The Florida Literacy Coalition (FLC) recently held it’s annual Literacy Ambassador Program in Indian Rocks Beach, Fla. During this 1.5-day training, adult learners participated in activities relevant to preparing speeches, presentations and interviews. Now, Florida has 9 new Literacy Ambassadors that will be working hard to promote the importance of adult and family literacy!
Established Literacy Ambassadors Monica Nelson & Nelson Pino guided the adult learners through several lesson plans and tactics they can use to prepare for speaking engagements and media interviews.
Tampa Bay’s Channel 10 TV anchor, Tammie Fields, visited the Ambassadors during their training and provided information on what it’s like to work with the media. She also gave program representatives tips on gaining the attention of TV media professionals. These tips included:
- Send information to the media via email (using the “Contact Us” page of the website v. calling the newsroom)
- Provide a hook – explain what makes your news/event important, timely and worth covering. This can include an Ambassador’s peronal story/experience.
- TV coverage requires video – it’s helpful if you have something (i.e. an event) that can be filmed or someone that is passionate about your cause that can provide an interview with emotional appeal. If going the interview route, offer to coordinate the interview for the reporter.
FLC couldn’t be more proud of the Literacy Ambassador class of 2010! These students have accomplished amazing feats during their time in Central- and South Florida-based literacy and adult education programs. We are excited these students are motivated to take on new leadership roles within their organizations and will be sharing their success stories, in their communities, to promote the adult literacy cause.
