I just took a survey submitted by the Motion Picture and Television Fund, a charitable organization that has looked after the health and welfare of individuals in the entertainment industry for 89 years. It's an organization that encompasses a wide variety of services for industry members of all ages. My father, throughout his industry career, took regular payroll deductions to contribute to the Fund.
Yet, as long-standing and respectable as the Fund has been (not withstanding some recent controversies), it's remained somewhat below the radar for most industry people. In fact, after I took the survey, I wrote an email to the Fund, suggesting they include in their new outreach efforts a better definition of just what they actually do for industry veterans (i.e. retirees). As the saying goes, "I wish I knew then what I know now." In simply providing guidance, it seems that their extensive services could prove invaluable on so many levels - I know our family could have benefited from their help as my father's health failed - if only we had known.
Though the Fund hasn't employed social media as yet (judging by the website) - it seems that today, even with the volume of information that bombards us every day, service organizations like this would find social media particularly useful, if only to raise their awareness among their supporters. Additionally, a few weeks ago, Kenrg called my attention to a new website, http://www.jumo.com , which is somewhat of a Facebook-type site for following your favorite non-profits. I'm not entirely certain whether that's a workable solution for most people (after all, it's another site to track), but I think it a worthwhile step in developing awareness among important non-profits about the critical importance of reaching out through social media.
Rich - As a member of a coalition of concerned family members of the Motion Picture Home nursing home residents, there is a website and social network community of 3500 people who are determined to save the Motion Picture Home's charter of 'we take care of our own'. Please see our website at www.savingthelivesofourown.org.
ReplyDeleteAlmost two years ago, on Jan. 14 2009, residents and family members of the Long Term Care facility were notified that the MPTF board was going to close the facility, and end the continuum of care on the campus. No more nursing home.
We rallied against this, and the facility is still open to this day. Please join us in our fight to continue long term care services. Your father paid for it, so did my mom. Thanks to Saving the Lives of Our Own, my mother was able to end her days on November 24 at the Motion Picture Home.
It's a worthwhile fight that has the backing of the Screen Actors Guild and The Teamsters. Please join us.
Richard Stellar
I only recently learned of your success. I will definitely check out your website, and do what I can. Thank you very much for the information.
ReplyDeleteRich - would appreciate anything you can do to educate the industry on the true meaning of "taking care of our own." The MPTF powers that be seem to be trying to change this 90 year promise and are starting with a lame survey that, like you said doesn't really tell you what they do.
ReplyDeleteIt has been a long 2 years - fighting to keep the Motion Picture Home in place for all industry workers. As the family members of those that were able to live out their days at the Home - we continue to fight the propaganda like this survey - everyday - to continue the original mission of those who began the Home 90 years ago.
Cheryl Hardy Phillips - family member of an industry worker who spent his last days at the Home and a member of Saving the Lives of Our Own.
Please join the facebook group Saving the Lives of Our Own. We have 3500 members who refuse to back down. We believe in the MPTF charter of 'we take care of our own'.
ReplyDeleteNot too surprised to find that MPTF has it's PR caught in a previous age and generation, and is failing to reach out to newer, younger members. But I am shocked to read in the other comments that they made an attempt to shut down the care facility! To many (at least, to me and others I know), the care facility WAS the MPTF. That's how we learned and knew of it; from knowing which Hollywood legends were currently living there (or had died there). Yes, they need to get some fresh blood on their board, and in their outreach department, and make themselves visible and relevant to the next generation of supporters.
ReplyDelete