Time for a Change

It is a new year and a new era for me. This blog has tracked my progress in the field of Journalism from the very beginning of my tenure. However, the time has come to take this platform (a rather holdge-podge of articles and memoirs) and turn it into something more targeted and mission driven. That being said, I am not abandoning my work...you will still be able to search back through the archives and find my early writings.

Now...the transition. Moving forward, I would like to dedicate this space as a canvas for reflection and sharing insights into the world of social media management. The key to successful social media campaigning (especially for a nonprofit) is the ability to stay abreast of the latest discoveries, and to make your own and to share them. This collaborative environment stems from Mark Zuckerberg, himself, and the Facebook philosophy of open information interaction. Instead of keeping his product a secret, Zuckerberg has attempted to make Facebook available to anyone who has an interest in exploring the network. The Facebook backend, templates, and profile fields are open to everyday users and developers, alike, to develop ideas and expand upon their platform as much as they desire. This democratic approach sets a precedent that allows for positive feedback, and sharing of information that leaves the user feeling valued and empowered. I believe that this cultural change does not discount the need for careful monitoring of social media sites and a continued effort for brand name protection, but it broadens our horizons in a world where a narrow perspective on life, limits opportunity. Well done, Mark.

Ten Things to Tell my Sister

I recently sent my littlest sister (at prep school) a long list of things that I recommended she learn BEFORE college. These are things that I wish I had known or at least picked up on quickly; it would have made my life a whole heck of a lot easier.

As I do not have the exact piece of notepaper in front of me now, I will recall what I can:

1.) Learn to love doing laundry. Nothing is better than a fresh, crisp bed of clean sheets to slip into at the end of a long day.

2.) Carefully choose your friends. This does not mean that you are rude to others, but be cautious as to whom you choose to share your heart.

3.) Throw aside reason now and again. Otherwise, you will forget what it is like to laugh at all things ridiculous.

She's an Original

My mother went back to school the same year that I headed off to Boston University to start my freshman year of college. I am embarrassed to say that I was not thrilled with the prospect of my mother walking around the UVM campus with so many of my high school friends; however, Mum was determined to get certified as a teacher and this was how she planned to do it. Aside from the occasional story that my mother would recall on the phone (about how she said, "Hi" to my friend Matt on the campus shuttle bus), I was proud of her.

Carbon Offsets: An Unearthed Treasure or Pain in the Asset?

It’s like driving a car, attempting to follow a complicated map with no straightforward directions: so frustrating! Then along comes the modern day GPS system that is easy to use; you enter data and it spits out your destination. Easy as pie.

This is the analogy that Tom Kineshanko gave, when describing his company’s carbon offset identification and monetization software platform, a tool called OffsetID. Habitat Carbon Assets, founded two years ago in Vancouver, British Columbia, is on a mission to help Cleantech sellers benefit from carbon offset revenue from the sale of their technology.

Like all of his life’s work– Kineshanko is also involved with several other clean energy nonprofits– Habitat’s overall mission is to decrease carbon emissions quickly, by encouraging more and more businesses to transition over to clean energy fuel.

Trunks exposed: Ancient Trees Felled in Boston Garden

On the first cold Saturday of the season, I took a stroll through Boston Common (my new backyard) and found city workers busy as bees, hacking down some of Boston's nicest old trees.



Unfortunately, I am not a girl scout and I failed my wilderness badge at summer camp, so I cannot tell you the type of tree (although, if you do have this special "natural" talent, you may be able to decipher this from the photos of the trunks). Honestly, I was shocked at the width of the trunks (I have yet to see California Redwoods with my own eyes) and the beauty of the rings, which emanated from the core of the trunk- like waves rippling in a pool.

Boston Celebrates Green on Earth Day

Students from towns across the state of Massachusetts and New Hampshire got permission to take time off school on April 22, 2010 to honor global commitment to the environment. Gathering on the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway in downtown Boston, hundreds of people enjoyed a free lunch time concert by bands They Might be Giants and Citizen Cope.

The event was hosted by Boston’s independent and solar-powered radio station (WXRV) in honor of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. The choice of venue reflected a new model of dynamic outdoor space created with the intent of bringing Bostonians together to enjoy the city.

A Variety of environmental groups, clean energy organizations, and organic food companies were present giving out t-shirts and samples. I tried some humus with pita in a small container- delicious, healthy, on-the-go snack!


By Catherine Moore, camorous@gmail.com