Media that Matters 2008

Andrew Frank subbing for Tzeporah

Media that Matters is all about supporting media people doing their work in the world -- and sometimes, they're called to do it right in the middle of MtM.  Such is the case with Tzeporah, who was in on the initial planning fo this year's conference.  She has been called to a meeting with her major funders in Banff, which perfectly conflicts with MTM.

We still hope to see her at our Saturday Night party, if she's not exhausted from travel.

The good news here is that Andrew Frank, the communications director from Forest Ethics, will be with us.  Andrew has been doing much of the "hands on" work with media campaigns for the organization.  Here's a bit of background from an email I received from him this morning...

I'm happy talking about the campaigns I'm working on, as well as my own experience ghost writing for someone like Tzeporah. I also study visualization and communication of climate change futures, and I'm interested in "virtual worlds that spark real action." My background includes radio & television production, and I've produced a number of viral videos for ForestEthics, as well as the media strategy behind some of our biggest media hits. My experience ranges from filming Jane Goodall as part of a documentary for her institute, to co-writing and directing Canada's first HD Deaf television pilot (my practicum at Ryerson). I've worked in a communications and media capacity for the last five years with numerous NGOs and political causes and in many ways, represent a new "generation" of social change communicator (experience in youth).

Sounds great to me.  Welcome, Andrew!

Bill's Briefing

Some information on MtM and HH.

Download bills_briefing_2008.pdf

More Facebook Info

Hey everybody.... I continue to get questions about Facebook --- As you enter the Media that Matters 2008 Conference group, begin to "befriend" those who are there.  That way you'll be able to see their profiles.

You don't have to put any intimate details about yourself.. Just enough to give each other an idea about what you're up to..

Come on in.......

Questions for ourselves, our friends, and each other

Media That Matters 2008 is almost upon us!  The old-growth trees at Hollyhock await our presence.

Bill and I are very excited about the group of individuals coalescing around Art, Story and Social Change.  We want to welcome you into this inquiry, even as we all prepare for the long journey to Cortes Island.  May that journey bless each of us as we leave the cares of our routines and move into the creative space of Media That Matters.

As you know if you’ve looked at the website, ours is a generative conference.  In other words, what happens is generated by the people who show up.  We create culture together, and it’s always different each year.  We experiment with different formats and processes – and we invite you to enter the experiment with us. 

Our Open Forum format will offer you the chance to convene breakout sessions to go in depth with those who choose to ‘play’ with you.  So you might be thinking about topics or questions you have to offer.

In addition, in preparation for this year’s gathering, we’ve assembled 4 questions to think about as you prepare for the gathering:

1.    Each of us has been involved — as creator or audience — with a story where art and story came together in powerful ways that made positive social change happen.  Describe one that stands out for you.  What elements were at work to make it successful?  What gave it value for its creators and its audience?  Was it sustainable?

2.     What gifts do you see yourself bringing to this gathering?  What do you most hope to change about yourself or your work to be more effective?

3.    What would you like to see come out of Media That Matters 2008?  What role do you see yourself playing in making that happen?

4.    What three wishes do you have for the media of the future?

Our suggestion is that you sit with these, journal about them, and/or discuss them with friends.  You might also choose one of the participants to e-mail and see if they want to have a conversation about these questions before the gathering. (We may use one or more of them to get to know each other, both on Facebook and when we get to Hollyhock.) Or, who knows, you may run into a fellow MtMer on the ferry and you can have a conversation!

You can then reflect on your answers, and if you want, post comments to our Facebook page.

This way, our conference will already be jump-started by some rich stories and weavings before we arrive.

We look forward to seeing you Wednesday afternoon.  (Stay tuned for at least one more message from Bill about logistics.)

Don’t hesitate to contact either of us if you have questions

Stephen & Bill

Getting To Know One Another

First off, I want to continue to encourage everyone to hop onto Facebook.    There's a "Media that Matters 2008 Conference" group already set up.  It is a private group.  If for some reason, you do not receive an invitation from me to join, just put in a request to remind me.

Facebook worked very well last year, as it helped us all know about one another before the conference begins.  Knowing what we're each doing  in the world will enhance the magic and the potential at Media that Matters. And if you're not yet conversant with the world of social networking, this is a good way to familiarize yourself with the tools!  Make sure you put in enough key info about yourself and your aspirations. The conference group will have a Wall and room for more comments, pictures, etc.   

On the participant page on our web site, I've added web links for most of you.  If you have a better link in mind that describes what you're up to, please let me know asap.  What do you want people to know, or see, that you can post on the web?  Most of this can be done of Facebook as well.   

Wednesday evening, we'll have an introductory circle so we can continue to get to know one another, and Thursday night, we'll have a networking soirée, so we can keep talking about our passions.

Hollyhock has wireless, and laptops are allowed almost anywhere during the conference.  I'll also have a viewing station set up at Bluff house that we can use.

Take advantage of all these elements.  Media that Matters is all about making space for magic to happen!

See U soon!