By Lauren Weybrew, on May 24th, 2013
Beach, BBQ and a day off. That is what most people think of, and appreciate Memorial Day for. While these are essential elements of American culture that help us mark the start of the summer season, we can’t afford to forget – or let the media forget – the real reason for the holiday.
 (c) David Yu Oftentimes, the truth behind the day gets lost in the firework displays and low-fat potato salad recipes that dominate the news in the days leading up to the holiday. Here are a few things that I’d like to see the media cover this weekend:
- The soldiers who are still on tours of duty and those who died in our most recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan (more than 6,600 lives lost to-date).
- The shockingly high rates of suicides among veterans, which has been on a sad upward trend.
- Returning veterans who face staggeringly high unemployment numbers.
- Health care and disability coverage issues that impact our nation’s veterans and their families.
While Memorial Day is intended to honor those that died in the line of duty, we can’t wait until Veteran’s Day to continue a national dialogue about veteran’s issues. Because military service is the reason for the Memorial Day holiday, I’d like to see the media dedicate ink space and air time to both honor the ultimate sacrifice that men and women have made in our country’s 225+ year history and talk about what can be done to help veterans now and into the future.
Another often missing piece of the pie is the struggle that military families face. When someone joins the military and gets deployed, it is not just them impacted – it is a journey and sacrifice that the entire family has to accept.
 (C) US Embassy New Zealand Honoring those that served, and wanting to help our nation’s veterans should not be a political issue and should not be tied to a person’s individual feelings about military spending, troop levels overseas and the like. It is about protecting and caring for those that take on this immense responsibility. (Also, it’s the #1 most stressful job in America!)
While you’re relaxing and enjoying your day off, take a moment to think about those who have died while serving, and those that are still serving, encourage local media to cover these issues and be sure to thank Veterans when you see them.
By Megan Freed, on May 20th, 2013
What started with a bold referendum in Massachusetts has swept to neighbors as close as New York and Vermont, and as far, in both proximity and expectation, as Minnesota. A week ago, the Democratic-led Congress donned Minnesota the 12th state to welcome same-sex marriage. “Same-sex Marriage? You Betcha!” Bravo.
This past Thursday marked the 9th anniversary of same-sex marriage in the state of Massachusetts. Eleven states and the District of Columbia have followed suit, and several more states offer broad protections short of the freedom to marry.
While we still have a long distance to go, marriage equality advocates are making strides, one state at a time. I know in my heart of hearts that it’s only a matter of time until our nation unequivocally recognizes and accepts the human rights of our gay family, friends and neighbors.
By Marguerite Ward, on May 7th, 2013
No matter your progressive goal – there is bound to be lobbying against it in Congress. Looking for a way to make your supporters aware and motivated by this daunting fact of politics? Try the receipt infographic.
Mayors Against Illegal Guns recently sent its supporters a clever but simple visual breakdown on how money in politics works against progress. It’s a great example for other nonprofits seeking to show how opponents are stopping important campaigns. When adapted for your nonprofit cause, the receipt infographic format can increase donations and awareness around your cause.
The idea behind the visual: Most Americans support criminal background checks for all gun sales, but the heavy lobbying of the gun lobby supported a group of senators to block gun reform. 45 Senators voted to block a bill to expand criminal background checks, and the gun lobby spent at least $8,165,490 to support their campaigns.
Why this infographic is successful
- The visual uses a format that everyone is familiar with – the receipt
- It shows exactly who is to blame for the problem, the NRA or “The Gun Lobby”
- The long list of Senators communicates the extent of the problem
- The infographic gives specific information that viewers can quote or look into further
- The receipt infographic encourages progressive supporters to counter this campaign, by donating themselves.
- Following the infographic, there is a call to action – “Demand Action to End Gun Violence” (additionally, the call out email reiterates this call-to-action)
By Marguerite Ward, on May 1st, 2013
Today, the world listens to the unified messages of workers from around the world who are coming together for International Worker’s Day. In the wake of the horrifying Bangladesh mega-factory collapse on April 24th that drew global attention to unfair and unsafe labor practices, it seems the call for fair pay and safe employment have never been louder. In still ever daunting economic times, recent media coverage on cuts to social services, access to healthcare, and global austerity have set the stage for this May Day to receive the attention it deserves.
 (C) Michael Fleshman via Flickr Safety
Among thousands rallying today in Dhaka, one protester spoke of losing his family to working conditions made unsafe by the negligence of corporations, “My brother has died. My sister has died. Their blood will not be valueless.” (Aljazeera). Major news outlets including NPR, HuffPost, and The Week have recently disclosed the names of companies and brands implicated in the Bangladesh disaster, indicating how us as consumers might be able to avoid supporting such conditions.
Living Wages
In Cambodia one worker makes her demand: “I demand that my pay is increased to $150 per month,” said garment worker Neang Leakena, from the Chinese-owned Deum Por garment factory. (U-T San Diego)
In the Philippines, over 8,000 workers marched in the main city of Manila demanding living wages and more steady employment. “Wage increase, increase!” (Aljazeera)
Justice
In Indonesia, workers demanded justice by wearing ant costumes symbolizing the dehumanizing working conditions they are subjected to.
In New York, Occupy Wall Street social justice activists, immigration activists, and labor activists held up signs saying “The 99% needs a break.” (OWS)
In India, thousands march with the All India Trade Union Congress holding red union flags to show solidarity. (Aljazeera)
Even the Catholic Church, whose socially conservative views have put it in the spotlight recently, spoke in support of labor rights today. Pope Francis gave a speech in St. Peter’s square saying that unemployment was a result of focusing on profit over the good of society.
“Work is fundamental for dignity. I think of labor market difficulties in various countries. I think of people, not just young people, who are unemployed often because of an economic conception of society based on selfish profit outside the bounds of social justice,” Pope Francis said. (RT News)
May Day and Immigration Reform – Important Messaging
The connection between immigrant rights and workers rights is strong, and today’s May Day protests echo this. Right here in New York, Occupy Wall Street is launching several marches rallying for immigrant and undocumented labor rights. Just this past week, McDonald’s workers organized a strike in Chicago to demand a living wage, launching a national day of strikes. Walmart workers also launched a national week of strikes. Groups across the country are rallying undocumented immigrants as well as documented immigrants in groups of hundreds – hoping that in large numbers, they will reduce the specific fears their participants have – fear of backlash, job termination, or even deportation for the undocumented.
Connecting immigrant rights to economic rights is important to both comprehensive immigration reform as well as a fair U.S. economy. Economically, the profit reaped from the unregulated system of undocumented labor is immense. Many U.S. sectors including agriculture, service-sectors, domestic work, and the hospitality industry rely on undocumented labor. In fighting for a society that has decent working and living standards, activists and lawmakers alike must realize the importance of immigrant rights. In the same vein, a path to citizenship needs to include the voices of underpaid, overworked undocumented workers. Legal rights without the means to bring food home will compromise immigration reform and undermine the American dream.
In unity, otherwise silent workers of the world are able to rise up and draw international attention to labor rights – the basis of a fair and healthy global economy. We will be following the work of these activists beyond just today, seeing if their messages are adopted into international and national policy.
By Douglas Gould, on March 11th, 2013
I sympathize with American Muslims about the misuse of the word “Jihad” by, well, virtually everyone, but I was flabbergasted by the ad campaign launched by the Council on American-Islamic relations in Chicago to redefine the word. The campaign uses real Muslims talking about “My Jihad.”
To quote from the New York Times story:
“’My Jihad is to stay fit despite my busy schedule,’” says a woman in a head scarf lifting weights…”
Long before September 11th happened, we had been treated to an endless drumbeat of frightening images and angry media reports about Jihadists, Jihadi’s and militants mounting a Jihad against the West. To place ads that use the word in connection with every day “struggles,” such as fitness and bullying just seems ludicrous. Making a dent in this deeply ingrained mis-definition of “jihad” seems like the longest reach imaginable. Of course, there is also an ad campaign to counter “My Jihad,” and it uses negative images and quotes to make all Muslims look dangerous.
So much for good intentions. Also, who came up with this “My Jihad” strategy? I can’t imagine that it can possibly work. Other techniques to promote dialogue and engagement or to help Americans better understand the growing Muslim community in the U.S. would have been a much better investment.
By Jennifer Hahn, on March 8th, 2013
 Image from Catapult.org 1. Rights – Affirm today and every day that girls’ and women’s rights are inalienable human rights.
2. Respect – Model respect for women, and yourself, by not dissing, degrading or using demeaning language. Is it really so cool to call everyone “bitch?”
3. Renew – Dust off that “F” card and call yourself a #feminist – regardless of your gender. If feminism is the radical notion that women are human beings, then embrace the word and the mission behind it.
4. Remember – Your mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and all the women from every corner of the world that fought every day, consciously or not, to leave a fairer world for us today. And pay it forward.
5. Rejoice – Girls and women are strong, smart, resourceful, creative and beautiful. Use your voice, your vote, and if you can, give. A great place to start is to follow @WeCatapult, tweet using #iwd or visit www.catapult.org
By DG&Co Staff, on March 1st, 2013
As the last of the 2013 Ted Talks wrap-up this week, we wanted to share the top 5 Ted Talks that will inspire nonprofit professionals, do-gooders and activists to think, communicate and live with purpose. At Douglas Gould and Company, we are always thinking of ways to best use communications strategies to advance excellent causes. Here’s a look at what inspires and motivates us! What are you inspired by?
1. Melinda Gates: Let’s Put Birth Control Back on the Agenda
Melinda Gates’ Ted Talk advocating to put family planning back on the global agenda reveals her as an impassioned advocate for women seeking to control their own fertility. We couldn’t have asked for a more articulate and prominent spokesperson for the cause of women’s health, privacy and access to reproductive health services. I appreciate how she mixes statistics with powerful stories that illustrate the obstacles couples face. She reveals her own warmth, passion and vulnerability along with a tremendous knowledge of the issues. Watch it here. - Douglas Gould
2. Jonathan Haidt: The Moral Roots of Liberals and Conservatives
We will never create public policy change until we truly understand what makes people think, feel and act the way they do. Culture is the hardest thing to change, and the most important concept to understand. For this reason, I’ve become a big fan of Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist who recently came to NYU by way of the University of Virginia. He’s written two fascinating books, The Righteous Mind and The Happiness Hypothesis. This talk introduces the key ideas beyond his theories about what core values triggers liberals and conservatives. Watch it here. - Jennifer Hahn
3. Elizabeth Gilbert: Your Elusive Creative Genius
New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Gilbert delivers an engaging Ted Talk about creativity, the creative process and what it means to have a genius. As an author, Gilbert is a master story teller and effortlessly communicates about spirituality, philosophy and history. She infuses her talk with equal notes of humor and wonder. She is humble, and I find I can easily relate to her even though she and I are worlds apart. I appreciate her simplicity – no slides necessary, no props. Heck, even her clothes are simply understated. I’m dying to ask her, how many times she practiced this delivery before she took the stage? Watch it here. - Megan Freed
4. Aimee Mullins: The Opportunity of Adversity
Aimee Mullins, Paralympic Games record-holder, actor and model is an international spokesperson for a new way of thinking about disability, prosthetics and difference. Using her own personal story to launch an immensely powerful conversation about the power of words and their connotations, Amy combines persuasion, logic and emotion to challenge the way ability and disability are defined. Her story of looking up the word “disability” in the Dictionary is powerful and thought-provoking, and sets the stage for a discussion on adversity. This served as an important reminder about the power of words, which as a communications professional, I deal with on a daily basis. Many of our clients also work with and advocate for people with disabilities and it is an inspiring example of the work they do on a daily basis. Watch it here. - Lauren Weybrew
5. Simon Sinek: How Great Leaders Inspire Action
Simon Sinek, author of Start With Why illustrates how leaders move others to believe in their cause. As a nonprofit communications professional, I was particularly interested in what he had to say. His talk synthesizes storytelling, history, and biology in a simple way to explain what he’s most famous for, The Golden Circle. The heart of his concept is about motivating people by beliefs, not by product or result. And he shows, The Golden Circle played a critical role in distinguishing Steve Jobs, The Wright Brothers, and Martin Luther King Jr. as innovative and powerful leaders. Sinek’s straightforward use of visuals and his strategic repetition makes his message profoundly clear. Watch it here. - Marguerite Ward
What Ted Talk inspires you?
By Lauren Weybrew, on February 15th, 2013
 For our elected leaders, communicating a clear message is everything – especially for the Commander in Chief. The ability to effectively communicate affects if people vote for them, if their bill gets passed in Congress, and how foreign leaders view them, and the country. The importance of a President’s communications skills cannot be overstated.
As we head into President’s Day weekend, I thought it would be interesting to look back at some past Presidential communications style – particularly focusing on communication length. In today’s information age, leaders have embraced the “sound bite,” short, memorable statements, to grab an ever distracted audience.
But just how did Presidents get their message across to constituents before the advent of the internet, Instagram – or even the radio? And what are some of our most memorable Presidents most memorable bites?
- George Washington – When our nation’s first President was elected, most Americans had never seen him speak or even seen a picture of him. They simply had his speeches printed in the newspaper to rely on, if they could read. Conveying key messages in a way that would resonate with the public was not so important back then, as there was a large disconnect between the President and the people.
“The name of American, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of Patriotism, more than any appellation derived from local discriminations.” – Washington’s Farewell Address, 1776 – This speech is a whopping 6,000+ words!
- Franklin Delano Roosevelt – While our nation’s 32nd President is known for many things, he really heralded the use of radio as a form of mass communication with the public through his “Fireside Chats”. By establishing a dedicated program to connect with millions of Americans on a regular basis, he was able to deliver messages into American homes, exactly as he wanted them. And because radio was one of the only major forms of national media, FDR had the luxury of being able to speech at length about topics of interest to him, aided by the fact that he was a confident and effective public speaker.
“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” – FDR’s First Inaugural Address, 1933 – Just under 2,000 words
- John F. Kennedy Jr. – While Eisenhower was the first President to let cameras into the White House in 1955, Kennedy, the son of a former movie producer, was the President to know how to effectively control the medium, and how to communicate with it. Setting a precedent for all future communication styles to follow, Kennedy showed the importance of being concise, but also effortless. He showed that substance will have no impact without style. He was the first one to really show that sound bites matter – with newspaper, radio and TV listening in.
“Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.” – JFK’s Inaugural Address, 1961 – Roughly 1,300 words
- Ronald Reagan – Before he moved into the Oval Office, “The Great Communicator” was a radio personality and film star, so it is not surprising that he was flawlessly comfortable communicating with the American public. Reagan knew what needed to be said, and how to say it in a comfortable, human way – while evoking the exact tone he wanted, while always including a morale element. He tended towards longer speeches, filled with many sound bites.
“Mr. Gorbachev, Tear down this wall!” – Regan’s speech at the Brandenburg Gate, 1987 – This is one of Reagan’s longer speeches, at 2,700 words
- Barack Obama – In today’s never ending news cycle, managing communications and messaging is an essential priority. As both a pro and con, there are more channels for communication than ever before. The President posts short videos on YouTube, pictures on Instagram and Twitter layered with key sound bites, and posts to Facebook. Good sound bites are shorter than ever – around 7 seconds or so, making the need for impactful, effective communications stronger than ever before.
“Yes we can!” – Obama’s Speech on Primary night in New Hampshire, 2008 – 1,240 words
As public consciousness around technology and communications has grown, so has the need for Presidents to communicate well and communicate quickly using powerful emotive statements that summarize pages of text and policy information. This is also true for organizations as well. With so much distraction and so many demands for attention, choosing the messages you communicate is critically important, as is communicating them in a stylish, impactful way.
For more information:
http://www.museum.tv/debateweb/html/equalizer/essay_usprestv.htm
http://www.whha.org/whha_classroom/classroom_4-8-presidentspeak.html
Image via www.twitter.com/barackobama
By Jennifer Hahn, on February 7th, 2013
While working as a drug store cashier in college, I was held up at gunpoint. It felt surreal, like a dream sequence even at the time. When the police finally arrived, I told them I wasn’t sure the gun was real, they berated me. “What do you know about guns? Does your family own them? Have you ever seen one that wasn’t on TV?”
I was, and am, ignorant about guns. While not a pacifist, I cringe when I see weapons, even in movies. My distaste for guns is mirrored nearly universally in my world. My colleagues, friends, fellow congregants and family share this view, which is unpopular when compared with most Americans.
I am however very interested in, and drawn to, Freedom. For me, Freedom includes the right to choose who you want to marry, to criticize the government, to exercise full control over your body and its reproductive capacity, to die with dignity, to worship any deity you choose or none at all. Restrict my freedoms, and I get angry.
Gun owners are angry. This explains the irrational statements, the rush on gun stores, the intense rhetoric and passion in their eyes. Gun owners have the right to define Freedom for themselves, too. Their right is enshrined – albeit vaguely – in the Second Amendment. Understand that they have consistently and systematically equated the right to bear arms with Freedom. They feel so aggrieved and righteous because they have internalized their right as tantamount to the exercise of Freedom itself.
While I count myself among those who want and advocate for gun control, I’m beginning to think we’re framing this to lose. When we say “gun control” we are pulling the precise trigger (sorry, unfortunate pun) that make gun owners and advocates so vehement and passionate. Think of it this way: we say “Gun Control” they literally hear “Freedom Control.”
So if guns equal Freedom, and for millions they do, then we are on the losing side of this axiom. How can we win if we say our goal is to control people’s freedom? If we focus more on the outcome of gun violence, rather than the process of controlling guns, perhaps we can establish more common ground. What can we learn from groups like New Yorkers Against Gun Violence, Mayors Against Illegal Guns, or even community oriented programs like this one by Temple University Hospital that name gun violence as the problem and not guns themselves?
Millions of responsible gun owners are solid citizens who love their kids and care about the health of their communities. We cannot afford, nor should we lose, any opportunity to work with them in common cause.
Words alone aren’t enough, but words have power. Maybe we should continue to fight for the same policies, but under a new banner. Change our language, not our purpose.
I’d like to know what you think.
By Jennifer Hahn, on January 30th, 2013
We’ve finally kicked off the urgently needed debate and response to our broken immigration policy, but be wary of the words flying around like so many pointed accusations. Even, or perhaps especially, in our digital age, words matter. To achieve or deny something, one must name it with words that have sway over others.
We find ourselves once again facing “Amnesty” as a dirty word that is being employed to imply the breakdown of law and the approval of law breaking. Political purposes aside, amnesty can be defined as an act of forgiveness for past offenses, especially to a class of persons as a whole.
In posts from conservative groups and many news stories, both the new immigration reform proposal and the President’s platform from 2012, have been slammed as an “Amnesty blueprint,” “Amnesty juggernaut” and “Amnesty 2.0.” A group called NumbersUSA, which tells you a lot about what they value, has even issued an “Amnesty Alert.”
Now bipartisan Senators, which the media call a “gang of eight,” have proposed reform that lays out a long, expensive and arduous “path to citizenship” for only those who are seriously committed to make legal their status. It tacks serious penalties for those in the U.S. without legal documentation. The path includes long waits at the end of queue, fines, back taxes and the requirement to learn English. Not exactly a blanket pardon.
Note that supportive Republicans are using words like “reasonable” and “realistic” to describe this proposed policy, indicating exactly what kind of reaction they are expecting from their hard-line colleagues.
I guess this concept, whether one calls it amnesty or not, doesn’t go far enough to exact the “pound of flesh” for which its critics hunger. Maybe it is because amnesty also implies forgiveness, a virtue in short supply these days.
I would make a case for “inclusion” because it is consistent with American values and allows for an approach that doesn’t invalidate those who are playing by the rules. It sets up a more constructive frame and forces opponents to be, for what, exclusion?
I’m not pro- or anti-Amnesty. I’m for inclusion. I’d like to include new Americans who are willing to work hard and sacrifice to be my fellow citizen.
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