Howard University President: Research Center Will Not Close 11/18/2009
In a Nov. 16 letter posted on the university Web site, Howard President Sidney A. Ribeau reaffirmed the college’s commitment to keeping the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center open. The letter was posted in response to a recent article in the student daily newspaper, the Hilltop, that questioned the facility’s future. The center houses thousands of bound volumes, journals, manuscripts and other data chronicling the lives of African descendants throughout the Diaspora.
“ This story sparked articles and outcries across the country. We have received your letters, emails and Facebook messages. Please be assured that the University will not close Moorland-Spingarn and there were never plans to do so,” Ribeau said. “Despite recent budget cuts across the University to weather the economic downturn, we have not reduced funding to the Center. In fact, a national search will begin shortly to find a permanent director to continue the stellar work Dr. Thomas Battle has done for more than two decades. The new leader will also expand the ‘Friends of MSRC’ fundraising program launched in 1996 and explore ways to attract additional financial support for a stronger Moorland-Spingarn.”
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.
Free teleconference on freelancing 11/16/2009
Information obtained from Richard Prince’s three-times-a-week online column, Journal-isms:
Freelance writer Katherine Reynolds Lewis, former money/work reporter in Newhouse News Service’s Washington Bureau, has organized a free teleconference on “How to Succeed As a Freelancer or Consultant.” Co-sponsored by the Washington chapter of the Asian American Journalists Association and CurrentMom.com, the teleconference runs from 2-3:30 p.m. EST on Wednesday. To register, visit http://workfreelance.eventbrite.com/
According to AAJA, the speakers include
Speakers include:
* Joe Grimm, creator of JobsPage.com, Poynter columnist and visiting journalist at Michigan State University
* Stephenie Overman, freelance writer and DC Society of Professional Journalists’ freelance coordinator
* Katherine Reynolds Lewis, freelance writer for outlets such as About.com, MSN Money and Parade, and founder of CurrentMom.com, a site for entrepreneurs
* Victoria Lim, media trainer, freelance journalist, consultant and convergence expert
* Arnesa Howell, freelance writer for magazines including People and Money.
Topics to be covered:
* Starting a freelance career on the sidelines of your day job
* Balancing fun or prestigious assignments with bread-and-butter work that pays the mortgage
* Is this the golden age of freelancing? Or a good time to flee to the safety of a solid employer?
* Pitching and cultivating relationships with editors or other clients
* How to think like an entrepreneur, not an employee
