March 2008 Archives
D.C. Science Writer's Association professional development workshop
Posted on March 12, 2008 11:05 PM |Permalink |Comments (0)
DCSWA's Professional Development Day 2008
Join DCSWA for an all-day professional development workshop. Sessions
include an inside look at award-winning investigative science
journalism, how to write and sell a science book, learning to podcast,
how to file a FOIA request, and a train-the-trainer media training
session for PIOs.
When: Sat. March 29th, 9am - 4:30pm
Where: AAAS Headquarters, 12th and H Streets, NW, downtown Washington.
One block from Metro Center metro station. Enter door at 12th and H
Streets.
Registration: $50 ($25 for students), which includes continental
breakfast and lunch. Go to www.dcswa.org to register.
Schedule:
8:30a-9:00a Registration and continental breakfast
9:00a-10:45a Inside award-winning investigative science journalism. Join
three top-notch investigative reporters as they share the secrets of
their success. Ken Weiss, of the Los Angeles Times, will detail his
Pulitzer Prize-winning series "Altered Oceans." Dina Cappiello, who
covers the environment for Congressional Quarterly, will discuss her
award-winning 2005 series "In Harm's Way." And Dan Fagin, winner of the
top AAAS and NASW science writing awards and head of New York
University's science journalism program, will discuss the future of
investigative science journalism.
11:00a-12:30p Breakout sessions - choose one on the registration page
Podcasting - A hands-on course. Science magazine's podcaster, Rob
Frederick, and Chris Condayan, the pod- and video-caster for the
American Society for Microbiology, will walk participants through the
steps needed to produce top-notch podcasts. Limited to 25 participants.
If interested, please register for just one of the two podcasting
sessions.
Pitch slam!-Discover what top editors are looking for and hear instant
feedback to your own and other writers' pitches. Your pitch may be
rough, and it has to be short. Each volunteer will have one minute to
stand up and make a case for a story. Four D.C. editors will share tips
on which elements of the pitch worked best and how to make it better.
All are welcome to watch the session. Sign up at the registration desk
or during the session if you'd like to pitch. Receiving your pitches:
Laura Helmuth, science editor for Smithsonian magazine; Ben Harder,
deputy editor for health/science at U.S. News & World Report; David
Grimm, editor of ScienceNOW; and Meg Guroff, health editor for AARP
magazine.
12:30p-1:30p Lunch - included in registration fee
1:30p-2:45p How to sell and write a top science book. A rare opportunity
to hear three perspectives on the ever-changing world of trade (code
word for "popular") science books. Join a successful author, a top
agent, and a high-profile editor as they share their experiences.
Featuring agent Susan Rabiner, who's been running her own agency
(www.rabiner.net) for a decade. Susan is a former book editor and the
co-author of Thinking Like Your Editor; she has mid-wifed many
bestsellers. Author Steve Olson's 2002 book Mapping Human History was a
finalist for the National Book Award. And editor Emily Loose shepherds
science books onto the shelves for Simon & Schuster.
3:00p-4:30p Break-out sessions- choose one on the registration page
Podcasting - A hands-on course. Science magazine's podcaster, Rob
Frederick, and Chris Condayan, the pod- and video-caster for the
American Society for Microbiology, will walk participants through the
steps needed to produce top-notch podcasts. Limited to 25 participants.
If interested, please register for just one of the two podcasting
sessions.
Inside the Freedom of Information Act - Whether you're a FOIA novice or
a pro, this session points up some of the ins and outs of prying
information from your government.
Training the Trainers - A course for PIOs - Nearly every public
information officer will have occasion to train a scientist in dealing
with the media. In this session, professional media trainers will help
you help them.
*********************
Brian Vastag
Science Journalist
bv@brianvastag.net
202-236-0979 (cell)
www.brianvastag.net
*********************
Baltimore Symphony Public Relations Internship Summer 2008
Posted on March 13, 2008 6:35 PM |Permalink |Comments (0)
BSO Public Relations Internship—Summer 2008
Posted: March 12, 2008
Proposed term: May through August 2008 (or beyond, some flexibility)
Weekly hours: 12-15 hours/week
Compensation: $50/week; parking pass (if applicable); access to BSO concerts and events; academic credit if applicable
Location: Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore
Open to: Students who have completed at least 2 years of college; graduate students
About the BSO: The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra is internationally recognized as having achieved a preeminent place among the world's most important orchestras. The 2007-2008 season marks the orchestra’s first season with Music Director Marin Alsop, who made international headlines in 2005 when she became the first female to lead a major American symphony orchestra. The BSO performs year-round at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall (Baltimore, Md.) and at the Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda, Md. Concerts and series include a full range of classical series, pops programming, family and youth concerts, special events and presentations.
About the PR department: The BSO public relations department is responsible for the organization’s public image and for strategic media relations surrounding all Orchestra programming, special events, presentations, major announcements and more.
The PR intern's responsibilities include:
· Writing and editing monthly calendars and press releases
· Participation in publicity planning and strategy sessions
· Preparation, organization and distribution of press clippings and other press materials
· Light clerical work
· Projects as assigned, based on department needs and intern’s interests
As the internship progresses, intern may participate in:
· Development of feature story ideas
· Pitching local media
· Writing of additional press materials, publications pieces, etc.
This is an excellent opportunity for those interested in learning about media relations, or the workings of a major symphony orchestra or a nonprofit organization. The PR intern is supervised by the Publicist, and also works with the PR & Publications Coordinator and the VP of Public Relations.
Ideal candidates will have: strong writing, organizational and interpersonal skills; basic facility with computers and technology; impeccable attention to detail; positive energy and a willingness to “pitch in” wherever needed. The position requires flexibility and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment. An interest in symphonic music or the performing arts is helpful, but not required. Candidates should also have an interest in gaining valuable and direct experience in the PR office of a major performing arts organization.
* * * * * * * * *
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, résumé and writing sample(s) (2-5 pages in length) to BSO Publicist Michelle Pendoley, mpendoley@BSOmusic.org. Cover letter should address why the applicant is interested in the position, what s/he hopes to contribute and what s/he hopes to learn from the experience. No phone calls please. The department’s goal is to interview qualified candidates and select an intern by late April.
2 cool job opportunities at Prometheus Radio Project in Philly!
Posted on March 27, 2008 3:24 PM |Permalink |Comments (0)
Two Jobs Available at the Prometheus Radio Project!
The Prometheus Radio Project is hiring for two permanent full time jobs
-- a Station Support Organizer and a Campaign Director. Please read the
email below for short descriptions of our organization, of the jobs, and
for details on what you'll need to send us to apply. Full job
descriptions can be found on our website:
http://www.prometheusradio.org. Send all materials to jobs @
prometheusradio.org with the appropriate job mentioned in the subject
line.
We suffered an email problem over the past month, and if you sent an
application for the Campaign Director or another job to info (at)
prometheusradio.org, we didn't receive it! Please resend your full
application to jobs (at) prometheusradio.org -- if you haven't heard
back from us, that's why. Our apologies! For instructions on
unsubscribing from our email lists, please check the bottom of this
email.
The Prometheus Radio Project is a grassroots organization that works to
expand and protect community radio stations, and to promote a more
democratic and accountable media in the United States and around the
world. From Black Panther-led community centers in Tanzania to
farmworker groups in Oregon, we help groups build their own radio
stations as tools for their vital social justice organizing.
Every day, we advocate for these groups and their stations, help them
organize with allies near and far for their rights, and work with them
to keep their stations thriving and to help leaders teach new radio
pioneers the skills needed to own your own media. We help community
groups navigate the Federal Communications Commission and the radio
licensing process, and we provide technical assistance to groups
building radio stations. We also advocate in Congress and at the FCC to
protect community radio, and we actively participate in the broader
campaign for a better media. We are tireless in our fight to make
community radio stations and other appropriate technologies available to
every neighborhood, every city, every town that needs them.
Campaign Director
This person will communicate with the leaders of the media reform and
media justice movement, with community radio stations, and with social
movements working to build a just country and a just world. In concert
with these people and groups, the Campaign Director will design and
conduct campaigns to expand community media and keep corporate media
accountable in the United States and around the world.
From creating tools to help people file comments at the FCC, to
executing legislative campaigns and organizing workshop tours, to
working with the entire Prometheus collective to plan the strategic
future of the organization and its role in community radio, this person
will have an opportunity to lead strong and successful efforts to put
media in the hands of communities who need it.
As a part of a collective-run organization, this person will have the
opportunity to help build systems which ensure the sustainability of
the organization and the movement of which it is a part, and to
participate in the shared political education of a very beautiful
group of people.
Responsibilities include:
- Public speaking
- Community and grassroots organizing in small groups and with large
organizations
- Building coalitions with the ability to win policy battles and gains
for affected groups
- Crafting communications for supporters, community media, and
corporate media outlets
- Representing Prometheus or community radio goals in local, national,
and international coalitions
- Leading and managing the time and tasks of designated volunteers and
interns
- Serving as a mentor/liason between interns, volunteers and staff
Station Support Organizer
This new position at Prometheus Radio Project will be responsible for
maintaining the relationships with the thousands of people that
contact Prometheus in their quest to build a radio station, and the
hundreds of groups that rely on Prometheus for advice and connection
to the community radio movement. You will also be responsible for
outreach that will build community radio capacity in social justice
movements. You will be the primary point of contact for people who
seek support from our work -- demystifying technology and the political
system so that community's can take back their airwaves!
The Station Support Organizer will be responsible for maintaining
reliable information usable by Community Radio stations to answer
their legal, engineering, governance and related problems.
Responsibilities include:
- Managing incoming requests by integrating them into Prometheus'
operation. This involves providing information in response to basic
requests, connecting people with appropriate legislative and
regulatory campaign leaders, and directing people to appropriate
support among the Prometheus staff
- Helping to strengthen the community radio movement by designing and
managing outreach campaigns and organizing and promoting events that
raise awareness and spread knowledge across the US on the power of
participatory radio
- Spearheading the creation of collaborative tools which low power and
other participatory stations can use to share their knowledge and
experience
- Implementing methods to assess the needs of the communities we work
with and make recommendations to Prometheus on we can better serve
these communities
- Helping Prometheus' sustainability by identifying potential
candidates for our more in-depth engineering services and integrating
stations and station hopefuls into our fundraising efforts;
These jobs are based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and we cannot
currently consider telecommuters. Prometheus is an egalitarian office,
where all take part in decision-making and all full-time staff earn
equal hourly pay. We currently pay eleven dollars per hour, up to 40
hours per week. The pay may increase in time if we are successful in
fundraising. We offer full medical and dental coverage.
Everyone takes a turn mopping the floor and taking out the trash.
Hours are flexible; there are no clocks to punch, and there is no one
breathing down your neck to manage your time. However, you are
responsible for getting results and serving our goal of empowering
social movements through ownership and control of community media
outlets. This means we all work very hard and occasionally work long
hours; especially during events and barnraisings, we engage in intense
commitments for weeks at a time. Our office is located in West
Philadelphia, in the community center basement of the Calvary
Methodist Church. Be ready to smell delicious cooking, hear the shouts
of children learning martial arts, people singing gospel, or holding a
self-help meeting.
Everyone from every kind of background is welcome to apply -- don't be
shy!
To apply, send a resume, cover letter, and two writing samples and
references to:
jobs (at) prometheusradio (dot) org
Include "Campaign Director Job Applicant" or "Station Support Organizer
Job Applicant " in the subject line. Deadline for all applications is
now April 11th, though we will keep this call open until we feel we
have found the right persons for the positions.
Our web site -- http://www.prometheusradio.org -- can tell you more
about us! You can watch videos of our amazing community building radio
stations and much more here --
http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=prometheus+radio+project&sitesearch= .
To stop receiving emails from us, please email
hannahjs@prometheusradio.org with 'remove' in the subject line -- and
thanks for your patience -- we do this all by hand.
-----
hannah sassaman
prometheusradioproject
building radio stations = awesome
http://www.prometheusradio.org
215-727-9620
Kudos to David Etzel and the Green Space design team!
Posted on March 27, 2008 9:34 PM |Permalink |Comments (0)
Here's video of David Etzel, graduating MCS senior, and Michelle Eisenman
talking about their winning proposal.
http://www.umbc.edu/blogs/proveit/2008/03/green_space.html
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- Kudos to David Etzel and the Green Space design team!
- 2 cool job opportunities at Prometheus Radio Project in Philly!
- Baltimore Symphony Public Relations Internship Summer 2008
- D.C. Science Writer's Association professional development workshop
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