The JLuntz Report

This site is going to continue to my personal blog. My official site is www.thejluntzreport.com


I may even change the title of this blog sometime in the future. In the meanwhile here is the article I just posted:

Clarksville, TN – Social media has become the best way for information to travel to like-minded people. A great example is how the Occupy Wall Street movement has spread nationwide through the use of social networking. Major cities like Boston, Los Angeles, and Chicago have all started similar protests as the one in Lower Manhattan. Even smaller places like Clarksville, TN have their own Occupiers. 28 days ago a group of about 20 people decided to show solidarity with the Occupy movement by utilizing their rights to protest. They are now at Public Square across from Clarksville’s city hall.


While the group is not allowed to have tents as in larger cities, they work together by taking shifts. The most activity happens around 6:00 PM, the time the group uses to have their general assembly and make decisions as a collective. Information is then passed on using the group’s Facebook page and Twitter account. The Twitter site uses the trending topic #occupywallst to attract those who are in support their cause. The Facebook page is constantly updated with status messages to keep everyone informed.

The small group of occupiers are in constant communication with each other through the use of smart phones and laptops. Credit: Jason Luntz

This is a copy of the latest Press Release I have written. I completed this for my first client, a new Restaurant in Tennessee. I am excited to not only write their press releases, but I am also handling their social media needs as well. Take a read and let me know what you think. 


Singleton’s Restaurant Announces Official Opening of its Establishment at 1502 Fort Campbell Blvd, Clarksville, TN 37042

I just got my final grade for my Communications Studies Capstone Course. I got an A! The instructor was very impressed with this blog. I am so grateful for my time at Ashford University and I am very proud of graduating with a 4.0.

Look out for my exciting stuff with this blog. I plan on taking it to the next level.

There are many organizations available for Communication Professionals to join. Some organizations focus on those who teach communication theories, others are centered on different industries in the communication field such as Public Relations or Journalism. I have selected five organizations that are available for professionals, which work with communications, to join. After I a little information about each organization I explain if I would join the group or not:


1. The Broadcast Education Association (BEA) – An association created for “professors, industry professionals and graduate students who are interested in teaching and research related to electronic media and multimedia enterprises” (BEA, 2011, ¶ 1). This group has over 1,600 members and has affiliation with 275 college’s and university departments. This organization is not very attractive to me simply because my focus is not in teaching or doing more research at this time. I am looking for a group of like-minded individuals who are using their passion to work.


2. International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) – This organization has a very large network with members that represent many careers in the field of communications. Individuals who join can use IABC as a resource to make an impact at their job, find hidden job markets, enhance skills, and find clients and friends (IABC, 2011). Because many of the members hold positions that I am interested in pursuing, I believe this organization would be beneficial to join. I also like the international aspect of it, because we are now in a global economy.


3. National Communication Association (NCA) – Is the largest association for communication “researchers, educators, and professionals, [who] work to understand and better all forms of human communication” (NCA, 2011, ¶ 1). Members of this organization have many resources and events that contribute to the education of communication and its benefit to society. I would consider this organization simply because of its great resources for job searching. The website offers tips for interviewing and that only lets me know they are serious about helping communication professionals.


4. Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) – This organization describes itself as a “community of more than 21,000 public relations and communications professionals across the United States, from recent college graduates to the leaders of the world’s largest multinational firms” (PRSA, 2011, ¶ 2). The group was created to help those in the PR field with networking, recognition, and other aspects of the industry. What I found interesting about the group has a student subgroup called Public Relations Student Society of America. I really like that they reach out to those learning about PR as well as those work practice it. If I go into the PR field, I am sure I will join this organization.


5. Southern States Communication Association (SSCA) – This organization is based of communication professionals located in the southern states of the US. It is a non-profit organization that has a purpose of promoting “the study, criticism, research, teaching, and application of the artistic, humanistic, and scientific principles of communication” (SSCA, 2011, ¶ 1). This group is not taking members at this time. That is too bad because I live in Tennessee and would like the chance to network with others who live close by.




Reference


BEA. (2011). About Us. Retrieved April 7, 2011 from http://www.beaweb.org/about_us.htm


IABC. (2011). About IABC. Retrieved April 7, 2011 from http://www.iabc.com/about/


NCA. (2011). About NCA. Retrieved April 7, 2011 from http://www.natcom.org/Default.aspx?id=45


PRSA. (2011) About PRSA. Retrieved April 7, 2011 from http://www.prsa.org/AboutPRSA/


SSCA. (2011) About SSCA. Retrieved April 7, 2011 from http://www.ssca.net/about/index.php

Bullying has become a large problem in society. Long gone are the days where a child would be picked on a few times during the day at school. Now because of technology, bullies can attack their victims on social networks, with cell phone text messages, and through email. This can lead to a young person developing low self-esteem issues, as they withdraw from all normal social activities. It is important to tackle the problem of bullying by learning ways to stop the bullying from taken place, making social interaction safe for all children.

To begin to understand how we can tackle this problem we have to understand the different forms of bullying that occur.

The website parentsconnect.com list the following as the type of bullying a child may face:

• Physical bullying
Pushing, shoving, hitting, tripping and other acts, which physically harm another person.

• Verbal bullying
Insults, harassment, taunts and other forms of aggression (expressed verbally or in writing).

• Emotional intimidation or “relational aggression” Withdrawing friendship or rejecting someone in order to assert control over that person.

• Racial bullying
Mocking racial traditions, spray painting racist graffiti, making racial slurs and engaging in other racist behaviors.

• Sexual bullying
Making sexual comments or engaging in unwanted sexual touching.

Physical bullying has been a large problem with pre-teens and teenagers and can often lead to very serious consequence. Take for instance Casey Heynes, a bullying victim from Australia. A recent video of Casey confronting his bully vent viral around the globe:



While Casey had every right to protect himself, it is possible that the damage he could have caused to his bully could have been irreversible. The situation should not have been allowed to escalate to this point, leaving Casey with no choice but to take this level of action. It is imperative that adults recognize when bullying is taking place and do everything in their power to stop it.

It is often discussed how children can deal with bullies. Relying on friends that they can trust is often mentioned. Speaking honestly to adults, they feel comfortable will is known to be helpful. As well as believing and loving themselves, are ways to build self-confidence. Bullies are known to attack weaker and lonelier children, so all that advice can work. Yet it is not address often enough about the source of the problem; the actual bully. Steps must be taken to eliminate the behavior, which is putting the blame not on the victim, but on the perpetrator.

The first step is to accept that a child is being a bully, and then begin to identify what is triggering their negative behavior. It must be made clear that their behavior will not be tolerated and they will have to learn other ways to channel their aggression. At this point, it is best to not use physical punishment, because it will continue the linking of aggression with their actions. This is an appropriate time to take away something important from the child along with a conversation on why this is happening. If they hurt someone or damage property, have them apologize to their victim, it is important for them to understand the pain they have caused. Finally, once they begin to make progress and control their anger, praise them.

As children interact with each other, they begin to learn about how their behavior affects others around them. Those who use aggression and anger to express themselves must be taught quickly that their actions will not be tolerated. Bullies must know that their treatment of their peers can and will lead them to trouble. If all adults in the young person’s life express this with love and understanding, the problem can be conquered at the source.

One of my favorite classes at Ashford University was a course titled 'Public Relations Practices & Promotional Writing'. It was there I learned not only how to write press releases, but the basic concepts behind PR. When a public relations professional is contacted to help a potential client in a crisis, they must complete a proposal with their plan intact. This makes the client aware of how the PR rep plans to resolve the issue. The following is an example of just that. 

Meeks, J. (2011). NFL and NFLPA Dispute: The Fans Courtroom. Retrieved March 31, 2011 from http://nflfanvoices.blogspot.com/