Showing posts with label Volunteer Experiences. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Volunteer Experiences. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Street news in Salt Lake City now a reality, CWC volunteer official vendor
Friday, May 21, 2010
Pride essay
Wanted to share my submisson to Q Salt Lake's "What Pride Means to Me." If I'm chosen as one of the top five, you'll see this printed in Q's upcoming Pride Issue. Wish me luck. If anyone else would like to submit, you have until Sunday May 23 at 12 noon. Submit to editor@qsaltlake.com .
John
Day Without Pride
The first Pride I attended - let’s just say several years ago, and leave it at that - was in Sunnyside Park. There were no booths, no beer garden, no corporate sponsors; just softball, watermelon and soft drinks. It was a way to come “out” a little farther than I was at the time. I’ve tried to stay directly or indirectly involved in Utah Pride every year since. It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s almost always a good experience.
I have my favorite Prides, like the first year there was a parade. I marched front and center with some of the proudest fags I’ve ever known, carrying the huge rainbow flag you still see in the parade today. Another year a friend and I marched with a banner for Radio City Lounge. My absolute favorite is the year Tyler (an “ex”) and I walked down State Street holding hands.
Opinions regarding Pride are mixed in GLBTQ communities. Its relevance and effectiveness are being challenged. Some think it has become too political; others not political enough. Many think Pride presents queer people in a frivolous light, and do not want to be represented by flamboyant fairies or quixotic queens on colorful floats. Still others think Prides have become too commercial, and are suspicious of how funds are used. Sadly, too many have been indoctrinated to believe they have nothing of which to be proud.
Most just find it a great excuse to party.
Dissent is to be expected when trying to affect progressive change. Sometimes egos or agendas get in the way, personalities clash. Still, every year, a dedicated team of volunteers makes Pride happen. That’s one testimony to the relevance of Pride – Teamwork: overlooking differences to promote a common goal.
It’s much more, too. Freedom: to kiss, hold, love whoever you wish, wherever you like, without fear. Visibility: having the courage to be out, establish our right to exist, and show the world we are not ashamed of who we are. Diversity: gathering people of different ilks – race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity – under the same umbrella to forward the same cause – the most important reason for Pride - our struggle for Equality: a day when queer folks will be treated like everyone else under the law.
On that day, there will be no need for Pride.
But we’ll do it anyway – for the party.
photo courtesy of Utah Pride
John
The first Pride I attended - let’s just say several years ago, and leave it at that - was in Sunnyside Park. There were no booths, no beer garden, no corporate sponsors; just softball, watermelon and soft drinks. It was a way to come “out” a little farther than I was at the time. I’ve tried to stay directly or indirectly involved in Utah Pride every year since. It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s almost always a good experience.
I have my favorite Prides, like the first year there was a parade. I marched front and center with some of the proudest fags I’ve ever known, carrying the huge rainbow flag you still see in the parade today. Another year a friend and I marched with a banner for Radio City Lounge. My absolute favorite is the year Tyler (an “ex”) and I walked down State Street holding hands.
Opinions regarding Pride are mixed in GLBTQ communities. Its relevance and effectiveness are being challenged. Some think it has become too political; others not political enough. Many think Pride presents queer people in a frivolous light, and do not want to be represented by flamboyant fairies or quixotic queens on colorful floats. Still others think Prides have become too commercial, and are suspicious of how funds are used. Sadly, too many have been indoctrinated to believe they have nothing of which to be proud.
Most just find it a great excuse to party.
Dissent is to be expected when trying to affect progressive change. Sometimes egos or agendas get in the way, personalities clash. Still, every year, a dedicated team of volunteers makes Pride happen. That’s one testimony to the relevance of Pride – Teamwork: overlooking differences to promote a common goal.
It’s much more, too. Freedom: to kiss, hold, love whoever you wish, wherever you like, without fear. Visibility: having the courage to be out, establish our right to exist, and show the world we are not ashamed of who we are. Diversity: gathering people of different ilks – race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity – under the same umbrella to forward the same cause – the most important reason for Pride - our struggle for Equality: a day when queer folks will be treated like everyone else under the law.
On that day, there will be no need for Pride.
But we’ll do it anyway – for the party.
photo courtesy of Utah Pride
Friday, April 23, 2010
Update
At the request of the writers, I've set up a private blog for the group to share writings. It's off to a slow start, but I want to encourage all the writers to view and contribute to it more regularly. It is private: you can post, comment, and view only by invitation, so there's no privacy issue. C'mon. give it a try.
Unfortunately, I have decided to quit, at least temporarily, two regular blogs I've been writing weekly for about a year. Time and other considerations, such as lack of interest, really wore me down. So Mister Write and The Rio Grande Report are no more, but their purpose will live on.
I'm really having a hard time picturing the CWC without Tiffany. I wish her the best, and hope she'll come check in on us once in a while. She has always been there, as long as I've been involved. It will be great to have Andrea step into her spot, though. I"m also looking forward to participating in the Utah Arts Festival literary events again this year. Last year was awesome. I also plan to volunteer at more community events such as Farmer's Market, People's Market, Avenues Street Fair, and perhaps the center will be able to swing Pride Day this year.
Well life is constantly changing, some for good, some for not so good. It's keeping me on my toes, and constantly reminding me that change means growth.
John Wilkes
DiverseCity Writing Series
LGBTQA Writers Group co-mentor
Monday, March 8, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Homeless literature
Here's something of interest:
Does literature of the homeless exist? by Ben Myers guardian.co.uk
[photo: Fabian Cevallso/Corbis Sygma "Ocasionally homeless...Charles Bukowski]If you've never read Bukowski, you're missing out. He's one of the best,a nd one of my favorites.
John
Friday, January 29, 2010
Shameless plug
Thanks
John
[image: Alex Pickett, Tales of an Unemployed Journalist]
Friday, December 18, 2009
Butterfly effect
There was a young man who came to the first two meeting of our new LGBT Writers' Group. Sadly he was just visiting, and returned home to Arizona. I've really missed his writing and input, but what can you do?
Today, I recieved an e-mail from him. He is starting a GLBT writing group in his area of Phoenix, and was asking for some advice. I don't know how helpful my ideas will be to him: I just gave him the rundown of how I've been winging it, suggested he ask the writers what they would like to get from the group, and wished him luck.
But I'm pleased to get feedback that our efforts don't just make a difference in our community, but spread outward to other places. That in turn will perhaps spread beyond that realm, and so forth.
Volunteer. No effort is too small, and the impact may be larger than you imagine
John
[image: photobucket.com]
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Another possible motivational tool
I am the world's worst procrastinator, so I'm always looking for ways to set goals for my life, and for my writing. recently, I introduced you to The Pomodoro Technique, a time management tool.
A local entrepreneur I met in another writing group (gasp!), Phil Davis, is an author as well as a publishing guru. His latest effort is entitled the I Survived 2012 Daily Journal.
I 've never been very successful at keeping a daily journal, but I recommend that all writers attempt it. I think this publication may get me further into this activity than past attempts because of its unique approach.
We're all aware that since the world began prophets have been foretelling its demise. The big scare these days is the supposed Mayan Prophesy that the world will end in 2012. Various theories exist as to what will actually happen on December 21, Winter Solstice 2012. They involve everything from global to universal cataclysms, a new world order, sweeping change in collective human philosophies and religions, and absolutely nothing at all. I think the best source for clarification is straight from the horse's mouth:
"Anthropologists visit the temple sites and read the steles and inscriptions and make up stories about the Maya, but they do not read the signs correctly...Other people write about prophecy in the name of the Maya...The Mayan elders are angry with this. The world will not end. It will be transformed."
-Carlos Barrios, sprirtual guide of the Mayan Eagle Clan.
Davis shares this more positive outlook concerning the future, and challenges us to work toward a better future for ourselves by "creating a legacy of choice rather than running away and hiding in fear." With his 2012 journal, he creates a simple daily process anyone can adopt to inspire themself to get more out of each day.
Here's how it works"
- "Significant Acts" Prompt: Each day begins by prompting you to think of one "Significant Act" you will perform.
- "Quotes" and "Facts": Throughout the journal you will see "Seize the Day" prompts, 2012 Facts and Random Quotes....one of these prompts may get your creative juices flowing.
- "How did it go?" Prompt: Write down if you did what you said you were going to do and if so, what happened.
- "Other thoughts and ideas" Prompt: In this space, write down any other significant events, ideas or thoughts that occured on that day.
( from the I Survived 2012 Daily Journal by Phil Davis)
Easy, right? All in an attractive, spiral bound journal. The quotes are funny and thought-provoking, the facts are intriguing, and the prompts are motivating. It's simple enough that anyone from about Jr. High age (perhaps younger) on up can understand and make use of the devices. I can't wait to start mine in the new year; that's my resolution.
John Wilkes
CWC Volunteer
DWS co-mentor
The Rio Grande Report
Mister Write's Blog
For more information or to order your I Survived 2012 Daily Journal, go here.
Phil Davis is the president of ZDocs- a book printing and self publishing business based in Lindon, Utah-and Authors On the Net and The Author Platform, two sources for eCourses, online publicity, self-publishing programs, and an online writing community.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Good Luck, and welcome
You'll be missed.
Welcome to those who are joining us in spreading the mission of CWC. Look froward to working with you.
John Wilkes
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Volunteer Brunch: Thanks!
I was very pleased and surprised to learn that I was officially the very 1st CWC Volunteer. I was not expecting the nice certificate. Thank you very much, and as I said, it really has been my pleasure to be involved in such an important organization. Wish I could do more.
I appreciate the opportunity to co-mentor the DWS GBLTQA Writing group. I hope we can clear up the mentor issue soon, so the group can continue. I think it's an important group to have. I'd like to see us doing a DWS group for homeless people again. The apartment complex where I've lived since April, Palmer Court, is transitional housing for formerly chronically homeless people. (If they built a few more of these, I think the homeless population would drop by half.) Therefore, there is a possible meeting space available, and people to whom I can broach the subject. They may be more interested in it under the auspices of a social activity for the residents. Just say the word and we'll get together to discuss it.
Thanks again,
John Wilkes
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Pomodoro Technique
I thought this might be a good technique for those writers who, like myself, have to break big writes down into manageable bits.
John
THE BIG TOMATO EFFECT
I am a professional procrastinator. Therefore, I rarely meet my goals, then I beat myself up over it. This is especially disappointing to me when it involves my writing. I feel I should be much more prolific than I am. I always just put it off until an idea is forgotten, or the spark has gone out of a piece I've workrd on, then abandoned.
I've recently learned of a promising time management technique that I think might help. I learned of it from a blog entitled The Corporatepreneur . Usually, anything involving the word corporate would not appeal to me, but the day I stumbled upon Dale's blog through my Google Reader, he had posted a bit called "Hitting 4 hours a day-with the help of a tomato." That was just weird enough to catch my eye. After spotting the heading "HELP! I'm an entrepreneur trapped in the job of an employee!", I was hooked.
As I began to read, I realized that the method he was trying could be very helpful to writers. Let's admit it, we all have the tendency to gravitate toward anything that will tear us from the blank computer screen or empty journal. This technique breaks tasks down into time increments and regular breaks using nothing more complicated than a kitchen timer.
Of course that's a simplification. There is some palnning and prioritization involved on our part to get the ball rolling. But the concept is so simple that if you're willing to invest a few minutes at the beginning of each day to list the tasks you want to acheive, then stick to the technique, I think you'll soon be spending more time doing and less time wishing or putting off.
I've decided to try it. I'll keep you posted on my progress.
Anyhow, it's called The Pomodoro Technique. Click on the link above to read Dale's blog on it, and the link in this sentence to learn more and dowload the book for FREE.
Good luck and good writing.
MrW
John
THE BIG TOMATO EFFECT
I am a professional procrastinator. Therefore, I rarely meet my goals, then I beat myself up over it. This is especially disappointing to me when it involves my writing. I feel I should be much more prolific than I am. I always just put it off until an idea is forgotten, or the spark has gone out of a piece I've workrd on, then abandoned.
I've recently learned of a promising time management technique that I think might help. I learned of it from a blog entitled The Corporatepreneur . Usually, anything involving the word corporate would not appeal to me, but the day I stumbled upon Dale's blog through my Google Reader, he had posted a bit called "Hitting 4 hours a day-with the help of a tomato." That was just weird enough to catch my eye. After spotting the heading "HELP! I'm an entrepreneur trapped in the job of an employee!", I was hooked.
As I began to read, I realized that the method he was trying could be very helpful to writers. Let's admit it, we all have the tendency to gravitate toward anything that will tear us from the blank computer screen or empty journal. This technique breaks tasks down into time increments and regular breaks using nothing more complicated than a kitchen timer.
Of course that's a simplification. There is some palnning and prioritization involved on our part to get the ball rolling. But the concept is so simple that if you're willing to invest a few minutes at the beginning of each day to list the tasks you want to acheive, then stick to the technique, I think you'll soon be spending more time doing and less time wishing or putting off.
I've decided to try it. I'll keep you posted on my progress.
Anyhow, it's called The Pomodoro Technique. Click on the link above to read Dale's blog on it, and the link in this sentence to learn more and dowload the book for FREE.
Good luck and good writing.
MrW
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Volunteer Brunch November 14, 2009
We would like to thank, support and celebrate all of our volunteers for the amazing work you have done over the past year. Come eat brunch, receive recognition and share challenges and successes with other volunteers November 14, 2009 from 9:30am—12:00pm.
9:30– 10:00 am Brunch
10:00– 10:30 am Introductions
10:30– 11:30 am Small Group Discussion of successes and challenges: Mentors, Coaches & Workshop Facilitators
11:30 am– 12:30 pm Awards and Recognition
To RSVP contact Rachel Jardine at rachel.jardine@slcc.edu or call 801.957.4992. Hope to see you all there.
9:30– 10:00 am Brunch
10:00– 10:30 am Introductions
10:30– 11:30 am Small Group Discussion of successes and challenges: Mentors, Coaches & Workshop Facilitators
11:30 am– 12:30 pm Awards and Recognition
To RSVP contact Rachel Jardine at rachel.jardine@slcc.edu or call 801.957.4992. Hope to see you all there.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Eight years later
Friday, September 11, 2009
Eight years ago today, I watched the most horrific thing I've ever seen on live TV.
Eight years ago today, as planes kept falling from the sky,
I thought, This is the beginning of the end of my country.
Eight years ago today, I cried as thousands of people lost thier lives in a sensesless act of agression.
Eight years ago today, we realized that we are as vulnerable as any other people.
Eight years ago today, my first reaction were thoughts of hatred and vengeance.
Eight years ago today, we vowed to unite as a nation.
Eight years ago we went to fight for a common cause.
Today, eight years later, thousands more have died.
Eight years later, more mothers have cried.
Eight years later, our enemies laugh at us still.
Eight years later we've lost our direction,
Eight years later, death still rains down from the sky
in another land;
Death by our hand-
and injustice
and torture
and hatred.
Eight years later, we have forgotten who we are
who the enemy is,
what we stand for
and the good reasons to fight and die,
If there be any
Eight years later, we're just going through the motions.
Eight years later, although so many more are lost
We have not found security, unity, peace.
Eight years from now
Can't be foreseen.
But the definition of insanity is said to be
repeating the same action and
expecting a different result.
---Peace, everyone
John
(original post at misterwritesblog.blogspot.com)
Go here for a hard hitting commentary in verse by Emmanuel Ortiz, and download the podcast.
Eight years ago today, I watched the most horrific thing I've ever seen on live TV.
Eight years ago today, as planes kept falling from the sky,
I thought, This is the beginning of the end of my country.
Eight years ago today, I cried as thousands of people lost thier lives in a sensesless act of agression.
Eight years ago today, we realized that we are as vulnerable as any other people.
Eight years ago today, my first reaction were thoughts of hatred and vengeance.
Eight years ago today, we vowed to unite as a nation.
Eight years ago we went to fight for a common cause.
Today, eight years later, thousands more have died.
Eight years later, more mothers have cried.
Eight years later, our enemies laugh at us still.
Eight years later we've lost our direction,
Eight years later, death still rains down from the sky
in another land;
Death by our hand-
and injustice
and torture
and hatred.
Eight years later, we have forgotten who we are
who the enemy is,
what we stand for
and the good reasons to fight and die,
If there be any
Eight years later, we're just going through the motions.
Eight years later, although so many more are lost
We have not found security, unity, peace.
Eight years from now
Can't be foreseen.
But the definition of insanity is said to be
repeating the same action and
expecting a different result.
---Peace, everyone
John
(original post at misterwritesblog.blogspot.com)
Go here for a hard hitting commentary in verse by Emmanuel Ortiz, and download the podcast.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Will the waiting pay off? Yes it will
Please know that although you may not feel as though you are doing much just sitting there waiting for writers to show up for assistance, your very presence is advertising the CWC and our programs. In the end, that is nearly as valuable as helping a writer.
We would like to commend the tremendous dedication of our Off-Site Writing Coaches: Chrystine Lee, Kevin White, Steven Duncan, Jerry Puckett, John Robinson, Paige Mehlhoff, Steven Warren, Carl Yutrzenka, Sheri Bell-Rehwoldt, Helen Radkey, MaryJane VanBurn, Holly Welker and Dylan Winslow.
If you would like to become an Off-Site Writing Coach we currently have two positions open.
More Details.
~Rachel, Volunteer Coordinator
~Christina, Off-Site Program Specialist
We would like to commend the tremendous dedication of our Off-Site Writing Coaches: Chrystine Lee, Kevin White, Steven Duncan, Jerry Puckett, John Robinson, Paige Mehlhoff, Steven Warren, Carl Yutrzenka, Sheri Bell-Rehwoldt, Helen Radkey, MaryJane VanBurn, Holly Welker and Dylan Winslow.
If you would like to become an Off-Site Writing Coach we currently have two positions open.
More Details.
~Rachel, Volunteer Coordinator
~Christina, Off-Site Program Specialist
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Help me out here
I have a lot of free time to volunteer right now, so don't hesitate to ask. If I'm available and I can get there, I'm there. I really enjoyed doing time at the Utah Arts Festival, and I had the pleasure of hanging with Ken and Shannon at the People's Market this past Sunday.
The GLBTQ DWS group started out well. It was disappointing that nobody showed up to the last meeting however. I'd like to ask all of you mentors what things you do to keep people coming on a regular basis. I don't expect everyone to make every meeting, of course. From past experience, I believe that there is a need and desire for this group. I just need some help reaching people and keeping their interest.
You may e-mail me with suggestions at riograndereport@live.com .
I want to thank Susan Abney, chanel, and DvntWriter for their supportive comments to my last blog. And, chanel, in answer to your question, I've posted a photo.
Thanks
J
Friday, August 7, 2009
Making A Difference?
We all want what we do to matter, don't we? I ask because I need your help. There are a couple of other projects that I put a lot of work into for no compensation and very little to no recognition. One project at least gets me profuse thanks from the staff and director, but is that enough?
I've been writing for an on line news and entertainment source since March. It takes a big chunk of time to research and develop article ideas. You'd think that when you approach people and ask them if they'd like to be interviewed for an article that will give them and their organization/business, etc. free advertising/publicity that they would jump at the chance. It ain't so folks. The last interview I did, it took me three months to talk the guy into it.
Supposedly, if we plug in all available bells and whistles here and there, we make a little bit of money off these endeavors. I have yet to see one penny.
That leads me to pose the question, "Is it really worth it?" Sure my work, name, and face are all over the Internet, but does anyone see it? Does anyone really care?
Judging from the coments I've received on my articles and blogs or rather, the lack thereof, I gotta say no. Total comments received on this blog, another blog which I've written since January (both), and my articles at the other site equal maybe 10 total.
It's months of work, an amazing commitment of time and energy. For nada (except a pat on the back for my volunteer work, which I greatly appreciate, guys.)
"So why do it? Are you crazy?" you might well ask.
The answers to those questions are easy. It's what I do. It's what I love to do. I am a writer. It's one of two things I truly enjoy doing, and that I feel I do very well. Don't ask me what the other thing is, but I once made more money at it than I've ever made writing. I like to delude myself that all these extracirricular activities mean something. The issues they address, the activities they promote are important to me, and I want to share that with others.
But do these "others" or anyone at all, give a rat's butt that I do it? That's what I don't know. Sometimes that makes it very difficult to continue. In fact in the case of the two blogs and the on line literary reporting I've been neglectful for a full month.
Posting here and on my other blog today after 30 days of inactivity has renewed my commitment to what I do. Tomorrow I'll submit a new literary article to my reporting site. I may as well enjoy all this time I have to write, because when I finally get paying work, I won't have as much time for it.
I may well never make a living writing. Oh well. That saddens me, but I'll keep doing it. Because I can. Because even when it seems like times are tough and my effort is irrelevant, writing makes me feel good. Writing is a hopeful thing that never lets me down in the long run. It always gets me where I want to go, even when it takes me the long way.
So yeah. It's worth it just for that.
[This blog post also appears HERE. Check out Mister Write's blog.]
Monday, July 6, 2009
Thank You Utah Arts Fest Volunteers
The CWC would like to thank the volunteers who donated their time during the 2009 Utah Arts Festival. It was amazing to see the hardwork and dedication expressed by each volunteer in organizing events, getting people to participate in "Just Write a Minute" and creating awareness of the center.
I really appreciate having such a great group who can be counted on to support the CWC. This year's Utah Arts Festival could not have gone better, and it is all thanks to volunteers!
I really appreciate having such a great group who can be counted on to support the CWC. This year's Utah Arts Festival could not have gone better, and it is all thanks to volunteers!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Fellow volunteers: What distinguishes civic writing from personal and practical writing?
I walked in to the CWC last week while they were conducting a staff meeting, and was kindly invited to join and share my thoughts on Tiffany's topic du jour: civic writing, particularly the seeming lack of it among those with whom we work in the community.
We have three broad categories -- as you all know -- under which most composition falls, with personal and practical being the most prevalent.
When was the last time you gave someone feedback on a letter to the editor or a public official?
As opposed to the résumé or personal letter? When was the last time any of us composed civic writing, or was our last missive (and the one before that) personal or practical?
When does personal or practical become civic?
I feel that there are primary and secondary purposes for any piece of writing.
In general, civic writing is addressed to a community or a representative thereof, and concerns issues that have a community impact.
A letter to the local utili-naut about a crummy, time-consuming customer service experience, its confusing, redundant billing, and its high rates is practical as it aims for relief in the form of relief an apology and hopefully a change in the way it does things. The desired end here is a positive outcome, which would be that the recipient understands the writer's frustration, hopefully shows some empathy, but mostly, that it takes corrective action to right past wrongs and prevent future ones.
How about sharing a recipe, an instructive task which demands detail, clarity and consideration for possible non-cooks among its readership. That's practical too, but with whom do we share our recipes? Actually, I don't share mine. But if I did, it'd be limited to close friends; maybe some family members. Then, it's highly personal. The instructive, practical side is mean to a personal end. I must feel good simply to share it. The recipient is probably happy to just to receive it and appreciates the gesture, the thought behind it, regardless of whether they ever care to prepare
Wasn't the letter to the utility for personal satisfaction, too? It was impersonal in that the relationship to the reader is practical, consumer to service-provider. Same with plaintiff/defendant to judge letters, even if one must tell a personal story in that letter. The letter itself isn't satisfying, the aim might be.
A letter to a public official about increasing or decreasing funding to entity x or to call for outlawing or legalizing this or that is civic, for sure. Civic writing is persuasive writing, and any combination of ethos, pathos and logos will and can be used, depending on the situation. Take an appeal to emotion, in which one attempts to appeal to the reader by sharing a personal story of suffering due to government action or inaction, an exemplary case of the effect of public policy.
There's an example a personal story whose aim is some sort of personal satisfaction, but in which the recipient has no personal relation to the writer.
In fact, when we write op-eds and letters to editors, the audience is both all and none; it's abstract, because 'community' is abstract.
There are infinite combinations of these three writing types, and it's possible that a piece can never be just one if we really want to nit-pick.
For one, it's all expressive, which is personal at its core. Musicians, visual artists, writers, chefs, architects, performers all get personal satisfaction from doing what they do and doing it well.
Take this blog post, for example:
I enjoy articulating my thoughts on this blog. I hope whomever reads this thinks I've made good points, have started an interesting discussion, and have done so effectively and in a way which keeps your attention. That's the personal element. But is that my primary purpose?
My purpose for volunteering is personal, civic and practical. I can't pick any one over the other. I have talents, I want to share them with the community, and I want to put it on my résumé. It's a three-fer.
Continuing on...
The practical element of this post is that Jeremy asked me to write it in order to elicit responses from my fellow volunteers about this topic. I considered what might be a practical way to do so and decided that a) I'd share a few of my thoughts on it which would hopefully lead to b) other volunteers joining the discussion. Is that the most practical way to get one involved? I'd sure hope. Effective communication, whether instructive or persuasive, has logic to it. We analyze the audience, determine what we want from them, and take the path of least resistance and/or confusion. The practicality of the method I've used will be determined by how effectively it is received, and perhaps from the responses I elicit. You will determine whether this is unfocused mumbo-jumbo, a thoughtful analysis of this issue, or a bit of both.
Beyond what was hopefully a practical method, this post serves a practical need for us volunteers as we think about and engage in what we do at CWC, hopefully making us better volunteers, and for the CWC itself as it hopes to get answers as to why it's not being utilized as a resource for civic writing needs and why.
Furthermore, having a discussion as a group is certainly social, but is this post in any way civic?
That's where things become a stretch and deeper meanings and broader contexts, underlying or implicit, come through.
Why was this discussion even prompted? Is there a better way in which we can serve the community? Or are the types of writing that are most prevalent, personal and practical, simply a reflection upon the needs of the people that come to us for collaboration and assistance? What does that say about the community? What does it say about the CWC, and by extension, SLCC? Or even, the role of higher education institutions within the community, town and gown? See how far off-topic we can get with the civic thing?
While that's an undertone and a prompt, this is for practical purposes.
Society and its civic structure effect nearly all writing because it effects each of us deeply. However, it seems that it's rarely the reason why lots of people are writing, or at least coming to us with their writing. Always in the background, rarely in the foreground.
Why we're not getting a lot of civic writing is another matter entirely; it's a symptom of apathy and civic inactivity. Hell, people vote. Whatever happens in the interim will be on the news for us to think about, but not act upon.
Besides, if we have writing to do, it's gonna be to share that secret recipe or a complaint to that utili-naut.
Can we accept that there's nearly always a civic element to our writing? Nearly any topic on which we write can be directed to have a civic purpose, even if it did not start out that way.
Writing itself -- not just as a writer for whom writing is an exercise and thus an end in itself -- is practical, because its better than semaphore or Morse code or phoning or telling one or lots of people the same thing in person. We can revise and edit our writing, not worry about large crowds and really present our most organized, clear, focused thorough and eloquent self.
And the topics, they can always be given a civic spin. Change the audience, change the context, voila, civic writing.
Unfortunately, it's rare that a civic purpose is the primary purpose.
So, fellow volunteers:
What writing is civic to you?
When is it civic enough to be labeled as such?
Are these categories too rigid?
Should we have a different way of categorizing the writing we work with?
Perhaps we could label the purpose of a piece in descending order. Or, we could give them numerical values: "This piece was 60 percent practical, 30 percent personal, and 10 percent civic."
Absurd? Well, what do you think?
Thanks for reading. Here's looking forward to your many and profound responses.
Yours in writing and in volunteering,
Jeff Dixon
We have three broad categories -- as you all know -- under which most composition falls, with personal and practical being the most prevalent.
When was the last time you gave someone feedback on a letter to the editor or a public official?
As opposed to the résumé or personal letter? When was the last time any of us composed civic writing, or was our last missive (and the one before that) personal or practical?
When does personal or practical become civic?
I feel that there are primary and secondary purposes for any piece of writing.
In general, civic writing is addressed to a community or a representative thereof, and concerns issues that have a community impact.
A letter to the local utili-naut about a crummy, time-consuming customer service experience, its confusing, redundant billing, and its high rates is practical as it aims for relief in the form of relief an apology and hopefully a change in the way it does things. The desired end here is a positive outcome, which would be that the recipient understands the writer's frustration, hopefully shows some empathy, but mostly, that it takes corrective action to right past wrongs and prevent future ones.
How about sharing a recipe, an instructive task which demands detail, clarity and consideration for possible non-cooks among its readership. That's practical too, but with whom do we share our recipes? Actually, I don't share mine. But if I did, it'd be limited to close friends; maybe some family members. Then, it's highly personal. The instructive, practical side is mean to a personal end. I must feel good simply to share it. The recipient is probably happy to just to receive it and appreciates the gesture, the thought behind it, regardless of whether they ever care to prepare
Wasn't the letter to the utility for personal satisfaction, too? It was impersonal in that the relationship to the reader is practical, consumer to service-provider. Same with plaintiff/defendant to judge letters, even if one must tell a personal story in that letter. The letter itself isn't satisfying, the aim might be.
A letter to a public official about increasing or decreasing funding to entity x or to call for outlawing or legalizing this or that is civic, for sure. Civic writing is persuasive writing, and any combination of ethos, pathos and logos will and can be used, depending on the situation. Take an appeal to emotion, in which one attempts to appeal to the reader by sharing a personal story of suffering due to government action or inaction, an exemplary case of the effect of public policy.
There's an example a personal story whose aim is some sort of personal satisfaction, but in which the recipient has no personal relation to the writer.
In fact, when we write op-eds and letters to editors, the audience is both all and none; it's abstract, because 'community' is abstract.
There are infinite combinations of these three writing types, and it's possible that a piece can never be just one if we really want to nit-pick.
For one, it's all expressive, which is personal at its core. Musicians, visual artists, writers, chefs, architects, performers all get personal satisfaction from doing what they do and doing it well.
Take this blog post, for example:
I enjoy articulating my thoughts on this blog. I hope whomever reads this thinks I've made good points, have started an interesting discussion, and have done so effectively and in a way which keeps your attention. That's the personal element. But is that my primary purpose?
My purpose for volunteering is personal, civic and practical. I can't pick any one over the other. I have talents, I want to share them with the community, and I want to put it on my résumé. It's a three-fer.
Continuing on...
The practical element of this post is that Jeremy asked me to write it in order to elicit responses from my fellow volunteers about this topic. I considered what might be a practical way to do so and decided that a) I'd share a few of my thoughts on it which would hopefully lead to b) other volunteers joining the discussion. Is that the most practical way to get one involved? I'd sure hope. Effective communication, whether instructive or persuasive, has logic to it. We analyze the audience, determine what we want from them, and take the path of least resistance and/or confusion. The practicality of the method I've used will be determined by how effectively it is received, and perhaps from the responses I elicit. You will determine whether this is unfocused mumbo-jumbo, a thoughtful analysis of this issue, or a bit of both.
Beyond what was hopefully a practical method, this post serves a practical need for us volunteers as we think about and engage in what we do at CWC, hopefully making us better volunteers, and for the CWC itself as it hopes to get answers as to why it's not being utilized as a resource for civic writing needs and why.
Furthermore, having a discussion as a group is certainly social, but is this post in any way civic?
That's where things become a stretch and deeper meanings and broader contexts, underlying or implicit, come through.
Why was this discussion even prompted? Is there a better way in which we can serve the community? Or are the types of writing that are most prevalent, personal and practical, simply a reflection upon the needs of the people that come to us for collaboration and assistance? What does that say about the community? What does it say about the CWC, and by extension, SLCC? Or even, the role of higher education institutions within the community, town and gown? See how far off-topic we can get with the civic thing?
While that's an undertone and a prompt, this is for practical purposes.
Society and its civic structure effect nearly all writing because it effects each of us deeply. However, it seems that it's rarely the reason why lots of people are writing, or at least coming to us with their writing. Always in the background, rarely in the foreground.
Why we're not getting a lot of civic writing is another matter entirely; it's a symptom of apathy and civic inactivity. Hell, people vote. Whatever happens in the interim will be on the news for us to think about, but not act upon.
Besides, if we have writing to do, it's gonna be to share that secret recipe or a complaint to that utili-naut.
Can we accept that there's nearly always a civic element to our writing? Nearly any topic on which we write can be directed to have a civic purpose, even if it did not start out that way.
Writing itself -- not just as a writer for whom writing is an exercise and thus an end in itself -- is practical, because its better than semaphore or Morse code or phoning or telling one or lots of people the same thing in person. We can revise and edit our writing, not worry about large crowds and really present our most organized, clear, focused thorough and eloquent self.
And the topics, they can always be given a civic spin. Change the audience, change the context, voila, civic writing.
Unfortunately, it's rare that a civic purpose is the primary purpose.
So, fellow volunteers:
What writing is civic to you?
When is it civic enough to be labeled as such?
Are these categories too rigid?
Should we have a different way of categorizing the writing we work with?
Perhaps we could label the purpose of a piece in descending order. Or, we could give them numerical values: "This piece was 60 percent practical, 30 percent personal, and 10 percent civic."
Absurd? Well, what do you think?
Thanks for reading. Here's looking forward to your many and profound responses.
Yours in writing and in volunteering,
Jeff Dixon
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
CWC Volunteers in the News
As you know, last week the SLCC Community Writing Center took part in the National Day of Service, celebrating the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. Answering the challenge of President Obama to help “Renew America Together,” volunteers attended a one-hour orientation to familiarize themselves with the methods used by the CWC to support, motivate and educate people of all abilities and educational backgrounds who want to use writing for practical needs, civic engagement and personal expression. These volunteers have been contacting non-profit organizations, government agencies, businesses and educational institutions in an effort to create ongoing Writing Partnerships.
For those of you who missed it, the story was covered briefly by ABC 4 News, and a more in-depth report was written by Kim Nguyen of the SLCC Globe. The ABC 4 video can be viewed below. You can read the Globe article, “Writing for Empowerment” at the following link:
http://media.www.slccglobelink.com/media/storage/paper442/news/2009/01/26/Campus/Writing.For.Empowerment-3597617.shtml
If you are interested in becoming an ongoing volunteer, the next Volunteer Training will take place on Saturday, January 31 from 12 – 3:30 pm. For more information or to RSVP, contact the SLCC Community Writing Center Volunteer Coordinator at 801.957.4992 or jeremy.remy@slcc.edu.
For those of you who missed it, the story was covered briefly by ABC 4 News, and a more in-depth report was written by Kim Nguyen of the SLCC Globe. The ABC 4 video can be viewed below. You can read the Globe article, “Writing for Empowerment” at the following link:
http://media.www.slccglobelink.com/media/storage/paper442/news/2009/01/26/Campus/Writing.For.Empowerment-3597617.shtml
If you are interested in becoming an ongoing volunteer, the next Volunteer Training will take place on Saturday, January 31 from 12 – 3:30 pm. For more information or to RSVP, contact the SLCC Community Writing Center Volunteer Coordinator at 801.957.4992 or jeremy.remy@slcc.edu.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Renew America Together
Yesterday the SLCC Community Writing Center took part in the National Day of Service, celebrating the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. Answering the challenge of President Obama to help “Renew America Together,” volunteers attended a one-hour orientation to familiarize themselves with the methods used by the CWC to support, motivate and educate people of all abilities and educational backgrounds who want to use writing for practical needs, civic engagement and personal expression. These volunteers are now contacting non-profit organizations, government agencies, businesses and educational institutions in an effort to create ongoing Writing Partnerships.
Volunteers are encouraged to let each other know who they have contacted over the Inauguration week, and how their meetings went. You may get a chance to read about these meetings in the comments section below.
All together, after two orientation sessions, over 20 volunteers took the opportunity to participate in the Renew America Together: Writing for Empowerment event. Many of the volunteers will be continuing their service to the community, becoming trained volunteers in the CWC Writing Coaching and DiverseCity Writing Series programs.
If you were unable to participate in Renew America Together with the CWC, you can still help us continue to meet this challenge. If you have been a volunteer, are currently a volunteer, or are interested in becoming a volunteer, please contact the SLCC Community Writing Center at 801.957.4992 to take part in developing ongoing Writing Partnerships in the Salt Lake community.
If you are interested in becoming an ongoing volunteer, the next Volunteer Training will take place on Saturday, January 31 from 12 – 3:30 pm. For more information or to RSVP, contact the SLCC Community Writing Center Volunteer Coordinator at 801.957.4992 or jeremy.remy@slcc.edu.
Volunteers are encouraged to let each other know who they have contacted over the Inauguration week, and how their meetings went. You may get a chance to read about these meetings in the comments section below.
All together, after two orientation sessions, over 20 volunteers took the opportunity to participate in the Renew America Together: Writing for Empowerment event. Many of the volunteers will be continuing their service to the community, becoming trained volunteers in the CWC Writing Coaching and DiverseCity Writing Series programs.
If you were unable to participate in Renew America Together with the CWC, you can still help us continue to meet this challenge. If you have been a volunteer, are currently a volunteer, or are interested in becoming a volunteer, please contact the SLCC Community Writing Center at 801.957.4992 to take part in developing ongoing Writing Partnerships in the Salt Lake community.
If you are interested in becoming an ongoing volunteer, the next Volunteer Training will take place on Saturday, January 31 from 12 – 3:30 pm. For more information or to RSVP, contact the SLCC Community Writing Center Volunteer Coordinator at 801.957.4992 or jeremy.remy@slcc.edu.
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