Brodie is Back!

It's been a busy week! I've been getting ready for my first workshop offered by Walk in My Shoes.

My colleague, Mike Sexton, public information officer for the Mecklenburg County Community Services Women's Commission, and I are presenting the workshop "Utilizing the Media: Insights for Non-profits". Mandy Locke, reporter for the Raleigh News and Observer, will be a guest speaker.

One lesson that keeps presenting itself to me this past year is learning to express gratitude. I am so grateful to all of my friends and colleagues who helped me put this workshop together and get the word out.

At the workshop, participants will learn about media relations including being a spokesperson for your agency, giving an elevator speech, writing a press release, and building relationships with the media. Finally the participants will have the opportunity to give a mock television interview and watch themselves on camera. Some participants have already expressed their nervousness to me. Completely understandable. It can be intimidating to be in front of a camera talking about the topics that mean the most to you. It is also a way to make an impact on communities, build understanding and garner support for your agency.

I'm very excited about this workshop and look forward to offering it again later this year.

In other Brodie news:
I continued my "blast from the past" weekend and went to see the Cheap Trick, Heart, Journey concert on Sunday night with friends. Love those Wilson sisters! Still singing so well after all these years. And who couldn't love the new singer for Journey. A truly amazing story - catch it on YouTube if you don't already know about Arnel Pineda.

Speaking of singing, my sister's video of the Brodie Family Reunion arrived. And yes, it has each of us singing a capella on the beach at the Second Annual A Capella Night! I sang, Ants Go Marching by the Dave Matthews Band. And yes, I do use the term "singing" loosely! : )

I'm giving 2 more workshops next week and then I'm off to Maryland in early September for a 2-day workshop for a domestic violence agency.