HispanicBusiness

Some area pastors, especially the ones working with youth, use social media every day. Others may use e-mail to get out news of upcoming events, but wouldn't have a clue how to send out a tweet.

Social Phonics, a one-day seminar for clergy and leaders from churches and nonprofit agencies, will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 11 at Church of the Brethren, 2301 Woodland Ave., Modesto.

The "social media boot camp" will train participants in Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus and other broadcast media.

A press release said the boot camp, begun in 2009, is helpful for social media novices as well as those who use it already.

"I feel as if I got a week's worth of content in one day. ... Every leader of a faith community should take this course," said one pastor.

"Our aim is to make (social media) fun and approachable," said Tony Jones, co-founder of Social Phonics.

The social media boot camp costs $125. Registration and information is available at http://socialphonics.com/register/?ee31.