THE ORGANIZED COMMUNICATORS

An Analysis of Christmas in the Park

By: Jessica May, Ronnie Hansen, Donna Kosanovich, Jacque Kuhny, Emily Mello

Introduction The purpose of our project:

Explore internal and external communication

Content analysis

We went through a process of gathering information, analyzing and interpreting data and developing an action plan that could improve the organizational communication.

We wanted to offer a meaningful service to a community organization.

Description of Organization The two-acre park is transformed into a

holiday fantasy with over 60 musical and animated exhibits and glittering lights and the 60-foot Community Giving Tree. The Lima Train, melting snowman, caroling mice and elf woodcrafters. A 25-foot Christmas Tree, Santa's Den welcome park visitors. Guests enter a winter wonderland of lights, songs.

Literature Review

Chapter 6: Communication Networks

non profits communication flows differently from business org.

horizontal communication

serial distortion/ sharpening

horizontal communication can be taken for granted

Chapter 7Culture & Climate

- Climate can determine failure or success

- Relaxed environment is favorable

Descriptions of Research Methods

Collecting dataBy interviews

Board members and volunteers

Focal Area Questions

Research Findings, Focal

Areas with Action Plan

Focal Area 1: Internal Communication

Findings: Frequency of meetings, satisfactions of meeting time, and improvements.  

Conclusions: Mutually satisfied with meeting time, room for improvement with efficiency.

Internal Comm. Cont’d Action Plan:

1.)  Outline and Organize

2.)  Have a secretary

3.)  Make adjustments, be open to new ideas 

Internal Comm. Cont’d Theory Y:

1.)  Workers seek responsibility

2.)  Workers are self-motivated

3.)  Workers are creative

Focal Area 2:How Decisions Are Made?

Findings & Theory Y- Theory Y states workers are self-motivated

-Try to find as many volunteers as they can

- Disagree? Lets vote on it!

-Each president runs the board differently

How decisions are made Cont’d

Conclusions-Making decisions goes off

experience

- There is an executive board that makes final decisions if needed

- They know what they are doing

How decisions are made Cont’d

Action Plan-End of every meeting ask if anyone is really unsatisfied with a certain decision that was made and talk about it. -That way each board member could feel they had a chance to speak their mind and contribute.

Focal Area 3:External Communication

Findings & Theory Y Advertised to public Press releases Local colleges Mainly word of mouth 30+ years, word of

mouth is strongest  External Communication is not a huge part

of their strategic planning each year Informing people they are not ran by City of

SJ

External Comm. Cont’d

Conclusions  “Of course the organization could use

more public relations…it is like asking someone if they want more money in their account.”

Not the biggest need, if had more money may not go towards external communication

External Comm. Cont’d

Action plan Established themselves in the community Professional public relations would be a

big boost for the company. Change by charging New attractions (rides) Times are charging in our world and

society-to stay up, you must change with the times- like it or not.

Focal Area 4:Downward & Upward Communication

Findings Learned that communication flows

horizontally

Technology still does not help with communication

Lack of autonomy kills workers

Downward & Upward Cont’d

Systems Theory

Action PlanMore meetings and designated

person that controls flow of information

Focal Area 5:Culture

Findings The organizational socialization is very

active The organization has a supportive

organizational climate The organization uses high performance

goals to increase employee self worth and stratification

Culture Cont’d

Conclusions-Organizational identification is advanced at Christmas in the Park

-The organization uses supportive communication

Culture Cont’d

Action Plan-Stronger leadership

-Higher emphasis on goals

Major Learnings Communication can be situational

Set Goals => happier & more dedicated employees

Horizontal communication can be taken advantage of

Limited resources, people=no problem!

References & Demographics

Name: JoAnn CymanskiAge: 64Gender: FemaleEthnicity: Caucasian Position: no position at the momentYears with Christmas in The Park: 32 years

Name: Kim ChristianAge: 52Gender: FemaleEthnicity: caucasianPosition: Event Coordinator-Santa BoothYears with Christmas in The Park: 4 years

Name: Vince LimaAge: 27Gender: MaleEthnicity: CaucasianPosition: Vice PresidentYears with Christmas in the Park: 4th years on

board, 10 years active

Name: Julie MelloAge:55Gender: FemaleEthnicity: CaucasianPosition: Board Member/ Santa booth

coordinatorYears with Christmas in the Park: 15+years

Name: John HersbauchAge: 64Gender: MaleEthnicity: CaucasianPosition: Board MemberYears with Christmas in the Park: Since 1993

Name: Les YeffaAge: 78Gender: MalePosition: Board Member

Open Now! Go See it For Yourself!