Finish Page 1, Graphic ideas, some good reads ...

1. Let's finish Page One. What is The Voice's place in MA culture right now? What's our purpose? our role? What happens to MA if The Voice isn't here? Do we need to refine/review our mission?

Here's the statement of purpose as the founders of The Voice defined it:

The Marin Academy Voice

To serve as a forum for student opinion

To present issues fairly

Statement of Purpose

Journalism in a democracy celebrates people’s noblest achievements while at the same time stands on the conviction that it is absolutely essential not to ignore the challenges of human experience. Light is brought to the darkness of human suffering whenever a community is allowed to examine its weaknesses as well and it strengths.

The Marin Academy Voice, a forum for student expression, is published eight times a year, free from faculty or administrative censorship and prior review. All staff members are involved in the writing and layout of each issue. The Voice was established in the fall of 1990 in order to serve as a forum for student opinion, and to present issues fairly. Any student enrolled at Marin Academy may contribute to The Voice. Staff members are comprised of students who are taking Journalism 540. These students receive English credit for one semester of Journalism, and elective credit for any subsequent semesters.

The purpose of the course is to teach students the basics of journalistic reporting, writing, editing and production. Students learn how to produce a professional, school-focused, and thoughtful newspaper, with coverage of issues that are not only important to the student community but for the surrounding one at large. Opinion pieces are also emphasized through thought-provoking editorials.

The adviser or teacher serves as a “coach” for the production elements, never doing the work for the students, but supporting, critiquing, and helping to structure each step of the process. Instruction is on an individual as well as group level.

Staff members are dedicated to producing as clean, professional, and ethical a publication as possible. They strive to present all sides of an issue, and represent the community’s opinion fairly, even if it differs radically from their own. Editorials are written in order to encourage thought and dialogue about controversial and timely topics. Any criticism is directed at policy, not person.

2. What are you going to do for your article graphic? How are you going to engage the audience in alternative storytelling? What can you do that will be new?

3. A few interesting ideas to get us thinking about the next article:

Put The Resentment to Good Use
The Rise of the Shelfie