The (Cool) Church: A Case Study Examination of How Nonprofits Understand and Implement Brand Integrity

The number of nonprofit organizations is growing and the competition for attracting volunteers, employees, and donors is fierce. Effective brand strategy offers the nonprofit a way to advance mission-critical operations, therefore it can be argued that brand strategy too, is a mission-critical operation. Yet, branding in the sector still faces its own set of unique challenges. There are tangible barriers to branding, such as not having the time and resources to do so, but branding also faces a reputation problem in the sector. Kylander and Stone (2011) found the concept is negatively associated with the for-profit sector and that nonprofit leaders tread lightly in their branding strategy limiting the organization’s opportunity to reap the rewards that effective branding can provide. To help nonprofits move past this, Kylander and Stone (2011) responded with their Brand IDEA framework identifying four principles to help nonprofits rethink the way they view branding. This study builds on this framework, investigating how nonprofits understand and implement brands that align with their mission and values, a concept Kylander and Stone defined as “brand integrity.” This study isolates and investigates the concept in two nonprofit, nondenominational churches in Richmond, Virginia. The church was chosen as an attractive case study to better understand the branding of nonprofit missions as the American Christian church is already having to define itself in a competitive “spiritual marketplace” in order to attract younger audiences. This qualitative study, through content analysis of two organizations’ key social media channels and in-person, semi-structured interviews, finds that the nonprofit organization with operations centered around its missions, is well positioned to implement brand integrity, even if the concept is still not well understood by communication professionals in the sector. The findings also identify “pillars” of brand integrity that nonprofit leaders need to consider if they are to implement a brand that closely aligns with the organization’s mission and values. These pillars better position nonprofits to feel confident in their ability to brand their organizations with integrity

Ek statis

Through description, rich with details and imagery, Lindsey Campbell takes readers back to the days of their youth. In her piece, Campbell juxtaposes the world she once knew with the all too busy world in which she currently lives. In doing so, Campbell underscores her ability to transport readers to another world, an ability she\u27s honed in WRTC 342: Writing Place

Tracing the past and outlining the future: The James Madison Undergraduate Research Journal as a genre system

Through my analysis of JMURJ as a genre system and my examination of the Screening Criteria document as a central point of communication and meaning, I will explain the value of such genre analyses and how certain texts embody an organization’s purpose and organize its communicative activities. As genre theorists Carol Berkenkotter and Thomas Huckin suggest, “Understanding the genres of written communication in one’s field is [...] essential to professional success” (“Rethinking Genre”). I hope to show how an understanding of the way genres function in an organizational context provides valuable insight into the process of carrying out a purpose. Understanding the importance of written genres to this process allows one to better understand how genres organize communicative activity, and as Berkenkotter and Huckin suggest, leads to professional (or in this case, academic) success. After exploring the existing work on charter documents and genre systems, I will explore JMURJ using genre theorists Jo Anne Yates and Wanda Orlikowski’s communicative framework to show how genres communicate purpose, structure expectations, and inform locational meanings. I will then focus on the Screening Criteria document, exploring its revision history using Christa Teston and Lucille McCarthy’s framework for a charter document as context for those changes. I hope to show how the development of a charter document like the Screening Criteria document parallels the growth of a genre system like JMURJ

A Writer, an Editor, an Instructor, and an Alumna Walk into the Writing Center

As the writing center director, I believe our professional tutors provide valuable expert perspectives to student writers. They also help me mentor the peer tutors and push me to reevaluate our practices. They add staffing stability to the center (whose peer tutors never stay for more than three years). Finally, these trusted writing experts professionalize the writing center’s status among administration, faculty, and students. In the following paragraphs, Amy, Ellen, Chris, and Lindsey illustrate the rich variety of skills and perspectives professional writing tutors can contribute to a writing centerUniversity Writing Cente

Using social science in National Park Service climate communications: A case study in the National Capital Region

Since 2012, the National Park Service’s (NPS’s) Urban Ecology Research Learning Alliance (UERLA) and George Mason University’s Center for Climate Change Communication have partnered on a collaborative “research-to-practice” internship program that employs undergraduate and graduate-level students to produce interdisciplinary, science-based climate change communication products for parks in the NPS National Capital Region (NCR). Materials created through this program are rooted in social science insights (e.g., trusted sources, social norms, place-based learning), climate science, and the communication needs of participating regional parks. As a result, the end products (e.g. websites, videos, ranger toolkits) produced by this program fulfill many functions: increasing public awareness of climate impacts on park resources, nurturing the connection between people and places, meeting evolving interpretation demands by developing material for a variety of channels, effectively engaging visitors in climate dialogue, and helping parks lead by example by addressing how a changing climate can alter cultural, natural, historical, and recreational resources. The success, adaptability, and longevity of this program have provided NCR parks with a wealth of innovative products that support the park stewardship mission to preserve resources for future generations. Five examples will demonstrate the breadth of work undertaken by interns

Rationing of Treatment for Varicose Veins and Use of New Treatment Methods: A Survey of Practice in the United Kingdom

IntroductionThis study aimed to document the extent of rationing of treatment for varicose veins in the United Kingdom (UK) national health services and the extent to which new treatments are being used.ReportCompleted questionnaires were received from 75% (307/411) vascular surgeons from all areas of the UK. 46% restricted access to treatment – 13% in the absence of local referral guidance. 76% would treat patients privately who did not fulfil their health service criteria. In the health service vs private practice, foam sclerotherapy was used by 28 vs 42; radiofrequency ablation by 8 vs 30; and laser ablation by 16 vs 22.DiscussionRationing of health service treatment for varicose veins is common in the UK. More explicit selection criteria are required for introduction of new treatments and reconfigured services

Test-retest reliability and further validity of the cognitive fusion questionnaire

Introduction Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has developed from traditional behavioural theory and seeks to reduce experiential avoidance and increase psychological flexibility. It is argued to be distinct from cognitive therapy and has been used to treat a variety of mental health problems in addition to chronic pain. ACT is linked to Relational Frame Theory and the research developments associated with this. One central process of ACT is termed ‘cognitive defusion’ and this process is used to encourage individuals to become less identified with the content of their cognitions. It is important to measure the extent to which individuals become ‘fused’ with their cognitions and a Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire (CFQ) has been developed to do this. The current studies build upon earlier research by subjecting the CFQ to further reliability and validity testing and assessment of its factor structure. Method A community sample was used throughout. The majority of participants took part online, however, some participants completed paper copies of the questionnaires. Study one had a sample of 47 and focused on construct validity of the CFQ where participants completed this measure and also measures of similar and distinct constructs. The other measures included a mindfulness questionnaire, a measure of experiential avoidance and a social desirability questionnaire. Study two concerned the test-retest reliability of the CFQ. There were 82 participants in this study who completed the CFQ on two occasions, one month apart. In this study, participants also completed a measure of anxiety and depression symptoms. Study three had 144 participants and assessed the factor structure of the CFQ. Results Results from study one indicate that the CFQ negatively correlates with a measure of mindfulness and positively correlates with a measure of experiential avoidance. This study also found that the CFQ has no relationship with a measure of conscious attempts to appear more desirable. Results from study two show that there is a strong positive correlation between scores on the CFQ at testing time one and testing time two. The CFQ was also found to correlate positively with a measure of anxiety and depression symptoms and to mediate the relationship between anxiety scores at testing time one and testing time two. Confirmatory factor analysis was used in study three to assess the factor structure of the CFQ and found a two factor model was the best fit for the data. Discussion The results are considered in relation to relevant research. Limitations of the current studies are assessed and possibilities for future research discussed. In particular, cognitive fusion is discussed in relation to anxiety and depression symptoms. The similarities between the CFQ and a measure of experiential avoidance are discussed and the different aspects of measurement are reflected upon

All in the Game: Mapping and making sense of the urban through sound, language, and codes on HBO’s The Wire

The Wire has been praised for its particular realist aesthetic style that is a radical departure from the traditional television police procedural and that takes many of its cues from the film noir. The Wire’s unique use, and functioning, of sound extends beyond the limits of visual representation which privileges audio detail. It relies on listening as its central thematic to propel the story while obscuring the gaze. The series explores the specificities of Baltimore’s West Side vernacular and how its use complicates power, knowledge, and meaning while simultaneously remapping its urban spaces. It expertly demonstrates how complex vernacular, along with foreign languages, codes, dialects and accents, can complicate listening and understanding. The Wire’s representation of urban spaces and experiences allows for meaningful consideration of Edward Dimendberg’s seminal work on the representation of the city in the film noir, as well as Michel Chion’s work on film sound studies. Employing Dimendberg’s framework, and considering Henri Lefebvre’s concept of modern spatial practices, I analyze representations of The Wire’s urban spaces and experiences, taking into account the crucial role that sound and surveillance play in constituting its urban spaces and lived experiences. Employing Chion’s work, I explore how The Wire’s use of sound demands the active perception of its complex acousmatic imaginary, in order to achieve a rich understanding about different spaces within the same city. The Wire invites active engagement in order to promote complex understanding about modern American urban