CRISIS IN DARFUR

You may have heard mention of a place called Darfur. It may have been from a 15 second news clip or maybe when you accidentally switched your radio to NPR for a few seconds and heard of a genocide happening there.

After the Holocaust the phrase “never again” became popular with the idea that as a human race we would never again allow such an atrocity to occur without stepping in and stopping it.

That being said, it’s sad that many of us are not aware of the same atrocities happening today not only in Darfur but other regions of the world as well.

You may be asking how this affects you or how you could possibly make a difference. One of the reasons that these genocides continue is because too many of us are complaisant with doing nothing thinking that there is nothing that can be done.

Some, however, aren’t content with that answer. If you believe that there really is something that can be done then there are a lot of resources available to you.

Savedarfur.org is an excellent website that not only provides a history and an overview of what is going on in Darfur but it also gives many ways that you can become involved by writing letters to local and national officials, donating money, holding bake sales or concerts to raise money and a plethora of other ideas. It also contains a blog with updated information about the ongoing struggle.

Genocideintervention.net is another very informative website providing history and current situations mainly happening in Africa. Students at Swarthmore College started it in the fall of 2004. The founders have set up a program with the African Union, a peacekeeping force in Darfur, to allow average Americans the opportunity of helping through donations that go directly to those in need, specifically helping women and girls who are in refugee camps in Northern Darfur. Another very useful tool to become involved is an events map that marks locations of where events are taking place across the country.

Thedarfurblog.blogspot.com is a blog created by Orikinla Osinachi, a self-proclaimed Christian Pacifist. The blog includes several videos from BBC that provide a different look at the genocide in Darfur. The latest entry talks about Steven Spielberg and eight Nobel Peace laureates who are threatening to boycott the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games to protest against the role of China in Darfur. There is an average of one new post per month, which isn’t a lot. I would recommend looking at the blog on savedarfur.org. It is kept more up to date.

There are many ways of educating yourself and becoming involved. All it takes is one person to start a positive revolution. Don’t wait for someone else to do it.

JCOM 2300- Press Release Assignment

1.
From Chaco's Press Release page: http://chacousa.com/Portal.aspx?CN=9F24101BC5B7&MN=85C1703521CF

2.
An article in the Glenwood Springs Post Independent entitled Chaco moving operations to China reports that by 2009 all of chaco's footwear will be manufactured in China. The General Manager Ed Wieland said that about 50 jobs will be eliminated because of the move but 10 to 12 of those employees will be placed in other positions. Weiland states that cost and also the defect rate are lower in China and that 95% of all footwear is manufactured in China. The article was very short and did not address the fact that many customers are outraged with idea of such an environmentally friendly company moving all of it's manufacturing to China. It also didn't talk about any of the things that Mark Paigen, owner and founder of Chacos, spoke of in the press release. For the most part it was a very neutral article just stating the facts of what the company is doing. It contained no opinion whatsoever.

3.
I chose to look at Chaco because I myself am a customer, owning five pair of Chaco sandals. I wasn't aware that they were going to be moving all of their manufacturing overseas until I read the press release. I have to say that I was disappointed with the decision but was also very impressed with the way the press release was written. Mark Paigen who is the owner and founder of the company wrote the press release with almost all of the content dedicated to answering customer emails. It included a question or concern that a customer had and was followed by Paigen's response. There were about 10 customer's questions that he answered. He didn't shy away from including some difficult questions from customers. In my eyes, especially being an actual customer, I felt that the press release was very effective.
The story that was written was relevant to the announcement that Mark Paigen made in his press release but it didn't include any of the customer complaints that Paigen addressed. I felt that the press release was much more informative than the article that was written.

Jordan Olsen

Positioning Assignment

I am very interested in working for a humanitarian non-profit organization. I would like to work in either the marketing or public relations side of an organization. As I have been a part of the journalism department at Utah State University I have developed an interest in helping solve some of the global issues that we face. I have been involved with an organization on campus called Aggies for Africa. We have done many different types of fundraisers in order to start a micro-finance project in Gisenyi Rwanda.

In order to work for a humanitarian non-profit organization I need to secure a position as a public relations intern working with the communications director of the Genocide Intervention Network or other similar organization. I want to get a job as a public relations specialist and eventually work my way up to communications director for a humanitarian NPO.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of public relations specialists is expected to grow by 18 percent from 2006 to 2016, faster than average for all occupations. In 2006 there were about 243,000 public relations specialist positions in America. The median annual earning for a public relations specialist was $47,350 in May 2006.

One of the goals that I have is graduating from Utah State in spring of 2010 with a bachelor’s in journalism with an emphasis in public relations and also a bachelor’s in speech communication. I would also like to pursue a Master’s in communication. I would like to finish graduate school in the fall of 2012.

Another goal I have is to make contact and build a relationship with three different public relations firms and three NPO’s before I graduate. This will help me achieve my goals of:

· Getting an internship for the summer of ’09.

· Contacting and sending my resume to eight potential employers.

· Interviewing with three of those organizations.

Focusing on these goals that I have set will help me stay focused on my schooling and eventual employment with a humanitarian NPO. They will also help me achieve a competitive advantage over other potential employees by making contacts early on and understanding and becoming a part of the industry.

Talking Points

Communication Skills

· I am able to express new ideas to a diverse group of people.

· I enjoy listening to other’s ideas and concerns and helping resolve any problems.

· I am very outgoing and enthusiastic and relate well with people.

Leadership

· I have been involved in many leadership positions academically, religiously, and civically.

· I am willing to lead where I see a need but also be a follower when appropriate.

· I enjoy motivating others to accomplish goals and tasks.

Personal Interest and Involvement

· I am very involved with a group at Utah State University that raises awareness and money to stop the genocides that are occurring in Africa.

· I have read books and keep myself informed with the current situations through magazines, internet, and newspapers.

· I am very passionate and dedicated about humanitarian work.