Communication+Strategy

A goal is the ultimate thing an individual or organization desires to accomplish. The goal of this team is to create awareness on the impact of HIV on it’s victims, how to cope with HIV and how not to cope with it.i.e avoiding getting infected by the virus. This would first be accomplished by putting out a mission statement. This is what motivates the members of the team and keeps us on our toes for the cause. The mission statement of this team is

// “Act Right Live Right.Take a Magnum or Four” //

This means that we want to encourage people to make being safe a lifestyle. We adopted the 'take four' ideology because in the college community we ,being students as well have realized that college student use this as their"exploratory years"

The objectives of any team have to be attainable and realistic. Objectives also need to have a time frame so the team members can achieve their goals. Our objectives include : Strategies are specific lists of what to do and how to go about achieving the plans and objectives the team has organized.Our strategies for achieving the objectives of the team are;
 * Setting up an event to raise awareness and provide health facts.
 * Creating monthly video blogs of "famous” people living with the disease.
 * Creating posters that inform and remind these youths to be safe at all times.According to research, it was discovered that most people are aware of the disease but do not see themselves as possible victims.
 * Teaming up with already existing societies such as E.C.A.S.A and the CCIT club to advertise and spread the word on camps.
 * Making and distributing cool tee-shirts.People are known to read and remember print on clothes more than print on posters.
 * Distributing manicure and pedicure personal kits to female who get those done outside. It is important to make sure that these females are aware that HIV can be transmitted through sharp objects such as needles and blades through spa salons.
 * Setting up free condom dispensing machines on residence for emergency users.
 * Searching for graphic designers for the posters and video and sound editing techies
 * Searching for already existing video blogs or looking for people with the disease and posting their experience.
 * Making viral videos or showing already made ones to raise awareness about the disease.

Audience is a very important communication strategy. Who are we trying to target?. As stated in the groups stand point on the issue, the audience would be the youth and members of the UTM community. Ages 17 to 23 **.** Since HIV is no respecter of age, we hope that in the long run we can also communicate and appeal to older generations.

Tactics are specific ways of achieving strategies and performing tasks in a specific way. Tactics are how you communicate these strategies in the team. Some tactics that the team can apply are; Measurements are used to determine if the objectives were achieved. Do we have everyone thinking about how not to be a victim to HIV? How well have we addressed people’s concerns and fears about HIV?
 * Calling professionals in the field that would speak to the youths to set up appointments
 * Research and gather information for the poster
 * Send the video through social media networks and emails to spread the word.

Are couples taking 4 for the night? 'Take 4' is a concept that we have conjured to encourage sexually active partners to use condoms.A lot of couples these days prefer to not to use a protective condom because it takes away from the fun of things. HIV can be transmitted through STD’s which can be transmitted through unprotected sex of infected partners. This can be measured through //before// and //after// surveys. If the number of couples that use condoms have increased after our campaigns and events.

How often do we have to re-fill this vending machines? This would indicate how there has been an increase in safety amongst students on residence.

The key messages, to be spread through forms of communication such a posters, web pages, advertising and arousing photography would be centered around
 * Back ground information on HIV .Who can be affected and how?
 * The effect of being affected,long term and short term,how to cope with the disease and the possibility of Life Risks which eventually leads to AIDS
 * Interesting fun facts we bet people didn't know or over looked.
 * You are not alone. Magnumtake4 is here to help you through

Through these strategies listed above, 'Magnumtake4' plans to take HIV awareness week to whole new level.