FRS Communication Presentation

Roles of Personnel

Family Readiness Officer

Communication

Total Force Fitness

Communication

EODCM Robert McCueCommand Master Chief, EODMU SIX

Mrs. Kris EdmondsonFFSC Norfolk

NECCNECC Adaptive, Responsive, ExpeditionaryAdaptive, Responsive, Expeditionary

Scenario

•Command is forward deployed to Afghanistan with a garrison detachment

•Command goes into a communications blackout

•Family members are hearing rumors of an injury or death of one of the command members and information spreads over Facebook and emails

Does your current plan address how you will provide information to your command, Family Readiness Officer (FRO) and Ombudsman to inform your families with accurate and timely information?

Does your team understand the Commander’s intent regarding information sharing?


Purpose

The purpose of this chapter is to detail methods of communication that the Command Family Readiness Team (CFRT) members may use and to provide information that may improve communication between families, Sailors, and the CFRT.

Social Media

E-Mail


Execution

• Exercise communication practices on a day-to-day basis

• Understand communication methods

• Be able to use any or all methods simultaneously

• Understand the unique character and traits of the audience of Sailors and family members

Reliable Communication Requires Practice!

CFRTs must:

Communicating with people, at different times, in different locations using various communication methods.


The Team

•Commanding Officer•Command Master Chief•Executive Officer •Ombudsman•Family Readiness Officer•FRG Leaders•CPO Mess•Others….

Volunteers: Selecting the right person for the job is CRITICAL


Communication Plan

Command, Personal and Family Readiness Program (CPFRP) Communications Planning

Communication Plan should include:

• Introduction of CFRT members to include guidance from Commanding Officer regarding CPFRP

• Command calendar for family readiness and morale support events

• Command Communication Channels: Facebook, e-mail of family readiness events, links to internal and external websites

• Schedules of briefs/training sessions/workshops


Knowing Your Audience

2-2

Generational Traits

Parallel thinkers / multi-taskers /

educated consumers

Look for challenges and continued

growth, seek quick recognition

Problem solvers / resistant to change

Prefer two-way positive

communication, not afraid to speak up

Prefer direct, cut-to-the-chase

communication

Prefer personable, top-down approach of communication

Diverse, tolerant, entitled, and empowered

Skeptical, self-reliant, and self-

directed

Optimistic and idealistic, value

respect

Generation Y

1977 - 1994

Generation X

1965 - 1976

Baby Boomers

1946 - 1964

Communication Plan Must Appeal to Multi-Generational Audiences


Individual Communication

•The first time the FRO/Ombudsman communicate with a Sailor and/or family member will determine the perception of the Command

•Check-in process

•Command Family Readiness Welcome Packet–Welcome Letter sent within 30 days

•Phone call to the family by FRO/Ombudsman

FRO in conjunction with the Ombudsman facilitates the means by which the CO communicates with Sailors and families


Official Communication

•Communication is every CO’s responsibility with the goal of disseminating accurate and relevant information by the most efficient means possible

•Affected by 24 hour media exposure around the world, families rely on accurate and timely information by the CPFRP

•Protect the operational security of the mission and confidentiality of command members and their families

•CO must establish a policy and procedure for disseminating information during a time of crisis


Routine Communication

•Effectively passed via phone, email and newsletter

– Ensure which ever plan you have is not over-used and discarded as ‘junk mail’

•Command / Ombudsman Newsletter – Provides a venue for news and updates. Educates family

members on services provided at their installations

•Careline – toll free telephone number with recorded messages

•Command Website is the easiest way to distribute information to the widest audience

•Social Media Channels– All official command Facebook pages MUST be registered with

the Navy and listed in the Navy Social Media Directory

•OPSEC

Traditional and Non-traditional means of Communication Exist Today


Confidentiality and Privacy

•FRO must follow all rules to protect the privacy of the Sailors and families in the command

•CO must articulate to ALL volunteer CFRT members that failing to maintain confidentiality is grounds for dismissal

•Confidentiality and Privacy Guidelines

•Mandatory Reporters

Protocol and Confidentiality of communicating official information is critical


Communication

•The importance of a well trained – well practiced Team–Ensures you have the ability to react to any situation world wide

–Bad information will come from all sides – be prepared

–Control input and support so you don’t inundate the stricken family members

–Oversight of programs

–Provides open link for families to lean on

•Our Expeditionary Families are very resilient, they deserve nothing but the best!

Resilient equals confidence, confidence equals trust, which is built over time!


Examples

Are there any good news or bad news examples to share with the group?


Takeaways

•No one plan is right for every situation •Your team’s ability to adapt to the situation will ensure adequate lines of communication from the command to the families

•The trust and confidence you share with your Team has a critical impact on unit morale

•Communicate early – and often –Within your CFRT–With your CFRT to our Sailors and Families


Crosstalk

15 minutes


Next Stop

Wednesday , 28 Sept• 1500-1530 Break/Movement

• 1530-1700 Chapter Session 2

• 1700-1715 Session Wrap-Up

• 1900-2030 Optional Session: “Building Resiliency”


Next Stop

Thursday, 29 Sept• 0945-1115 Chapter Session 4

• 1115-1245 Lunch

• 1245-1345 Intro Guest Speaker/Guest Speaker, Ms. Tabler

• 1345-1400 Break

• 1400-1515 Chapter Session Feedback

• 1515-1615 Leadership Panel

• 1615-1630 Closing Comments

Education

FRS Communication Presentation