Red Cross Sells Treasures to Cut Deficit 11/17/2009
Responding to Midwest floods in summer 2008. Image courtesy of the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross is selling pieces of its history as part of its cost-cutting efforts over the past two years. Today, an auction featuring items such as nurse uniforms from the Civil War will be one of the “first rounds of an extensive sale of treasures the American Red Cross has amassed over the decades,” according to an Associated Press story.
“There’s an opportunity for people to purchase a part of the Red Cross history and at the same time contribute to our humanitarian mission,” said Red Cross spokesman Roger Lowe. At a time when many companies are cutting back on such vast archival collections, 128-year-old charity, he said, is asking itself, “Do I really need all of this?”
To save $3 million annually, the charity will close its Lorton, Va. where thousands of objects are stored.
According to the AP, “the online auctions began this month through Heritage Auction Galleries and will continue through February.”
Many items predate the founding of the charity in 1881. Many will be sent to the National Archives while “the most historically significant art and objects will be kept at the Washington headquarters and others will be auctioned in the largest sale in years, said archivist Susan Watson.”
“The charity will honor donor intent and keep its best and most historically significant art and objects, Lowe said. That will include original paintings by Norman Rockwell, Howard Chandler Christy and African-American artist Henry Ossawa Tanner, among others. Rockwell was commissioned to do paintings for the Red Cross as the basis of posters asking people to join or donate,” according to the AP.
The Red Cross assists disaster victims, supplies blood and supports military personnel and their families as well as teaches life-saving skills through its nearly 720 chapters.
Journos Using Facebook 11/10/2009
The Poynter Institute will host a Webinar Thursday to help journalists effectively use Facebook to reach new audiences, enhance their storytelling and engage online readers.
The event, offered via Poynter’s NewsU, begins at 2 p.m. Eastern time on Nov. 12.
Ellyn Angelotti, interactivity editor of Poynter Online and adjunct faculty at Poynter, will demonstrate how news organizations are using Facebook. Participants will explore best practices and techniques for building an online presence.
The one-hour Webinar costs $24.95. For more information and to register, go to www.newsu.org/FacebookWebinar09.
Tools for Freelance Writers 09/03/2009
Courtesy of an e-mail sent to members of NABJ’s Digital Journalism Task Force, a link to free online resources useful to freelance writers, http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/2009/09/49-free-online-reference-tools-for-freelance-writers/. The information comes from the Freelance Writing Jobs Network.
Sharpen photography, multimedia skills via free Webinars 08/31/2009
I appreciate members of the NABJ Digital Journalism Task Force for sharing helpful information. Courtesy of one recent e-mail, I learned about how Seattle-based CreativeTechs is starting a series of free webinars on various subjects including digital photography, Photoshop and Dreamweaver. Information about the classes or CreativeTechs’ training schedule.
CreativeTechs provide outsourced Mac IT support for various clients including graphic design firms, advertising agencies, photography studios, and video houses.
