Communications is establishing ministry teams and guidelines for the facilitation and creation of communications ministries within the annual conference and local church:
a. Annual Conference Session Support Team: The Annual Conference Session Support Team will work to lead, organize, communicate, and facilitate the communications media and technology needs necessary to support the work of the annual conference session. This team will serve to provide (1) projection and video support during sessions and worship, (2) online videocasts of conference sessions and worship, (3) video and/or audio recordings of sessions and worship, and (4) other communications needs as they emerge. The Annual Conference Sessions Support Team will communicate with the Committee on Sessions regarding video and projection needs as well as timetables and deadlines.
b. Guidelines Team: The Guidelines Team will work with the Commission on Communications to establish rules and guidelines for the Commission, its Ministry Teams, and for use of conference communications resources and technology.
c. Online Ministry Team: The Online Ministry Team will work to provide support, evaluation, and guidance for web-based communications within the annual conference. The team will also serve to provide, through conference staff and volunteers, training and resources to assist local churches in making effective use of web-based communications.
d. Print Ministry Team: The Print Ministry Team will work to evaluate and improve printed resources within the annual conference, including mailings, The Journal, and other media. The team will also serve to provide, through conference staff and volunteers, training and resources to assist local churches in making effective use of traditional print media.
e. Technology Team: The Technology Team will communicate with conference communications staff and volunteers regarding technology needs, research options, and make recommendations for the purchase and maintenance of necessary equipment. The team will also serve to provide, through conference staff and volunteers, training and resources to assist local churches in making decisions about technology options and use.
f. Video Ministry Team: The Video Ministry Team will work with conference staff and volunteers to produce and distribute conference-planned video communications via presentations, DVD, online, or other distribution sources. Video Ministry Team volunteers and equipment may be made available on a contractual basis to local congregations for video production provided such projects do not limit or delay conference productions and are in keeping with the mission and strategic direction of the annual conference. (Contracts and associated fees for the use of equipment and volunteers will be developed by conference staff and volunteers with input from the Commission on Communications.) The Team will also serve to provide, through conference staff and volunteers, training and resources to assist local churches in effectively producing and using video in ministry.