Alexandra Crump Portfolio Work Table of Contents Strategic Communication Plan Research/Overview Creative Brief Pitch Email Media Alert Spokesperson Profile Radio Interview Questions Press Release Fact Sheet PSAs Press Release Blog Post for PRSSA Media Kit Announcement Press Release Feature Press Release Event Fact Sheet Organization Fact Sheet Backgrounder Semester Research - Promoting Sustainable Communities
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STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION PLAN FOR
Alexandra Crump & Cady Dawson
In accordance with:
Voting is one of the most important duties that all Americans have acquired upon citizenship. It is the process that allows their voices to be heard by those who they have elected into power. And while there are a lot of campaigns geared to help people make it to the polls on Election Day, there are some spaces that have not been fully fulfilled. The millennial demographic has become one of the most influential groups in this country. The size of the group has a huge impact on American society as the Baby Boomer generation is slowly declining. With every new election cycle, the millennial generation has failed to get themselves to the polls to take part in the Election Day activities. Over the past few decades, millennials have proven that voting is on the backburner of their minds. Ever since 1963, young adults, aged 18-29, have been dropping in rates of going to the polls. According to the Campus Vote Project, this age group makes up around 20 percent of the eligible voting population with only 17 percent of those individuals actively participating in elections. Why are these numbers dropping? There have been numerous claims as to what the cause is and while there is no definite answer, research has found credible reasons to this decline. Registration regulations are too confusing, the concept of the Electoral College is offsetting and education on the topic of politics is lacking immensely due to ancient methods. It would be hard to teach the basics of politics in a classroom as people with strong viewpoints may exercise their right to their own views. But maybe there could be a program to cover the process of elections, the importance of the votes cast and how the voting process can be easily done. Many millennials do not know the meaning behind the absentee vote and therefore do not have their voices hears as they avoid the long lines on Election Day.
The Electoral College is an important piece of the voting puzzle yes, but it definitely puts off some of the voters in this country. While America is a democracy, young adults feel that their votes do not matter. The Electoral College is the designated pool of people that are going to vote and really make the biggest impact on the elections. Students feel little need to wait in lines for hours if their vote really will not make a big impact on the election decision. Now we come to the biggest reason that young adults do not vote, registration. This is something that has become the full responsibility for young adults to fulfill. But if there is a lack of education, how are they supposed to completely the process? Registration is not being taught in schools and can be difficult to find straight to the point information on. The students need a little bit of encouragement to jump on the registration train or else they will just remain in the dark about the topic. Voting is difficult for students because they are most likely away from their hometowns and will not make the drive back to hit the voting booths. This is where the education about absentee ballots would be very beneficial for those who are far away from home. The absentee ballot gives citizens a voice even though they are far away from their registered area. Campaigns can utilize the lack of youth voters to help them win elections. There have been studies that have shown that when an actual campaign comes directly to the student in question, that student will register to vote and most likely head to the polls. They can really learn about what that candidate or the party stands for which can give them motivation to put their voice out there. Lastly, the newly registered students must realize that local elections need to be seen as just as important as national ones. This is a difficult process as they are away from their hometowns yes, but if they just spent a little bit of time researching the candidates that represent
their viewpoints they could help their local community immensely. All in all, every campaign that is ran to inspire and educate young adults to get their votes out there must reiterate the fact that it is really important for one to be an active member in local, state and national communities.
Creative Brief Strategic Communications Client: Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson and Rock the Vote Organizational (Marketing/Business) Goal: To halt the decline and increase the number of college-aged voters between 18 and 24 voting in Indiana state and local elections. Public Relations Goal: To raise awareness of the importance of voting among college-aged potential voters, and in succession raise the amount of college-aged voters Marketplace environment: The Indiana Secretary of State is a well-known and respected part of our state government, and has been since 1816. It is known for watching over government elections, protecting important government documents and even the state’s financial security. It wants to spread awareness about the importance of voting, and in effect, get more college-aged voters to register to vote. Its long-term goal is to shift college voters out of being known as the demographic who participates the least in voting, and educate the millenials on why their vote matters. The following are three adjectives that describe client: -Aware -Responsible
-Action-oriented The following are competitors (groups who raise money from same audiences): -Student Government Alliance (SGA) -Secretaries of States in other states What this organization does better than competitors: -Has real-world, applicable experience in government and has valuable knowledge of laws and policies surrounding voting. -Has more of a voice of authority, and is seen as such compared to competition. Problem: College students have a lack of knowledge on the importance of voting. The lack of education and displays of importance make them feel like their voices will not be heard through their one single vote. They need to understand that when casting a ballot, they are actually being heard. Organizational Strategy: On Thursday, April 6, we will host an event for our campaign that educates college campuses about the importance of voting. The event will be offered exclusively to Ball State students, being the fact that they are the target demographic, to learn more about why it’s important to vote. Faculty are also encouraged to come to learn effective ways to inspire their students. The event will be casual so that the students and faculty can learn at their own pace/not become bored with the content. News releases, fact sheets and other supporting material will be provided online and released to local publications for circulation Organizational Preparedness: • • • •
The client will not be paid, but will be open to accepting doantions. The client will be offering educational lessons that will easily reach the target demographic in an effective, relaxed way. Yes, it should effectively delivers the messages and information that the events are intended to do. The Secretary of State and Rock the Vote have hired Alex Crump and Cady Dawson to develop an innovative media kit and a strategic communications plan.
Target Public(s): College students and college-aged voters, more specifically Ball State Students
Tactic(s)/Tools/Materials Needed: To promote the event, Alex and Cady have developed the following content: • • • • • •
A news release about the event A media alert about the event A 60 second PSA for WCRD radio station. A profile on Indiana’s Secretary of State Connie Lawson A fact sheet about the event A pitch email about the topic to a local reporter
Deadline Date(s): Media Alert: PSAs: News Release:
Mar 1, 2017 Start- Mar 1, 2017 End- May 5, 2017 March 1, 2017
Anticipated Distribution: Muncie area radio stations and newspapers. Message(s):. • • •
Voter turnout among the college-age demographic is declining rapidly with each new wave of elections It is important to fulfill our duty as an American with voting, your voice matters. Registration education is the first step in making sure one understands how important it is to register and vote.
Approvals needed: • •
Internal review: Alex Crump and Cady Dawson Client: Connie Lawson, the Office of the Secretary of State and the organization Rock the Vote would need to look over the material to ensure that it is properly worded and can be excuted in the manner desired.
Potential crises with this project: •
Muncie residents could be opposed to having outsiders vote in Delaware county
SUBJECT LINE: “Rock the Vote” and Indiana Secretary of State partnering together for BSU Event Dear Seth Slabaugh Muncie Star Press, College-aged voters simply are not voting and it is affecting the outcome of elections. With the number of students who are not registered rising, the country is headed toward a downward spiral. With only 21 percent of the voting population being 18 to 29 in 2014, it is declining with every passing election. Connie Lawson, the Secretary of State, and members from the organization “Rock the Vote” will be at University Green on Ball State University’s campus April 6 to discuss this epidemic at Ball State University. In her discussion, she will cover the important issues of why the youth vote matters. She will also talk about the measures to take to educate young voters about registration, absentee ballots and implementing the importance of their vote. Rock the Vote will also be there with important information and a sweepstakes to win tickets to a concert with Rock the Vote ambassador Maroon 5. This event is one of few to the public universities within the state of Indiana. With over 20 years in public office, Lawson’s knowledge of the issues facing youth voting makes this event of significant importance to the Ball State’s population, students and faculty together. I encourage you to come to get a real look at this issue, as it is very important to the future of our country. Attached is more background information on the event, Rock the Vote and Connie herself. Contact me if you have any question, as I am more than happy to answer them. Best, Cady Dawson Ball State University '18 Public Relations Major | Marketing Minor Account Coordinator | Cardinal Communications Account Coordinator | Cardinal Metrics Member | PRSSA
Media Alert Contact:
Alexandra Crump Cady Dawson (317) 460-2353
[email protected]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
‘Rock the Vote’ partners with BSU to “Vote for Pedro” WHAT:
With a Napoleon Dynamite twist, join Rock the Vote to help promote college students’ voter knowledge, register to vote, and get some free tater tots while you’re at it.
WHO:
Representatives from Rock the Vote as well as BSU students partnered with the organization will be there to help guide the voter registration process and answer any questions about voting rights
WHEN:
Vote for Pedro is scheduled from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. on April 6 on the University Green
WHERE:
University Green – Ball State University, east of Shafer Tower
WHY:
This free event is a great way to encourage BSU students to come out, get informed about their voting rights, and register to vote on the spot all while reminiscing on a classic movie. In an article written by journalist Elizabeth Campbell, the toughest part of getting college students to vote is the registering due to proof of residency and lack of knowledge about the absentee ballot. So we’re here to make that easy as well as answer any questions about absentee voting and anything else that may be misunderstood.
NOTE:
You do not have to be a Ball State University student to attend. All are welcome at this free event sponsored by Rock the Vote.
Connie Lawson is the 61st Secretary of State for Indiana. Serving on the Indiana Senate for 16 years, Lawson represents the Republican Party. She was born and raised in Indianapolis, and graduated from Danville Community High School. Before joining the Indiana Senate, Lawson served as Clerk of the Hendricks County Circuit Court for eight years. During her tenure, she was named elections administrator of the year by the Indiana State Election Board and clerk of the year by the Indiana Clerk’s Association, both in 1993.
Lawson is extremely passionate about promoting voting booth integrity, as well as modernizing voting booths. She is an adovcate of the Vote Center Model, which gives voters more flexibility on Election Day because they are not constrained to a specific polling location. Vote centers are connected through secure internet connections, and as ballots are cast, an electronic poll book is instantaneously updated. Lawson has worked to authorize legislation to let counties move to the Vote Center model, and so far 26 counties have implemented it. She also works to inform the public of the benefits of the model. Voting is close to Connie Lawson’s heart and she loves to speak to others and inform them of the importance of voting as she believes it is our civic duty. With this in mind, the decision to have Lawson on board as a spokeswoman for Rock the Vote’s push to increase teen voting was definitely an easy one. Connie says that she is especially excited to get out and speak to young voters about how their votes make a difference and about their civic duty as taxpayers.
Dear Mrs. Lawson, Attached are the possible questions that could come up during your radio interview with WCRD-FM. For extra preparation, I have written some possible answers for each question. Feel free to alter the answers to make them more personal to you. Radio Interview Questions Q: What is your event/campaign and it’s mission? A: My campaign is all about implementing the idea that the youth vote is very important in our society and how to motivate them to get to the voting booths. As studies have shown, this specific demographic has been the hardest one to get to cast a ballot. As the future of our nation, the decline in the voting percentages among the millennial generation needs to rise. Q: How will this campaign motivate students to take action and head to the polls? A: Education helps us learn how to not repeat the past and to move towards bigger and better things. If students continue to think that their votes do not matter, then nothing will change the decline we are facing. With this campaign, we are able to host these events that are relatable and create a comfortable environment to learn in. It will not be a stuffy information session in which we would lose their interest within the first five minutes; it will be a fun educational experience that they will be able to take with them throughout their adult lives. Q: What do you think are the reasons behind college students not voting? A: Young adults feel as if they have really no stake in the way their country is ran. They also have a tough time voting due to the fact that they are nomads who are away from their established homes and living at a temporary address in their college town. The traditional education about voter registration and political decisions is lacking in its accessibility to the millennial generation. There needs to be better implementation of education among the new generations in order for there to be a rise in voting. Q: Some citizens believe that their vote doesn’t matter, how much does their vote aid society? A: America was founded on being a country for the people, by the people. And while there is a lot of pushback for the Electoral College, they need to be able to see what the public wants for this country. If one does not vote, then there could be constituents that would follow in that footstep. This leaves a large amount of the public opinion voiceless and their viewpoints will not be available for consideration to the Electoral College. Q: What are your reasons for being a voice for heading to the polls? A: With my position, it is my responsibility to see state elections and their results. If I was elected into this position and did not see the importance of voting, I would not be the right candidate for the job. I am proud to be a citizen of this great country and want everyone to have his or her rights be heard in this nation of opportunity.
Q: Your experience in the government setting spans over a few decades, how has your tenure made you the best candidate to head this campaign? A: With eight years as the County Clerk for Hendricks County, fifteen years in the Indiana Senate and now four years as Secretary of State, I feel like I have a grasp for how things work. I understand how voting works so I feel like I am able to make it easily accessible for the youth to understand what all it entails. Q: Some citizens are confused as to what an absentee ballot exactly is, could you elaborate? A: It is simple; an absentee ballot is an option citizens may take if they are unable to make it to their local polls on Election Day. You are able to simply caste your vote at home by sending it through the mail. Students who are often away from the permanent home address generally overlook this option. Q: How long will this campaign run? A: Since this is the first year holding the campaign, we are looking to see how successful it will be. We hope to make it a yearly event for campuses across the whole state so that the future generations of voters will have the same accessibility to voter education as their constituents have had in the past. Q: What all will be included within the event? A: There will be a few speakers from the local governments that will try to implement the thought of the importance of voting. Through interactive lessons and Q & A sessions, students will be able to grasp the message. And of course, free food because what else would be a better thing to have? Q: There has been a lot of planning for this event, what is you main achievement that you are looking for at the end of it? A: I want college students and faculty members to have awareness of this issue at hand. Hopefully with this new way to educate them, we will be able to see larger voter turnout in the future elections. Again, please make any changes you wish to make it more personal! If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to contact me. Best Regards,
Cady Dawson
Ball State University '18 Public Relations Major | Marketing Minor Account Coordinator | Cardinal Communications Account Coordinator | Cardinal Metrics Member | PRSSA
Press Release April 7, 2017 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact information: Alexandra Crump Cady Dawson 317-460-2353
[email protected]
Ball State spreads voting awareness MUNCIE, Ind. – This past Thursday, Ball State University hosted their first annual voting awareness event on the University Green. The event, entitled “Vote for Pedro” as a homage to the popular film Napoleon Dynamite, featured free voting materials for students, a speech from Secretary of State Connie Lawson, and of course, free tater tots. Over 200 students attended the event. The non-profit organization Rock the Vote paired with the Secretary of State for the event. Rock the Vote and Lawson have similar events planned for other universities in the state, as well as hopes for pairing with other states to educate students about voting, and encorauge the to not only register to vote, but also be at the polls come election day. Lawson’s speech at the event focused mainly on informing and encouraging students to exercise their right to vote, and explaining why the teen demographic is so crucial. “You all are the future. Future leaders, future politicians, future parents. Let your voice be heard and make a difference. I encourage each and every one of you to think of your civic duty this election season, and come out to the polls.” Lawson spoke passionately for a few minutes, and then stayed around the rest of the event to personally talk to students and answer any questions about voting. According to the Campus Vote Project, young adults, aged 18 to 29, make up about 21 percent of the voting population. Out of this demographic, 21 percent of these young people said -MORE-
BSU spreads voting awareness Crump Dawson Page 2
they weren’t registered to vote. This is nearly 1.7 million Americans. For more statistics about student voting, please visit http://campusvoteproject.org/why-student-voters-matter/. Overall, Vote for Pedro was a success, and Rock the Vote and Connie Lawson have made their intentions for this to be an annual event clear. For more information about Vote for Pedro, Rock the Vote, or Secretary of State Connie Lawson contact Alexandra Crump, at 317-460-2353 or
[email protected]. ### Indiana’s Secretary of State has been established since 1816 to ensure the state’s election security, financial security and upkeep of important state records. Connie Lawson, the incumbent and 61st Secretary of State, has served in the state senate for 16 years, and was elected in 2012 for this position. For more information, please go to http://www.in.gov/sos/2363.htm. Rock the Vote is the largest nonpartisan, non-profit organization in the United States driving young people to the polls. Fusing pop culture, politics, and technology, Rock the Vote works to mobilize the millennial voting bloc and the youth vote, protect voting rights and advocate for an electoral process and voting system that works for the 21st century electorate.
HOW TO: How to Register You may be able to register to vote at public facilities like the DMV, your local election office or in Indiana, you can register online at indianavoters.com.
Why Vote? •College students are a crucial demographic in every election. 44 million millennials are able to vote, and with that power, could shape the outcome of any election. •Politicians are less likely to tackle issues that college students care about if that specific demographic isn’t voting. Why appeal to a demographic if they are highly unlikely to vote?
Absentee Ballots •
Receiving an absentee ballot is conducted by mail and in person before Election Day when you can’t make it to the polls on the •This is popular among college students who are living away from home in their college town and can’t make it back home in time for the election. •You can find an absentee ballot online with a simple Google search. Simply print it off, fill it out and mail it back in. Directions should accompany the form itself.
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER: April 9, 2018 - Registration Deadline May 8, 2018 - Primary Election
PSAs Contact: Cady Dawson Phone: 630-945-7555 Email:
[email protected]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Special to WCRD-FM 60 seconds STOP: after May 5
INDIANA SECRETARY OF STATE AND ROCK THE VOTE TO COME TO BALL STATE UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCER:
BALL STATE STUDENTS ARE WELCOME AND ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND THE INDIANA SECRETARY OF STATE AND ROCK THE VOTE’S EVENT “VOTE FOR PEDRO”
THE INCUMBENT SECRETARY OF STATE CONNIE LAWSON IS PARTNERING UP WITH ROCK THE VOTE TO REACH STUDENTS AND EDUCATE STUDENTS ON ALL THINGS VOTING.
DID YOU KNOW THAT VOTER TURNOUT FOR THE MILLENIAL AGE GROUP HAS BEEN DECLINING EACH AND EVERY ELECTION YEAR? IT IS ESTIMATED
THAT OVER 1 MILLION AMERICANS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 18 AND 24 WERE NOT EVEN REGISTERED TO VOTE IN THE PREVIOUS ELECTION.
VOTING IS YOUR DUTY AS A CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES, AND CAN ASSURE YOU THAT YOUR VOICE CAN BE HEARD. REGISTERING TO VOTE IS YOUR WAY OF CONTRIBUTING TO HOW THE GOVERNEMNT OPERATES.
THERE WILL BE FREE FOOD , TATER TOTS AND REFRESHING DRINKS PROVIDED TO THOSE WHO ATTEND. ROCK THE VOTE WILL ALSO BE HOLDING A SWEEPSTAKES FOR ONE TO WIN A TRIP TO SEE RTV AMBASSADOR MAROON 5.
VARIOUS TOPICS OF THE NIGHT WILL INCLUDE INFORMATION ON ABSENTEE BALLOTS, THE REGISTRATION PROCESS AND WHAT THINGS YOU WILL NEED ON YOU WHEN YOU HEAD TO A POLLING CENTER.
THE EVENT WILL BE HELD ON APRIL 6 FROM 12 – 4 PM ON UNIVERSITY GREEN ON BALL
STATE’S CAMPUS IF WEATHER IS PERMITTING. RAIN LOCATION WILL BE PRUIS HALL ON BALL STATE’S CAMPUS. ###
Bibliography Book Is voting for young people?, Martin P. Wattenberg, Published: 2016, Call Number: HQ799.2.P6 W38 2016
Scholarly Journal Mass Communication and Society Volume 13 Issue 5, Did Social Media Really Matter? College Students' Use of Online Media and Political Decision Making in the 2008 Election, Matthew James Kushin & Masahiro Yamamoto, Published: November 20, 2010
Newspaper sources Make them students of democracy, The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, Published: November 1, 1994 The real reason young people dislike Republicans, Rick Jensen, Standard Examiner, Published: June 14, 2013 Young voters flee Donald Trump in what may be historic trouncing, poll shows. Crescente, C. and Page, S., USA Today, Aug. 14, 2016
Reference sources Elections A to Z, Published: 2003, Call Number: JK1976 .M57
Government sources Census.gov, https://www.census.gov/prod/2014pubs/p20-573.pdf, Feb. 6, 2017 CIRCLE (The Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning & Engagement), http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED495210.pdf, Accessed: February 6, 2017
Institutional sources Bloomberg.com, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-11-09/what-thiselection-taught-us-about-millennial-voters, Feb. 6, 2017 Campus Vote Project, http://campusvoteproject.org/why-student-voters-matter/, Accessed: February 6, 2017 Department of Government and Politics, https://gvpt.umd.edu/sites/gvpt.umd.edu/files/pubs/Niemi%20Hanmer%20SSQ% 20Voter%20Turnout%20Among%20College%20Students.pdf, Accessed: February 6, 2017 How Republicans Can Win Millenial Voters., Berenson, T., TIME Magazine, Jun 17, 2015. Nonprofit Vote, http://www.nonprofitvote.org/documents/2011/02/where-can-andshould-college-students-vote-niemi-et-al.pdf, Accessed: February 6, 2017 NPR.org, http://www.npr.org/2016/05/16/478237882/millennials-now-rival-boomers-asa-political-force-but-will-they-actually-vote, Feb. 6, 2017 MSNBC.com, http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/the-state-the-youth-vote-america, Feb. 6, 2017
USA Today College, http://college.usatoday.com/2015/09/25/why-college-studentsarent-voting/, Accessed: February 6, 2017 Youth Media Reporter, “Obamamania: Media Tactics Drawing Youth to the Voting Booth.”, Shabazz, R. 2008. Youthvote.org, http://youthvote.org/, Feb. 6, 2017
Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 27th, 2016
Important News About Vine Since we began in 2013, Vine has been a go-to for the public to find a laugh and help share their creativity with the world. It is with heavy hearts that we announce that over the coming months, Vine will be discontinued. Through blogs and Twitter, we will be sure to keep you updated on what’s next for us. We’re still keeping you in mind: you will be notified before the app or the website is modified. No worries, though. We respect you and your vines. The legacy built by Dom Hofmann, Rus Yusupov, and Colin Krill back in 2012 is something that cannot be taken away by the discontinuation of the app. The website will be kept online because we know that it’s important to cherish the memories you all have already made with our app. You’ll always be able to access and download your vines to keep sharing the laughter. “We didn’t think we would ever make it this far… the love we’ve received over these past years is honestly incredible. Everything has an end, though, and all of us at Vine would just like to thank you for your years of dedication and your unrelenting support that made our app possible,” announced Hofmann. Thank you. To the team members: thank you. To the creators who gave Vine a chance: thank you. To every person who ever laughed at a Vine: thank you. Vine may be discontinued, but the laughter will never end.
Regards,
Gaining Experience in Unexpected Places
One of the biggest challenges that any college student faces is resume
building. Just going to class and getting good grades isn’t going to cut it anymore – you need to keep yourself involved in as many ways possible and try to make your application stand out from the hundreds of others that are just as qualified as you yours.
The easiest way to really hype up your resume is to participate in some
extracurricular activities. Most college campuses have literally hundreds of different student organizations that you can join, and even if they don’t blatantly focus on public relations, there is always a way to gain some real-‐world experience in your field.
The first club that I joined when I was a freshman was actually pretty
random – the racquetball club. Although I am ridiculously unathletic, I was desperate for new experiences and friends and this club seemed like a good place to start. Now here I am a year and a half later, and I’m the secretary of the club. When I first joined, I definitely didn’t think I would ever hold a leadership position, let alone be able to apply this position to PR. However, now that I have taken on more responsibility within the club, the skills that I am learning are definitely going to be applicable to a PR career in my future. For example, I am in charge of sending out the emails every Monday and Thursday to remind everyone of our meetings. This seems like a menial task, but the truth is it’s a lot tougher than you would think. Each week, I send those reminder emails to over 50 people, and usually a maximum of 15 show up to the meetings. Before I joined the club, only 2 or 3 people attended
each meeting. I have been working in many different ways to try and increase the club’s membership, as well as get the word out around campus. I like to look at the club as a client – it’s my job to do my best to get the most publicity for it and help create a good reputation throughout Ball State.
Another student organization that I’m very passionate about is Cardinal
Metrics. This is the student-‐run data analytics firm on campus and I’m so excited to get to be a part of it. When you’re focusing on a field like PR, you have to be aware that things are always changing. Technology is really creating a new environment for public relations, and it is our job as PR specialists to grow with the environment. With this being said, it is clear that everything is going to begin to depend on data analytics. Being able to see how many interactions a post gets, and compare that to another post that maybe didn’t do so well is going to help us as PR professionals to help guide our clients to create the best content that will help their business out immensely. Being able to practice skills such as researching, auditing, and report writing, as well as becoming Google Analytic Certified is something that not only looks good on a resume, but is going to give me an extra level of knowledge and expertise in my future career.
If there’s one thing that I urge you to take from this post, it’s this: Don’t be
afraid to put yourself out there. Don’t shy away from new things just because they might not be exactly what you think you need. Be creative and daring. Find a place
where you can fit in and let yourself grow. Not only will your resume thank you, but also you’ll be thanking yourself later.
Media Kit | 2017
Press Release March 13, 2017 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact information: Alexandra Crump 765-555-2483
[email protected] BSU Racquetball Club hosts clinic
MUNCIE, Ind. – On Saturday, April 8 at 11 A.M., the Ball State University Racquetball Club will be hosting its third annual racquetball clinic with racquetball professional Adam Taylor. The event will be held at the racquetball courts located in the Ball State University recreation center. “Meeting Adam Taylor and experiencing his passion for the game inspired me to start the clinic,” club president Ross Meenagh stated. “Being surrounded by others who have a dedication for the sport will make people more interested, the way I was.” The clinic is focused to help both beginning and advanced players sharpen their racquetball skill set. The event is free after a waiver is filled out on the BSU recreation center’s website. There will be snacks and drinks provided at the event. If you have any questions or concerns, please email club president Ross Meenagh at
[email protected]. -
MORE -
The Ball State University Racquetball Club has been active since 1991 and has taught students the fundamentals of racquetball. They pride themselves on inclusion for students and wellness awareness on campus. The JoAnn Gora Recreation Center is home to the club for students to participate in. From basketball to racquetball, students and faculty are encouraged to promote a healthy lifestyle while having fun. ###
Feature Release March 23, 2017 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact information: Alexandra Crump 765-555-2483
[email protected]
Participant describes clinic as “awesome learning experience” MUNCIE, Ind. – Ball State Racquetball Club member Taylor Penley shares her past experiences of the club’s yearly clinic. The event, which will be held again on April 8, helps anyone interested in racquetball perfect their skills in the game. As a two-year veteran of the club, Penley states that her favorite part of the clinic is working on specific game skills. “During practices we just play games and do not focus on improving specific skill sets, but the clinic is different,” said Penley. The clinic itself features one-on-one instruction from racquetball professional Adam Taylor. “It is nice to get advice from someone who knows what they are doing - it helps my skills incredibly,” Penley said about the instruction from Taylor. -MORE-
As for anyone on the edge about attending this year’s event? “Definitely just go for it,” Penley states. “You’ll have a blast and learn a lot. It’s one of my favorite events of the year.” For more information about the clinic, please email Ross Meenagh at
[email protected]. ### The Ball State University Racquetball Club has been active since 1985 and has taught students the fundamentals of racquetball. They pride themselves on inclusion for students and wellness awareness on campus. The JoAnn Gora Recreation Center is home to the clubs and teams for students to participate in. From basketball to racquetball, students and faculty are encouraged to promote a healthy lifestyle while having fun.
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When: Saturday, April 8, 2017 at 11 a.m. Where: Ball State University recreation center Cost: Free!
Receive one-on-one instruction from Adam Taylor: • number one men’s singles player in Indiana • professional racquetball trainer in Indianapolis
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Overview The Ball State University Racquetball Club is a dynamic organization welcome to both men and women of all skill ranges. We meet twice a week to improve skills, heighten experience, and overall - to have fun! Members may play any of the varying game types and will have an opportunity to connect with a diversified group of students. Students who have not experienced racquetball are more than welcome to join and will be taught all the basics needed to be successful.
Quick Facts Founded: 1991 Meeting Times: Mondays & Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.
Executive Board President: Ross Meenagh
Skill Level Required: None Games Played: Singles, Doubles, Cutthroat
Vice President: Dennis Mott III
Secretary: Alexandra Crump
Contact Information Student Recreation and Wellness Center RC 201 Primary Contact: Ross Meenagh
[email protected]
Treasurer: Ricky Yutmeyer Staff Advisor: David Concepcion
Background on:
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Adam Taylor is a professional racquetball player from Indianapolis, Indiana and is currently ranked number one in the state for singles competition in racquetball. With a 98% skill level and a 48 win/13 loss roster, Taylor is happy to help schools across the state strengthen their racquetball skills. After attending numerous championships, Taylor currently resides in Indianapolis and has been the racquetball coordinator and professional at L.A. Fitness for the past 10 years.
Sustainability into Practice SUST250-‐2 Alexandra Crump December 8, 2017 Promoting Sustainable Communities One in 20 homes in Muncie, Indiana is abandoned or neglected. Although vacant homes may seem to be a harmless nuisance in a community, the impacts that these vacancies have on a neighborhood can be detrimental. Bruce Frankel, a professor of architecture at Ball State University conducted a study and found that there are at least 4,700 abandoned homes in Muncie. As stated before, one in 20 homes in Muncie is abandoned. Compare this to the national average of one in every 63 homes being abandoned (Abbey-‐Lambertz, 2016), and it is clear that Muncie is suffering from the abundance of abandoned homes it is plagued with. These abandoned homes have multiple implications about the health and well being of the community as a whole. A study in the American Journal of Public Health looked at 107 US cities and found abandoned housing to be associated with poor health, including outcomes as divergent as rising gonorrhea rates, pre-‐ mature mortality, diabetes, and suicide. This was even after controlling for confounding by sociodemographic factors. Another study that was published in the Journal of Urban Health found correlations between vacant homes and the well being of the community as a whole: “vacant land was perceived to influence community well-‐being by decreasing residents’ control over neighborhood life, fracturing ties among neighbors, raising concerns about crime and safety, and exerting a negative financial strain on the community.” The aforementioned research shows direct correlation between these abandoned homes and the danger and overall negative threats that they pose to the community, the land, and the people who live and work within the community itself. Not only do these abandonments pose a threat to the well being of the Muncie community, but they also pose a threat to the sustainability of the area. Dilapidated, failing housing and unusable land is a waste of the world’s precious and depleting natural resources. Repurposing and taking charge of these abandoned houses is the only option for the Muncie community to prevent the negative impacts within their community as well as within their environment. Green homes. Strong communities. Happy people. This is the vision of local Muncie nonprofit ecoREHAB. EcoREHAB is an organization that is dedicated to try and help alleviate the problem of abandoned, unsustainable homes within the Muncie community. EcoREHAB is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that was created in 2009. It had begun as an immersive learning project for Ball State University that focused on an architecture studio turning abandoned houses into sustainable homes. From that project ecoREHAB was able to flourish into an organization that prides itself on its mission “to advance our community through the promotion and practice of sustainable design, rehabilitation, and education.” Former teacher and ecoREHAB homeowner Norma Ruttan best sums up ecoREHAB’s goal: “ecoREHAB works to restore beauty and sustainability to our community through ecologically
sound and sustainable rehabilitation. EcoREHAB aims to restore one of Muncie’s greatest assets, its neighborhoods.” The work that ecoREHAB provides the Muncie community is invaluable. The services and offerings of ecoREHAB vary and all focus on different issues that affect the community. Those who know of ecoREHAB are mainly aware of their rehabilitation services, however they also offer both education and consultation services. EcoREHAB works to not only build a more sustainable community, but also to educate that community to be more sustainable as well. Their website boasts that they are dedicated to educating the region about the importance of sustainable, design, building, and maintenance. They promote sustainable education throughout the area mainly through community engagement and educational partnerships. The community engagement comes in the form of workshops as well as speaking engagements. As an organization, they are always looking for new opportunities to spread the message of green building. EcoREHAB also participates in numerous educational partnerships, such as the immersive learning project with Ball State University. They also are partnered with the Muncie Area Career Center Building Trades Program in order to provide high school students with energy-‐efficient design concepts that have then be used to construct three homes. Overall, the organization considers it part of their mission to work with and inform the next generation. They want to encourage students of all fields to consider sustainability in everything they do. In terms of consultation services, ecoREHAB just began offering at-‐home energy audits to the community. Executive Director of ecoREHAB Craig Graybeal conducts these audits by walking through the home and assessing opportunities for both improved efficiency and safety. He will then work with the homeowner to create a list of priorities based upon the personal goals and resources of the homeowner. EcoREHAB can assist with the decided upon projects, the homeowner can take care of them on their own, or ecoREHAB can suggest contractors who share similar values with their organization. Bill Morgan, the Muncie Historic Preservationist summed it up well, saying, “ecoREHAB invests in the houses we already have. We have this little saying we like to mention, maybe you’ve heard it: the greenest building is the one already built.” The largest and probably most publicized efforts of ecoREHAB are their home rehabilitations. EcoREHAB works within the Muncie community to rehabilitate abandoned homes to promote the wellness of the area. The way they rehabilitate, however, is remarkable. They promote sustainable building practices as well as sustainable home practices. Using recycled materials or reusing materials, planning the landscaping in a way that saves energy, and other sustainable practices are implemented on these homes so that their impact is as little as possible on the environment. Once the homes are built, ecoREHAB also promotes sustainable living. This includes actions like using programmable thermostats, installing solar panels, installing rain barrels, and overall continuing to educate the new homeowners on what they can do to have the home run as efficiently and sustainably as possible. In order to learn more about ecoREHAB and all that they do for the Muncie community, as well as gain a more personal take on the work being done, I
interviewed Kate Elliott. She is a professor at Ball State University and serves on the Board of Directors for ecoREHAB. She originally became involved with the organization to guide the marketing and communications, but she now also participates in their educational and sustainable efforts throughout Muncie as well. The first question that I asked her I felt was one of the most important and most telling: why do you believe what ecoREHAB does is important to the community? She replied that the health and wellness of a community is directly tied to the people within the community being happy, safe, and secure. She continued on that all issues are interconnected and that if these abandoned houses are leading to drugs or poverty or food insecurity, all of these issues relate to one another and therefore affect the community. She then shared a story of how she grew up in a small town similar to Muncie. The mayor there started pushing for more people to begin biking as their mode of transportation, and she still remembers how much that small change impacted the community in a largely positive way. People got out more, took things slower, and really took the time to become a community. “I hope ecoREHAB does that for Muncie,” she said. Personally, Kate mentioned that her goal of working with ecoREHAB is to make a difference in Muncie. She wants to help elevate neighbors and make the community more whole. “I’m raising my kids here and I want them to grow up in a town that they’re excited about. I want to make it a happier, healthier place and I think ecoREHAB is doing that,” she added. I also asked Kate about any possible downfalls or setbacks that ecoREHAB has experienced. She could not think of any. Although mentioning that the organization is entirely ran on a volunteer basis, which sometimes presses them for time or resources, the organization has been doing well with meeting its goals. I then asked how they are able to measure if they are succeeding in spreading the sustainable message. “It’s in the community,” she replied. “Looking back at the homes that we have rehabilitated and the people that those homes have affected or that we have affected in general you can see that a difference is being made within this community and it is ecoREHAB that we have to thank.” This project forced myself as a student and simply as a community member to think about how I can apply these sorts of practices to my life, both personally and professionally. Personally, it is obvious that when I own my own home I will be able to put into action the same sort of sustainable efforts that ecoREHAB puts into their homes. Professionally, however, this was eye opening. Kate Elliott is a professor of journalism here at Ball State. Seeing how she is able to first connect her journalism knowledge with the organization to help improve it, but also participate in an organization like ecoREHAB makes it clear to me that I will be able to use my public relations skill set to promote sustainable practices and continue to educate and inform communities about why they are so crucial to our future.
Resources Abbey-‐Lambertz, Kate. “These Are The Cities With The Most Abandoned Houses.” The Huffington Post, TheHuffingtonPost.com, 13 Feb. 2016, www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/cities-‐with-‐most-‐abandoned-‐houses-‐ flint_us_56be4e9ae4b0c3c5505171e7. Cohen, Deborah A., et al. “Neighborhood Physical Conditions and Health.” American Journal of Public Health, © American Journal of Public Health 2003, Mar. 2003, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1447765/. Crump, Alexandra, and Kate Elliott. “EcoREHAB Interview with Kate Elliott.” 1 Dec. 2017. “EcoREHAB of Muncie.” EcoREHAB of Muncie, ecoREHAB.org/. Garvin, Eugenia, et al. “More Than Just An Eyesore: Local Insights And Solutions on Vacant Land And Urban Health.” Journal of Urban Health: Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine, Springer US, June 2013, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3665973/.