Hi all,

As Michelle said in her message below, the JTM board had it's first face to face meeting on April 21 and 22.  Given our new status as a 501(c)(3), it was a timely session that helped us get clearer about why we exist, who we serve, and how.  I've shared a working draft of our mission and related materials below my signature, along with a few notes about the session.  Comments welcome.

I want to echo Michelle's request for your ideas on how to share your stories:

The feedback we got from our alumni while preparing for the board strategy meeting is that many of you came to a JTM event with the seed of an idea and were able to move it further and faster because of the wide array of people and spirit of collaboration that's present in our sessions.  

We want your ideas on how to share stories of sparks kindled as well as work birthed at JTM in order to create a place to go to understand the emerging characteristics of journalism that serves the needs of a civil society in this digital age.

A breakthrough during our strategy session for me came from hearing that JTM has a reputation for convening wonderful conversations but nothing ever happens.  We know that’s false.  We want to turn that perception to:
JTM convenes amazing conversations that lead to breakthrough thinking and action.  We want to position JTM as the place to go to know what’s working and why in the new ecosystem.

We want your help in considering how best to do accomplish this goal.

What excites me about this idea is that it adds critical leg to what JTM is about.  You told us what differentiates JTM is that:

·               We focus on what “matters” – journalism that serves civil society –(Depth)

·               We bring together a broad array of people who care about news and information serving communities and democracy (Breadth)

·               We broaden and deepen the conversations about the role of journalism in civil society using organic engagement strategies that connect people in conditions that foster collaboration and bolster the confidence to act. (A mashup with depth and breadth)

This thread of storytelling amplifies what we do by making visible both what we are learning about emerging principles of the evolving news and information ecosystem and the exciting examples of how you are putting those principles to work, making a difference in communities.

So on or off list, let us know your thoughts on this new dimension of JTM.

Thanks for all that you do,
Peggy

JTM Mission
Journalism That Matters shapes an evolving news ecology that cultivates thriving communities.  We believe journalism matters most when it is of, by, and for the people.

JTM believes that journalism does matter and that its central mission is to help people have the news and information they need to be free and self-governing. Journalism distinguishes itself from other communication in that it strives to meet the highest standards of public service through independent fact-based truth, accuracy, fairness, balance, clarity and integrity.

Who we serve

JTM serves those who are shaping the evolving news and information ecosystem including emerging and traditional journalists, people and their communities, and others who contribute to civic discourse, such as educators, information technologists and librarians.

Value Proposition

We serve by:

Bringing together a wide array of people so that journalism engages communities and communities engage in journalism.
Using breakthrough engagement that fosters collaboration, innovation, and confidence to address complex challenges.
Making visible the emerging principles of journalism by, for and of the people by sharing stories of the evolving news and information ecosystem.

Our Brand

JTM has a proven track record of engagement that creates breakthrough ideas, innovation, collaboration and action. It works at the intersection of journalism and communities, helping journalism sustain communities and communities sustain journalism.  Our more than 1,200 participants affirm that JTM has inspired new ideas, projects, roles, partnerships, ventures, and fresh soil for nurturing participatory democracy.

__________________________________
Peggy Holman
Journalism that Matters
15347 SE 49th Place
Bellevue, WA  98006
425-746-6274
www.journalismthatmatters.org
www.peggyholman.com

Enjoy the award winning Engaging Emergence: Turning Upheaval into Opportunity