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[dropcap3]1[/dropcap3]Writer Tracker: This document outlines your weekly assignments and expectations. Download it today and begin working on “Week 1″ Assignments.
[button link=”http://borgenteam.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Research-Writer-Tracker-Summer-2014.doc” size=”large” text=”light” window=”yes” color=”green”]Research Writers Weekly Tracker [/button]
Cross out each assignment (example below) as you complete it and email the entire Weekly Tracker document to [email protected] by Friday 11 PM PST of each week.
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[dropcap3]2[/dropcap3]Writer Requirements: We don’t require you to keep track of hours. Telecommuting hours are based entirely on meeting the weekly targets. Keep in mind that not meeting the weekly assignments, is the equivalent of not showing up to work. The following is the minimum required for the successful completion of the writer program.
- Create 22 high-quality articles.
- Meet weekly requirements.
- Attend national conference call every Monday evening.
- Contact your 3 congressional offices each week in support of poverty-reduction programs and legislation.
- Complete a personal fundraising campaign. Send friends and family fundraising letters to a minimum of 12 people.
- Utilize your social media to share links related to the cause.
- Turn in weekly reports on time (Due Friday at 11PM PDT of each week) to [email protected].
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[dropcap3]3[/dropcap3]The Writers Guidebook – This guide gives basic instruction for new writers to The Borgen Project. Please read. You should also read Writer Tips and Tricks It is a thorough guide on how to be a successful writer.
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[dropcap3]4[/dropcap3]Submitting Articles: You will embed your completed article into an email and send it to [email protected]. Be sure to include the title and links to sources in your email. Do not send Word Docs please.
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Things to Know
1. The Weekly Conference Call: The national conference call is attended by everyone involved with The Borgen Project and gives the team an opportunity to hear the latest news. What to expect? Just dial in and learn. Register here.
Mondays at…
5PM PST
6PM MST
7PM CST
8PM EST
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2. Pick a Weekly Schedule: Telecommuting offers tremendous freedom, however without a set schedule, it will be very difficult to successfully complete your volunteering. It becomes very easy to wait until the end of the week and find yourself speed typing poor-quality articles or missing weekly targets completely. On the timeline of your life, you now have this brief 3-month opportunity to work as a writer for The Borgen Project and be part of a movement that is improving conditions for the world’s poor… That is worthy of being prioritized for the next 3-months!
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3. News Team & Assignment Desk: This document covers who’s writing what, assigned articles, key research links and contains lots of helpful info.
Note the tabs at the bottom of the document:
- News Team: This list everyone involved with the News Team and their roles. It also includes the schedules of Editors.
- Articles Underway: List the articles you are working. Track where it is in the editing process.
- Topics Needing Covered: Check this regularly for article ideas. Please help yourself to any articles (even if it doesn’t fall under your focus areas).
- Sections: Info on the categories and sections we need covered. You will be assigned to 1-2 categories to focus on. If assigned a magazine category, read the requirements for the category carefully.
- Links: This is hugely helpful for finding good sites to monitor for story ideas.
- Cost Comparison: Very helpful for comparing the cost of something in the news (defense budget, stadium being built, etc.) to the cost of helping the world’s poor.
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4. Congressional Outreach: Everyone volunteering for The Borgen Project makes weekly congressional calls. This is a quick and highly impactful way to help the world’s poor, so naturally we want everyone doing it and teaching their friends and family how. You’ll keep track of your calls in the weekly stats document. Emailing congress is just as important. Please email them through this link each week.
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5. Fundraising: Like weekly calls to congress, everyone involved with The Borgen Project sends friends and family fundraising letters. This usually only takes 1-2 days but has a tremendous impact for the cause. To reach your fundraising goal, you may need to go above and beyond your letters. Here are a bunch of great ideas.
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Q&A
Can I fast forward ahead on the weekly targets? Yes. As you finish the current weeks assignments, you are more than welcome to jump ahead. The volunteer role is structured for 12-weeks, but in theory you can finish it sooner.
Can I miss a week? If needed you can take one week off during the course of your volunteer commitment. Notify your supervisor beforehand and make note of it in your weekly tracker. Missing a week pauses where you are on the weekly tracker, so simply pickup where you left off.
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