If anyone got involved or heard about the Whittier Center Playground service project, then they know what an amazing experience it was! It was a project to bring a handicapped accessible playground to the neighborhood all thorough volunteer work. Statistics have shown that between 11 and 13 percent of the 23, 763 children in Cache Valley live with a disability and building the playground would be able to service that percentage fully. What originally started out as a 'go if you can' thing for me turned into an all week extravaganza! I was surprised how fast I got attached to the project and how I wanted to be there every second! It started on Monday, September 14 but for me, the best day was Saturday and seeing the finished project. I would have never gotten involved if it weren't for PRSSA (Public Relations Student Society of America) and my public relations major announcing it. I was even able to become a construction captain with no prior experience and was promoted to a 'skilled' volunteer meaning I knew how to operate a skilled saw (which would have never happened before)! I've included some pictures to show what I was able to work on!
Drilling holes for bolts.
This is the playground almost finished! One of my favorite parts about it is the castle.
I was able to nail the fish on the bottom of the boat.
I tried to make the illusion of him jumping out of the water and making the nail his eye.
My tree house! Okay, maybe not mine but this was my main project. Learning how to operate a jigsaw and router was key here in making the squiggly branches and leaves. Note the hidden 'Aggie' A!
The project almost finished!
This is Barry with Leathers and Associates. He and his team fly in from Ithaca, NY to create these playgrounds using only volunteers. He's seen a lot and taught me everything I learned! He was a great guy to work with.
Overall, it was an amazing experience and something that I wouldn't have traded. I learned so much about not only constructing but about people and service. I hope to get another opportunity like this again.
September 24, 2009 Cache Valley Area Investors Association (CVAIA) Preston Parker, president 661-772-7537 http://www.cvaia.com/
Cache Valley Area Investors Association is created New Association’s Goal is to Teach Financial Independence
LOGAN, UT – Cache Valley Area Investors Association is a new club that has the goal teaching others how to achieve financial independence. Preston Parker, president of the association, wants others to rely on passive income as a way of living to enjoy their jobs and lives.
CVAIA’s meetings are held every other Thursday at 7:00 p.m. at 160 N. Main St. in Logan. Guest speakers are invited to come and speak. “These are experts that talk to you about whatever you want to ask them,” Parker said.
Parker recommends become literate before attending meetings. Books like Rich Dad poor Dad by Robert Kyosak about not going through life with blinders on to Ayn Rand by Atlas Shrug about people suppressing others to advance are two of the books recommended on the website. “Read these books and your mind and your eyes will be opened at the possibility of potential,” Parker said. Other authors include Suze Orman, Dave Ramsey and Clark Howard.
Parker said the problem lies within understanding finances. “The underlying biggest problem with financial independence is people not understanding what it is and how to get it,” Parker said.Parker started CVAIA because he wants others to be satisfied with their jobs, especially in America where the law of abundance is clear. “I want people to be happy and a whole lot of people are complaining about their jobs,” Parker said.
Cache Valley Area Investors Association (CVAIA) teaches people how to increase passive income. CVAIA embraces the Law of Attraction, Law of Abundance, and Law of Exchange. They practice the methods found in the ideologies of books including Rich Dad Poor Dad, the wealthy barber, the millionaire next door, atlas shrugged, the automatic millionaire and the secret. CVAIA began in August 2007 and now has members from many geographical locations from all walks of life. The members come together with the same belief: that education mitigates the risk of investing. .
Burger Planet Teams Up with Fitness Expert Jayne Petersen New Healthy Menu Items Now Available at the Restaurant
GARY, IN – Burger Planet is teaming up with fitness guru Jayne Petersen in announcing a recently developed health conscious menu. Petersen will assist in developing the menu as well as promoting Burger Planet’s new options for a healthy lifestyle.
New menu items contain white meat chicken breasts and the option to wrap them in lettuce for carb weary customers. Customers may request Burger Planet food products to be served without the bun making their choice from the menu good for the Atkins and South Beach diets. Packets of five different fruits along with a new line of low- carb gourmet salads are also available.
Petersen emphasizes the message of moderation when it comes to women and healthy eating and living. “Women can have a burger and fries now and then as long as they are active and also try some of Burger Planet's exciting new menu choices, such as the fruit packages,” Petersen said.
Petersen will host the kick-off ceremony advertising the new health menu that will take place in Times Square in New York, New York. Petersen, along with Corny the Clown, Burger Planet’s beloved mascot, will make promotional appearances following the ceremony.
New advertisements including a television commercial showcasing the low-carb entrees added to the Burger Planet menu as well as mall appearances are a part of Burger Planet’s events. Petersen and Corny the Clown also plan on appearing at 12 Burger Planets around the country to provide nutritional packets and more advice on healthy living to customers.
Petersen, president and CEO of Looking Glass, Inc., has helped women all around the country lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Her recent success was with Opal Whitcomb, beloved talk show hostess, who lost 75 pounds and has kept it off all due to Petersen’s expertise.
James E. Muellenbach III, Burger Planet’s CEO encourages the menu and the team’s commitment toward health. “The hiring of Jayne Petersen fits perfectly in the company's overall focus on healthy lifestyles,” Muellenbach said.
Burger Planet was founded by James E. Muellenbach I in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1934. The company has grown into one of the world’s largest quick service food restaurants and has served 52 billion customers and counting. Burger Planet will be offering its new menu as well as keeping their traditional and classic menu. It is currently headquartered in Gary, Indiana.
For some strange reason, I am writing for The Statesman again. Not that I don't love the opportunity to interview a range of amazing and interesting people...or to learn about the weird, quirky, successful, or whatever other adjective you want to describe the articles I sign up for... but it can just be stressful! After doing this last story however, I realized why I continue to write and give in to submitting the finished product after battling with my OCD-ness. It's too cool! Who else gets to see girls scream and get the guts to drop and swing after being lifted 40 feet into the air?.....Sigh. Too bad I couldn't have a hands on experience with this lil' beauty. Tune in for the next article... I'm really excited about it.
September 15, 2009 Social Media Club of Cache Valley (SMCCV) Preston Parker, President
Phone: 661-772-7537 Website: www.smccv.net
Social Media Club of Cache Valley becomes a reality
New Club Teaches Media Networking
LOGAN, UT – The Social Media Club of Cache Valley is now up and running. Cache Valley residents now have the opportunity to obtain knowledge about social media and the future of technology. The Social Media Club is not only a local or national organization, but a global one as well and extends out to different locations and chapters.
Preston Parker, president of the Social Media Club of Cache Valley, said a Salt Lake chapter was formed in January 2009. A group including Parker who did not want to make the trip down every month decided to form a chapter that would be closer and more convenient. Parker started Cache Valley’s local chapter July of this year.
The goal of SMCCV is to teach about social media through inviting guest speakers or holding a panel discussion with individuals or experts on types of social media such as search engines or reputation management within businesses. The first meeting, held in August, had stations where members could begin to learn the basics of social media starting with Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and owning and editing your own blog.
Parker hopes the organization will become a success. “The goal of the organization is to help people become acquainted with social media – to help them to have access to others,” Parker said. Another goal Parker has for the club is to have a network of like minded individuals get together and talk like any other group.
The group holds meetings on the second Thursday of each month. The next meeting will be held on September 10, at 6:30 p.m., at Club New York located at 359 N. Main Street in Logan. The meeting will feature Loralee Choate, a blogger from Logan who was recently invited by the White House to voice her opinions on health care reform. She will offer blogging advice and will be open to questions and discussions.
Parker anticipates between 50 and 80 members to show up for the next meeting. He says the target market for social media and the club is not necessarily for students or faculty, but rather for anyone who would like to know more about social media. More information can be found at the SMCCV’s website, http://www.smccv.net/.
The Social Media Club of Cache Valley is a local chapter of a global organization that originated in the San Francisco Bay Area, CA on August 16, 2006. Cache Valley’s chapter was formed in July 2009 and currently has 27 members. The club meets monthly and has the goal of continuing a network of like minded individuals that discuss all forms of social media.
For Immediate Release Date: September 8, 2009 Social Media club of Cache Valley (SMCCV) 851 N. Main St., Logan UT 84321 Phone: 661-772-7537
Social Media Club of Cache Valley becomes a reality Access available to those who want to learn more about social media
Those who wish to learn more about social media and the future of technology can now become members of the new social media club of Cache Valley.
Preston Parker, president of the Social Media Club of Cache Valley, said a Salt Lake Chapter was founded January 2009. Those from Cache valley who did not want to make the trip down every month decided to form a chapter that would be closer and more convenient. The Cache valley chapter was started July of this year.
The meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month. The next meeting will be on September 10, at 6:30 P.M. at Club New York at 359 N. Main Street Logan, Utah.
Parker hopes that the organization will become a success. “The goal of the organization is to help people become acquainted with social media – to help them to have access to others.” More information can be found at the social media club of cache valley website, www.smccv.net. The social media club is not only a national organization, but global one as well. The club can extend out to different locations and chapters.
For public relations inquires: Mackenzie Love Mackenzie.love@aggiemail.usu.edu 801-726-1194
We often underestimate the power of social media. I find myself amazed at the technology at our fingertips. I remember joining Facebook when you had to be a college student. Now my 10-year-old brother has an account. Even though these social networks can provide great communication and create and maintain relationships, they can also hurt organizations. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and many other networks all have this in common. They can spread good OR bad news to the point of destroying a company’s image.
Country musician Dave Carroll who is a member of the band, Sons of Maxwell, proved this point by an experience he had with United Airlines in July of 2008. Traveling with his Taylor made guitar, Carroll found baggage handlers in the Chicago O’Hare airport ‘throwing’ his $3,500 sentimental instrument that he had owned for over ten years. He immediately spoke to a flight attendant who told him to speak to a lead agent…who could not be found. When talking to a third employee, Carroll was told he signed a waiver, when in fact, he had not and no waiver could explain what was happening outside. Nine months later and after repeated calls to United Airlines, Carroll was eventually told United would not take responsibility for what happened and there would be no more following e-mails.
Carroll only asked for a final settlement of $1,200 (what it cost to repair his guitar) in flight vouchers but was shocked to hear not even that would be given. Carroll’s final reply was that he’d write three songs about his united airlines experience. His estimated goal? To get one million followers to his first song. Much to Carroll’s surprise, “United Breaks Guitars: 1” was posted on YouTube and within three days, had over one million followers. As of August 2009, there are over 5.3 million views to “United Breaks Guitars: 1” and over 290,000 views to the second song, “United Breaks Guitars: 2”. Curve Productions Inc who assisted Carroll in his attempt, said to just search "United Breaks Guitars" on Google and you will find over one hundred blogs and pages commenting on the song.
According to Carroll’s website the response has been incredible. He thanks United and said, “they’ve given me a creative outlet that has brought people together from around the world.” According to numerous sources, United lost roughly $180 million due to falling stock three days following the “United Breaks Guitars: 1” posting. Based on United’s Twitter page, there are only 12 tweets posted in mid July where they claim that it had ‘struck a chord w/us and we’ve contacted him directly to make it right.’ They also expressed their apologies and plans to use the video for training purposes.
Carroll released a settlement statement saying that United had ‘generously but late’ offered some compensation. He said that he’d be very happy to see United give that money to a charity of their choice. United announced July 10 on Twitter, “Wud like Dave 2 sing a happy tune—as asked we gave 3K to Thelonius Monk Institute of Jazz 4 music education 4 kids.” However, there was no information found on a donation from the Thelonius Monk Institute of Jazz website to my knowledge. There is also not a single ounce of information about the situation on United’s website.
Correlation to public relations based on what happened? Simply put, United Airlines should have put Carroll first because after all, maintaining good relationships with clients should be a priority. United could have saved a lot of trouble by responding to Carroll quickly but instead, lost almost $2 million because of bad communication and reasoning. Not only did they refuse to compensate for his guitar, they also did not respond officially until 9 months after what happened.
When there is a problem within an organization, as a public relations specialist, you fix it. Don’t ask why or how, just do it. A $1,200 loss in comparison to a $180 million loss is a pretty big jump. The result of hoping Carroll would just forget and move on was a bad choice. Carroll said it best himself when he said ‘the system is designed to frustrate affected customers into giving up their claims’ and that ‘United is good at it.’
Not only has the airline been hurt, but the women who assisted Carroll in his final debate has a reputation that will affect her for the rest of her professional life. A Ms.Irlweg is described by Carroll and even though his settling statement claims that song number 2 will give her a break with a better explanation, the damage was already done by the first video. There was no information that I could find about the current state of her job, but I wouldn’t doubt United Airlines’ decision to find a new director or PR specialist over customer complaints. I hope United has learned their lesson and will positively take every customer claim or complaint seriously. For the company themselves, the ending result could have a positive effect for the future of the company. They did mention that the videos would be used in training new employees. I wonder how that will go over.
If something does happen where an organization gets in trouble, there should be an immediate reaction. Even when Carroll threatened to create the songs, United reacted as if they’d never talked to him in the first place. Good public relations should have settled his complaints after the first protest or even after the threat of posting the now famous “United Breaks Guitars” hits. The PR of United Airlines should now focus on bringing their name back into the spotlight or back period. The loss of stocks expresses that enough. After time, a company or organization’s name can reclaim what they offer but will unfortunately always have their mistakes on record. United will hopefully be able to mask this mistake.
Social media is out there. It’s alive and kicking. Even though it may seem like nothing good or bad can come from a tweet on Twitter, a status update on Facebook, or even a music video post on YouTube, David Carroll proves it can. Now not only Americans but Canadians and possibly everyone around the world know to take precautions when choosing whether or not to fly with United Airlines. As Carroll says it best, "I should have flown with someone else or gone by car because united breaks guitars."
If anyone got involved or heard about the Whittier Center Playground service project, then they know what an amazing experience it was! It was a project to bring a handicapped accessible playground to the neighborhood all thorough volunteer work. Statistics have shown that between 11 and 13 percent of the 23, 763 children in Cache Valley live with a disability and building the playground would be able to service that percentage fully. What originally started out as a 'go if you can' thing for me turned into an all week extravaganza! I was surprised how fast I got attached to the project and how I wanted to be there every second! It started on Monday, September 14 but for me, the best day was Saturday and seeing the finished project. I would have never gotten involved if it weren't for PRSSA (Public Relations Student Society of America) and my public relations major announcing it. I was even able to become a construction captain with no prior experience and was promoted to a 'skilled' volunteer meaning I knew how to operate a skilled saw (which would have never happened before)! I've included some pictures to show what I was able to work on!
