Week 10-Original Reporting Piece

Press Release/Wk 12- Press Release

Week 14- FAQ’s about the Junior League of Durham and Orange Counties

In week 8, we were asked to apply semiotics to the organization for which were going to be writing online content.    The organization for which I would be writing proposed a perfect example, at the time, of semiotics in terms of layout.  The content that I would create would need to follow a layout that was similar to our only other form of communication, League Lines, our monthly newsletter.  By creating my content to follow this same format, I would be creating an additional communication forum with the same look and feel and one that had already been established.  Before I began to create my content, this layout was the only thing that I considered part of semiotics.  I hadn’t thought deeply enough about what it was that I writing, and how my fellow League members would feel about having their work and efforts publicized beyond the local media and to reach the World Wide Web.

I chose to write a feature news story about the JLDOC’s largest annual fundraiser, Bargain Sale.  Throughout my experience with the Bargain Sale, talking with committee members and taking photographs, I began to see just how important this fundraiser was to each League member.  My online content had to be created with League members as my main audience, in order for them to have an opportunity to read about their own contributions and time and be able to enjoy their sacrifices.  I know, as a League member myself, I check out www.jldoc.org on a weekly basis to see if there are any “Thank You’s” or new photographs of League members volunteering within the community.  I want to read about what other committees are doing, awards won or see pictures of friends.  It’s these things that ‘signify’ the League.  It’s the compassion of volunteers, the fellowship the League creates and positive approach members take to any task.  My online content had to be light and include photographs and names and quotes from members.

The theory of semiotics explains the online content that an organization should produce.  With a simple analysis of the structure of the organization, what the organization stands for, and the members of the organization, an online writer can easily create appropriate online content.          

Discuss how your writing has changed since the beginning of the course

Clear and concise.  It’s these two words that, alone, describe my most significant accomplishment this semester.  It was my first writing sample that Brian critiqued and commented on the ‘wordiness’ of my content.  In my own mind, wordiness was description, but I quickly realized that the main focus of this class was writing for an online audience.  An online audience wants to be able to skim.  They want to be able to see bullet points and headlines.  An online audience doesn’t curl up in a chair by the window to read beautiful writing from the screen of their computer.  An online writer must remember to be clear and concise and always write with the audience in mind.

What you have learned in the course that you think will prove most useful going forward

Throughout the course, Brian has reiterated the importance of the audience.The audience is something that I rarely kept in mind.My pen (fingers typing) is (are) often streaming directly from my brain.I like to write an entire entry and then return to make revisions.A digital writer is often writing with purpose and for a specific organization, company, or entity.The digital writer must always remain focused on the audience who will read the content.If it weren’t for Brian’s persistence with reminders about reaching your audience, I would be a terrible digital writer.

What unanswered questions remain for you

As far as unanswered questions on how to write digital media, there are none at the moment.  For a 15 week class to learn how to write for the Internet, the most important basics were covered.  I would like to ask Brian to give me an evaluation as an online writer and tell me his thoughts on my progress since the first week of class.

How this course could be enhanced, improved, changed (be brutal!)

I would like to offer a suggestion, not for the class itself, but for the expectations of the class.I think it is important to add a better description of the class itself to the class description posted on the ‘Distance Education’ web page.When I signed up for the class, I obviously knew that I was going to be writing and writing for the Internet.I didn’t know however, that I would be keeping a BlogAs a student that likes to be prepared, I would like to have known I would be keeping a Blog and using WordPress.It would have been beneficial to play with WordPress before class had begun to have an idea of the time and effort it would take to manipulate certain aspects.

The discussion portion of the class was also a little unclear.  In the study book, it is stated that 3 posts a week are a minimum.  As we all know, there were several students that posted 3 or more posts per day.  I don’t think I am alone when I say I am taking this class to enhance my work effort, expand my skills for potential jobs, and possibly return to full time graduate school, but this is not the only thing I have to do.  I simply could not keep up with several of the students who were posting several times a day and never felt like I was doing enough.  My idea would be to offer students a time and day they were required to post.  With a system such as this, students wouldn’t sign on and be overwhelmed with the number of posts they felt they needed to read or reply.

What the instructor could perhaps do to better facilitate maximum learning

Brian was an excellent instructor and offered constructive criticism on every assignment.  I was a little shy in the beginning of the class, especially learning the backgrounds of several students.  I thought I would feel as if my writing was behind the curve, but was surprised with the positive feedback I received from both Brian and my writing partner.  This has been a very positive experience for me and I would highly recommend this class. 

The Junior League of Durham and Orange Counties, Inc. is an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.

Through the strength of the association, the Junior League enriches the community by focusing resources in ways that recognize diverse perspectives by building partnerships, by initiating shared solutions, and by providing fellowship and training for its members. 

How can I join the Junior League? 

In order to become a member of the JLDOC, one must attend a 6-month provisional class.  During this time, new members are educated about the mission of the JLDOC and the expectations of its members, as well as the history of the League.  This is offered twice a year, once in January and once in September.  Once a new member has completed her provisional training, she becomes an active member of the JLDOC.

Do I have to pay to be a member? 

You do not have to pay to become a member or to attend the provisional training class.  Once a member has completed her provisional training she becomes an active member.  As an active member, annual dues of $125 are assessed.  The JLDOC is a non-profit organization.  Dues collected from active members are used to fund the activities of the League.

Can anyone become a member? 

Yes.  The Junior League of Durham and Orange Counties, Inc., reaches out to women of all races, religions, and national origins who demonstrate an interest in and commitment to volunteerism.

Where are the meetings held?

The Junior League of Durham and Orange County is located at the Hill House, 900 South Duke Street, Durham, NC 27707.  The Hill House is an historical mansion in downtown Durham, which serves as a meeting place for several other organizations. 

Do you have questions about the Junior League, our purpose, or becoming involved with the Junior League?

Contact the Junior League of Durham and Orange Counties at 919.682.0449 or email the JLDOC at JLDOC@mindspring.com. 

Durham, N.C.- The Junior League of Durham and Orange County will holds its annual Bargain Sale this Saturday, October 21, at the Durham Armory and will offer gently used items for sale that have been donated by League members.  Doors will open at 9:00 a.m. for those age 65 and older only, with free admission.  Admission for the general public will cost $1 and will run from 9:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

Items for sale include baby and children’s clothing, women’s and men’s clothing, housewares, holiday items, furniture and appliances.  The items that are not sold will be donated to Triangle Residential Options for Substance Abusers, a partner to the League, and to the Durham Rescue Mission. 

“Bargain Sale is a long-standing tradition within the Junior League of Durham and Orange County,” said C. Lucas, Bargain Sale Chair.  “As a native to the city of Durham, I can remember my mother taking me to the sale each year.  I had a certain amount of money that I could spend and would always walk away with a great find.”

Preview Night, an event for League members, will take place on Friday, October 20.  Preview Night will host an arrangement of food and wine from local vendors, live music and a silent auction.  League members will have the first opportunity to browse all donated items and can purchase items for twice the price marked.  The incentive for Preview Night is to raise additional money while offering League members a chance to socialize. Preview Night tickets must be purchased in advance for $25.

“Preview Night is going to be big deal this year,” said Grace Ward, Preview Night Chair.  “Different from years past, Preview Night will be an exciting party with food, wine and live music.  We hope the upbeat atmosphere will encourage League members to purchase items and bid on auction items.”

For more information on Bargain Sale or the Junior League of Durham and Orange County, contact the League at 919.682.0449 or email the League at JLDOC@mindspring.com.

Bargain Sale is the League’s longest standing, annual fundraiser. League members, who are encouraged to donate gently used items, provided most of the items for sale. Items donated ranged from clothing, shoes and accessories to furniture and appliances. The funds raised are used to support the mission of the League, which is to develop the potential of women, improve communities and promote volunteerism.

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Thomas J. Murphey, Senior Sales Representative for Lutron Electronics, arrived at MHAworks to set up for his presentation entitled ‘Manage Daylight with Window Systems’ using Lutron Electronics’ products.  He was scheduled to arrive around 11:15 a.m. in order to set up his demonstration for the presentation to begin at 12:00 p.m., however, Mr. Murphey was a bit behind scheduled and was not ready to begin until about 12:15 p.m. 

What is ‘Lunch-and-Learn’ you ask?

MHAworks is an architectural firm for those of you unaware.  Architects are required to complete 18 hours of continuing education each year in order to keep their license.  Most architects attend day-long seminars or four to five hour long lectures to fulfill their requirements, although often, companies, such as Lutron Electronics or other suppliers of furnishings targeted towards building components, will call and offer to come and make an hour long presentation on their products while providing lunch. 

Lecture Begins

After each of the eight attendees, which included myself, grabbed their boxed lunch from Bear Rock Cafe and found a comfy seat in our small conference room, Mr. Murphey began his presentation, dimming the lights and finally figuring out how to take the lense off of the projector in order for everyone to actually see his presentation. (giggles)

He told us a little background info on Lutron Electronics, hereforth referred to as LE, including interesting facts such as the business has been operating for over 50 years and the owner invented the rotary dimmer. (oooo…)

His PowerPoint’s first slide discussed the characteristics of natural light and what kinds of light were available for use within the design of building.  Architects must assess different lighting issues throughout their design process.  The types of lighting available included:  

• direct light
• indirect light
• reflector light
• diffused light

These types of natural light can be a product of weather conditions or seasonal changes.  All of these types of light must be ‘harnessed’ in such a way to make a space comfortable.  If these types of light are not harnessed they can make for a very uncomfortable environment.

Products of comfort

Mr. Murphey explained to us the effects of lighting in the workplace using a few separate studies that were done with lighting.  The studies that were done included measurements of the amount of light in a workplace area including the reflection of light off computer screens and other reflective objects, the amount of heat produced from the light shining through windows as well as the glare from this light.  He explained that the studies that have been done proved that the glare, heat and reflection that poor lighting causes can affect productivity in the work place leaving employees exhausted, and over heated, and cause headaches and body aches.  This study proved that lighting must be a priorty in a workplace environment in order to increase or maintain productivity. 

This was quite interesting for me as I thought about my own work station and how I felt at the end of each work day, often tired with a headache.  Look up directly over my head and you will see the problem-a nice big open skylight with bright rays of sunshine beaming directly onto my computer screen and keeping me nice and toasty. Maybe I should educated my boss on the increase in productivity with correctly harnessing lighting, but wait…he is an architect.  Shouldn’t he already be aware of this?

What does this all mean?

Natural light produced by each season or weather can produce reflection, glare and increased temperature in a building.

If this natural light is harnessed, the occupants of the building will be much more comfortable and productive.

Happy employees—–>happy profits.

So what do we do to ‘harness’ this light?

Well, we use Lutron Electronics’ window systems of course!  Lutron makes window shades made of different fabrics to cover windows.  Of these different fabrics and types of shades available, each allows for different amounts of light to enter a room, if at all. 

These window systems are powered three ways, depending on how cost effective an owner would like to be:

• AC powered, tubular motor
• battery powered
• low voltage powered (most cost effective)

It was at this point where Mr. Murphey inserted a short blurb commending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on their advancements with the use of new technologies including Lutron Electronics’ window systems within their classrooms. Nice connection. 

UNC uses Lutron’s newest window system (of course) with a black-out shade for lecture halls and is powered by, none other than the most cost and energy effective source, low voltage.  Props to UNC.

My own thoughts

Even though I am not an architect this presentation helped me to understand yet another issue an architect must deal with when designing a building.  This lunch-and-learn experience has taught me a little about why I often leave work with a headache and why I am sluggish and tired and need to take frequent breaks.  The turkey sandwich was great and I know that UNC will always be ahead of the game.

The Bargain Sale committee would like to thank all of the sponsors for their contributions to the event.

$750 and Above
Pop’s Restaurant
The Tent Rental Company
Nan Schiebel

$500-$749    
Carey Baddour
Digital Lifestyle Outfitters
Lucy Daniel’s Center for Early Childhood
Sweet Pease, Inc.
Today’s Interiors

$250-$499
All Seasons Lawn Care      
Dr. Jessica Bishop
Dream Dinners                    
Kil Mor Pest Management
Kristy Verticchio                 
The Carolina Inn
The Governor’s Club

100-$249
Betsy Lovell
Black Mountain Gallery
Courtney Mumford
Durham Bulls
Katie Gaynor
Good Taste Cake Design
Museum of Life & Science
Pam & Vince Gustafson
Pattie & Jack LeSueur & Cedar Creek
Saladelia
Tamara Lackey Photography
Target
UNC Wellness Center $50 -$99
City Beverage
Coca-Cola of Durham
Dream a Little Dream
Hold Your Own
General Rental Center
Hay Days/Etcetera Clothing
Kinko’s
Merle Norman
Paul Garcia
Red Robin
Salutations
The Children’s Store
The Lumina Theater

Up to $49
Brixx
Learning Express
Daisy Notes& Paper
Flowers at Woodcroft
Lee Nails
Kidzu Children’s Museum
Maple View Ice Cream
Party Tables, Inc.
Panda Inn
Randy’s Pizza
Scout & Molly’s
North Carolina Zoological Park
Top of the Hill
Victoria Sweets
Wild Birds Unlimited
True Value Hardware & Triangle Pharmacy 

Bargain Sale is the League’s longest standing, annual fundraiser. League members, who are encouraged to donate gently used items, provided most of the items for sale. Items donated ranged from clothing, shoes and accessories to furniture and appliances. The funds raised are used to support the mission of the League, which is to develop the potential of women, improve communities and promote volunteerism.

Bargain Sale has become an anticipated event within the Durham and Orange County communities. Many residents look forward to the event each year. For active members of the Junior League, annual shoppers are recognized and the crowded and busy atmosphere that Bargain Sale offers no longer feels overwhelming. One gentleman returns each year for Bargain Sale, driving from Selma, North Carolina. He was the third person in line for Preview Night on Friday, October 20.

Emily Elder, a first-year active said, “This was my first year working at the Bargain Sale and I really enjoyed it.  I found myself talking with patrons as they shopped and found that many of them are annual customers.”

Preview Night, held Friday, October 20, contributed to the total amount of money raised. Preview Night provided League members a first chance to view and purchase the items donated at double the price marked. Preview Night also gave League members an opportunity to socialize with fellow members and their spouses, as well as participate in a silent auction.

Along with the planning and preparation of the Bargain Sale committee, the JLDOC partnered with TROSA (Triangle Residential Options for Substance Abusers) in order to make this year’s sale a success. TROSA provided the League with one of their largest moving trucks, as well as 4 men to assist in large item pick-up and donation drop-off on both Wednesday and Thursday preceding the sale. TROSA also provided 3 men to assist in the clean-up effort after the sale.

“Semiotics can be applied to anything which can be seen as signifying something…” (Chandler)  When creating online content it is important to create your content for a specific audience.  It is also just as important that the content you create be clear and concise and that its form be relevant to the site and the organization.  If the content you create is displayed in a relevant format, the content layout could become a perfect example of semiotics.  The content’s form could “signify something” or become content that is immediately associated with the organization.  Using the organization for which I have chosen to create online content, the JLDOC, I have considered formatting my online content to match that format of our monthly newsletter, using the same logos, headers and fonts.  The monthly newsletter, League Lines, is something that each member receives every month and identifies important information for upcoming events and meetings.  In a way, League Lines identifies the JLDOC or the events and information about the JLDOC.  Each member receives the newsletter every month and is very familiar with the format and layout of the content.  Online content could be created to be consistent with the newsletter format and begin to signify that information of the JLDOC.

Write another post detailing online content you will create for your organization or publication. 

The Junior League of Durham and Orange County runs 2 large fundraising events each year with one being held in the spring and one in the fall.  This fall’s fundraiser, Bargain Sale, will take place Saturday, Oct. 21 at the Durham Armory.  I will write a feature article about the event to be used as online content for the JLDOC website.  This article will possibly include: 

-number of attendees

-price of money raised

-volunteer quotes

-kinds of merchandise donated

-photos 

This will be my first year participating in Bargain Sale and I would like to capture the experience as well as the facts about the event for prospective members as well as participants.        

The Junior League of Durham and Orange County 

Tell about this organization.

Mission of the Junior League of Durham and Orange County (JLDOC) 

The JLDOC is a local chapter of the national Association of Junior Leagues International, and a non-profit organization   located in Durham.  “The Junior League is an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.” (www.jldoc.org) 

What the JLDOC provides 

The JLDOC provides resources for the community through trained volunteers and encouraging community involvement.  The JLDOC develops partnerships with other  organizations and provides its members as volunteers for the enrichment of those programs.  As a ‘provisional’ or new member of the JLDOC, you must attend a 6-month training session to understand and be educated on the mission of the League as well as the history of the League.  After finishing this training session, you are recognized as an active member of the League and must prove your commitment to volunteerism within the community. 

How the JLDOC provides for the community

The JLDOC raises money for its community-sponsored committees and activities by holding special events and fundraisers.  The JLDOC provides two main fundraising events, the annual Bargain Sale and the bi-annual Designer Show House, with one held in the spring and one in the fall.  The funds raised at these events are returned to the community in the form of League projects and community services.

My connection with the JLDOC 

I recently completed my ‘provisional’ training and became an active member of the JLDOC in May 2006.  Since my initiation into the League I have committed myself to a committee position for League Lines, our monthly newsletter.  Not only do I volunteer my time to this committee and the newsletter but also to other community organizations and fundraising events sponsored by the JLDOC. 

Audience 

Members of the JLDOC are women, typically between the ages of 24 and 40 with active sustaining members and inactive sustainers between the ages of 41 and 65.  The target audience for online content is women between the ages of 24 to 35.  The JLDOC serves to promote the volunteerism of women, therefore, my target audience would mainly be women. 

The online content should strive to target both potential members as well as active members (including potential transfers from other League chapters) with access to upcoming volunteer activities, social events, fundraisers, news, etc.  This site also serves those in need of volunteers as well as those organizations, companies, museums, local businesses, etc. who partner with the JLDOC.

The online content should be easily navigable and formatted with concise organization for use by the “busy” woman.  The main target audience of women ages 24-40 includes working women and busy stay-at-home mothers, who need good information quickly.  Most women are web-savvy with the site serving those members within the 24-40 year range.  Most sustainers ages 41 to 65 opt for a printed version of the monthly newsletter instead of receiving the newsletter via email which brings me to the conclusion that most users are active members. 

The style guide I will adhere to when creating online content is the Associated Press Stylebook. 

Eight words:  Flawed antiterrorism database leaves Indiana vulnerable to terrorist attacks

Six words:  Unusal sites linked to possible terrorist activity

Headline and subheadline:  Indiana has high risk of terrorist activity:  Flaws in database uncover increase in potential terrorist targets