In May, the Subway sandwich chain launched a special promotion called “Every Sandwich Tells a Story,” geared for school children in Pre-K through 6th grade. As a light writing project, it would seem to be a worthwhile summer kind of activity to keep the children active in a positive way. However, the eligibility requirements specifically exclude the estimated 2 million homeschool students in the United States.
Following a lengthy delay after the hew and cry from homeschoolers, along with related homeschool support organizations including the Homeschool Legal Defense Association, Subway finally responded by issuing an apology. The exclusion of homeschoolers was referred to by Subway as an “inadvertent limitation”. The contest was designed with the intention of providing funds for athletic equipment for traditional schools that may be short of funds, according to the report by Brit Hume on FOX News.
This is indeed an amazing story. It is an incredible boo-boo on Subway’s part, obvious beyond the point of ignoring. By all rights this should go down in the annuals as a case study on how not to design a contest.
Occasionally upon cursory review of special promotions and contest details, I wish I knew who writes the rules for these companies. At one point in my career, I wrote them for the travel industry in Florida, for the major attractions and US airlines for co-promotional joint venture sweepstakes and promotions. As you might imagine, great care is taken in this. One would think such would be the case today in the litigious society in which we live.
I believe that if any company is holding a promotion such as this, it is discriminatory for them to specify particular prizes to either public schools and certain other prizes designated for homeschools. Granted, these are not the same entities, however — in all fairness — the true issue here — there should be no distinction. If the company has the prize, gift, funds to award, it should be done so. Otherwise, said company should write up a program that grants funds to schools that make application and meet specific requirements to receive funds.
The fact remains that “homeschoolers” were intentionally disqualified from participating in this contest. From what I have read, there didn’t seem to be much of an explanation for the rationale — unless I missed it.
“Help! My Teenager is an Alien” Radio Show with Sarah Newton, Wednesday, June 18th at 1:30PM EDTJoin Sarah Newton and Becky Cortino as we discuss the joys of parenting and having fun with your children - yes it is possible! Having fun opens the door and helps us communicate with one another, foster learning and grow deeper relationships. Find out how.
Show Info –> http://snipurl.com/2c1ej You may — or may not know Sarah, but — Sarah Newton is sometimes known as Britain’s well-known teen coach. She is the only teen coach to have hosted her own eight-part TV series, ‘My Teen’s a Nightmare – I’m Moving Out.’ Sarah has been seen on most channels, with one of her programs being watch by 1 in 4 of the UK population. Her first book, “Help! My Teenager is an Alien - the Everyday Situation Guide for Parents” was launched in March 2007 and rarely drops off the top ten parenting teenager book list. She recently learned that her book is being translated into Polish and Chinese.
I met Sarah earlier this year and have been quite inspired by her story and the invaluable work she does with teens and their families. How she became Britain’s best-known teen coach is an amazing story! During her job as a police officer in London, Sarah worked with a 15-year-old boy named Luke. In tears he confessed that he was in jail because everyone expected him to be there. He could see no way out and felt society had given up on him. She was the last person to speak with him before he took his life in his cell.
Sarah has a strong commitment to helping teens and their families to strengthen their relationships. Hope you will tune into “Help! My Teen is an Alien” Radio Show with Sarah Newton and I on Wednesday, June 18 at 1:30PM EDT.
Inspired by Sarah and her work, I have written “Are We Having FUN, Yet?” EBook. It is available to her listeners and to you! About “Are We Having FUN, Yet” EBook author:
About “Are We Having FUN, Yet” EBook author: Becky Cortino follows a meandering joy-filled journey from a marketing/PR consultancy she founded to homeschool her two sons with her husband beginning in 1999.
Eventually the Cortino family discovered their hearts’ desire through healing humor and in thyme! Since 1997, the Cortino family actively performs as family entertainers with FESTIVO! Creative Arts Ministry and Frye Regional Medical Center’s Charlie’s Chaplains hospital creative ministry. Becky has served as Charlie’s Chaplains’ coordinator since 2003. Ms. Cortino has a heart to share her passion and message of encouragement as a writer, featured public speaker and presenter.
Leaping flames of discord are reaching epic proportions, following the release of Scott McClellan’sbook “What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and What’s Wrong with Washington.” The tenor of the debate regarding the veracity of this alleged memoir is also heating up.
Here’s what we know:
This book’s direction dramatically, radically changed from the original presentation, as publicly acknowledged by former White House spokesman Ari Fleischer, in reference to his previous conversations with Scott about the book before it hit print.
Based on his prior contacts with Scott McClellan, Fleischer suggested the book was heavily influenced by the publisher’s editor who suggested making the tone of the book more negative to sell better.
Editor changes have been repeatedly denied by McClellan.
McClellan claims he wrote this book is to share his “experience, so we can learn from it.”
Our country enjoys freedom of expression for all.
In my observations, Scott McClellan was a weak and ineffectual White House Press Secretary. Following in the footsteps of Ari Fleischer would indeed be challenging, but I do find it hard to believe the White House purposely placed him in this position as a means of Rollback, a cutback or media hold-back technique, as NYU Department of Journalism accuses. It seems counter-intuitive that a dwarf would be placed between two giants, to hold the fort down for even 5 minutes. Why I believe this is because upon his resignation, Tony Snow replaced him. Was he hired as a temporary cost-cutting measure? If so, in hindsight, this then would be at great expense in the long-run.
Politicians, press and people are viewing this book and the ensuing flurry of inflammatory Scott McClellan interviews. In the midst of this mess, I think everyone is missing the main point. It doesn’t matter on which “side” of the fence you most often reside, or what Scott McClellan writes, says or even thinks. In fact, it doesn’t matter how well-connected he is — or was – or still may be.
I’m wondering:
If McClellan’s editor didn’t make any changes in the book, we then conclude he did. One must ponder how and why his views so radically changed from the original inception to the finished book.
How did he escape editor revisions in the process? He almost makes it sound as if he wrote the book and ran right out to get it printed. From the writers I know who work with large publishing houses, this would be an accomplished feat!
If Scott McClellan truly believed all that he shared in his book, what was his rationale for remaining in his post for any length of time?
Previously viewed as an ineffective communicator, why is anyone listening to Scott McClelland now?
I’m thinking:
This book is probably Scott’s attempt at building a platform for himself, at any expense.
If Scott McClellan harbored these views during his tenure as White House Press Secretary, why did he remain? I for one would never take a position nor accept a client whose way of doing business or operations were not above-board. One’s professional reputation is to be guarded.
As anyone, a professional may have opinions. Communication professionals are usually adept at appropriately expressing ideas. When making their thoughts known, usually the higher road is taken.
If you are hired for a position or to work with a client as a communications professional, you don’t write a book like this about them later, even if it is your opinion. If you do write a book like this, you are guilty by association.
If Scott McClellan’s premise for writing “What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and What’s Wrong with Washington” was to share his “experience, so we can learn from it,” – what have we learned?
What do you think?
Becky Cortino is a Marketing/Public Relations Independent Professional who established her consultancy in Tampa, Florida 1982. Since relocating to western North Carolina, she currently offers professional communications services to clients on a special project basis.
We often hear the positive benefits of exercise include not only physical aspect, but mental and emotional boosts as well. I recently heard a program on how practicing yoga markedly affects stress levels through the breathing methods incorporated in the process. Stress contributes to heart disease and stroke, but practicing yoga can be a great preventative medicine.
Yoga – and gentle exercise – offer great positive effects:
· Increased strength, flexibility and balance
· Improved heart and lung function
· Lowered blood pressure and cholesterol
· Strengthened immune system
· Relieving depression and anxiety
· Easing arthritic pain
· Helps slow the aging process
By its very essence, yoga is the union of the mind and body through breath. Said to have been developed 5,000 years ago in India, with the purpose of calming the mind and increasing personal awareness. In actuality, yoga is merely a stress-reducing technique calming the mind through relaxation, and is not a religion nor incorporated as a religious practice – both common misconceptions.
This gentle approach certainly flies in the face of the exercise philosophies many hold dear today, touting, “No pain, no gain.” Through much study, yoga has been shown to be powerful – yet gentle, as a means of improving health and accessing the body’s healing mechanisms.
There are many tools in the toolbox for those who are weak, infirm or for older adults to receive benefit from yoga. Therapeutic yoga is delivered one-on-one with a trained therapist, to address the individual’s needs. A primary focus in therapeutic yoga is breathing.
For anyone who is interested in getting started with yoga, it is important to:
· Work with someone who is knowledgeable.
· Be patient: go slow and steady, otherwise may do more harm than good
· There are some risks: Doing too much or something inappropriate to your medical condition
Timothy McCall, MD, is a primary care physician. After writing his first book Examining Your Doctor: A Patient’s Guide To Avoiding Harmful Medical Care, he became interested in yoga, personally and professionally. He currently serves as medical editor of Yoga Journal and is author of the book, Yoga as Medicine: The Yogic Prescription for Health and Healing.
Carol Krucoff, RYT, is an award-winning journalist, yoga therapist and fitness expert, is a yoga therapist at Duke Integrative Medicine. Ms. Krucoff co-authored Healing Moves: How to Cure, Relieve and Prevent Common Ailments with Exercise. Her latest project is “Healing Moves Yoga,” an audio CD that offers a basic, home yoga practice for all levels.
In these fast-paced days often filled with uncertainty, the serenity and enjoyment of digging in the dirt seems be a natural salve to calm jangled nerves. Nurturing plants soothes the spirit and in the process, may even put food or flowers on the table, bringing the peace inside.
A recently survey on early spring trends conducted by the Garden Writers Association Foundation (GWAF), indicates that vegetable gardening is projected to gain popularity this growing season. The primary factors encouraging this new gardening trend are rising gas prices, increasing food costs, and a fluctuating economy.
While growing a garden sounds like a lovely idea, you may be concerned about the time and knowledge needed to establish and maintain one. With the cost of everything is going up, shortcuts and understanding effective ways to garden would help ensure your success for the time and money invested.
Herbal Treasures’ Weekly Garden Tips delivers information based on real life experience and research, put together by Becky Cortino, Master Gardener Volunteer Graduate (’98). Ms. Cortino is a contributor to the recently-published Herb Society of America’s Essential Guide to Growing and Cooking with Herbs, a special project benefiting the National Herb Garden.
What can you expect?
Sage advice seasoned with experience and encouragement to help you in your gardening.
Are you planning to grow the Garden of Your Dreams in 2008?
Do you plan to fine-tune an existing garden or designing a new one?
Are you unsure, and want or need some sage advice to inspire and get you growing?
Sign-up to receive Herbal Treasures’ Weekly Garden Tips seasoned with experience throughout the growing season:
Leaping flames of discord are reaching epic proportions, following the release of Scott McClellan’s book “What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and What’s Wrong with Washington.” The tenor of the debate regarding the veracity of this alleged memoir is also heating up.
