Good morning all-

Though I can't usually make the Media Alliance meetings, I'm glad to still follow along via email.

I have an idea for an op-ed piece, and I can probably get a first draft. The biggest problem is that, in my current job, I cannot print it. (Americorps rules). Anyway, I know the non-profit I work for is experiencing huge budget crunches due to the trickle-down effect of federal budgeting--fed. doesn't adequately fund the states, which can't adequately fund communities. Both state and local money is then cut off from local non-profits. So, non-profits turn to grants, which are becoming increasingly competitive, and also turn to their communitites. And with so much need, on so many levels, the community can only give so much.

The long and short of the whole thing is, because the Bushies are "funding" a war by cutting taxes, local programs suffer. My org. gives out scholarships for kids who otherwise couldn't participate in after-school activities. We've had to cut the amount we can give each child, and the mentoring program I work with is in some danger, if we can't find funding. I'm sure that among the various places that you live & work, you know of similar examples--food pantries that can't keep up with need; programs charging for things that used to be free; etc. I don't think that many lines have been drawn connecting what happens in Bushworld and what happens here, and I think some people could use a dose of reality.

End rant. If you all think this might be a worthwhile thing to do, let me know, and I can try to come up with an actual informed opinion, instead of the above rant.

Thanks, Karin Almjeld

"America is not a place where you say, 'Love it or leave it.' You say, 'It's broken; I'll fix it.' " -Randi Rhodes, Air America Radio.

From: "Duke Schempp" <duke@pepp.org>
Reply-To: duke@pepp.org
To: media@ipepp.org
Subject: [Media] Thumb on the Pulse
Date: Wed, 30 Nov 2005 13:48:04 -0600 (CST)
Media Alliance Initiative
“Thumb on the Pulse”

* Do you have a story to share and want to turn it into a news story?

* Tired of waiting for the local paper to print your Letter to the editor?

* Want to write an op-ed and have it published?

* Do you want to help other people edit their news and get it distributed
in the community?

If you answered YES to any of these questions,
then get involved in the “Thumb on the Pulse”

The Media Alliance met on November 23rd to discuss Media, organizational
efforts and discussed a proposal to move the Media Alliance into an active
machine that will churn out ideas, stories and build upon allied
organization’s vision for Social Justice.

***************************************************************
Media Alliance Proposal:
“Thumb on the Pulse”

Goal:
To strengthen the Media Alliance to develop communication skills,
organizational capacity, leadership and to work as a group to develop
effective communications that shape debates and shift public policy
towards building a fair and equitable society.

Objectives:
* Use the Media@ipepp.org list to post press releases, stories,
investigative reporting and media ideas
* Publish a monthly quarterly newsletter, e-newsletter, web page called
the ”Thumb on the pulse”
* Hold Monthly skill building sessions that utilize local Media experts *
Develop a Strategic Communications plan that organizations can buy in to

***************************************************************

Here is the plan:
A Leadership Team will meet on Wednesday, December 14th at Noon at PEPP to
give the objectives some concrete and specific direction.

So Far, the following have volunteered for this initial meeting:
Amy Jacobson, Duke Schempp, Tendai Phiri, Nathaniel Wilson, and several
others were mentioned and will be invited to attend.

The Team is open to anyone else that may decide to attend, just let PEPP
know so we can treat you to lunch that day.

*****************************************************************
Want to get involved?
Here are a few suggestions to get you going:

*Post a letter, story, news release, or an idea on the media@ipepp.org
list—We are ready now!

*RSVP for the Leadership Team Meeting on December 14th

*Volunteer to help maintain a section on our web site

*Help us edit and produce a small newsletter

*Help plan monthly media trainings

*Or-- Come up with additional ideas and run with it!

*****************************************************************

We look forward to hearing from you.

Respond by posing to the media@ipepp.org list,

Or

Send a message to duke@pepp.org,

Or

Give us a call at PEPP at 236-5434

Or

Just keep sending those letters to the Fargo Forum and wait for your ideas
to be in print sometimes in the next year or two-;-)

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