MediaCation: Media sticks, so make it stick good! (SAMPLE)

by Kevilina Burbank

"Don't hate the media, become the media." Jello Biafra

Problem
The media controls information; it popularizes community events, functions and has the power to influence entire populations. Public education has taken a hit over the past few years. This is a complex and delicate issue that requires time, analysis and a shift in perspective nationwide. This isn't going to happen in the next week or even year.

Meanwhile, the clock keeps ticking; learners and educators struggle to reach their full potential as just that: learners and educators. People are doing amazing things with little resources outside of (and inside of) traditional school settings, and they do these things with little to no recognition. But nearly every day there's something in the paper about how students are failing tests, budgets are being hacked away and teachers are being laid off or transferred to areas outside of their expertise.

What we fail to realize is that kids are absorbing this negativity. If all they hear and read about is how the education system is failing, how do we expect them to put their all into such a lost cause?

Media sticks.

Solution
MediaCation is an organization made up of journalists, city planners, medical professionals, educators (sometimes just experts with a passion to teach!), parents and experts from all walks of life within the community. We are all busy making the world a better place, and we don't plan on slowing down any time soon. In order to achieve maximum results, our members (36 per year) will form into groups of three, and each group will be responsible for one month. This allows for adequate planning and prevents burnout.

Each team will be responsible for finding one group or individual in their community who is doing something amazing, on their own, in defiance of all the negative press around education. Each group will carefully analyze, support and facilitate this person or group and then be responsible for writing up an article and creating a video that will be promoted by local media. Local media venues will put our stories front and center once a month.

Over time communities will be reminded that education is not broken; it is not in the midst of swirling down the the porcelain bowl with the rest of the waste water. Instead, what communities will see is that people are quietly and successfully rising up to meet the challenge rather than wasting time and giving into useless negativity.

Long-term goals
Upon success of our first year, we will spread our concept to neighboring communities, offering support and a 'How To' e-book to make the process easier (getting local media venues to cooperate, creating power teams, etc.). Each year, new MediaCation teams can add to best practices, offer new insights and add to our database "Education isn't broken, because the media says so."

What Will $5K Do for Us?
Our team will purchase all of the necessary equipment/manpower it takes to make quality video, write quality news stories and bribe journalists into promoting our stories (OK, we're just kidding on that last one.). Your precious ducats will go towards the following:

• $2K will go towards stipends (for one year) for budding journalists
• $2K will go towards video equipment (this is a one-time only purchase)
• $1K will go towards developing a low-budget web presence

The appreciation for your support will be evident over time; when your neighbors and friends start telling you about all the cool things people in Portland are doing to keep education fresh, and that they read it in the paper, you will feel that warm, tingly sensation of gratitude.

Other ways you can help!
Use your own favorite media channels to promote our campaign! Positive media breeds more positive media.

Find us, like us and spread us via:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mediacatePDX?ref=tn_tnmn
Twitter: @MediaCationPDX