PHILOSOPHY
GreenTreks Network, Inc. is in the business of making a healthy environment
an intrinsic part of everyday life. We do that by connecting individuals
to issues through personal storytelling via television and the web.
Our multimedia programs are intended to inspire people to think about
the environmental consequences of their actions and motivate them
to act in ways that benefit the environment. The Idealized Design
process that resulted in the development of GreenTreks Network, Inc.
involved examining everything from what products and services the
organization wants to offer, to core operating values, to how the
organization will distinguish itself and survive in a highly competitive
world. What follows are some of the key points that came out of the
design teams, which involved hundreds of hours of collaboration between
Board members, consultants, contractors, and staff.
• Organizational Purpose
GreenTreks is in the business of making environmental
development an intrinsic part of everyday life by using multimedia
to inspire people to think about the environmental consequences of
their actions and motivate them to act in ways that benefit the environment.
We will do this by:
* Telling entertaining and thought-provoking stories that expand
the traditional definition of the environment to include its relationship
with individuals, health, societies, and cultures;
* Expanding people's options for action by giving them the
tools and other resources to make environmental success happen in
their own communities around the world;
* Measuring the success of connecting our audience to the resources
they need to become involved in the subjects we cover.
• Core Values
* We are fundamentally dedicated to creating substantial and
meaningful products that have an impact on the world.
* While we maintain pride in our work, we constantly evaluate
our performance and ask for outside evaluation for ways to improve.
* Because we strive for the truth, our direction will not be
swayed by the priorities of funders. And even with the intention of
truth in mind, we understand that we all have assumptions and biases,
so we must be as conscious of those as we can.
* We are ethical and fair in our treatment of all parties,
whether staff, contractors, funders, subjects of our stories, or any
organization.
* We understand that people's relationship to the environment
includes the rational, the practical, and the emotional.
* We maintain an open policy to make our organization's information
available to the community. We also keep accurate accounting and initiate
annual outside financial and content audits.
• Telling Stories that Sing
We believe that in order for us to be great storytellers we must continually
grow and learn. One of our main goals is to make programs that move
people. Much like a great piece of classical music, we believe that
a good story holds just the right balance of "tension" and "release."
Too much tension (which most environmental stories seem to contain)
can make viewers feel powerless. That leads to lack of interest, and
even worse, a sense that individual acts are hopeless. Too much release, on the other hand, can be perceived as "fluff,"
or lead an audience to misunderstand the seriousness of a problem
and feel they need not get involved because all is under control.
At GreenTreks, we continually work to improve in order to succeed
as communicators and fulfill our mission of education that leads to
action on behalf of a healthy environment.
• Content Input
At the core of every GreenTreks' program is relevant, up-to-date information
related to environmental issues that affect the health of individuals
and communities every day. Working with hundreds of experts in everything
from water quality to preservation of biodiversity to the impacts
of fossil fuel consumption on developing nations, GreenTreks is committed to communicating content that creates a balance of the rational, the practical and the emotional effects of environmental issues on the public at large.
"I think GreenWorks and Watersheds.tv are
great resources! They give an opportunity for organizations doing
important
work to not only show off their research, etc. but to learn
something valuable about what others are doing.
Keep up the great
work! We look forward to working with you in the future!"
Lori B. Klein
Director, Communications & Marketing,
The Academy of Natural Sciences
|
