Flocknote works!

BY MARTIN FORD

Flocknote helps the Archdiocese of San Francisco to create a more connected Archdiocese by enabling pastors, office staff and key volunteers to communicate with their “flocks” using email and text in a way that is not only easy, but also fun.

It’s used in over 70 parishes and ministries across the Archdiocese of San Francisco. Since the Archdiocese began its partnership with Flocknote, over 15,000 notes were sent to parishioners in all three counties (and beyond), keeping parishioners in the loop with all the happenings at their respective parishes and ministries.

Flocknote was indispensable for many parishes during our period of parish closures at the beginning of the pandemic. Pastors kept their parishioners up to date on when church would open again, provided links for livestreamed services and even sent short inspiring notes to cheer their parishioners up during what were very difficult times for many people.

In addition to being a very effective communications tool, many parishes also use an add-on tool called Flocknote People which has extra features like forms enabling parishioners to sign up for events and reserve seats at Mass when capacity limits were in place.

The Archdiocese of San Francisco piloted Flocknote at a handful of parishes in 2019 and found it to be so helpful that it was decided that the Archdiocese would subsidize Flocknote at every parish.

Flocknote is loved and trusted not only by the Archdiocese of San Francisco, but also the archdioceses of Los Angeles, Washington, New York and several others not only for their excellent product but others, even more so because of their exceptional support staff who make themselves liberally available to all our parishes signed up for Flocknote. They provide ample and ongoing training, help with the migration from other email communication systems and help with the setup process.

The Archdiocese of San Francisco looks forward to a long-term relationship with Flocknote to help create a more connected Archdiocese! ■

Martin Ford is Archdiocesan Director of Technology.