Post by Jim on Jun 25, 2009 7:57:44 GMT -5
Many of you may know me as "The Banner Guy" here in Georgia (USA). Like many of you, my children and I have been unwillingly sucked into the “family” law vortex years ago upon the covert filing of a Petition for Divorce, commonly referred to as a Unilateral Divorce on Demand (thanks to Mr. Baskerville for that little catch phrase), by my children’s mother. Subsequently, directly by circumstance, and somewhat by choice, I have since become an active member of "the movement" as it were.
Getting involved with a handful of organizations, some recognizable, others not so much, along with some common advocacy activities, and some not so common (e.g. the various iterations of my residential protest banner), has provided me with a sort of a broad overview of both the inner workings of some groups along with an outsiders’ fish eye perspective on the efficacy, or lack thereof, of some of the efforts of these organizations. Much criticism(s), both external and internal, concerning all this seems to be centered around a distinct lack of primary focus and/or an identifiable single rallying point or points.
There are other quite highly recognized advocacy organizations here in The States who have created what seems to me as very successful campaigns promoting each of their particular agendas, both in respect to the initial and lasting visual impressions upon targeted potential supporters, along with regular media coverage due to the admitted level of notoriety the campaigns continue to garner. And sorry guys, I’m not inferring the passionate efforts of the F4J folks!
However, overall, the family law reform movement hasn’t quite achieved the level of broad interest as the others currently have. But, due to some noted recent rumblings, such as the Hopkins case in Tennessee, Phyllis Schlafly and Nancy Schaefer's work with Eagle Forum, the continuing ripple effects of Stephen Baskerville’s book, Taken Into Custody, and Glenn Sacks’ hard-hitting advocacy appearances, among others too numerous to name, "we" are ripe and poised for just that.
For the past few months I have been independently brain-storming an advocacy campaign idea and recently reached a point to where I have begun investigating professional development assistance with this. My initial investigative forays have shed light onto the fact that my idea, although somewhat in the "germ" state right now, may possibly entail a lot more creative input and funding needs than I had initially envisioned.
Not wanting to divulge too much of the specifics of the idea at this time, I can say that the campaign idea is certainly "edgy", if not actually rising to the level of controversial, should/will present a lasting visual impression, and if it fails to generate at least a modicum level of media interest, I would be highly surprised.
At this time I am seeking collaborative creative assistance from an individual, or even a group, who would be at least sympathetic to our goals, if not actually directly involved already, to further develop the campaign idea and bring it to fruition. Not so much in a pro bono arrangement, but at least taking the concept under their creative wings and making it a personal pet project. This most likely will require someone who can bring high end, agency level, computer-aided graphic design skills to the table.
I envision the design to encompass enough flexibility in its underlying layout as to accommodate basic customizations through the application of individual or multiple organizational logos or branding imagery so as any group wanting to utilize the piece, or derivations thereof, in support of its own initiatives may do so relatively easily.
I am more than willing to share this with others in hopes of creating at least one cohesive promotional focal point that targeted recipients can readily identify with.
Lastly, once basic design mock-ups(s) are available, we will be needing the collective resources of a group or individual benefactors in order to complete the production.
Should anyone be interested in further discussions of this proposal, please feel free to contact me directly at dean@abraxis.com, or 678.643.3786.
Thanks for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Dean “The Banner Guy” Gottschalk
Getting involved with a handful of organizations, some recognizable, others not so much, along with some common advocacy activities, and some not so common (e.g. the various iterations of my residential protest banner), has provided me with a sort of a broad overview of both the inner workings of some groups along with an outsiders’ fish eye perspective on the efficacy, or lack thereof, of some of the efforts of these organizations. Much criticism(s), both external and internal, concerning all this seems to be centered around a distinct lack of primary focus and/or an identifiable single rallying point or points.
There are other quite highly recognized advocacy organizations here in The States who have created what seems to me as very successful campaigns promoting each of their particular agendas, both in respect to the initial and lasting visual impressions upon targeted potential supporters, along with regular media coverage due to the admitted level of notoriety the campaigns continue to garner. And sorry guys, I’m not inferring the passionate efforts of the F4J folks!
However, overall, the family law reform movement hasn’t quite achieved the level of broad interest as the others currently have. But, due to some noted recent rumblings, such as the Hopkins case in Tennessee, Phyllis Schlafly and Nancy Schaefer's work with Eagle Forum, the continuing ripple effects of Stephen Baskerville’s book, Taken Into Custody, and Glenn Sacks’ hard-hitting advocacy appearances, among others too numerous to name, "we" are ripe and poised for just that.
For the past few months I have been independently brain-storming an advocacy campaign idea and recently reached a point to where I have begun investigating professional development assistance with this. My initial investigative forays have shed light onto the fact that my idea, although somewhat in the "germ" state right now, may possibly entail a lot more creative input and funding needs than I had initially envisioned.
Not wanting to divulge too much of the specifics of the idea at this time, I can say that the campaign idea is certainly "edgy", if not actually rising to the level of controversial, should/will present a lasting visual impression, and if it fails to generate at least a modicum level of media interest, I would be highly surprised.
At this time I am seeking collaborative creative assistance from an individual, or even a group, who would be at least sympathetic to our goals, if not actually directly involved already, to further develop the campaign idea and bring it to fruition. Not so much in a pro bono arrangement, but at least taking the concept under their creative wings and making it a personal pet project. This most likely will require someone who can bring high end, agency level, computer-aided graphic design skills to the table.
I envision the design to encompass enough flexibility in its underlying layout as to accommodate basic customizations through the application of individual or multiple organizational logos or branding imagery so as any group wanting to utilize the piece, or derivations thereof, in support of its own initiatives may do so relatively easily.
I am more than willing to share this with others in hopes of creating at least one cohesive promotional focal point that targeted recipients can readily identify with.
Lastly, once basic design mock-ups(s) are available, we will be needing the collective resources of a group or individual benefactors in order to complete the production.
Should anyone be interested in further discussions of this proposal, please feel free to contact me directly at dean@abraxis.com, or 678.643.3786.
Thanks for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Dean “The Banner Guy” Gottschalk
