SPC Proposal: Ongoing Media Coordination Fellowship
In recent SPC meetings, we've been discussing the need for "ongoing appropriations" to handle ongoing essential expenses, without burdening the community with item-by-item votes. This is the first. We want to turn the Media Coordination position into an ongoing Fellowship. Please discuss!
Ben Rubin has been working on the e-NABLE Media Coordination project for approximately one year.
During that time, his role has evolved and the programs he has developed have proven themselves to be
indispensable. Ben is a part time temporary contractor and may move on to other things, but the
Strategic Planning Committee has determined that the role and the programs he has modeled should
continue. The Media Coordination programs help us tell e-NABLE's story to the outside world, keep the
community informed about our activities around the world, and forge new alliances both internally and
with other groups. In order to keep that role filled, SPC now proposes that the community fund an ongoing
e-NABLE Communications Fellowship program.
The budget of this funding will approximate the ongoing stipend, approved in past proposals to the
EnableFund ($1500 per month/20+ hours a week). Once the program begins, fellowships will extend up
to 1 year.
Two things are new in this proposal:
1. We want to make this an ongoing Fellowship, and allow for a one month overlap between terms
for onboarding. This will allow a smooth transition and knowledge sharing between successive
Fellows.
2. The position will include several fund-raising efforts, including a search for corporate sponsors
who would eventually underwrite this very Fellowship.
Details in the attached.
Ben Fri 15 Jan 2021 2:35AM
An aspect of this role that perhaps needs to be defined more clearly is volunteer coordination (it fits under the 'Mentoring & Training' category). By no means do all of these tasks need to be done by the fellow - in fact I would encourage fellows to bring volunteers into the process. I have worked with a number of volunteers during this past year, and they have been deeply influential in the projects. They often have skills I don't have, and in those situations I am supporting them to complete the projects (so they are 'mentoring & training' me!). Chapter leaders are also incredibly experienced collaborators, both for chapter spotlight interviews and to assist with other efforts (like international media to share cases and reporting).
I do this role aims to establish the value of a go-to person for the community; communications projects often need a champion. Some projects have had extended dormant periods before finding the right moment and support to become established. Even if the skills are beyond me, I can email e-nable leaders and follow up with research, take notes and keep chipping away at things that need to be done to make the proces easier for others to complete later. I can explore the community resources and put a call out for volunteers. That is a big part of this role - patiently pulling together those who can make valuable contributions. So yes to volunteers collaborations and delegating tasks, and to the value of a main point person to keep on track.
Ben Fri 15 Jan 2021 1:42AM
Thanks for your question @Daniel U - the goal is I will continue until we are ready to transition with another person (and there will be onboarding for a month). Originally, this was a one-off kind of project, but the new proposal aims to secure reoccuring funding for these tasks going forward. The SPC will help in the selection process, but part of the role will be the scouting of a replacement and maintaining funds and reports to sponsors. I think this coud be a wonderful opportunity for a student, but it will be open to the best candidate to complete the tasks.
Patrick Geary Thu 14 Jan 2021 11:48PM
It sounds like Ben has done a lot of great work!
To progress, I guess it would be important to gather positive content from all chapters and use it for promotional benefit. For example, maybe we could create a YouTube Channel, Videos could be collected and edited into Weekly/Monthly Episodes. They could be informative but also nice and easy to watch, and would potentially have a very large reach.
We could also use sites like Linkedin to our advantage by reaching out to Companies, Associations, Organisations and professionals, with short articals columns.
And perhaps a Branding boost would help.
Ben Fri 15 Jan 2021 1:35AM
Perhaps this person filling this role can be clearly identified in each post so chapters know they can copy and reshare posts. @Rich B , I have not problem with you copying any of my posts, or resharing them, or the newsletter. I think this position will continue to make content that chapters can reshare. I see your point, I think it shows the added value of this content even on a local level.
Rich B Fri 15 Jan 2021 12:19AM
Jon,
Generally chapters have their own audience. We don’t update our Facebook or websites often enough. Mainly because it all becomes my responsibility. I imagine other chapters have the same restraints in time. So I’m suggesting the new media person provided material for chapters about e-NABLE.
There could be cut and paste items, like the details about a new hand designed, that are templates to be dropped into our charity media.
Jon Schull Thu 14 Jan 2021 9:22PM
I'm not sure I understand Rich: "If the new media program had monthly plug in media designed to fit the chapters we would all reach audiences with fresh material."
Do you mean, for example, facebook-ready blog posts suitable for sharing with your chapter? Could you elaborate?
Rich B Thu 14 Jan 2021 3:04PM
I agree and would like to share an idea that would expand the reach of the different social media platforms.
Proposal: Each Chapter reaches a different audience. It is difficult to maintain our web pages and FB with current and updating information. If the new media program had monthly plug in media designed to fit the chapters we would all reach audiences with fresh material.
Thanks for considering this option,
Rich Brown, Tampa Chapter
Chang Liu · Sun 17 Jan 2021 7:14AM
I agree that such an ongoing role is necessary. Thanks Ben for committing to it!