The URJ Techies: Get Recognized for Your Social Media and Technology Accomplishments
October 6, 2010 
2 Comments
by Natalie Miller
URJ Congregational Technology Specialist
The Union is currently accepting submissions for The URJ Techies, a social media and technology contest set up to recognize member congregations that are successfully utilizing and embracing social networks and technology. It will also inspire others to seek innovative ways to enrich their communities by engaging members online.
Social networking and technology are extremely important tools to increase awareness about the work congregations do within a community. These tools can help leaders connect with members outside congregation walls and can create an online community that can supplement and enrich the offline community, offering unique opportunities for learning and sharing.
Many of our members have embraced technology and are using it in wonderful and innovative ways. We want to recognize those efforts and share the best of the best with all of you.
The awards are divided into three main categories: Congregations, Youth-Focused and Education-Focused. Awards will be given in categories including, but not limited to: Best Use of Facebook, Best Use of Twitter, Best Use of Digital Media, Best Youth-Focused Blog and Best Use of Technology – Early Childhood Education.
Please visit the URJ website and enter The URJ Techies contest. Submissions will be accepted until Nov. 15, 2010. Finalists will be selected by URJ staff judges, and then will be open for public voting on Dec. 6, 2010 through Jan. 14, 2011. Winners will be determined by a combination of staff votes and public votes and will be announced on Feb. 1, 2011.
Blogs, other than the special categories you called out, don’t get a category but are just part of “digital media”?
@Monica — if you go to the referenced website page http://urj.org/cong/technology/techies/, the detailed rules give more attention to blogging, and then link from there to the Judging Criteria for blogging — which discusses best practices and signs of success. Worth perusing by any person or congregation that is getting into blogging.