Embracing Haiti

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II. fundUS™

V. For Reporters

I. The Project

NOTE: This project was terminated Nov. 15, 2013, because the fundraising campaign was ineffective. Please read our news release.

VIDEO SCRIPT

Hello. My name is Brad Workman. I am an independent photojournalist and start-up publisher — the founding manager of Turning World Communications. Thank you for your attention. "Embracing Haiti" is a year-long, patron-funded photojournalism project. The project's main aims are to help document and publicize Haiti's enduring social and political struggles, some of which I observed and recorded during 20 visits since 2003. Your financial contributions will be used to produce non-partisan photojournalism in multiple media formats and to help develop an enduring audience for those media. The planned media include a print book, a digital book, a framed gallery exhibit, and a multimedia piece for the Turning World website. Whenever feasible, I will be available to appear and speak about the project in my community and, with your support, perhaps in your community too. Finally, some project visuals might appear in promotional materials, in premiums for patrons, and in third-party media reports about "Embracing Haiti."

The "Embracing Haiti" book will be designed and edited by Turning World and published first using the "on demand" model, which means books are not printed until sold. It is the same model I used to publish five Haiti-based issues of Turning World Magazine — a print and digital forum for photojournalism. Turning World will help keep down the book's cost to consumers by offering a softback and by not adding any profit margin to the sale price. The "Embracing Haiti" digital book might simply be a version of the print book or instead a version with some added interactive features. Again, Turning World will not seek profit on digital book sales.

The "Embracing Haiti" gallery exhibit should show about 40 pictures. It will be designed by Turning World and produced using methods and materials that, with proper care, will make it last at least decades. After its debut in Rutherford County, North Carolina, the exhibit will be available free by request for display at any venue Turning World considers legitimate. A venue may need to pay only any shipping charges.

The "Embracing Haiti" multimedia presentation will be free to view on the Turning World website and free to post on any website. It will be based on project still images and new video. Like the books and exhibit the multimedia display will be an in-house Turning World production to the fullest reasonable extent, which is partly intended to help keep down production costs.

To me, Haiti is a place of true beauty. There is beauty in the history of resistance to human bondage, in the culture and creativity, in the strength and humbling hospitality of many Haitians I have met. But, in my experience, Haiti has always been a deeply troubled country. For too many Haitians their impoverishment is severe, long-term, or both. Naturally, poverty amplified the impacts of the earthquake that hit Haiti in January 2010 — destroying so much in and around the capital and killing and maiming and displacing. Today, as Haiti works to rebuild and heal, some troubles the country is home to include hunger, child labor and urban street children, severe environmental degradation, limited health care, an incomplete parliament, and cholera. The current United Nations Haiti mission, or MINUSTAH, includes a total of thousands of troops and police and began in 2004. Is it not easy to see why a concerned photojournalist might turn his lens toward Haiti? Given my experience and formal training I think it could be possible for us to create some significant visual journalism.

This is where you enter the picture. I am seeking faithful patrons to help me achieve the "Embracing Haiti" objectives. Even with unlimited funding I would not be in Haiti continuously during the 12 months planned for principal photography, and my intermittent absences should help reduce costs. Regardless, I do not want to dissuade you from contributing today by revealing even my estimated total budget for the multifaceted, long-term undertaking that is "Embracing Haiti." Focusing on the total cost could also accidentally limit the project, which could expand in unforeseen ways given adequate funding. Regardless, you should review the project details, including the financial transparency plan, on the campaign Web page at turningworld.org/embracinghaiti. On that page you can also see the different gifts patrons get for contributing to "Embracing Haiti," which I hope you see as an ambitious, uncommon, and highly worthwhile project.

The fundraising deadline is July 27, 2014 — one year from project launch. But I kindly ask you to keep the project moving by contributing today at any level shown on the campaign page. Then, tell a friend. If you are not ready to pledge today then please think about it or contact me with any question. Hopefully, you will then come back and contribute at a comfortable level. And thanks again for your attention.

II. fundUS™

NOTE: This project was terminated Nov. 15, 2013, because the fundraising campaign was ineffective. Please read our news release.

The premiums below are expressions of gratitude for "Embracing Haiti" patrons (adults only, please). Premiums may also help involve patrons in the project and be incentives to some. Patrons should presume they will be acknowledged publicly by amount contributed and by name, by the name of the contributing organization, or both. Your contribution at any level will be helpful.

A. PREMIUM LEVELS

ACCESS to photojournalist and project director Brad Workman using a unique email address given by Turning World only to "Embracing Haiti" patrons. You can thereby have your questions answered and comments and suggestions heard throughout the project term. (Emails received at the address will be opened and, if necessary, answered in the order received.)

~~$15~~

DIGITAL COPY of "Downtown: Seeing Human Need in the Heart of Port-au-Prince." It is the 74-page second-quarter, 2012 issue of Turning World Magazine. You also get the $5 premium.

~~$25~~

DIGITAL COPY of "The Endless Tremble: A Vagabond's Glimpse of Post-quake Haiti." It is the 108-page fourth-quarter, 2011 issue of Turning World Magazine. You also get the $15 and $5 premiums.

~~$40~~

HAND-WRITTEN "Thank You" on a Turning World photo postcard with hand-applied stamp. The image will be from the "Embracing Haiti" project. (A postcard using an image from a prior Turning World project will be sent instead if a "Embracing Haiti" image is unavailable for any reason.) Your postcard will be delivered, at the latest, after the "Embracing Haiti" pledge drive ends on July 27, 2014. You also get the $25, $15, and $5 premiums.

~~$65~~

LIMITED-EDITION photo poster printed and delivered "on demand" in cooperation with MagCloud™. The poster will go only to "Embracing Haiti" patrons, and the image will be from the project. The poster will be 12" x 18" (or 18" x 12") and printed on 80-pound, acid-free cover stock that is FSC-certified and fully recyclable. (An image from a prior Turning World project will be printed instead if a "Embracing Haiti" image is unavailable for any reason.) Your poster will be delivered, at the latest, after the project pledge drive ends on July 27, 2014. You also get the $40, $25, $15, and $5 premiums.

~~$120~~

PRINT COPY of the new "Embracing Haiti" book. Your book will be printed and delivered on demand after the "Embracing Haiti" pledge drive ends on July 27, 2014. (One print copy of two prior issues or two copies of one prior issue of Turning World Magazine chosen by you will be sent instead if publication of the new book does not occur for any reason.) You also get the $65, $40, $25, $15, and $5 premiums.

~~$250~~

LIVE VIDEO conversation (at least one) using Skype™ or Windows Live® Messenger during which photojournalist and project director Brad Workman will express his gratitude. The talk will be at least one hour, if you wish, and will take place, at the latest, after the "Embracing Haiti" pledge drive ends on July 27, 2014. You also get the $120, $65, $40, $25, $15, and $5 premiums.

~~$3,500+~~
(only one available)

PERSONAL VISIT by grateful photojournalist and project director Brad Workman in your American town. He will join you or you and others (your choice) for lunch or dinner (your choice) and buy at least his own. If you wish, he will record a brief video of himself thanking you for your contribution and then post it to this Turning World website. The visit will occur, at the latest, after the "Embracing Haiti" pledge drive ends on July 27, 2014. You also get the $250, $120, $65, $40, $25, $15, and $5 premiums.

Note: This premium will simply be refunded if Brad Workman is, unfortunately, unable or unwilling to visit for any reason. Any lower-level premiums previously provided will be the patron's to keep.

B. PREMIUM DELIVERY

Premiums at the $5, $15, and $25 levels will be available online immediately after you pledge. Risks aside, all other premiums will be delivered or provided, at the latest, after the pledge drive ends on July 27, 2014.

C. REFUNDS/RISKS

If, in Turning World's judgment, the contributions received are at any time not enough to keep the project moving forward as envisioned then the project will terminate and all unobligated money received will be fully refunded. Any premiums previously provided will be the patron's to keep.

If the contributions received are always, in Turning World's judgment, enough to move the project forward as envisioned then there is, naturally, still some risk that unforeseen events or conditions will prevent or delay attainment of all the project's goals or delivery of a premium. If you wish to contribute more than $5 total you may thus want to make multiple contributions toward your total as the project makes progress and the July 27, 2014, pledge-drive deadline approaches.

It seems unlikely that anyone would support the project to receive a premium. Nevertheless, alternative premiums help reduce risk at $40, $65, and $120. The $3,500+ premium will simply be refunded if Brad Workman is unable or unwilling to visit for any reason, and any lower-level premiums previously provided will be the patron's to keep.

D. FINANCIAL REPORTS AND EXCESS FUNDS

Beginning approximately four months after project launch date (July 28, 2013) Turning World will post either on this page or via link(s) from this page quarterly income/expense reports so patrons can see how and where their money was spent. If, in Turning World's judgment, all project objectives have been met but the contributions received by July 27, 2014, have not been exhausted then the excess funds will be fully refunded or Turning World will expand the project's objectives.

First Quarterly Report (posted Nov. 17, 2013): No contributions were received.

Second Quarterly Report (posted Feb. 12, 2014): No contributions were received.

III. More Ways to Help

NOTE: This project was terminated Nov. 15, 2013, because the fundraising campaign was ineffective. Please read our news release.

Join our mailing list and follow us on Twitter: Stay Updated!

Share or embed the project video that is displayed above. Begin by clicking on this link: http://youtu.be/NJSrxG94q3Q.

Spread the word about this patron-funded photojournalism and publishing project on Facebook, on Twitter, or on your other your social media accounts. The address to share is: http://www.turningworld.org/embracinghaiti

IV. Stay Updated!

NOTE: This project was terminated Nov. 15, 2013, because the fundraising campaign was ineffective. Please read our news release.

A. VIA EMAIL

~~Please submit your email address on the form below~~ to receive all "Embracing Haiti" project updates and download a free, digital copy of the "Third Quarter, 2012" issue of Turning World Magazine entitled "Haiti Haiti Déjà Vu: 25 Photographs from the Magazine's First Year."

This "project" form has been deleted, but please subscribe to our general mailing list by sending a quick note to "subscribe" @ turningworld.org. Doing so will help keep you updated. We will also send you the free, digital copy of Turning World Magazine.

B. VIA "Twitter"

Click to follow Turning World on Twitter: http://twitter.com/turning_world.

V. For Reporters

NOTE: This project was terminated Nov. 15, 2013, because the fundraising campaign was ineffective. Please read our news release.

A. CONTACT WITH QUESTIONS OR INTERVIEW REQUESTS

Turning World welcomes all questions and interview requests from mass-audience and alternative or niche media staff members and freelancers. Please call (1) (561) 309-6887. After hours or when Brad Workman is overseas you should reach an assistant or hear a recorded message. The company's Skype™ name is turningworld. Email will likely be the best way to reach Brad Workman directly when he is overseas but is a strong option anytime. Kindly write to "haiti_media" at turningworld.org.

haiti_media@turningworld.org

For interview requests, please try to provide (or have on hand) as much of the following helpful information as possible:

Masthead/Program/Project Title
Companion Website Address
Main Topic(s) of Interest
Interview Date and Time
Interview Method (telephone, face-to-face, etc.)
Final Format(s) (audio, print/static visual, video, something revolutionary)
Interviewer Name and Contact Information

Find more information that may be helpful on the Turning World News page and, perhaps, on other pages of this simple site. Also, please join our mailing list and follow us on Twitter. Thank you.

Turning World Communications, LLC
~~P.O. Box 1581~~
~~Forest City, NC 28043~~
USA

B. NEWS RELEASES AND PHOTO DOWNLOADS

The materials below are for free, non-exclusive use in journalistic reports about the "Embracing Haiti" patron-funded photojournalism and publishing project. Is there something you need but do not see here? If "yes" then please send a request by email to "haiti_media" at turningworld.org.

I. News Releases

July 28, 2013: Independent Photojournalist Launches Campaign to Fund Coverage of Haiti's Enduring Struggles

Sept. 13, 2013: Independent Photojournalist to Revisit Haiti; Seeks Public's Input on Ways to Reach Patrons

Nov. 18, 2013: Independent Photojournalist Ends Project to Cover Haiti's Struggles; Looks to Future

II. Haiti Photos

Post-quake camp in Cité Soleil. May 4, 2010.