Hey FSPA!

What school are you from?

What grade are you in?

What type of journalism? (newspaper, yearbook, broadcast, etc)

Future Career Paths?

Have you started an advocacy project before?

About me

My name is Valerie Questell

I am the 2024 Editor-in-Chief for the CHAT Newspaper

I care a lot about journalism and advocating for the D/HH community.

I run a nonprofit organization called Hear This

My novel, A New Perception, releases at the end of this month :)

I am currently about to write for the National Public Radio on a story I deeply care about.

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One of the main purposes for this presentation is to show you that journalism isn’t always about politics and nuclear war. Journalism can be about focusing and highlighting marginalized communities while also uniting them.

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A part of journalism is advocating for the truth. Advocacy is an underspoken yet extremely important factor in journalism.

Before you say “it’s just luck…”

Unfortunately, we go through many atrocities every single day.

Reality Check

(Some) companies/adults have weak spots for young people. The younger you are, the better.

You aren’t going to get results overnight.

Connections are tough, but they are essential.

How do I do it?

• Start as early as possible. (Ex: 9th grade)
• Investigate!
• Figure out what your niche is
• Nonprofit, or other type of project?
• Think: Is it a popular topic? Controversial? Unknown? Alarming?
• Be specific! There isn’t any point to start an advocacy project for a broad topic, although you can still support large organizations. Remember that you start off as the underdog.

And most importantly, you have to love it!

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Not another Instagram account…

I know we’ve seen those attempts at nonprofits where it’s just an instagram account. That is not a nonprofit organization. Colleges also see right through this. Impact matters.

What it takes to be a nonprofit organization in Florida

• Come up with a name! (mission goals, contributors, etc)
• Register your nonprofit through Florida sunbiz ($75)
• Register with the 501(c)(3)
• Apply for an EIN
• You legally have to have “A Florida nonprofit organization” in your company name

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Do not let this discourage you. It isn’t as hard as you think!

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Whatever you’re interested in!

Tell me some topics you’re interested in! We will brainstorm and then (on your own) come up with a specific universal topic.

Anything that has to do with a potential bill?

Law officials have their personal phone numbers online!

Passion Projects… hint hint, college.

Don’t just do it for the fame/scholarship. Do it because you love it. Colleges see right through you.

Also, if you are starting a project with the intention of making it look good for colleges, make sure you intend on continuing this project throughout college… or even expanding it!

Research: the fun part.

It’s not an overnight thing.

• Talk to people that know your topic. (Ex: if your topic is based on a condition, talk to people who have or had it. Talk to people who have lossed a loved one to it. Talk to people who specialize in your topic.
• READ. (subscribe to mailing lists, research articles, go in depth!)
• No matter how much research you think you did in less than a year, it still isn’t enough.
• Be around the environment of people you’re researching.

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The Story: Another Type of Project

If you are writing a story, make sure to do as much research as possible.

You guys already know this…

• Writing a story on a controversial topic leads to excessive editing and proofreading. You don’t want to be sued, nor put out false information and misconceptions. (Ex: hearing impaired -> Deaf or hard-of-hearing.

Outreach (cause)

Local

• Volunteering nearby.
• Talking to people!
• Hanging up flyers nearby

National​​

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• Being publicized in a United States publication
• Hosting a protest and inciting many people

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International

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• Starting a nonprofit with over 1000 followers from around the world
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Outreach (effect)

Local

• Getting featured in your local news
• Winning a local contest (ex: silver knight)

National​​

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• Winning a national contest (ex: NHD)

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International

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• Collaborations with foreign businesses (ex: different languages)

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Tips and Tricks

• Most of us aren’t STEM people, but websites like GoDaddy make it easier to create websites.
• Also, Canva is free for nonprofits.
• When you interview organizations or people, introduce yourself as your age first. Put it in the subject headline. Let it be one of the first things you mention when making a voicemail, etc.

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The Common Excuses:

• Money: It does not take a large savings to begin your journey at raising awareness.
• “I don’t have time”: You don’t have to do it all in one night. Me personally, I work on my projects around 2-3 times a week whenever I have downtime. I love my topic, so it isn’t a hassle… and it shouldn’t be for you. It should be fun!
• “I’m not interested in anything”: There is always a topic for everyone. However, if you really can’t find anything, it’s always good to at least be informed of many topics.

Have fun at the 2023 FSPA District 7 Convention!!!

Feel free to ask any questions, comments, concerns, suggestions, advice… anything!!

THANK YOU FOR COMING!!!!!! :)