Lightning Chats
Lightning chats are 30-minute video chats in which we (and by that we mean anyone!) discuss a shared challenge, brainstorm ideas for a project, or learn more about a case study. Peruse our archive of chats (including video replays) on Gather. You can also subscribe to a lightning chat calendar on Google calendar or on iCal.
Here's what's coming up:
- Aug. 22, 2-2:30 pm ET // Why would someone come to your event? Before hosting an event, ask what your community will get out of it. This chat will focus on how to design an event with your potential participants in mind. Join hosts Tiney Ricciardi of the Dallas Morning News and Kristin Walters of Illinois Newsroom. Join us on Zoom for a 30-minute conversation. Click here to add this to your Google Calendar.
Jobs, Fellowships, and Funding
Check out our full list of jobs, fellowships, and funding opportunities on Gather, and let us know what we're missing.
Submit your project to the "Local That Works” Contest: “LOCAL THAT WORKS aims to spotlight original initiatives that help local media organizations “Be More Local” through innovative content, fundraising, digital presence, or community engagement. We accept entries from public stations and non-profit news organizations. We are particularly interested in projects that can be replicated or successfully scaled in smaller markets and rural areas. Organizations can submit multiple entries and there’s no cost or requirement to enter.” The Grand Prize is $5000. Second prize is $1000. Deadline: Wednesday, August 7 at 7:00pm ET.
Community Updates
If you haven't joined the Gather Slack community, you're missing out on a lot of brainstorming, advice giving and collaboration. Seriously. We keep hearing from people who don’t know Gather has a Slack. Join here.
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Meet Zac Davis, this week's Featured Member.
Name: Zac Davis 
What you do: I’m an associate editor for digital strategy at America magazine, a national Jesuit media company. We’re a pretty small team, so that means I help with social media, newsletters, web design and development, in addition to creating and editing original content. I also host a podcast aimed at young adult Catholics called Jesuitical.
Why you’re on Gather: There are so many cool things happening in audience engagement now, and so many smart people who are mapping out uncharted territories, filling in job descriptions where there were none. I love the community and everyone’s willingness to share best (and worst!) practices.
One thing you want to learn on Gather: I’m curious about engaging audiences as a way to build habits. How do we make the conversations between our publications and readers a consistent, sure thing?
One thing you have to share on Gather: Like a lot of us, I’m working on a small audience team. We’re not so much a team as much as it’s just one of the many aspects of what I do. But I’m in a supportive newsroom which allows us some flexibility to try out new things quickly and adapt if they aren’t working.
Who or what inspired you to get into this work? Realizing that audience engagement is vital for the future of journalism.
Would you rather work in chaos or quiet? As the newsroom extrovert and social captain, I would definitely opt for chaos.
Links for ways to connect with you.
Twitter: @zacdayvis
LinkedIn
Gather Slack: @Zac Davis
Email: zdavis@americamedia.org
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