[Imc-newsroom] Hunger/Blue Bag Blues/School Stories/Power Pitching

[Community Media Workshop eNotes]

COMMUNITY MEDIA WORKSHOP'S eNOTES ­ November 18, 2005
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On WNUA 95.5 . . . 

>> SCHOOL BREAKFAST FOR HUNGRY KIDS <<
featured Sunday, November 27, 6:30 a.m. on "City Voices" on WNUA 95.5 FM 

This month is a time for us all to come together and give thanks for
everything we have, and of course, a good meal...but what of those who may
not have had such a bountiful holiday? Discussing hunger and the new state
mandate for school breakfasts with host Thom Clark is Diane Doherty of the
Illinois Hunger Coalition and Nicole Mele.


On Chicago's CAN TV Channel 21 . . .  

>> THE BLUES BAG or HOW THE CITY COULD RUN A RECYCLING PROGRAM <<
featured Saturday, November 19, 8 p.m. on Community, Media & You

New York City's and Los Angeles' participation rates are above 70 percent.
Chicago participation in its recycling program is only 13 percent.  Ken
Dunn of the Resource Center and Betsy Vandercook of the Chicago Recycling
Coalition discuss how Chicagoans can clean up their recycling program,
learn why they've had trouble in the past and what the future holds, with
host Thom Clark.


>> CHICAGOLAND'S NEED AND WANT FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING <<
featured Saturday, November 26, 8 p.m. on Community, Media & You

To afford an average 2-bedroom apartment, many have to work far in excess
of 40 hours per week. Affordable housing is not just an issue in Chicago
proper, but also one that affects the entire seven-county region with its
48 percent growth in developed land use. Public opinion surveys find
widespread support for affordable housing around the region, with
two-thirds of respondents supporting construction of affordable housing in
their communities. Robin Snyderman of the Metropolitan Planning Council and
Beth Dever of the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus discuss a growing consensus
around affordable housing, with host Thom Clark.


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>> ODE TO OUR MEDIA GUIDE <<

Have you some news stories to air?
Try Marin Mitchell White or Clair

The Workshop has the guide you need
Porterfield Grumman Washington Sneed

Ahern Corley Ferguson Dumont
Contact all the reporters you want

Workin' for outlets from near and far
Times Post Journal Star

The CD's 89 bucks, 69 for the book
More than 3000 journalists, take a look

See newstips.org to buy online
According to Feder a real gold mine

To learn more about  "Getting On The Air & Into Print", the Workshop's
guide featuring information for 600+ news outlets and 3,500+ journalists
available in print and digital formats, go to
http://www.newstips.org/cart/. 

(Publicity Club of Chicago current members will receive their print guide
in December.  To become or renew your membership, go to
http://www.publicity.org/membership.htm.)


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Offer your perspective . . .

>> WHAT'S THE STORY WITH PUBLIC EDUCATION? <<

"Public Education: Cost and Quality" is the topic of the next Chicago
Matters series, the annual public information series produced in
collaboration with WBEZ/Chicago Public Radio, WTTW-11, The Chicago Reporter
and the Chicago Public Library.  Still in its planning stages, the
producers are looking for input and stories from the community. The series
will focus on such questions as "What is a quality public education? And
how should we pay for it? What's not working in our current system?" To
share your thoughts, contact the producers at
chicagomatters at ChicagoPublicRadio.org or 312.948.4723. If you'd like to
share your ideas in person, check out the schedule of community meetings
held in November at a Chicago Public Library branch at
http://www.chicagopublicradio.org/programs/specials/chicagomatters/matters.a
sp.


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Up next at the Workshop . . .

>>PROFESSIONAL MEDIA RELATIONS / Five Friday, January 27 - February 24,
2006<<
This is Community Media Workshop's ever-popular training, which includes
developing a media strategy, discussions with journalists and practice
perfecting pitching and broadcast interviewing, during five Fridays of
intense training. Specifically designed for nonprofit communicators,
participants plan a media campaign around one of their own stories while
acquiring basic public relations skills and confidence.  Details to come.

>> POWER PITCHING: THE PHONE CALL WORTH 1000 WORDS ­ February 7, 2006 <<
A short pitch call ­ followed by a short fax that puts an edge on your
story -- usually works better than a longer elegantly worded news release.
It's effective and efficient. Learn how it works.
http://www.newstips.org/register/index.php?section=Workshop&calendar_id=60

>> STORYTELLING TO CREATE CHANGE ­ March 7, 2006 <<
A good story is a prerequisite to getting media and the public's attention.
Information and statistics are not enough. Come ready to write, sweat and
try out story ideas in small groups. Learn to find your organization's
stories and how to tell stories with impact.
http://www.newstips.org/register/index.php?section=Workshop&calendar_id=30


--------------------------------------------
Meet Journalists . . .

>> ALEX KOTLOWITZ & NEVER A CITY SO REAL ­ November 28 <<

Terkel Award-winning journalist, author and "storyteller" will read from
and discuss his most recent book "Never A City So Real" at the Des Plaines
Public Library, 1501 Ellinwood, Des Plaines, IL, from 7-8:30 p.m. on
Monday, November 28. (Registration is required via
http://tinyurl.com/amw3e.) Kotlowitz sees himself as "a teller of true
stories". Learn more about him at
http://www.newstips.org/interior.php?section=Calendar+Sub&main_id=359.


>> ERIC ZORN AT BLOGGING, PODCASTING AND RSS ­ December 8 <<

Chicago Tribune's Eric Zorn (also a Terkel winner) and others will discuss
how emerging technologies are changing newsrooms and if there are
opportunities to incorporate these delivery systems into your
organization's communications plans.  Sponsored by the Publicity Club of
Chicago, more information can be found at http://www.publicity.org/

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Community Media Workshop is a nonprofit organization of journalists,
educators and media relations experts helping other nonprofits doing vital
work in their community connect with the media and visa versa. We provide
workshops, an annual conference, a media guide, a journalists' tipsheet,
briefing papers, sources, and sponsor the Studs Terkel Awards...that will
be April 6, 2006, by the way.

Community Media Workshop 
at Columbia College 
600 S. Michigan 
Chicago, IL 60605 
312-344-6400 
http://www.newstips.org

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