Writer Workshop IT
Course Title: A Writer on Writing, IT Communications
Scheduled: May 11, 2010 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and held at Data Directions –
Prerequisites: adequate use of English language and/or attended course such as JSRCC - ENG 1 Preparing for College Writing I (5 cr.) which helps students discover and develop writing processes needed to bring their proficiency to the level necessary for entrance into respective curricula and/or business sector.
Course Description: The goal of workshop A Writer on Writing is not to teach basic language usage but a use that enables the ability to be perceived as an expert, gain personal confidence but most of all, share collective knowledge - influence others through the power of words.
Content: Using the text, A Writer on Writing – the building block of nonfiction, attendees explore
Why – recognize the power of the written word
Who - in today’s market, you don’t just sell your work; you sell yourself!
What – while there are vast writing markets, develop niche expertise
When/Where - dedicate specific space and time for writing
How - research and understand styles and formats of business and/or professional writing used to produce professionally published documents.
Text: A Writer on Writing – the building blocks of nonfiction, ISBN 978-0-557-03963-0 (optional but recommended – acquire at any retail book store or www.TheWrightScoop.com, Sylvia’s Store option)
Course Objective:
Enable awareness of writing concepts and formats that create clearly understood communications and professionally published documents.
Cost: $175, payment by check/cash to Sylvia Hoehns Wright - The Wright Scoop (registration deadline Tue May 4th).
Celebrate Women in History
From suburban home lot to the country seat, women have designed, cultivated and reshaped the American scene, moving from the "harbinger of a gentle heart" to women of power and influence.
So, present-day industries tend to forget that at the turn of the century, it was considered almost social suicide and distinctly matrimonial suicide, for a woman to enter a profession. Still, it did not deter the notable efforts of women such as Virginia Estelle Randolph, a pioneer educator and humanitarian who lived from 1874 to 1958; and conducted the first Arbor Day program in
Still, Susan Kappel of Creatrix Landscape Design has observed “the nursery, maintenance and installation sides of the Green Industry remain male dominated.” On the other hand, Jeff Miller, Executive Director for the VA Nursery and Landscape Association, has noticed “over the last 10 years plus that there are a lot more women owned and operated business in all phases of production, retail and landscaping.” Similarly, Leonard Morrow, Ph.D. former Program Head and Professor of Horticulture for J.S. Reynolds C.C. noticed a shift in the student population and in August 1992, sponsored the first informal meeting for professional women in the Green Industry.
In my book A Path Worn Smooth, I share stories of the influence of women who pride their selves in both ownership of and ‘hands-on’ working land in the form of agri as well as ornamental gardens, leaving behind a legacy of knowledge and heritage plants.
As we progress into this new century, let’s not forget to celebrate – honor – women who opened doors of opportunity. To listen to my story, link to http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thereneebobbshow/2010/02/24/meet-the-award-winning-author-sylvia-wright or attend a scheduled event, see www.TheWrightScoop.com calendar.
The month of March is ‘celebrate women in history’ month. Related to your self, who do you celebrate?
Are you too big for your boots, eco-footprint?
Ever wondered how much "nature", eco-footprint, is required to support your lifestyle choices?
Recently, through attending a series of environmental workshops, I participated in activities that highlighted eco-lifestyle choices, our footprints, as they relate to the surrounding environment. While I’m pleased to say my activities fall into the category of being an ‘eco-ally’, I was surprised to learn of the average person’s day-to-day impact. For, the average American has a total ecological footprint of about 25 acres, meaning that if everyone consumed similar to an average American, we would require several additional Earths to support this lifestyle.
Presently, there are about 5.5 acres of biologically productive land per capita in the world. Worldwide, the average per capita footprint is 6 acres. If we leave only 12% of the biosphere for other species, there is less than 5 acres available per person which translates to the fact that we humans have presently overshot the mark by at least 20%. Still, while excessive consumption is an issue, it is difficult to measure the degrees to which consumption choices affect both immediate and extended ecosystems.
On the other hand, eco-footprint tools are available that measure conservation, www.conservation.org/ecofootprint and help identify your eco status as well as learn where and how you presently fall short. So, the question is “Are you too big for your boots, your eco-footprint?”
As a gardener, I not only have the opportunity to make a difference related to personal choices but influence the use of green space, both rural and urban. So, I want to challenge you – as a 2010 resolution – to first measure and then, improve your eco-footprint. From a landscape/garden perspective
Advocate the conservation of water. Not just the quantity but source. For example, I capture and use condensation from my air-conditioning unit for watering container plants.
Choose native or native adaptable plants. Usually a native plant is the right plant in the right place which avoids numerous other site specific issues.
Avoid using additive materials, such as peat, which are not a sustainable resource; in other words, once harvested the material does not regenerate itself.
Create compost. Be aware that creating compost is neither a difficult or smelly task; and once you get into the cycle of creating compost; it is an excellent use of what would otherwise be considered garden and/or kitchen rubbish.
Choose biodegradable products. For a number of years, ink on printed materials has no longer been toxic and these materials make excellent underlying mulch blankets that more importantly biodegrade.
Avoid the use of chemicals. Install companion plants, create diversity, encourage beneficial visitors and perhaps, you too will be pleasantly surprised by the lack of unwanted garden guests.
Avoid creating pristine orderly green spaces. In the wake of central Virginia’s storms, thousands of trees fell and my husband and I, similar to many Virginians, continue to clean up but I am comforted by the fact that a fallen tree provides a habitat for up to 300 years.
Similarly, consider the source of landscape accessories. Select products made from recycled materials; for example, choose pavers material that is not only recycled but permeated, prevents water run-off.
And, when you light up your space, do it with solar fixtures. Solar lighting is a frugal form of energy consumption and is easily installed.
On the scale of eco-footprint measurement, are you a novice or warrior? Do you presently make eco-friendly choices? Have you created or maintain an eco-efficient green space? Are you influencing others to share eco values?
Individually and collectively, we not only have the opportunity to make a difference through personal choice, we can influence others to ‘green’ space, both rural and urban. For 2009, what is your eco-resolution? Post comments and together, let’s provide tips and strategies that help move from eco-weak to eco-chic, green the landscape of our community.
Planting Seeds of Greatness – Green Knowledge
In today’s market, a blur exists between ‘green’ products and services.
At one time the word – green – easily implied ‘living green’ but presently, there are many interpretations. From a political perspective, ‘green’ symbolizes activities that support or promote environmental protection; and from a product or service viewpoint, goods or services produced in an environmentally and ecologically friendly way, e.g. by using renewable resources. So, while Kermit the Frog may have found it difficult to be green; in today’s market, most find it a struggle to be seen as green.
Recently, Today’s Garden Center magazine posed the question, ‘Do you think the Industry needs some type of nationally recognized symbol that highlights to consumers the significance of living green?’ As a reply, I’d answer ‘yes’. Through experience gathered as volunteer PR for the Virginia Green Industry Council, a workshop instructor and Industry columnist, I've noticed a significant lag between Green Industry and other business sector marketing strategies. In fact, I recently published a book - The ABCs of Green Industry Communications - that helps enable Industry market communications.
I became aware of the situation after publishing an article with Green Profit magazine. The Dean of a local Horticulture program read my article and requested I conduct research and then, teach a Green Industry communications college level course. Still, regardless of personal involvement, I can’t offer a 'pat answer' solution. As my colleague Tony Avent owner of Plant Delights Nursery located in Raleigh, North Carolina says “The most misunderstood and overlooked component of business success is communication, a form of communication that establishes a brand of product, you.” So, assuming Avent is accurate, can an Industry enable its ability to be seen as ‘the’ green Industry?
To provide examples of consolidated efforts that worked-well, the
To clarify ‘brand recognition’ that works-well let me first define what it is not. Branding is not
• advertising,
• public relations;
• a slogan, or a logo, or a website, or even a multi-media campaign;
• a tagline, or
• color palette.
In today’s market, branding is injecting a product, service or organization with unique, consistent, desirable persona-position that reigns over a consumer’s mind and is so highly valued that you and/or your product are not simply seen as ‘a’ but ‘the’ product. For, becoming a result of ‘seeds of greatness’, a recognized brand – whether individually or as a sector - is the result of communicating an appropriate image sustained by viable products or services.
So, why not work together to ‘plant seeds of greatness’ – Green Knowledge, a symbol that highlights the significance of ‘living green’; more specifically, the effect of consumer 'green living' choices and their influence on ‘living green’? As Kermit the Frog said, “It’s not easy to be green,” but it is possible to enable green knowledge, be seen as green! After all, ‘living green’ is the original 'green' and most certainly should be valued as the leader of a nation-wide green living movement.
Digging in the Dirt
Summary – As a gardener, do you influence environmental safe practices? Are you a person who has positive impacts on a survey that measures safe garden practices? Or, are you participating in activities that fail to ensure gardening – digging in the dirt – is eco-friendly?
Blog –
I like to dig in the dirt. As the descendent of a long line of gardeners, I recall childhood experiences of helping my parents and grandparents with their kitchen gardens. For, during my childhood, I had a space in which to garden and was encouraged to root rose bushes from clippings and plant newly separated bulbs.
In my family, it was acceptable for a child to have soiled clothes and dirty hands. Later, after I married and started to garden at my new home, believe it or not, many plants were transferred from my childhood garden. Then, as the space expanded, I solicited roots, clippings and newly separated perennials from friends, family and acquaintances.
Still, while my garden definitely illustrated a gardener’s gene, I had no formal training. So, after identifying educational opportunities, I first attended the
Adding to my skill set, I attended landscape design courses taught by hands-on professionals at a local Botanical Garden. Then, to further expand my knowledge, I researched and attended numerous industry workshops and seminars.
Extended Blog –
Recently, I a friend observe, “You’ve turned an avocation into a vocation!”
For a few seconds, I questioned her observation and then, agreed. No longer, is my effort to ‘dig in the dirt’ simply the result of a part-time effort. It has moved into the vocational world. Parallel to my journey into formal training, I shared landscape/garden knowledge with others.
I wrote feature articles and provided columns for garden magazines. Recognized as an “asks the expert” columnist, I taught adult educational seminars on the topic of creating eco-friendly landscapes; and presently, participate in all of these activities plus design landscapes that consider energy efficient and earth-friendly features.
Nevertheless, the further I venture into the world of gardening, the more I questioned its impact on the surrounding environment. For, gardening and eco-friendly gardening are not necessarily the same activities.
Recent survey statistics released by the National Garden Bureau identified of the 12 eco-friendly items surveyed only 3 were viewed as somewhat successfully observed by homeowner/backyard gardeners. It appears that although as a Nation, we have participated in a “Green Revolution” for more than 50 years, as a whole we continue to fail. So, obviously, it takes more than simply a “love of all things green” to make it work.
On one hand, avocations begin with passionate interest but developing it occurs through the encouragement of others. Instead of stumbling through your effort as passionate participant, let knowledge become your mentor. Educate yourself and incorporate what you learn into daily experiences. Remain open to new and different ideas and share them. For, unless knowledge is shared, it remains one directional.
The future holds a unique opportunity: the opportunity to not just be the caretaker of a garden space but be a person who cares! A person who sets the Climate, nor merely adjusts to a preexisting one; creates an encouraging Attitude, not practices ambivalence; is Receptive to people without losing sight of personal needs; and demonstrates Empathy for others while keeping problems in perspective.
Become known as an expert. Influence environmental safe practices and be one of the people that have positive impact on a survey that measures safe garden practices. Write articles for a civic newsletter and volunteer to speak during a community meeting. And, more importantly, don’t forget to influence the next generation of gardeners.
Create a space in which it is alright for a child to experience dirty hands and soiled clothes. As a parent or grandparent, plant the seeds that enable another generation of people who turn their avocation into a vocation.
What are you doing to ensure gardening – digging in the dirt – is eco-friendly?
Welcome
