All communicators must understand the power and responsibility that comes with our role as storytellers and gatekeepers of information.
Join me in exploring what it means to be a responsible — rather than
merely proficient — communicator. New here? This blog can get you started.
Recent Writing
Rethinking the photo release
There are many reasons why individuals may not want to be photographed for an organization’s publicity materials. Communicators must respect that choice by ensuring participants are given every opportunity to refuse being photographed and making certain that refusal doesn’t mean they are blocked from using services/attending events.
MPD PIO John Elder’s unintentional lesson for all communicators
On May 30, 2020, the Minneapolis Police Department issued a press release stating a “suspect” died after experiencing “medical distress” during a “police interaction”. That person was George Floyd, and that press release should make all communicators consider how our organization-first thinking means we justify only telling our organization’s preferred narrative.
What you think does not matter: 5 things your communications staffers want to tell you
Nonprofit communicators touch all parts of an organization but, often, own no specific part. That means we care about some things that seem weird to others, but matter a lot to us.
Notes from “Consent and the Protocols and Ethics of Photographing People”
People of color and individuals from traditionally marginalized populations have seen images of themselves or people like them misused over and over again. Communicators must rethink how we think of photography.
