Final Report
Jillian Simmons
Ball State University
Summary
The first part of the process for the
Big Read Event at Morrison Woods Health Campus was contacting potential organizations
that might be interested in not only allowing us to host the event at their
facility, but also spreading the word about the event. Phone calls and emails
were sent out to organizations, such as Ball Memorial Hospital, Big Brothers
Big Sisters of Delaware County, Morrison Woods Health Campus, and a few more.
Morrison Woods Health Campus, which is an assisted-living and nursing facility,
was the only organization that agreed to allow us to hold the event at their
facility and spread the word about the Big Read event. Big Brother Big Sisters
of Delaware County agreed to spread the word to their members.
Our marketing strategies for the
event varied from handing out flyers to the potential organizations and
creating a Facebook event page. The first thing we did was hand out the flyers
to the potential organizations. After most them said “no” to the event, we
brought books to the facilities that said “yes,” which were Big Brothers Big
Sisters and Morrison Woods Health Campus. After that, we held a practice
workshop with the residents at Morrison Woods Health Campus as well as with
employers who were interested in the event. We gave out more books for the
residents and the employers to read before the event as well as the book in big
print, the audiobook and the movie. During the practice workshop, we talked
with residents about others who might be interested and what type of things
they would like to do or talk about during the event. We gained some valuable
information from the practice workshop, such as the name of another
organization that might be interested in the event and the type of set up we
were allowed to have at the facility. After we set a date with the facility, a
Facebook page was made for the event and was made public for everyone on
Facebook to see, especially our friends and family. I shared the Facebook page
to my Twitter page, in order to spread the word even more. With two members
gone from the group, I had to finish the project by myself.
The workshop
was supposed to begin with a showing of the film, Fahrenheit 451. However, due
to a misunderstanding, the employees at the Morris Woods Health Campus showed
the film to the residents earlier that day. The film is over an hour long and
the content was a bit much for the elderly residents, so I decided not to show
it again. Instead, we watched a special feature on the DVD that had the author,
Ray Bradbury discussing the film, the book, and its themes. Before I showed the
feature clip of the author speaking, I gave a brief presentation about the
book, its themes, the author, and other background information.
After
watching the clip of Ray Bradbury discussing how he wrote the book, we had an
open discussion while serving cookies to the residents and employees at Morris
Health Campus. The discussion included subtopics such as technology, religion,
and the burning of books. Most of the attendants were once teachers, which lead
to them discussing how society treated books fifty or so years ago, the books
they were reading, the books that they assigned their students, and times when
they were told that certain books were “too hard” or unacceptable. They
continued to discuss education and technology back in the 50’s until we had to
stop for them to return to their rooms. “Clear communication directed to your
clients’ interests, needs, and educational levels helps lessen the chance for a
communication breakdown.” (Smith, 1987, p. 3)
The
employees and participants really enjoyed the workshop. They especially liked
the discussion they were able to have with each other. The activity director,
Karen asked if I would come back do more with a different book that didn’t have
as hard a content as Fahrenheit 451. The residents of the facility also stated
that they would like to continue to have these workshops.
I achieved a
lot of what we set out to in the very beginning. The goal was to have 20 people
attend the event, not go over budget, and most importantly, our goal was to
make sure that everyone had fun. Not only did I complete these goals, but the people
who attended asked for more. What I have learned from doing the Big Read event
is how to organize a workshop as well as how to advertise for the workshop. I
learned different persuasive methods to getting people on board with you. I
learned that technology can be your best friend when it comes to sticking below
or within a budget. By contacting different organizations, I learned the
importance of persistency and consistency. If you keep at it, then eventually
you will reach your goal. By marketing, I learned that social media is a great
way to market, but face-to-face contact is always better. The workshop taught
me a lot about keeping people entertained and interested in your cause.
Demonstration url: http://mwbigreadmuncie.weebly.com/about.html
Reflection
The
highlight of these assignments was after the workshop when people asked if
there was going to be more? I was really happy that everyone liked it that
much. I was worried before the workshop, because I was doing it alone and I didn’t
think I could pull off a good workshop. However, I did.
What was
really unique about my workshop was that it consisted mostly of elderly people.
The topics that were discussed during the workshop were from the point-of-views
of many educators that lived during the 50s. They had many interesting things
to say concerning technology and the burning of books.
I completed
this assignment by being consistent and keeping in touch with the organization
that I was working with. I made sure that everyone was on the same page, even
though there was some miscommunication between the boss and the employees at
the facility. I planned the workshop around things that the residents at the
facility said that they wanted.
The lessons
that I gained was learning altogether how to put together a workshop. I also
learned tips, such as face-to-face contact is the best way to market and
consistent contact is the best way to keep people interested in your cause. I
learned that technology can be helpful with any age group and it helps to keep
your activities within the budget.
Some things
that I wish I had done in the workshop was put together a game surrounding the
themes of the book and a gift card or gift give away.
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Components
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Organization
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Marketing
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Workshop
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Results
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Contacted about
10 organizations. Only two agreed to join in the event.
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Got two
organizations to spread the word and one organization to allow us to have the
event at their facility
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Had 20 people
attend
Everyone wanted
another event
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Significant
Ideas/Methods
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Made calls
Sent emails
Met
face-to-face with organizations
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Had practice
workshop, which was the best idea in preparing the actual workshop
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Used requests
made at the practice workshop that participants wanted, which was a good open
conversation
Used technology
and a movie
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Suggestions for
Practitioners
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Face-to-face
contact and consistency is the best way to get people to jump on board with
you
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Have a practice
run with your participants and get their opinions and requests for what they
want at an event
Bring materials,
books, flyers, etc. from your workshop
as examples
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Technology is
free and works with any age group
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Reference
Smith, B. (1987). Marketing your adult literacy program: A "how to" manual.
New York: New York State Adult Literacy Program
