Monday, April 30, 2007

IS DISD LEAVING TIES LOOSE?

-Holes in the DISD Screening Process (name of article):
(Dallas Newspaper Website) & Article By: TAWNELL D. HOBBS, KATIE FAIRBANK and TANYA EISERER
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/education/stories/112606dnmetdisdcriminals.3381b6d.html

-Dallas Independent School District Website
http://www.dallasisd.org/

The Morning news has their own story on this obscene event, but DISD has nothing on the website. They have a screening on the website, that actually states the plan they have for the screening process and what iniatiatives they take when it is time to go through it. If you scroll down to the bottom of the screen on the DISD website. Click on search web and type in "Screening Process" everything that they have on the procss will pop up. To mak ea long story short, there is no way to compare stories. Unless, you go to the actuall article and refer back to what the reporters said about some DISD responses. Above are the websites you can refer to.

IS DISD LEAVING TIES LOOSE?

This is a problem that DISD will have to fix, before they sink under. As soon as people get a hold of this story, they are going to take it and run with it. It does not sit well with me that they would let an individual who has a past with sexual assault against children, slip in and come work for the school district. Edward Randolph had a past and now a current record with conduct of this sort, and now it is all up for catch. Dallas News says "they have some major holes, that need to be filled." and some of the responses that they recieved back from Superintendent Michael Hinojosa sounds like he knows alot of the things are going on with the district and some things are scandalous. He said "The bottom line is we need to have employees that we're proud of, and we need to have accountability when there are problems." I take it that they are accepting the blame for the school district not being careful on the choices they make.

When you are dealing with kids, all choices need to be made wisely, parents are trusting the district to take care of their kids. Not only did they have problem with the screening, but the news listed all other problems that were going on that they researched.The only person who is speaking on account of the school district are State Sen. Florence Shapiro, chairwoman of the education committee & Superintendent Michael Hinojosa. The two accounts are speaking on agreement terms, basically all in one they are saying that they are in the process of attempting to fill in open holes. The tone of the responses seem to be sympathetic, but at the same time kind of blowing it off. I feel like DISD kept this situation on the wraps and decided to hide it. No, they did not do a good job with feeling areas in that needed to be answered. I felt like it was good for some poeple to come out and speak on the topic. Which were the two names that were mentioned above. DISD has alot of issues to fix and I hope that they can fix it QUICK!

-Erica Sibley

Wednesday, March 7, 2007

Awards

Awards
  • 2006-2007 Greek Woman of the Year
  • 2005-2006 Ivy Leader Award
  • Junior Civitan Leadership Scholarship

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. & Kelly Alley @ Waterways Conference 2007 (UNT) Denton, Tx.

The 2007 Waterways Conference at the University of North Texas, Denton, Tx. has several guest speakers this year. One of many being Robert F. Kennedy, Kelly Alley and many more. Mr. Kennedy, the President of Waterkeeper Alliance; has received so much respect not only because he is a privileged and beloved Kennedy, he also has an unforgettable demeanor about the world that everyone talks about. Mr. Kennedy has received several acknowledgements on his strive to aware everyone about river basin issues and water issues. He has a huge joy for the world and wants to do everything in his will to keep it safe and plentiful. Mr. Kennedy has worked on environmental issues across the Americas and has assisted tribes in Latin America and Canada to negotiate treaties over homeland issues.He serves as Chief Prosecuting Attorney for the Hudson Riverkeeper and Senior Attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council. He is also a Clinical Professor and Supervising Attorney at Pace University School of Law’s Environmental Litigation Clinic. Mr. Kennedy is a graduate of Harvard University. Studying in the London School of Economics, he worked diligently to receive his law degree from the University of Virginia Law School. He decided to continue his higher education by attending Pace University School of Law, where he was awarded a Masters Degree in Environmental Law. He has published several books, one of many being A life of Joy (2005). Mr. Kennedy is no stranger to environmental water issues and politics.Kelly Alley is the Director of the Anthropology Program at Auburn University. She received her B.S. from Cornell University and her Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1990. She has been coming up with projects for environmental lawyers, scientists and NGO's to solve river problems in India. She has conducted lots of research in regards to public culture and environmental issues in northern India for over fifteen years. She is the author of On the Banks of the Ganga: When Wastewater Meets a Sacred River (2002), in this book she brings light to all debates on water uses, wastewater management and the meanings of waste and saced meaning. Kelly Alley wants to bring a hault to river pollution and it looks like she has taken a great step at doing so.

National Waterways Conference 2007

UNT Decides to Stand Up for the World's Water Issue...

The "Waterway Conference 2007, The confluence of Art, Science, Policy & Philosophy." This specific conference brings scientists, philosophers, artists, water managers and water specialists together to converse on the topic of water dwindling, protecting our water resources and their main goal bringing closure to water basin issues. The conference features great speakers, one of many being Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President of Waterkeeper Alliance, where him and others believe in "Clean Water :Strong Comunities." It will take place on March 13-15, which is Tuesday through Thursday. The Environmental Education, Science and Technology Building, located on Avenue C and West Mulberry (1704 W. Mulberry Street) UNT campus will open their doors to the community.Admission costs are free and open to the public. If you come across any difficulties, you may contact Dr. Irene J. Klaver, UNT associate professor of philosophy at 940) 565-2266. For more information visit www.water.unt.edu/waterways.htm for a schedule of events & activities.

Is Rainforest Action Network (RAN) a Grassroots or Astroturf Organization?

Is Rainforest Action Network (RAN) a Grassroots or Astroturf Organization?
Rainforest Action Network is definitely grassroots, you ask the reason for that? Well, Rainforest Action Network speaks for itself. If you observe the name of the organization the second word is action, in my book it means taking the iniatiative in whatever mean neccessary.They support the rights of their inhabitants through education and much more. What caught my eye was the grassroot organizing they use within the organization.I do not think that it is astroturf, because there is no huge company behind the scenes like a local advocacy group. They have human rights groups located in different states and countries, this organization is based on strict campaigning. They even have classes where they teach students how to become an active role in protecting the earth. Grass roots is a straight forward term, which means individuals getting together pro-testing. Pictures on the website show people pro-testing and standing in front of buildings with picket signs. There is no doubt about it, RAN (Rainforest Action Network) is a Grassroot organization.

Public Relations Program Planning

Public Relations Program Planning

Koji Fuse, Ph. D
Asst. Professor of Public Relations
School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Drake University
Des Moines, Iowa
March 5, 2007

The public relations process is cyclical
Four steps of the pr process overlap
Research continues throughout the pr process

Impact Assessment Benchmarks Model

Before- After Comparison
Research planning
Communication
Evaluation

Strategic Planning

Why planning?
To keep our actions in line with the org’s value, mission and goals.
To proactively manage issues rather than just react to them.
To understand what we know and what we don’t know.
To build consensus
To effectively manage organizations resources.

Strategic Planning 2

Campaign Plan
GOST : (Goals, objectives, strategic, and tactics)
Target publics
Key messages
Target media
Timeline
Budget table
Evaluation plan

*Plus*
Rationale for some sections


- (Look at GOST- 1) Hierarchy Structure

-You have to start with a goal, not with tactics!!!



GOST 2

1. Goals
To Infinitive
A summative statement that specifies the overall outcome of the program, provides the direction
Stated in general terms and lacks measure
Examples:
-Reputation
-Relationship
-Tasks

GOST 3

2. Objectives
-To infinitive
-A short term, specific knowledge, opinion
-Behavioral outcome to be achieved for each well-defined public pinpoints


GOST 4
(Objectives Cont’d)
Criteria for Good objectives:
Rooted in goal
Focused on publics
Impact oriented: cognitive, affective or conative (easiest to achieve): change behavior
Linked to research: Grounded in research
Explicit: The criterion outcome, not the process.
Measurable: What percentage?
Time frame
Singular
Challenging but attainable
Acceptable

-Not easy to change people’s behavior!

- (MBO) Management by Objectives: systematic objection


GOST 5
2. Objectives, cont’d
Examples:

Cognitive- to decrease the percentage of real estate professional who think our prepayment. Cont’d
Affective
Conative

GOST 6
3. Strategies
Active Verb
An overall concept, approach or general plan for the program to achieve the objectives
Action strategies and communication strategies

Examples:
Form alliances with customers and consumers advocates focused on eh safety of children’s toys
Get factory workers involved in the production line decision making process focused on the quality of products

GOST 7
4. Tactics
Active Verb
A concrete recommended action or decision taken to implement a strategy
Brief description, deadline, budget , special requirements, and supervisor

Examples:
Address the November meeting of the city’s Hispanic of Commerce
Hold the Appreciation day dinner party that also invites factory workers

Target Publics
Best to put after the goal
Typology of publics:
Primary Publics: Directly affected by the actions or planned activities of an organization
Intervening publics gatekeepers): Stand between a practitioner and a primary public
Special Publics: Organized groups generally with a set of bylaws and regular meetings. Have high credibility with a primary public in specific subject areas




Key Messages:
Best put after GOST
Basic ideas that public relations campaign organizers want members of their target publics to remember as a result of receiving the communication
Should be included in every message…
CONT’D

Target Media
Uncontrolled Media: Newspaper, magazines, TV, radio
Controlled Media: newsletter, pamphlets, and booklets, direct mail, POP displays, outdoor and transit posters, the internet, advertising specialties, etc.
List of media and outlets and rationale
Detailed contact info. in an appendix
Diffusion of innovations: Pg. 158 of Baskin O Aronoff, C. & Lattimore, D. (1997). P.R.: The profession and the practice (4th Ed.). Boston :McGraw Hill

Timeline
Timeline of actions specified with the exact dates in each monthly table
Gantt Chart or PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique) Network Analysis put in an appendix: Pg 136-139 of BASKIN

Budget Table
Must be accurate down to the Penny
Required resources, unit prices, quantities and totals
Ten percent to contingency

Evaluation Plan
-Three types of evaluation Research
Implementation checking: Checks if target publics are researched
In-Progress monitoring: Monitors the degree of progress at reg. intervals during program
Outcome Evaluation: Evaluates the programs end results against objectives

Real World Examples -1:
(Good) National Cattleman’s Beef Association
The USDA announced on Dec. 23 2003, that a cow located in Washington State tested positive for BSE
Quantitive tracking survey, focus groups, and media coverage

Real World Examples- 2:
(Bad) W.R. Grace & Co. and A Civil Action (1998)
· Aggressive approach against Disney movie that dealt with a lawsuit 12 years ago
· No research; bad communications with the employees and the community
· Heavy media coverage about the trial

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Current Activites and Responsibilities.

-National Pan-Hellenic Council (President)

-University Program Council (Arts Coordinator)

-Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (Historian)