Archive for the ‘Current’ Category
In Memory of Poland’s Sorrows
Dead
In a wooded forest
96 Polish high-ranking government officials
No survivors
Soldiers. Priests. Officials. Legislators.
Taken down in a plane
Smolensk Russia
Saturday 10 April 2010.
I have never been to Poland. I do not speak one word of Polish.
But in honour of one unforgettable Polish citizen who once touched my life, I feel utterly compelled to write this. Pay my respects to his country of birth.
At first, I struggled with how I would share his life in this writing, and what did it really have to do with what happened at Katyn in 1939 and 1940, let alone last week’s tragedy.
Grassroot Guide: A Road to Community Empowerment
Over a lifetime, and particularly over the past 15 years or more, I have volunteered and helped in a number of grassroots and community groups. I’ve seen the long hours of dedication and commitment that many put into grassroots efforts to improve their communities and each others’ neighbourhoods. So imagine my delight at finding this guide. Most community organisations could benefit from professional mentoring and coaching, particularly in relation to re-energising members, dealing with set backs, and building a strong volunteer base. 
Video: Stanford Expert Questions Related to Healthcare Reform in the USA
Stanford University uploaded this to Youtube last Thursday 11th March. The lecture was delivered 17th November 2009.
Stanford University’s Alan Garber, Professor of Medicine, of Economic, and of Health Research and Policy discusses many of the important policy questions relevant to the health care reform debate in the United States.
Video: Expert Stanford Lecture on Century’s History with Pandemic Influenza
This is fantastic and worth watching if you are involved in crisis and risk communications work in public health. In a lecture delivered November 2, 2009, Stanford University’s Lucy S. Tompkins, Professor of Medicine and of Microbiology and Immunology. She explores the history, past and present, of the pandemic influenza covering the last century, today, and in the future.
Stanford Mini Med School is a series arranged and directed by Stanford’s School of Medicine, and presented by the Stanford Continuing Studies program. Featuring more than thirty distinguished, faculty, scientists and physicians from Stanford’s medical school, the series offers students a dynamic introduction to the world of human biology, health and disease, and the groundbreaking changes taking place in medical research and health care.
Video: How To Be A Social Media Provocateur
This video shows an interview by Harvard Business Review with Josh Bernoff, vice president and principal analyst at Forrester Research. Bernoff lays out a series of steps that companies can do to step into the social media landscape with references to over 60 company case studies.
Bernoff says the wrong way to start is to transform everything overnight but says small successes will help the company to proceed. He recommends getting an executive sponsor within your company who supports social media efforts so that your efforts stay alive.
Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-03-14
- righto, either I have a bug on my blog or I have just lost the tweets on the twitter post #
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How Twitter Found A Missing Person Post-Chile Quake
Here is one powerful function of social media technology that is seldom reported on. Twitter is much, much more than a social yadayada tool. Few of us, let’s be honest, would think to turn to Twitter to find lost and missing people in a disaster zone. I’d be thinking that the network’s down so the internet and cellphone would be down. This moving story from Sherly Breuker and Ken Camp was first reported in Mashable, a leading social media guide online. Whoever thought that using the technology of twitter could be such an emotional experience:
An Example of Powerful Digital Communication
More than 18 million views on Youtube, and I recently heard it, thanks to the generosity of friends on Facebook like Mario Gaoa. Playingforchange.com say the idea for this global singing arrangement came out of a “common belief that music has the power to break down boundaries and overcome distances between people.” That’s one key goal of communications. Our planet needs more of this sort of energy during these challenging times. ENJOY!
How To Stay In Control When Speaking Your Point-of-View
This is an example worth seeing. Two experienced commentators, on opposing sides of an issue, passionately debate and stay on topic without resorting to character assassinations, swearing(O’Reilly let slip) or walk-outs. One of the commentators does a better job of staying in control and on message than the other. I teach people how to handle themselves calmly and on message in this type of situation. For details of the next workshop, click here.
Aired on Fox News Show The Factor with Bill O’Reilly on 04/05/07.
Victim Support Need Volunteers To Help This Friday 12th March
VICTIM SUPPORT: If you have a couple of hours or more to help with the Annual Appeal this year, Victim Support will be out with their yellow buckets collecting on Friday 12th March 2010 between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m in Auckland’s CBD on Queen Street and around a few buildings on Fanshawe Street. Email me at info@viennarichards.com if you’re interested & able to help next Friday and I’ll put you in touch with co-ordinator at Auckland Central Police station.
Victim Support do great work, as volunteers, supporting people when a crime is committed, be it having your car broken into…or worse.
