As part of the Spring 2011 CMMN A317 Writing for Public Relations course, we’re looking at social media as channels of information for organizational messages. In plain English, that means we’re using Facebook and blogs to talk about our service learning partner, Green Light New Orleans.

Today, I’m turning over this space to a class member, Dane Schindler, to tell you about our semester project. This is his blog from a recent writing assignment:

Green Light New Orleans is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to the growth of a greener New Orleans. The local organization offers the free installation of compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) around the greater New Orleans area. These CFL light bulbs reduce utility costs while simultaneously releasing fewer CO2 emissions into the air. They use 75 percent less energy than incandescent light bulbs and last 10 times longer. It is estimated that one CFL bulb saves the owner $46 and 201 kilograms of CO2. GLNO has distributed more than 238,000 of these bulbs, saving close to $11 million in energy costs for the New Orleans community. Green Light New Orleans is leading the crusade to a greener, more sustainable Crescent City.

My affiliation with Green Light stems from a PR Writing course that I am taking at Loyola University New Orleans. As a class we are working with GLNO to develop a media kit for the organization with the intent to distribute and raise awareness of all that Green Light has done and continues to do for New Orleans and its homeowners. Each member of the class has chosen a specific target audience that they believe Green Light will best influence in order to gain donors, volunteers and recognition. Some students have chosen to direct their efforts to groups affiliated with schools, another has chosen to target Mardi Gras krewes. I have chosen local New Orleans music venues (e.g., Tipitina’s, Blue Nile, Howlin’ Wolf, etc.) as my target demographic. As a working musician, a previous employee to two of these venues and a patron of many others, I have come to understand the need for the venue management to save money any way they can in order to finance many of the events and shows that are held.

It is my goal that, by targeting this demographic, I can campaign for the partnership of Green Light New Orleans with several of these venues. By purchasing Green Light’s CFLs, the venues will save money in utility expenses and protect their environment. Once they have installed the CFLs, the venues can also broadcast by way of merchandise or by banners that the lights in the club are energy efficient and came from GLNO. Information can be distributed to club patrons about all that Green Light has done and why their mission is crucial to the future success of New Orleans. It will be just another way to raise awareness for Green Light New Orleans’ march to a greener, more sustainable Crescent City.