Amplified: September 2008

AMPLIFIERS OF THE MONTH

Earthjustice Uses Interactive Map to Show Mercury Sites

Earthjustice is letting the nation know about the mercury and other pollutants that are being emitted by cement kilns across the country.  In conjunction with the release of the new Earthjustice report on mercury pollution from cement kilns, APA helped build out an interactive map that allows visitors to see where over a third of them are and leave comments about the ones near them.   APA also worked to create an interactive area on the campaign home page where visitors can easily access more information and learn how take action to protect themselves and our environment from mercury pollution.

New Report Released on Impending Health Workforce Shortage

APA was pleased to assist the Association of Academic Health Centers (AAHC) with the promotion of its new report, Out Of Order, Out Of Time: The State Of The Nation’s Health Workforce. Released at a press conference in front of numerous health experts and the media, AAHC and academic  health center leaders from across the country warned that the nation is running out of time to address the impending health workforce crises.  Panelists called for immediate action to create the infrastructure for policymaking that will respond to 21st century health care needs.  The report was picked up by numerous media outlets across the country and helped draw attention to the critical issue of health workforce.

GET TO KNOW YOUR WEB 2.0

APA Sponsors Netroots Nation in Second Life

Bloggers and activists journeyed from across the world to congregate July 17-20, 2008, in one of the largest annual gatherings of progressive activists.  Leading progressive luminaries and thought-leaders united to discuss the upcoming presidential elections, the war in Iraq, and the urgent need to address climate change.

Sounds like Netroots Nation, right?

You’d be right, if the attendees weren’t teleporting and flying from one panel discussion to the next.  This is Netroots Nation in Second Life, a parallel conference to the “real world” Netroots Nation conference that took place in Austin, Texas. 

In addition to the in-world panels and events, video from the real-life keynote addresses in Austin were streamed into Second Life so that participants could watch the action.  Avatars were also able to interact with real-world conference participants by typing their questions in the in-world chat which was then broadcast on a screen in Austin.

For the second year in a row, APA was proud to sponsor Netroots Nation in Second Life.  “Second Life is a dynamic platform for showcasing APA’s role in pushing the envelope of online public affairs and we couldn’t be happier with the success of this year’s Netroots Nation in Second Life event,” said John Breyault, Director of Research for APA.

APA OUT AND ABOUT

APA Promotes Eye Health this Summer

Raquel Ortiz, APA’s Director of Public Relations, and Iris Maldonado, APA’s Public Affairs Associate, recently participated in three of the top minority and diversity conferences in the country to promote healthy vision on behalf of the Am Eye Healthy? campaign.  Am Eye Healthy? participated at the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) National Convention in Washington D.C.; the NAACP Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio; and the National Urban League (NUL)Conference in Orlando, Florida.

Over the course of the events 144 individuals were screened, and 55 individuals were referred for follow-up care due to inconsistencies in their results.  The results highlight the need for continued awareness among minorities and APA was pleased to offer these services to the community as part of the Am Eye Healthy? effort.

Am Eye Healthy? is an eye health awareness and education campaign launched by APA (IDI) in 2006 and made possible by leading non-profit organizations working in cooperation with Novartis Pharmaceuticals.  Since its launch in 2006, Am Eye Healthy? has provided vision screenings and eye health education to thousands of individuals across the country.

APA at the DNC

APA’s Director of Strategic Alliances, Pat Engel, represented APA at the Democratic National Convention in Denver last week. Pat is a political expert thanks her many years in Washington, DC, and is the wife of Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY). Pat had an action-packed schedule of events and parties and found it impossible to do everything she had planned to do. She reports that her favorite parts were Senator Hillary Clinton's speech, President Clinton's speech, and of course, Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama's acceptance speech. “It was very exciting to attend the Democratic convention in Denver Colorado last week,” she says. “One would have to attend a political convention in order fully realize this experience.”

APA is Leading Communications Activities for Washington Network Group

APA congratulates Shana Glickfield, Director of Strategic Communications, on her appointment to the Communications Roundtable Steering Committee of the Washington Network Group.  “Washington Network Group is a DC institution that has been connecting local professionals with critical industry information and with each other for years.   I am so proud to be a part of it.”  Shana looks forward to bringing both her traditional and new media communications expertise to future Washington Network Group events, first and foremost a networking reception for communications professionals on September 17th.

JOIN US...

Other September Calendar Highlights

• September 6-7, National Council of Negro Women, Black Family Reunion, National Mall, Washington, DC
• September 8-9, Consumer Federation of America, National Food Policy Conference, Washington, DC
• September 7-10, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), Public Policy Conference & Annual Gala, Washington, DC
• September 16-19, O’Reilly Media, Web 2.0 Expo NY, New York, NY
• September 24, United Church of Christ and the Telecommunications Research and Action Center, The Parker Ethics in Telecommunications Lecture, Washington, DC
• September 24-27, Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Annual Legislative Conference, Washington, DC