Roving reporter and Ambassadors!
COVID 19 has changed a lot of things. But there are a few things that have not changed. One is that people are doing wonderful things and people need to know about it! The other is the fact that people want news. (And not all the bad stuff.) What if there was something that could be done?
I think… there is. The answer is you.
Over the last few weeks, I have posted hundreds of stories about people making a difference. (And over the years, tens of thousands of stories.) People who saw needs and decided to do something to meet the need. In other cases, it was people who just wanted to do something special.
Many times, these stories go unpublished or unreported. And what is poured out on people is the negativity and fear, that “sell” so well. I think if the last year has taught us anything, it is to value what we have and to help our fellow neighbors.
And to that end, I want to make sure that the positive news stories of paying it forward, acts of kindness, and changing the world in communities across the nation.
Over my last 20 years of news and media, I have developed with the help of others, reporters, and writers. (One of my favorites, was my friend, Jesse, who wrote remarkable stories, took AMAZING photos, and shared cool pics of her pet, Bob, in various places around the community.) Many of these people roamed their communities, seeking out the stories of people who were making a difference.
And so…
What if we help people develop their reporting and photography skills all the while enabling them to develop an income stream? Over the years, I have developed 2 trains of thought on this. The first is what I have called a “roving reporter”.
What is a roving reporter? These are people who will love their region, love being positive, and seeing the best of situations, love picture taking, and love people. A “roving reporter” is one who likes taking pictures, perhaps incorporating a story or blog entry along with various pictures. What will they take pictures of? Events, buildings, activities, landscapes, and more. What will they write about? Activities, events, fairs, and communities. More than likely you will be at these events or activities and taking pictures already.
Homebody? You may be more of a town crier than a “roving reporter”. You may just want to cover your community where you live, rather than roving about.
A roving reporter can travel anywhere and report (Write, photograph, or podcast.) on positive events and people doing amazing things. The “town crier” is covering the events and the people in their community.
Are you a Roving Reporter?
Is this a volunteer position? The answer is yes, but as I mentioned earlier, there is the potential for an income stream.
There is another “position” I see happening. I am going to call them our POSITIVITY AMBASSADORS.
The dictionary would tell us an ambassador is a person who acts as a representative or promoter of a specified activity.
A representative. A promoter. It also defines positivity as the practice of being or tendency to be positive or optimistic in attitude.
The world needs ambassadors of positivity today more than ever. And I believe there are more than one or two out there. And I think we need to gather to change the world.
There you go! If you have questions or thoughts, let us know. Know someone that would be good at one of these? (And don’t let age get in the way. I have had middle schoolers be roving reporters and folks in their 70s and 80s who have written for me. And with remote/hybrid learning, this might be a great opportunity for folks and schools to get their children and classes involved.)
Take the time to let others know!!!
