ASNOC hoping to establish first local Media Commission

In an effort to get the first Media Commission for the American Samoa National Olympic Committee (ASNOC) assembled and ready to do big things, ASNOC general secretary Ethan Lake is inviting all interested parties to a meeting set for Thursday, July 13 at 12 noon inside the ASNOC Office at the Veterans Memorial Stadium in Tafuna.

Anyone from the National Sports Federations and/or community members who are interested in being a part of the ASNOC Media Commission is invited to attend this first meeting.  

Those individuals not already affiliated with one of the National Sports Federations will be asked to volunteer as a representative of one of the National Sports Federations.  

"There is no limit to the number of individuals from a single media organization who can be a part of the commission, so please spread the word and open this opportunity up to anyone you know," Lake said, adding that the invitation extends to aspiring journalists and young writers who are not already affiliated with any media organization.

"The Media Commission will need a minimum of five dedicated volunteers, representing different National Sports Federations, with at least one Chair and one Co-Chair," Lake explained.

The Chair and Co-Chair of the Media Commission will be voted on by all those in the Commission. 

The details and responsibilities of this Commission will be discussed during the first meeting. 

"Because the commission is only now just being created, it is still a blank canvas ready to be painted," Lake said. "The general idea of the Media Commission is to cultivate a relationship with local, international, and social media outlets (newspaper, radio, television, Facebook).  However, the possibilities are endless and it will be up to the Commission body themselves to direct."

According to the ASNOC general secretary, "The Media Commission will also play a key role in helping us to form other ASNOC Commissions. These Commissions have access to over $1.2 million in funding opportunities over the next four years.  We just need to organize ourselves."

The goal is to get funding that will "benefit a wider range, not just one group or organization."

Money that is available can be used for different things, like buying food, paying for transportation and t-shirts, and bringing in people like sports psychologists who can talk to locals about different issues — like anti-doping and whatnot.

Lake said there is a need to assemble a group of people to work together, to look at applications, and figure out how available resources can be used to benefit as many people as possible.

He said there are plans to form other commissions like a Games/Events Commission, Governance Commission, etc. "And the media can help us get the word out there," he said.

According to Lake, funding is within reach but "it will take people working together, and filling in the blanks, for the most part." He said there is a need for 'new blood' every four years. Right now, there is only one active Commission and that is, the Athletes Commission. He said there have been other Commissions in the past however, they have been on an 'inactive' status.

Currently, there is no ASNOC Media Commission. As a matter of fact, there never has been. The intent, Lake shared, is to get the ball rolling on establishing a Media Commission, which can be very effective and critical as far as what direction ASNOC will take.

In a general memo sent out to all national federation members earlier this year in March, Lake explained the need to establish various Commissions.

"The commissions are open to anyone; however, individuals must be nominated by one of the ASNOC Federations," he wrote. "There is no limit to the number of nominations that a Federation submits to any of the commissions," Lake continued, adding that those nominated must be fully committed; otherwise, they may be removed.

He urged federation members to “please think of others outside of your standard organization circle who might be of great help in any of these areas. Many of these commissions have access to an additional $1.2 million in funding, but the commissions would need to apply for the funding and manage the set programs."

The Commissions and their roles/functions are as follows:

• Governance Commission – Develop policies, procedures, guidelines, including financial matters;
• Funding Commission – Work on fundraising, sponsorships, marketing;
• Women’s Commission – Work towards gender equality, inclusion, and diversity;
• Education Commission – Cultivate values-based education, life skills, and cultural activities;
• Environment Commission – Integrate sustainability principals, recycling, environment protection;
• Development Commission – Sports management, administration, coaching – training and certification;
• Grassroots Commission – Using sports to promote physical activity, health, and promote peace and social cohesion;
• Medical Commission – Work on medical awareness, injury prevention, and promoting clean athletes (anti-doping);
• Games Commission – Focus on upcoming Games preparation and team selection (Pacific Games, Youth Olympics, Olympics);
• Events Commission – Organizing, supporting, and hosting local international competitions (Oceania Championships, Open Invitationals);
• Media Commission – Cultivate a relationship with local, international,  and social media outlets (Newspaper, Radio, TV, Facebook); and
• Athletes Commissions – Representing athletes in all sports

For the Media Commission’s first meeting on Thursday, Lake said they hope to not only hold elections for the Chair and Co-Chair positions, "We would also like the Commission to receive and review nominations from those interested in being the media person with the upcoming delegation to go to the 2017 Asian Indoor Games" set to be held in Turkmenistan later this year (September 7-17).

According to Lake, this is a funded trip for the media person, covered by the Turkmenistan government. 

Interested individuals must have a current passport without any restrictions, and the deadline for submission is this Saturday, July 15.

"We would like the Commission to help select the media person for the delegation, which would need to be approved by the Executive Committee before July 15," Lake said. 

Everyone is invited to "come  and share your ideas, thoughts, and vision about the American Samoa National Olympic Committee, sports, coverage, and more."

Additional information concerning Thursday's meeting and all other inquiries involving the ASNOC can be obtained by calling Ethan Lake directly at 699-8356 or 770-1006.