Mother Nature has reared her head and predictably unpredictable hit the Gulf Coast with a vicious blow. More orderly, there is a common place where people seek solace and healing - in their faith. America, in turn, is a country founded on faith, and this article chronicles the birth and growth of one of the efforts by people of faith to help their fellows. Realizing the immediate need for financial and spiritual support for victims of Hurricane Katrina, Rodney Sampson, a highly respected expert in faith-based marketing involving some of the biggest names in the African American community, is launching a national campaign to address these specific needs.
When I interviewed Sampson, I found that he was a stabilizing influence and very concentrated. "At the beginning of the Bible, the story of Cain and Abel we learn that we are our brother's keeper," said Sampson. "Our brothers and sisters in New Orleans and along the Gulf Coast are hurting and in need. And 'our collective responsibility to take care of their needs not only spiritual but also their physical needs." Sampson, founder of World Christian Times (www.worldchristiantimes.com) and Intellectual Change (www.intellectualcurrency.com) is mobilizing the hip-hop, entertainment, business and faith communities on the basis of encouraging industry colleagues to donate money and provide strategic support for organized relief efforts in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. "At this point, we are organizing a grass roots global campaign to encourage people to donate money to Operation Rescue, which focuses on support for both immediate and in transition," said Sampson. Sampson is clearly trying to look ahead and anticipate the needs of over half a million people newly displaced.
Hurricane Katrina VICTIMS RELIEF FOCUS
Speaking Sampson discussed rescue operation and its specific focus. Realizing that tens of millions of dollars will be donated, but it can never affect the people most directly affected by the rescue operation funds raised will be distributed in four strategic areas:
SECURITY - Monies will be donated to religious organizations to assist with direct contact with families in transition. medical supplies, prescription drugs, toiletries and other necessities will be purchased and delivered directly to families in transition.
Attitudes - Bibles and other books will be purchased and provided encouraging families in transition, diffusion of Internet technology will be used to deliver encouraging messages of hope and faith based leaders of entertainment.
PROFITABILITY - clothes, books and toys will be purchased, collected and distributed to families in transition.
ECONOMICS - The World Christian Times will develop a package of economic transition for families in search of work, living space, and the school for their children. Displaced families can apply directly for the money. Partner organizations are being now assist in this process.
We are also looking to collaborate with more organizations to fulfill other important needs for the displaced of the cyclone, including putting Bibles in their hands, and connect with spiritual advice, job opportunities and financial assistance, said Sampson. "Interestingly Sampson, who is focusing much of its efforts on how the younger generation hip-hop can participate in the rescue.
A MILLION FOR HURRICANE Katrina PARTNERS NEEDED
The immediate objective of the World Christian Times is to get one million global partners and concerned citizens to donate a minimum of ten dollars a month for a minimum of six months. The World Christian times the emergency call center and online system will manage all donations. A 24-hour hot line was quickly established (1-888-777-3473) to receive donations from concerned citizens. "Often, celebrities and the entertainment can make large donations once directly to disaster relief organizations," Sampson noted. However, our goal is to use their God given influence in collaboration with our technology and infrastructure to encourage their fans and followers also give. This strategy will have a greater impact and that is what we are planning and execution. "Other small businesses have joined Sampson, in an effort to raise awareness that will be coordinated through the Web sites of major effort, and www.operationsave.us www.worldchristiantimes.com. Public relations, Internet marketing, Web development, Internet streaming, CPA, media , marketing and businesses are joining the cause. The conversations are held with the Bible and publishing houses, transport companies, and companies' personnel to contribute to this effort.
Katrina STRATEGY AFTER THE CURRENT
To run the campaign "Operation SAVE, The World Christian Times and its partner organizations have created a website entitled www.opreationsave.us Central. This interactive website to view video clips from hip-hop and entertainment community, called the requests for action, news updates and details on how the global community can participate. One additional feature of the site which would provide a real-time network among potential employers of the victims of that no longer work. Remember it will take months for New Orleans, still be habitable, and all but large enterprises will be long closed. In fact, this may well be the single largest one-day reduction of jobs in the U.S. base used in the country's history. Finally, the site will be a portal to support the distribution of clothing, spiritual materials as the Bible, and even something as simple as toys for the tens of thousands of children who have lost everything.
Every time you talk with Sampson a deadline gets closer - "influencers". Sampson says categorically "The concept of a role model has been twisted in so many directions that I felt a new term should be coined" Sampson continues: "I noticed that people in leading positions effectively influence the actions of others from here term influence. " Rescue operation is focusing on key influencers that will direct people from all walks of life to go to the site of rescue operation or call the hotline.
MISSION HARD relief, but not impossible
Sampson to attract partners to give one million monthly is difficult, but certainly not impossible. Work with churches, companies and not-for-profit organizations on a daily basis are using direct mail, Internet, call center and creative marketing strategies to build global partnership programs that generate millions of dollars a year.
A society that has moved to the school curriculum is called partnership Aid (www.careerschoolaid.com), overseen by Managing Director, Sam Ingram. The company is well known for his efforts to help people through lifelong learning involves dozens of partner schools in many different sectors. "My first reaction to events in the Gulf Coast was shock and" disbelief, Ingram said, "I knew I had to do and luckily I was introduced to the efforts of Rodney Sampson and rescue operation. Our company intends to focus mission re-training displaced New Orleans. " Ingram went on to say that people will end up having to get on with the rest of their lives, and feels strongly that the federal government will develop a long-term plan of rehabilitation for the displaced.
Sampson hopes that influencers like Ingram will know and understand how their 'brand "and" popularity "can be used with the technology and scope to achieve more than just a one-time donation. There are millions of followers, their hip- hop, faith, and entertainment guide a multi-billion dollar market. "It 's proved that Billions of dollars are generated each year through the sale of albums, concerts, conferences, festivals, books, and endorsements" proclaimed Sampson. "Our collective goal is to move a small percentage of these revenue streams to a global common good that will reach the audience that these influencers serve.
Sampson as he sits in his office, with phones ringing seemingly every 30 seconds, a bit 'of his philosophy is revealed. "The difficult we do immediately. The impossible but requires a second longer," said Samson and peers into the future. Only time will tell if the rest of us can see his vision.
Rena Olsen Contributing Writer
International Direct Printing
Contributing Writer
Bruce Prokopets
Executive Editor
International Direct Printing
www.pressdirectinternational.com
No comments:
Post a Comment