“Whatever America hopes to bring to pass in the world must first come to pass in the heart of America.” ~Dwight D. Eisenhower
I will soon be flying to one of the most heart-wrenching humanitarian crises in recent history. I have never been filled with more hope and more resolve.
I will be embedded with CARE — and I will provide an inside-look into their relief efforts in Haiti. My goal is to give the world a unique look at how CARE conducts relief efforts on the ground in the midst of a recent humanitarian crisis.
My perspective is unique because I am not a member of the mainstream media. So, I don’t answer to a segment producer. I believe that is one of the failings of traditional media. They often make news coverage decisions around “audience share” to justify ad dollars.
What if we could turn that on its head and let you decide the news? That is social media. My “segment producer” is…you. You know what you want to see and hear. Let me know what that is.
My perspective is also unique, because I am a real person, a CARE ambassador, and my goal is to bring your voice to the people in Haiti — and to bring theirs to you. I want to connect your hearts with theirs like never before.
That said, I want my coverage to be people-driven, not media-driven. This is social media, after all. I will be monitoring your comments here; I will be reading your Tweets — and I will be following your social stream on our uStream channel very closely. You will have sweeping influence over what I talk about, what pictures and video I beam back and what I tell the people of Haiti. You all may not be there physically, but you will be there.
I have a unique perspective on this. I will be with one of the most effective humanitarian organizations in the world. And I will report the truths on-the-ground. Not through a media filter — but rather through the experts at CARE. I will be your eyes and ears down there — and I’ll be able to report the real conditions, via the real experts, in a clear and compelling way.
As many of your know, I believe that social media — in the right hands — is one of the most positive and prolific forces in human history. It is emblematic of the power of the people. In 2004, Barack Obama was a relatively unknown Senator from Illinois. By 2008, he was the most powerful person on the planet. He did it with soaring oratory, a strong message…and social media. He could not have done it old-school: with mainstream media advertising and big donations. He put the power in the hands of the people (via Twitter, Facebook and YouTube) — and they rolled up like a juggernaut behind him. Obama rode social media right over his competition and right into the White House.
So, please let me know your ideas by posting a Comment below. You have never had more influence or a louder voice than you do now. We are listening. Please give us your best ideas by commenting below. The people of Haiti need your passion and your ideas. I can put them into play down there.
The above quote by Eisenhower, to me, means that the depth of good we can do in Haiti depends greatly on each of you. Your support, your comments, your retweets, your @replies, your donations — your sheer engagement — means everything to the people of Haiti. Everything.
To be honest with all of you, when I was weighing the decision to go to Haiti, I learned that the main prison collapsed and that conditions on the ground were worsening. I began wondering if I should go. After all, it’s not merely up to me. I am a father of two very young children and a husband to the love of my life.
As we were making our final decision as a family, Vivienne looked me square in the eyes and said: ”Papa, you are my hero. Haiti needs a hero. Go be their hero.”
Those words are so pure, powerful — and true. Vivienne’s words infuse me with a passion and resolve to do everything I can to help the people of Haiti. But, I cannot do it alone. I need your ideas, your support, your engagement.
Together, we can move mountains.
Please leave your comment below. I will read every one. Thank you.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
We need one million dollars.
Can we gather one million people to donate one dollar and form this group as the first step to changing the world? Imagine if we could create a team of one million dedicated people.
The team to change the world, the people for the world. One step at a time, one dollar at a time.
First cause is CARE, each person on the team that is signed up/registered as the world team will all donate one dollar between this time frame for a specific cause.
Next month will be another cause, the team will step up. The team will grow.
We dedicate all our efforts to one organization one step at a time.
Have the world recognize this one team, how long would it take to sign up one million?
We could help 12 issues a year. Power in numbers and dedication.
What do you think?
Jane.
Ladies and gentlemen! INCREDIBLE JANE! (I love you, girl!)
What do I think? I think this is a truly groundbreaking idea. Imagine unleashing the power of a million on one cause at a time? What a brilliant concept.
I am speaking with our PR firm tomorrow, who are in touch with Oprah's producers. We will also be trying to engage Ellen and other influencers on Twitter to make it happen. This very well may be "the" idea!
Jane, you are incredible.
E.
Hi Jane and Eric!
I love the idea! One day a few years ago I decided to put together a list of all the amazing causes my friends were working for. I had some supporting cancer research by running marathons, some volunteering in orphanages in Kenya, some supporting arts programs in local schools, etc. I made a list and forwarded it to everyone I knew, then came up with the idea of having Global Donation Days (GDD). On each GDD people could pick a cause from the list, or one of their own and donate.
I started a Facebook group, Global Donation Days, but it never took off. Jane, your idea sounds better! If you give people one cause to donate to every month, they will have all month to educate themselves about the cause and spread the word. Like the group Hands On Disaster Response, the team assembled could donate where their help is most needed, like now in Haiti.
Eric, about what we'd like to hear/see/experience: I'd love to know whats happening with pregnant women right now. Are they getting the care they need? Are there enough trained professionals in Haiti to help deliver babies as they come (unfortunately labor and delivery doesn't stop for earthquakes!)?
I'd love to help start an initiative to advocate for pregnant mothers and newborns if the need is there. Maybe there could be some funding specifically devoted to their needs, or a directed call put forth to ask for medical staff with the relevant expertise.
Hope both of you, Jane and Eric, are well,
Jackie Rose
Brilliant idea… Amazing movement! Count me in! Please let me know how I can help make this happen.
Hi Eric, thanks for raising awareness for CARE and letting us be part of your journey to Haiti. I don’t have specific requests other than wanting to share my love and humanity to the people who are suffering there. I know you will do that for us in spades. You’re an inspiration to not only your own family, but to strangers like me. Thanks for that – it gives me hope and even more passion to
help others!
Jane, I love that idea. Who doesn’t have a $1 a month? We can work directlu with org. Anything you need, I’m willing to help.
Eric, As a journalism major and former reporter, quite excited for your coverage. Those people deserve to be heard. Their stories told. Show us the real Haiti!
Thanks so much ! I look forward to reading your dispatches and tweets from Haiti. Please learn what we can and need to do now to help. Reading the stories coming from Haiti, I feel helpless here as so many of us do. You are one of the fortunate ones in a position to affect change on the ground and spread the word to the world. I have donated $ and will continue to try do do what I can.
I have a very powerful and unique perspective on this. I will be at the heart of one of the most effective humanitarian organizations in the world. I will be given unprecedented access. And I will report the truths on-the-ground. Not through a media filter. Through the EXPERTS AT CARE! I will be your eyes and ears down there — and I'll be able to report the real conditions, via the real experts, in the most clear and compelling way. The caveat is that both sides must be engaged. I need CARE, but I also need all of you. Thank you!
Much love!
E.
Eric as you report back, I don't want to read what I shall call "disaster porn". The multiple stories by mainstream media that shows how deplorable the conditions are, the shock-inducing images of mangled bodies, etc. This is not to reduce or minimize the tragedy. And there will be compelling stories that can only be told by highlighting such. However, Haiti is a country rich in history, culture and resiliency. It will be great to read what is being done by CARE, other agencies to help Haiti not only recover, rebuild, and what WE can do that will have an impact not only tomorrow but this time next year. What social enterprise relationships that can be developed that are beneficial to Haiti that is just charity but changemaking.
Hey Chris:
Got it. You can count on this.
I am really glad you posted this. I agree with you wholeheartedly. It gets to my point of mainstream media needing to "outshock" one another for audience share. Their entire revenue model depends on eyeballs and if FOX NEWS is showing those kinds of graphic images, then CNN has to top it somehow. It's a vicious cycle and it does very little to engage and inspire action.
CARE is one of the most calm, composed, professional humanitarian organizations on the planet. Their legacy goes back to World War II, when they coined the term "CARE Package" rushing in 10-1 rations to rebuild war-torn Europe. There is no hype with these people. It's why I serve as their Ambassador. I love how they get things done, they are not sensational. They get the job done and they empower the PEOPLE on the ground.
You can count on my clear reports — directly from the most experienced, seasoned professionals at CARE. I also love that you said: "what we can do to have an impact not only tomorrow but this time next year." That is precisely what CARE CEO Helene Gayle said to me. She explained that CARE is happy I'm coming in a little bit later, because mainstream media "shock reports" will begin to wane, and truly, that's when the real work BEGINS.
I am so proud to be a CARE Ambassador. And I am equally proud to be associated with people like you. If we combine forces, we can move mountains.
Thank you, Chris.
Much love,
E.
Eric, just tweeted you about this. I would like to virtually volunteer for CARE tomorrow. MLK Day is about service and compassion. I can’t find a local Haiti related opportunity. I want to spend the day spreading CARE’s story through blogging and social media. Hope that’s okay. I have a journalism degree and I’ll use my writing skills tomorrow for CARE.
To one of the most amazing people on Twitter, thank you Kristine!
I will let CARE know. I think this is a beautiful idea.
Thank you!
E.