Chicago, Illinois – The General Commission on the Status and Role of Women (GCSRW) announces a transition in communications management effective August 2, when United Methodist Communications’ Crystal Caviness assumes responsibilities from Aileen Delgado.
For the past few years, United Methodist Communications has been at the forefront of the denomination's communications efforts, enhancing ministry while stewarding resources effectively. Part of this effort includes sharing a staff member with GCSRW and other agencies.
Delgado, a shared staff member, has been an integral part of GCSRW for two and a half years, overseeing its communications initiatives. Under her guidance, and with the support of United Methodist Communications, Delgado successfully onboarded GCSRW into more accessible data and information systems. She led the transition to a new content management site, upgraded the database, and launched a fresh newsletter. During her time with GCSRW, the agency’s platforms saw an increase of web traffic by 268%; an increase in Facebook followers of 34%; and an increase in Instagram followers of 115%.
“GCSRW is deeply grateful for Aileen’s contributions as director of communications since the partnership with UMCom began. Her dedication and passion have resulted in tremendous improvement in all areas of our agency’s communication efforts. Aileen will always be part of the GCSRW family and we wish her the very best in her future endeavors,” said Dawn Wiggins Hare, GCSRW’s General Secretary.
Crystal Caviness joins GCSRW with a wealth of experience in public relations, social media management, and content creation for UMC.org effective Aug. 2.
Caviness, also a shared staff member, joins GCSRW with a wealth of experience in public relations, social media management, and content creation for UMC.org. In her ten years at United Methodist Communications, some of her most notable projects include hosting the Get your Spirit in Shape podcast, curating the United Methodist Now newsletter, which has more than 135,000 subscribers, and authoring a variety of pieces such as Revised Social Principles: Updating The UMC toolbox for social witness, Perspectives: A conversation with civil rights titans about racism, and Tips for instilling faith in children. Prior to her work with the Church, she specialized in publicity management for musicians and production companies in the Nashville, TN area. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from High Point University. Caviness also serves the General Commission on Archives and History with communications management.
In her new role as Director of Communications for GCSRW, Caviness will work with agency staff and the board in the upcoming quadrennium to build brand awareness, educate leaders about GCSRW’s services and products, and drive engagement with new and active Annual Conference COSROW commissions.
"We are thrilled to welcome Crystal Caviness to our team," said Wiggins Hare. "With her expertise and enthusiasm, we are confident that our communications efforts will reach new heights, engaging our community more effectively and spreading our message far and wide."
Caviness is equally enthusiastic about joining GCSRW. "I look forward to continuing our communications efforts and working with the team to challenge The United Methodist Church for the advancement of women in all levels of ministry."
The transition period will ensure a smooth handover, with both managers collaborating to maintain the continuity and quality of GCSRW’s communications.
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About the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women
The General Commission on the Status and Role of Women advocates for full participation of women in the total life of The United Methodist Church. GCSRW helps the church recognize every person – clergy and lay, women and men, adults and children – as full and equal parts of God’s human family. They believe that a fully engaged and empowered membership is vital to The United Methodist Church’s mission "to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” Learn more at GCSRW.org.
Media Contact:
Crystal Caviness
[email protected]