Talk:Opening Doors In Niger

From SPARK

» Audrey Joslin - January 17, 2006:

I'm surprised to see an article such as this on the SPARK site. As a VM specialist, I'm looking at the site before I send out a recommendation that members look to this site for media ideas. This doesn't seem to be an article that is very meaty for people who are doing serious media research. I wouldn't call it a "case study" but rather a devotional.

» Vic Dickey - January 20, 2006:

This case study is mostly about building bridges using true stories. Many do not value storytelling as a valid form of live media. We considered placing this case study document under PR Stories. However, it is important to place value on using simple true stories of success as a type of media. The success of the Nafaanra literacy program was central in getting the NGO approval. Basic communication examples in the Gospels - Sermon on the Mount, Peter's declaration to Jesus (You are the Christ...) all involved speech as the primary media.This case study also illustrates the importance of building Government Relations. Your comment helped us see that we needed additional information so we added a guideline and some Key Factors.

» Durk Meijer - January 25, 2006:

This is a clear example of bridge building. This principle can be applied to help people to become interested in anything... from a request to workpermits in a country to the relevance of God in somebody's life. Introductory stories will have more appeal if they include interests that are similar to those of the audience. The story makes in this case the government official (audience) comfortable with the proposal that was brought to him and helps him identify with the value of the request. In other words this story was a bridge to help the government official own the values that were brought to him to the extend that he wanted to be part of it by accepting the NGO application.

» John Steinmetz - February 22, 2006:

When we serve doors are opened! What a good reminder. Doors continue to be opened through reminders of that service.

» Ron Goldsmith - February 22, 2006:

I thought that this story was very instructional, providing an excellant model to be used in a myriad of ways.

» Karl Franklin - February 23, 2006:

This is an excellent example of how practical linguistics, in the form of literacy, helped to open the door for a needed NGO status in a particular country. It also should remind us of how essential it is for those who represent SIL to government officials to have done their homework, as well as conviction and boldness in presenting vernacular work.

» Madelyn Beltz - February 23, 2006:

PR and relating with people is second nature to some people. But some of us are more on the introvert side. So whereas some may see it as more of a devotional, I can see where this page may be helpful and very important for others. The points certainly are of key importance.

» Roger Green - February 26, 2006:

While this is a helpful story in reminding us of the potential of our relationships with nationals and especially government officials I wonder if it would be more appropriately posted in another location than SPARK.

» Thelma Fulcher - February 27, 2006:

This case study seems very helpful for anyone trying to come up with a way to win approval in another country or even in our own. Yes, it has spiritual overtones because it represents "Becoming as the Jew to win the Jew" and also represents the telling of the Parables or stories when they began to tell of their experiences in Ghana.So I find it to be helpful in the application here.

» Bob Ulfers - April 18, 2006:

Good story to support all doing PR and GR.