So disappointed. That was the reaction when an event “recap” arrived recently at MySweetCharity.
Recaps are intended to be honest accounts of events that the MSC staff is unable to cover due to short staffing. The understanding is that event organizers will provide submissions that will be true to MSC form, making the reader feel as if they were at the event themselves.
The disappointing recap was all the more unfortunate because it involved a mega-fundraising luncheon that took place to raise funds to battle domestic violence.
MSC had promoted the event beforehand, including information about the keynote speaker who had experienced such abuse and had become an advocate for those who’d had similar experiences. Her presence was to inspire others so that they could overcome such experiences.
As it happened, MSC had to cover another fundraiser that took place at the same time. So representatives of the first luncheon agreed to provide a recap of the presentation.
Instead of a recap, though, the PR representative sent an 800-word press release waxing on with quotes from the organization’s leaders and honoree and listing of raffle items, with no comments by the luncheon keynoter about her/his own experience. When questioned about the (very) limited description of the speaker’s advocacy for the cause, two sentences were sent along with the added message: “Her team is specific on what we can and can’t discuss, but we have gotten the approval to include the attached.”
“The attached” said:
I grew up and witnessed domestic abuse as a child and was never taught about healthy relationships. I feel there needs to be more education for children of abuse to stop the cycle.”
That response was interesting. Did everyone in the ballroom take an oath swearing not to share the speaker’s story? What would “her team” have done if MSC had attended and reported on the event?
The upshot is, MSC will not be providing an account of the luncheon. We’ll let other media outlets provide coverage tailored for the approval of handlers whose No. 1 priority is pleasing their client, not furthering the cause for which the client was purporting to advocate.
* Photo credit: Skeeter Hagler