THE MARCH/APRIL PROJECT: Participate in the Virtual Poetry Slam!

GETTING STARTED IS EASY:

• First, listen to highlights from the Partners for Global Change conference call, or simply view the handout: + MAR/APR PDF
  
  
• Once you're caught up, read the directions for how to participate in the March/April project
  
  
• There are many ways to plug-in! Contact outreach@globalsolutions.org if you have other ideas about this project or if you have any questions.
  
  
• Help spread the word. Pass this project onto others! + Download a one-page handout to let teachers, students, friends and family in your community know about the Vrtual Poetry Slam project.

Listen to the March 10, 2007 Conference Call:

Missed the call? No problem, you can catch up on-line. Listen in and learn more about this month's project.

Hosts

• Valerie Schrock, Director, Outreach and Advocacy, Citizens for Global Solutions
• Erica Tafoya, Deputy Director, Outreach & Advocacy, Citizens for Global Solutions

• Guy Taylor, Hawaii Chapter Leader, Citizens for Global Solutions
• Bertram Linder, Citizens for Global Solutions founding member, poet, artist, activist
• Gregory Pickett, Fall 2006 Poetry Slam winner

1. Introduction and welcome. Brief updates, agenda, and intros for the speakers
2. Update on previous Partners’ Project: The End Torture Campaign
3. Discussion on civic engagement and questions and challenges facing new activists today
4. March/April Partners’ Project: The Spring 2007 Poetry Slam Contest
5. Inroduction of poet, artist, activist, and founding member, Bertram Linder
6. Poem performed by Bertram Linder
7. Conversation with Poetry Slam Artist Gregory Pickett
8. Poem performed by Flall 2006 Poetry Slam winner, Gregory Pickett
   
   

Directions for how to participate in the March/April project

1. Read or think about the current theme, TORTURE, inspired by the End Torture Campaign (http://endtorture.net). There is a lot of information and opinions out there about torture and prisoner abuse, both at home and abroad. The issue has come to the forefront of America’s consciousness as it’s hit the front pages newspapers and landed in prime time television shows. What do you think? A good place to start is by visiting: http://www.virtualpoetryslam.net/main/contests/2007/theme.
   
   
2. Write a poem inspired by the theme. Poetry can be anything you want it to be. Your poem can rhyme or be free-form. Your ideas can be general or specific. Be sarcastic or sincere, furious or light-hearted. Just make it your own.
   
   
3. Practice performing your poem. If you’re working in a small group, figure out who performs the poem the best.
   
   
4. Record your performance. You can shoot video on numerous devices these days. We don’t care what you use; just use whatever you have access to (from a high-end camcorder to a cell phone that can record short videos). We’ve learned that performing your poem in a quiet place to get the best possible sound is really the most important factor.
   
   
5. If you have not already done so, register for the contest by visiting: http://virtualpoetryslam.net. Participants who are not registered will not be eligible for prize money - sorry!
   
   
6. Submit your recording to the virtualpoetryslam.net site. We’ve made it easy, so give it a try by clicking the “Submit Your Video” link. If your poem makes it to the top, you could win cash! ($500 1st place, $250 2nd place, $100 3rd place)

If you get stuck at any point, we’re here to help! Email us at contest@virtualpoetryslam.net or call us at: 202-546-3950 x121

Next Teleconference Call:

Learn more about the May/June project. Don't miss your chance to listen to and talk to the experts. Tune in:

Saturday, May 12, 2007
1:00pm - 2:00pm EST
1-800-391-2548
Verbal Passcode: VA317855