[00:00.00]Listen to a conversation between a student and the university public relations director.
[00:07.29]Michael Jones: Donald Blake?
[00:08.54]Donald Blake: Yes, Michael Jones?
[00:10.24]Michael Jones: Great to see you. I'm so glad you're interested in helping our adult literacy program at the community center. [00:16.11]We really need someone like you to promote our services.
[00:18.89]Donald Blake: I don't know anything about that. [00:21.12]Um…the reason I asked you to come in today was to discuss the community achievement award you won for your volunteer work.
[00:28.44]Michael Jones: Oh! That's what this is about. Okay, well, Um…It's all connected. Anyhow.
[00:34.32]Donald Blake: I'm sorry?
[00:35.23]Michael Jones: You know,the achievement award. I won it cause of all the volunteer hours I've put into the adult literacy program. I started it actually.
[00:42.81]Donald Blake: Really. Could you tell me more? [00:44.76]It's for a news release. Whenever any of our students are faculty wins a national honor, it reflects well on our university. [00:52.16]So I write a news release and send it to the media. This way, there's a good chance the city newspaper will pick up the story.
[00:58.49]Michael Jones: Wow cool. I've been quoted in the student newspaper, but the city paper that's different. [01:04.09]It'll bring so much publicity to our program.
[01:06.53]Donald Blake: Well, you've earned your moment in the spotlight. [01:09.11]In fact, you represent one of the best things about our school, caring people. [01:13.76]So let's get started. You said you founded the literacy program? When?
[01:19.28]Michael Jones: 3 years ago. I volunteered for an after school program at the local community center. [01:24.19]It was fun. We were helping kids learn to read. [01:26.67]Then one kid's mom told me she also had trouble reading, so I thought maybe I could expand the program to teach literacy skills to adults, too. [01:35.28]The director of the community center, he loved the idea. So now any adult can come in if they want to become better readers.
[01:42.09]Donald Blake: So how did you get chosen for the achievement award? Did you apply for it?
[01:46.24]Michael Jones: No, the director nominated me. [01:48.40]You can't nominate yourself, but the director submitted my name and all this information about my volunteer work to the award committee.
[01:54.67]Donald Blake: But you knew beforehand that you were nominated?
[01:56.93]Michael Jones: No, I had no idea. Basically, I was shocked when I won. [02:01.05]There were only like ten winners out of several hundred college students from around the country who were nominated.
[02:06.31]Donald Blake: Very impressive. So how many people has your program served?
[02:10.78]Michael Jones: We've tutored several hundred people so far.
[02:13.08]Donald Blake: We?
[02:13.70]Michael Jones: Yeah, I recruited like 12 volunteer tutors, friends, professor, I even got my family involved.
[02:19.80]Donald Blake:Any plans for the prize money that comes with your award? Take a vacation, maybe.
[02:24.12]Michael Jones: No, I'll use it for supplies for the literacy program, like workbooks and writing materials. [02:29.00]Maybe now we can hire somebody to promote our program. [02:32.68]We'd really like to bring in some more volunteers, so we can help more adult students.
[02:36.55]Donald Blake: Well,I think I've got enough for the release now. [02:39.65]Listening to you. Maybe I can do some publicity for your center. [02:45.00]I'll try to stop by soon to see if I can help.