Black Codes Essay Example for Free

Black Codes Essay ‘Black~Codes’ were legal statutes and constitutional amendments enacted by the ex~Confederate states following the Civil War that sought to restrict the liberties of newly freed sIaves, to ensure a supply of inexpensive agriculturaI Iabor; and maintain a white dominated hierarchy. However; the history of Black Codes did not begin wIth the coIIapse of the Confederacy. Prior to the Civil War, $tates in the south enacted Slave Codes to regulate the institution of slavery. Furthermore, northern, non~slave holding states enacted laws to limit the [emailprotected] political power and social mobility. For example~ in 1804, Ohio enacted Iaws prohibitin black people from immigrating into states. In 1813, the State of lllinois enacted a law banning free BIacks outright from immigrating into the $tate. Black Codes adopted after the Civil War borrowed elements from the antebellum slave laws and from the laws of the northern states used to regulate free blacks. Some Black Codes incorporated morality clauses based on antebellum slave laws into Back Code labor laws. For example, in Texas, a morality clause was used to make it crime for laborers to use offensive language in the presence of their employers, his agents, or his family members. Borrowing from the Ohio and Illinois codes, Arkansas enacted an ordinance banning free blacks from immigrating into the state. In the end, the Black Codes were largely extinguished when Radical Republican Reconstruction efforts began in 1866-67, and with the passage of the Fourteenth Amendment and civil rights legislation. Though the statutory lives of the Black Codes were short-lived, they are significant in that they served as precursors to the Jim Crow laws and social segregation among whites and blacks. For example, Arkansas passed a law prohibiting black children from 1attending school with children. The Texas legislature enacted a law requiring railroad companies to set aside a passenger car for black passengers. While each ex-Confederate state enacted its own set of Black Codes, all of them shared certain features. First, they defined the term person of color. Second, they prevented blacks from voting, holding office, or serving on juries. Third, they prevented blacks from serving in state militias. Fourth, they mandated for poor, unemployed persons (usually blacks) be arrested for vagrancy or bound as apprentices. Fifth, they mandated and regulated labor contracts between whites and free blacks. Sixth, they prohibited interracial marriages between whites and blacks. All of the Black Codes defined what it meant to be a â€Å"person of color. † However, these definitions were far from consistent. The Virginia legislature decreed that any person with onefourth Negro blood in their veins was a person of color. Georgia set the limit at one-eighth. Still yet, the Tennessee legislature declared anyone having any Negro blood at all made an individual a person of color. The leaders of the ex-Confederacy made no qualms about their desire to keep blacks out of the political process. To this end, all of the ex-Confederate states prevented blacks from voting, holding political office, or serving in the state militias. This view had some measure of support in the North. In an article appearing in the New York Times, an author wrote, â€Å"The denial of suffrage to the freedmen, we believe, cannot be made a bar to admission of the Southern representatives, for the reason is that it is no real denial of justice. No man, white or black, has title to a civil power which he has not the intelligence to exercise. † The Black Codes also prohibited blacks from serving in state militias. A principle reasons for these laws was probably a concern for insurrections and armed violence. However, a 2corollary concern was that the presence of armed black soldiers encouraged undesirable attitudes in blacks. For example, in Florida, the state legislature drafted resolution requesting that black Union Army troops be withdrawn from their lands because their presence alarmed whites and encouraged insubordination among blacks. Florida also passed laws prohibiting blacks from carry fire-arms or weapons. If blacks wanted to own a gun, these laws often required blacks to obtain a license from the county judge and to have witnesses, usually white, vouch for their nonviolent temperament. The vagrancy statutes were particularly harsh on freed blacks. While these statutes did not specifically target blacks in their language, they were predominately applied to blacks because of their impoverished condition. In general, vagrancy statutes stipulated that any person a law enforcement officer or judge deemed to be unemployed and not owning property could be arrested and charged as a vagrant. It was easy to arrest blacks for violating vagrancy laws because the freed blacks lacked wealth and land owning to their previous condition of servitude, and to a lesser extent because the federal government reneged on its promise to deliver forty acres and a mule to 40,000 freed slaves. Once arrested and convicted of vagrancy, a person would be forced into conditions nearly identical to slavery. They were either hired out to private individuals or forced to work public projects. They were not paid for their labor. In Florida, disobedience, tardiness, or running away could be punished by imprisonment, standing in the pillory or stockade, or flogging. Punishment by flogging usually consisted of receiving 39 lashes, a number frequently used when flogging slaves. Apprentice statutes functioned along with vagrancy statutes to ensure a steady supply of inexpensive labor. Under apprentice laws, minors of poor parents, or parents deemed to be 3vagrants, could be taken as wards of the court and bound out to a master for varying lengths of time. Males were usually bound until the age of twenty-one, females until the age of eighteen. Apprentices frequently had no choice in the trade they would be required to learn, however, masters were required to teach the apprentice a trade, provide for the apprentice’s living expenses, and provide the apprentice with a basic elementary level education. Some states even required the master to provide the apprentice with a monetary gift when the apprenticeship expired. Apprentices who violated apprentice laws by running away being disobedient to their master could be imprisoned, flogged, or forced to pay damages. The regulation of labor contracts with blacks was another hallmark of the Black Codes. In article appearing in a popular magazine of the time, a Southern author wrote of black people, â€Å"We should be satisfied to compel them to engage in coarse, common manual labor, and to punish them for dereliction of duty or non fulfillment of their contracts with such severity, as to make them useful, productive laborers. † Under the Black Code labor regime, blacks were free to work for any one they chose, but they were required to sign contracts that bound them to the employer at least a year. Once the contract was signed, blacks could not get out of the contract unless a court first declared the master violated the contract first. This deprived blacks of the opportunity to accept better paying jobs if they arose, and insured landowners had a steady supply of cheap labor. Punishment for blacks who broke their labor contracts included payment of damages, imprisonment. In states like Florida, it also included standing in the stockade or floggings. In Florida, behavior that constituted a breach of the contract included laziness, failure to appear for work, using offensive language with the employer, or running away. Most of the slave codes also made it a criminal offense for anyone to entice or encourage a black laborer to break an existing labor contract. Criminal laws also played an important aspect in the Black Codes. To varying degrees, ex-Confederate states passed criminal laws that prohibited petty that blacks were more likely to commit due to their immediate condition. For example, the Louisiana Penal Codes specifically criminalized trespassing on plantations. Because free blacks often had no place to live other than on their previous master’s plantation, they were more likely to be arrested under these statutes. Penal Codes also specifically targeted blacks by inflicting harsher punishments for some crimes than whites convicted of the same crime. Unequal punishment was important for keeping blacks in a condition of servitude. For example, a North Carolina statute made it a capital offense for a black person to assault a white woman with intent to rape. Finally, the Black Codes uniformly prohibited interracial marriages between blacks and whites. For example, in Texas anti-interracial marriage laws called for the punishment of both spouses with a fine, imprisonment or both. It was a criminal offense, as it was in Georgia, for anyone to knowingly marry a white and black person. And frequently county clerks were required to record marriages of blacks and whites in separate registries. Conversely, the Black Codes also uniformly recognized black marriages and the legitimacy of children born to black parents. However, many Black Codes made it a criminal offense under adultery and fornication laws for blacks to live together without getting married or registering as a married couple with the county clerk. These statutes were frequently applied to blacks living in rural areas who were living together as result of their impoverished condition.

A Case Study Of Love Canal Environmental Sciences Essay

A Case Study Of Love Canal Environmental Sciences Essay Abstract- This paper is prepared to fulfill the requirement of subject Engineering Ethic (BENU 4583) which is included in Bachelor Degree of Electronic Engineering (Telecommunication). The case study is conducted on the Love Canal contamination issue which triggered the environmental alarm of United State at 1970s. The significant effect of Love Canal concern was the creation of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act. Introduction Love Canal, located in Niagara Falls, New York. It had its attention on a national scale as well as international scale at 1970s for the matter of toxic waste been buried beneath the neighbourhood by Hooker Chemical and Plastics Corporation. In year 1953, Hooker Chemical and Plastics Corporation sold a land which was used for chemical waste dump to the Niagara Falls School Board for the use of building school on it. Figure 1 shows the location the 99th Street Elementary School in the centre of Love Canal. The agreement has been done with the full knowing of the risks. The Niagara Falls School District bought the land with the cost of one dollar and granted Hooker Chemical will release from all liability from the contamination. The nearby area was then built with residential neighbourhoods without declaring the hazardous of the place to the residents. With the disturbance by the building on the soil, the entire property was contaminated, causing an excessive of health problems occurre d. History William T. Love was an ambitious entrepreneur who conceived a canal which will link the two levels of Niagara River separated by Niagara Falls for the generation hydro electricity. Due to the barring of Congress and Panic of 1893, the plan was changed. The canal was dug for the purpose of shipping lane which will bypass Niagara Falls reaching to Lake Ontario. He managed to dig a canal for a length of 1.6 km, width of 15 m and the depth of 3 m to 12 m, stretching northward from the Niagara River before he went bankrupt. [2] The project went idle and the canal became a dump site for City of Niagara Falls. By 1940s, Elon Hooker who owns Hooker Electrochemical Company bought Love Canal with the granted permission by the Niagara Power and Development Company in 1942 for chemical wastes dumping. The canal was chosen due to the soil characteristic impermeable clay and the small population at the neighbourhood. Other than the wastes from Hooker, The U.S Army disposed the toxic chemical wastes there during and after World War II as well, also the unloading of the city of Niagara Falls municipal refuse into the Love Canal. Under pressure of Canal property been expropriated by the Niagara Falls School Board, Hooker Chemical and Plastics Corporation had to sell on the condition of the company will be fully freed from the future liability for the chemical dump. Figure 2 shows that approximately 21,800 tons of companys wastes been dumped into the pit before the property been legally transacted to the Niagara Falls School Board of Education in 1953. Before the agreement was done, Hooker Chemical and Plastics Corporation did cite the safety concerns of the property. The architect had risen up the issue of relocation of building location to the Board due to the dump sites which filled with 55-gallon drums of chemical wastes he discovered during the construction. The construction of 99th Street School was immediately started after relocation to further north from the top of the canal. By neglecting of the exposure of chemical wastes residues, the school was completed and been offered to students in year 1955, followed by the 93rd Street School in year 1958 which was built 6 blocks away. Incidentally, both sites had approval from the Niagara Falls Planning Board on December 30, 1952. [3] In year 1957, the remaining land was sold and rapid developments were held for homes. The Niagara Falls Authority also planned to build Griffon Manor housing project. C:UsersJaeDesktopLove Canallove_canal_modern_aerial_thumb.jpg Fig. 1: Location of 99th Street School on Love Canal. [1] C:UsersJaeDesktopLove CanalLove-Canal.jpg Fig. 2: Dumped Chemical Wastes in Love Canal [1] In year 1978, the State Departments of Health and Environmental Conservation launched sampling and analysis of the homes adjacent to the Love Canal. The analysis had identified 82 different chemical compounds at the landfill, of one is known as human carcinogen and 11 are known or presumed anima carcinogens. [4] The Commissioners of Health and Environmental Conservation took every remedy available of the State to protect the publics health and safety. Dr Whalen, the Public Health Specialist in Health Department termed Love Canal is an extremely serious threat to the health and welfare. The Niagara Country Health Commissioner had been summoned to eliminate the visible chemicals and restrict access of the site. Extensive analyses showed that the chemicals seeped into the basement and contaminated the groundwater. The resident of Love Canal started to concern about the health issue and thereby Lois Gibbs, the head of the Love Canal Homeowners Association made complaints about the surfaced chemicals substances in their yards. However, it was in vain as the local politicians were not assisting the residents. The dumped site was declared as an unprecedented state emergency on August, 1978. The residents were urged to evacuate the neighbourhood for good sake. United State President Jimmy Carter called for allocation of federal funds to remedy Love Canal site. The toxic area has been reburied with a thick plastic linear clay and dirt. The area is restricted from the public today while the issue has become a catalyst for future environmental laws creation. C:UsersJaeDesktopLove Canalflipper.jpg Fig 3: Flipper [1] Most of the buildings on the east and west sides of the canal had been demolished. United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that the chemicals were responsible to the residents illness in year 1979. Some of the important chemicals and the human biological hazards are shown in Table 1. The health studies that done by the United States National Research Council (NRC) in 1991 showed that the exposed unborn babies were stunted growth, for e.g. flippers case as shown in Figure 3. Table 1: List of Important Chemicals identified at Love Canal Compound Acute Effects Chronic Effects benzene Narcosis Skin irritant Acute leukemia Aplastic anemia Pancytopenia Chronic lymphatic leukemia Lymphomas (probable) toluene Narcosis (more powerful than benzene) Anemia (possible) Leukopenia (possible) trichloroethylene Central nervous depression Skin irritant Liver damage Paralysis of fingers Respiratory and cardiac arrest Visual defects Deafness Views of Engineers Code of Ethics In this case study, National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) Code of Ethics has been used as reference. As a Professional Engineer, the Hooker Chemical and Plastics Corporation has violated NSPE Code of Ethics, Section II.1 which states that Engineers, in the fulfilment of their professional duties, shall hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public. The corporation have to aware with the injury and danger that could lead to fatal in the future before they dispose of chemicals. Despite of it, the Niagara Falls School Board has to responsible to the construction of the schools and homes as stated in the agreement with Hooker. Hooker did acknowledge the hazardous of the land before they sold it. They should not build other than park on the Love Canal otherwise the property will revert to Hooker. The Niagara Power and Development Company and Niagara Falls Planning Board did not obey the statement in Section II.1.b where Engineers shall approve only those engineering documents that are in conformity with applicable standards. The disposal of wastes by Hooker Chemical and Plastics Corporation was approved by Niagara Power and Development Company where no health concerns were showed for the future. The construction of 99th and 93rd Street Schools by Niagara Falls Planning Board were approved without any investigations on the land. Engineers having knowledge of any alleged violation of this Code shall report thereon to appropriate professional bodies and, when relevant, also to public authorities, and cooperate with the proper authorities in furnishing such information or assistance as may be required as stated in Section 1.II.e. The architect and contractors of the schools building did not report to the authorities other than the Board when they found out the truth that the superintendent covered from the view of public. In Section II.3.a, engineers may express publicly technical opinions that are founded upon knowledge of the facts and competence in the subject matter. Hooker Chemical did not reveal everything to the public regarding on the chemical wastes beneath the land of Love Canal although pressure was laid on Hooker Chemical and Plastics Corporation. On the other hand, the Niagara Falls School Board hide the facts which has been cited by Hooker Chemical and just let the sleeping dogs lie. Implementation of Engineering Society Codes Tragedy Love Canal 1978 is a dangerous and the worst tragedy in U.S. history. Love Canal tragedy resulting from the pile of chemical waste has caused environmental degradation and diseases such as defects, fetal loss and cancer. Negligence of some of the parties was the main factor to the disaster. The tragedy can be prevented if the parties involved concerned about the environmental importance and apply the appropriate code of ethics in the particular case. The NSPE Code of Ethics is referred in this task. First of all, as to hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public in Section II.1, the Hooker Chemical and Plastics Corporation who uses the Love Canal as a chemical waste disposal site should not be sold for residential development purposes although under pressure of the Canal property will be confiscated by the government. The parties that involved such as Niagara Falls Planning Board in the project should be concern in approving the development projects as stated in Section II.1.b. They shall approve those engineering documents that are in conformity with applicable standards and appropriate contents and details. Thus, the atmosphere of the area used for disposal of the chemicals specified in the document and might be aware of the threat when developing residential areas. In order to prevent the tragedy, the Hooker Chemical and Plastics Corporation should also issue public statements in an objective and truthful manner. They should clarify earlier that the area was not suitable for settlements before being sold. Section II.3.a states that all relevant and pertinent information in their reports, statements or testimony, which should bear the date indicating when it was current should included in the public statements. Engineers who involved in the project should be concerned about the conditions of the soil and environment before approving the project to proceed. They may express publicly their technical opinions that are founded upon knowledge of the facts and competence in the particular subject matter. Therefore, the development could be revoked, and prevent the tragedy. Hooker Chemical and Plastics Corporation sold Canal property with a token of dollar, hopping that the cooperation will be freed from the liability in the future contamination. It shows a deceptive act of Hooker and they concern more about own priority even though they knew the consequences that can be struck out of their actions which can be stated in Section II.5.b. They shall not put the consideration in order to secure themselves only but to concern the public in the future. In addition, the leakage of chemical waste disposal drums is one of the factors that caused the eruption. This leakage occurred due to chemical reaction after heavy rains. However, the parties involved in the construction of the disposal drums shall not approve plans or documents dealing with the construction without prior concern about the quality and endurance towards the chemical reaction. The Love Canal tragedy could be avoided if the authorities involved showing a reasonable ethical behaviour in the particular cases. Ethical Theories The case has been analyzed in different perspectives. There are no specific theories that can be chosen to solve the problem but the result will be the same as the ethical theories will lead to the same conclusion. Utilitarianism seeks to produce the most utility, defined balancing of good and bad. The theory holds the actions that maximizing the well-being of the society rather than individuals. The Niagara Falls School Board had to build schools and homes due to the economic boom of population in Niagara Falls after World War II. However, the hazardous of the land was not taking into account. The act utilitarianism is the main ideology in this case. The Love Canal was chosen by Hooker Chemical and Plastics Corporation for the chemicals disposal due the soil condition of the land and the plethora population at the nearby area. Plus, the dumping of chemical wastes was legal until year 1980. Right ethics and Duty ethics hold actions that respect the rights of the individual as well as the good consequences to the society. Love Canal residents have the right to know the past history of the Love Canal. John Locke (1623-1704) said that humans deserve the equal right to life, liberty and property with the others, although in this case, most of them are the  mixture of low-income and single family residences. The residents who live at Love Canal have the right to live without fear of harms due to hazardous wastes. Ironically, the whole nation will benefits from the safe disposal of these wastes. Hence, Duty Ethics indicates the overall advantages to the society compared to that of the right ethics of the residents at Love Canal. Other than the chemical wastes by Hooker, the disposal of wastes from the U.S Army during and after World War II and the municipal disposal from neighborhoods of Niagara Falls City are part of contribution of the hazards to the public. After the declaration of emergency, the Occidental Chemical Cooperation (OCC) and U.S. Army show their responsibility on the disposal of wastes. They reimburse the residents loses in terms medical checking and lodging. Later, they remediate the Love Canal and restricted the land to the public. Virtue Ethics says that discharging wastes is irresponsible and harmful to individuals and so it should not be done. The honesty in declaring the facts to the public should have carried out by the Hooker Chemical and Plastics Cooperation and the Niagara Falls School Board. They are responsible in acknowledging the residents on the hazard issue of the land. Hooker should hold public-spirited action in the consideration of the selling of Canal property to the Board. The health concerns of the public should come first compared to that of the freed of liability for the future contamination. Factual, Conceptual and Moral Issues A canal was created in year 1890 with hopes of generating the hydro electricity. It was meant to generate power inexpensively to fuel the areas industry and homes. However, the project failed due to limitations and in 1942 the Hooker Chemical and Plastics Corporation bought it and buried 22,000 tons of toxic waste in the area. The proper sited, managed, and regulated landfills were approved by the Niagara Power and Development Company. Hooker Chemical and Plastics Corporation sold this site to the Niagara Falls School Board with a deed explicitly detailing the danger contained within the site, and including a liability limitation clause about the contamination. The schools were built on the Love Canal without concerning Hookers warnings. Wastes that buried beneath the Love Canal seeped out and polluted the air, water, or soil. The analytical tests were then carried out. The tested result on several sump-pumps near Love Canal and found toxic chemicals in them where potential effect to health such as cancer, blood diseases, epilepsy, miscarriages and others. The Superfund law was created to protect communities from heavily contaminated toxic waste sites that have been abandoned. Remedial works started after the order from the U.S. President Jimmy Carter. Clean-up by with the built of drainage trench and the clay was placed over land. Congressional acts developed to face toxics problem and EPA making grants for programs to specialize in safe handling and disposal of wastes. [5] Flow chart is used often by the engineering students. Flow chart is chosen as it can emphasize the different aspects of the same problem. For solving an ethical problem, all possible outcomes and scenarios has to be determined. Thus, flow chart is the best choice in solving the Love Canal case study problem. Hooker Chemical and Plastics Corporation wish to use Love Canal as the site of chemical wastes disposal. Are local laws strict for health safety? Choose another location to be dump site. Is health safety of the public taken into account? Provide remedies for future contamination. Dump the chemicals wastes into the canal with shielded drums. No No Yes Yes Fig. 4: Application of simple flow chart to the Love Canal case, emphasizing potential decisions made during consideration of dumping the wastes into the canal. Niagara Falls School Boards would like to build schools and homes at Love Canal. Is the land free from hazards of the wastes buried beneath? Relocate for the location of construction. Is the health safety of the residents been guaranteed? Acknowledge the risk of staying at that area to the residents. Continue the construction plan. No No Yes Yes Fig. 5: Application of simple flow chart to the Love Canal case, emphasizing potential decisions made during consideration of schools and homes building on the canal. As illustrated in Figure 4, it presents the decision making process of the Love Canal as the dump site of chemical wastes. The Hooker Chemical and Plastics Corporation should ensure that there is no leakage of the chemicals to the ground. Remedies such as restriction of constructions on that area should be implemented if they have foreseen the effect of contamination in the future. The Niagara Falls School Board neglecting the issue of health safety on the contamination land speeds up the level of exposure of the chemicals to the public. While for Figure 5, it shows the decision making process that might have gone by the authorities involved, for instance, The Niagara Falls Planning Board and The Niagara Falls School Board. They decide on the construction of the schools. It is obviously shows that the Boards only relocate the constructions 6 blocks away from the original plan due to the statements of the architect, saying that concrete foundation might damage if constructing the building on top of the dump site. The tragedy happens because the removal of protection clay cap and holes punching into the impermeable clay walls to build water lines. Remedies The Hooker Chemical and Plastics Corporation should plan the proper way to dispose the hazardous waste properly without effecting the environment. Besides, they should identify the hazardous waste and manage it differently. Since in this case, they put them together in the same place. Dioxin is the most hazardous substance together with benzene; carcinogen and other make the very worst impact to the society health. Furthermore, the government should survey and should expect the effect of build La Salle Expressway that crosses the canal. It makes the buried chemical beneath the land to migrate and seep from the canal. Effect of this construction, it restricted groundwater from flowing to Niagara River. It turns the breached canal into overflowing pool. Management of the Hooker Chemical and Plastics Corporation should alert their hazardous waste is very harmful to the human and environment event in long term. They should not sell the property to the government. Otherwise they should manage the waste properly until it may not affect to environment. In addition, the management of private developer, for example Niagara Falls Housing Authority builds the housing project without knowing the history of the canal and the agreement between the Hooker Chemical and Plastics Corporation and the school board. The local authorities or especially local politicians were trying to deny the problem. The Mayor of Niagara Falls, Micheal C.OLaughlin state that there is nothing wrong in Love Canal. As the mayor or the local authority, he should take this problem as serious thing. He should study the history; survey the health report that obviously shows that there has something wrong with that area. Also, he should observe the area himself to prove it. Then take the precaution and final way to avoid the problem. In this disaster, the government has make a big mistake by wedged the Hooker Corporation to sell the properties even thought the Hooker has demonstrate that there have hazardous waste underground. The government should know the long term effect of this waste and not to build the school or any housing. Last but not least, the local government also went against all repeated warnings by the Hooker Chemical and Plastics Corporation and tried to profit off of the contaminated land. The government knows the chemical contain but they removed part of the protective clay cap to use as fill dirt and punched holes in the impermeable clay walls to build water lines and the La Salle Expressway. At the beginning they should conscious about the environment and society. They cannot take in pawn of human life rather than for their sake. Conclusion There is a remaining question- who has the liability regarding accidents occurring from wastes disposed of previously? Although taking into the account of these aggressive strides to make sure that hazardous waste is safely managed, it becomes a questionable issue. Relating to the liability, if health safety is detected at dangerous level, what are the authorities that willing to correct the situation? Are they willing to accept the after risk? Whos going to pick up the tab? However, undoubtedly this question will be taken in hand effectively in the future. One of the main problems which against is that the shifting of the lands ownership. It is difficult to determine liability. It is within power of human to work out effective controls designed to significantly lower or even cut off the environmental risks. Justifications in decisions that made are crucial in solving the dilemma. The tragedy is not over and done that the residents of Love Canal have given more than others.

internal communication system

internal communication system Does a successful internal communication system result in a motivated Workforce? 1.0 Introduction 1.1 Internal communications: It is a generic expression for all communication (formal and informal) that an organization undertakes with its close stockholders — i.e. those people with whom it has a relationship that requires support, principally direct/indirect employees and members. The main purpose of formal internal communications is to inform employees or members of the direction and performance of the organization (and team) to which they belong. The profession of internal communications builds on fundamental principles of other disciplines like human resources (HR), marketing, project management and media planning. As a result it often gets adopted in organizations under different labels: employee communications, employee engagement, internal marketing, company communications, staff communication, etc. Responsibility can also reside within different functions: marketing, corporate communications, transformation, HR, CEO office, etc. In common with other communication professions, there are different areas of specialism within internal communications: channel management, speech-writing, change communications, HR communications, project communications, event management, social media, intranets, etc 1.2 Motivation work force: A motivated workforce is one which individuals and teams generally strive hard and successfully to achieve the goals set t them. They perform at a high level and make significant effort to help you to achieve your business strategy. A committed work force is one in which individuals identify with the purpose, goals and values of the organization, wish to remain with it and are prepared to put themselves out on its behalf. Motivation is about staff focusing their effort on achieving specific targets. That is, what staffs do? It also is about getting your staff to behave in the right way. That is, how they do things. Key indicators include: †¢ Communication †¢ Management leadership †¢ Performance Management and Recognition †¢ Work Management You can motivate people with: †¢ varied and interesting work perhaps giving the opportunity to travel †¢ high-quality training and development e.g. encouragement to study for professional qualifications †¢ an open door culture in which managers are approachable †¢ respect for a good work-life balance e.g. offering the opportunity for flexible working †¢ fairness at work, including promoting equality and diversity †¢ proactive and regular communication †¢ regular appraisal and positive feedback restating business objectives and recognizing your staffs contribution †¢ requests for feedback, either in person or via staff surveys, on how employees feel about their roles, the support they get, and improvements to the business †¢ the chance to socialize with colleagues at organized events †¢ recognition and reward for ideas or competitive intelligence Commitment is concerned with the loyalty of staff t to the organization and feeling good about it can be increased through creating and maintaining a positive working experience. Key indicators include: †¢ Job Satisfaction †¢ Employee involvement †¢ Training and development †¢ Working environment †¢ Co-operation †¢ Working relationship To be effective employee opinion surveys should be conducted on a regular basis. This could be six-monthly or annually. They do involve extra effort on behalf of the staff in term of taking time to complete the survey. 2.0 Research As little as a few decades ago, managers believed that the behind the scenes dealings of their companies were of no concern to employees. Thus, information that may have motivated employees or inspired their job interest was not available to them as they were merely considered another cog in the organizational wheel. Since that time, management science has formed a basis for analyzing management style and its influence on communication and motivation. Most organizations, be they public or private understand the importance of strategic communication with customers and stakeholders. Hence we have marketing and communication specialists to produce communication plans for external use. In the private sector that means more income; in the public sector it means better public relations, and better use of government services through client information. Many organizations also understand the importance of developing strategic plans to guide longer term decision-making. The thinking is that without knowing where we want to be (and how we are going to get there), we cant coordinate organizational resources so that we get to where we want to go. Frequently, communication methodologies for communicating with customers and the public are included in strategic planning. However, few organizations address internal communication in the same way. Determining what should be communicated to staff, when it should be communicated, and how it should be communicated is often left up to the decisions of individuals made when there seems to be a need. In other words internal communication strategies are developed, reactively, when there is a crisis or major event that clearly requires addressing communication issues. Where communication is planned out, it is often around upheavals like major corporate or organization change, layoffs and downsizing, and technological change. However, once the initiating focus has been eliminated communication tends to go back to an unorganized incoherent process. 2.1 Principle of Internal Communication Some basic principles to keep in mind when creating your strategic internal communication plan are: ï‚ § Develop a long-term focus ï‚ § Identify clear values for your organization ï‚ § Define the specific goals for your internal communication strategy ï‚ § Use comprehensive, pervasive methods ï‚ § Be consistent in your messages 2.1.1 Openness: All information should be communicated in an open and honest fashion. While the positive aspects of any news or decision should always be clearly communicated. Message senders should not be afraid to admit that they have changed their mind or have been mistaken. As a result, senders should be prepared to receive contradictory or critical views and should be ready to engage in debate with staff. In the light of freedom of information Act, all information should be open to access by any members of staff. 2.1.2 Relevance: Information should be clearly relevant to the audience they are delivered to. Each message should answer the question that many staff has what in it for me? The needs of the audience should be put in all communications activity and information should be tailored to ensure that it is relevant to different audiences. If the recipient is expected to act on the information they have received this should be made clear to them. 2.1.3 Simplicity: Simple, Straightforward language should be used in all written and verbal communication. The use of jargon and management speak should be avoid. Messages should be carefully thought out and constructed so that the point of clear. Any actions you expect staff to take as a result should be clear. Messages should not be overly long or complicated and all communication should be consistently of a high quality. 2.1.4 Clarity: All communication should be clear in its aims. Message senders need to tell their audience in direct terms the status of the information they are communicating. Here just four examples. 2.1.4.1 A policy decision: A decision taken by one of the universitys three committees which applied to the whole university and must be considered by all staff. 2.1.4.2 A Mandatory Decision: either taken by the university, or imposed by an outside authority. 2.1.4.3 Consultation: Information which is in the discussion stage and is open to consultation by staff. If this is the case, the message sender needs to be clear as to where feedback can be sent. 2.1.4.4 Work in progress: Where is it necessary to keep staff updated about a major projector policy which is still in development. 2.1.5 Planned and timely: Information should be prioritized and planned so as to avoid information overload, duplication of messages or long periods of non-communication. Communication with staff should not be an afterthought or an add-on but should be at the heart of all planning within university. This will ensure that information is given to staff when they need it- not when decision makers happen to think about it, or in the worst case scenario, when staff learns of major decision via the regional or national media. To this end, all major committees or decision making groups should develop an explicit communications strategy which outlines how information will be fed to staff via existing channels of communication. 2.1.6 Two- way communication: A one way conversation is very boring wherever possible, communication should be two way. All communication should be ensure that there are as many opportunities for listening and asking questions as there are sending messages out. These opportunities should be opened for all staff. Where these opportunities are offered the message owner should ensure that good quality and rapid answers can be given to the questions and issued rose. In this way communication will be positively encouraged and staff will feel that they can influence the development of relevant strategies, policies and procedures at a university and local level. 3.0 The advantages of Internal Communication We know that some of the most successful companies and corporations create a workforce that understands the mission, goals, values and procedures of the organization. The intent of creating such cultures is not to dominate or control employees, but to aim them at a set of common goals on which they can act every day. This brings coherence to the workplace, and allows better coordinated action. By clearing up ambiguity in whats, hows, and whys, the common culture permits employees to act with empowerment. When we have staff that understands the basic values and purposes of an organization, we give them the opportunity to make decisions that fall within those parameters. That means, for example, that more decisions can be made at the line level, reducing micro-managing. When your organization is communicating effectively with its internal stakeholders, whether they are employees, management or volunteers, it develops a cohesive culture where everyone is focused on the same goals and ha s the same objectives. By working within a cohesive culture, your stakeholders can work more efficiently together and collaborate more effective. Clearly, if we are to create such a common culture, we need to harness all of our organizations communication resources to achieve the purpose. Before we talk about that, lets look at some other advantages to having a coherent, shared organizational culture. †¢ Permits employees to make more decisions online since they have the tools and knowledge needed to make the right decisions. †¢ Encourages a sense of identification, on the part of staff, with the goals, mission and procedures of the organization, which can result in a sense of making a difference. This can have direct impact on effort and efficiency. †¢ Has the potential for reducing day-to-day conflict. Much conflict is generated by conflicting ideas on what is important to the organization often an indicator that the people involved do not share a common vision or understanding. †¢ Helps staff feel a part of the organization. When we look at organizations that use their common culture as a strategic advantage, what we find is that they create that culture through the use of very strategic, coordinated communication strategies. They use multiple methods, consistently. Their training supports their cultural goals, as does their written communication (e.g. newsletters, billboards, slogans, etc). Their management communicates consistently with common messages in a number of forums (e.g. performance management, department or sub-organization meetings, award and recognition programs, etc). And perhaps most importantly, management behavior is consistent with the messages echoed via other communication methodologies. 4.0 Internal communication strategy There are two sides of strategy in internal communications. In the first instance there is organizations strategy — what it hopes to achieve and how it plans to go about achieving it. That strategy will be supported and, to some extent, delivered through effective internal communications. In this context internal communication can help on several different levels: †¢ Tell: simply informing people of the direction, non-negotiable †¢ Sell: anticipating some form of backlash, requiring some persuasion †¢ Consult: seeking specific areas of input to the decision-making process †¢ Involve: seeking varying degrees of involvement and co-creation Secondly, and more importantly, internal communications needs a strategy of its own. It should be positioned more than a simple plan of tactical interventions in support of business activities. The strategy should consider the following: †¢ Market: What does the organization know about its audiences needs? How should its audiences be segmented? †¢ Message: What is it the organizations message is trying to achieve? In what tone should it be conveyed? †¢ Media: Which channels work best for the different audience segments? How will it maximize reach and cut-through? Are there clear editorial guidelines for each? †¢ Measurement: Are there clearly defined success criteria? What are the leading and lagging measures? As well as informing all of the other three Ms, it should be used to demonstrate value and measures of performance (rate of return, message penetration, hit rates, quality of feedback, etc) The strategy will inform the best way to organize effective communications 5.0 Conclusion The development of a strategic internal communication strategy and its implementation can provide a number of benefits to organizations. To achieve those benefits we need a coordinated, comprehensive, long term communication approach. Effective communications require the active commitment and endorsement of senior managers. It is not enough simply to develop a vision statement or formulate in general terms the values by which the company lives. Behavior is what counts. Managers must be seen to behave in a manner that is consistent with the ethos they are promoting. Communication applied to development initiatives is still too often limited to activities aimed at informing the stockholders or the general public following the typical and dated top-down approach. Government counterparts and project managers are often not used or ready to democratize the decision making process, but are more interested in accelerating it. However, the budget, time and effort devoted to communication will almost certainly be worthwhile. Tele business relying on a mix of adequate telecommunications infrastructure, a quality workforce with reasonable wage levels and corresponding linguistic skills, such requisites are today available in other countries, particularly in the developing world. The workforce skills have to be permanently upgraded so as to satisfy the requirements of new applications. The internal communication techniques can inform and encourage policymakers to base their decisions on a clear understanding of beneficiaries perspectives from the beginning of a development initiative. Such communication not only needs to be carefully planned and implemented but must also be properly integrated with emergency management activities and operations therefore effective internal communication is therefore a key responsibility of public health professionals and information officers, especially during emergency. 6.0 References Effective media communication during public health emergencies (Google book) By Randall N. Hyer, Vincent T. Covello pg 4 published 2007 Information and communication technologies and rural development (Google book) By Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development pg 76 published July 2001 The role of communication in large infrastructure: the Bumbuna Hydroelectric (Google book) By Leonardo Mazzei, Gianmarco Scuppa, World Bank pg 39 published June 2006 Strategic Communication for Privatization, Public-Private Partnerships and Private Participation in Infrastructure Projects (Google book) By Daniele Calabrese World Bank published March 2008 pg 39 http://www.uneed2.com/assets/Summary_Guide_to_Employee_Opinion_Surveys.pdf dtd. 7/10/09 http://www.campus.manchester.ac.uk/medialibrary/internal-comms/ic-principles.pdf dtd. 10/10/09. http://performance-appraisals.org/Bacalsappraisalarticles/articles/comstrat.htm dtd 7/10/09 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internal_communications#Internal_communication_strategy dtd 7/10/09 http://www.oppapers.com/essays/Communication-Organisation/165925 dated 14/10/09.

Indian Economic Movements :: Essays Papers

Indian Economic Movements Net losses at Tata Engineering Co (Telco) rose to Rs 60.36 crore, even as it struggled to absorb the full commissioning costs of its Rs 1,700 crore passenger car project. Turnover during the quarter was more encouraging, jumping 52 per cent to Rs 2,390 crore on the back of strong volume growth in the medium & heavy commercial vehicles segment and higher passenger car sales. Telco said it expected to break even towards the end of the year. Analysts said the Pune-based auto major’s margins came under pressure following lower, less-than-anticipated, profitability in the ambitious Indica project, Telco’s answer to the assault of global car makers in the domestic market. Margins, they said, will remain under pressure thanks to the competition in the commercial vehicles and car businesses. The relatively-insulated commercial vehicles segment, for instance, will see Swedish truck major Volvo going into expansion mode and Eicher (a newcomer in this segment) will launch its HCV sometime this year. PRODUCTION of petroleum products has fallen by almost 30 per cent in the last four months following a severe drop in refinery margins. Indian Oil Corporation, Reliance Petroleum, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum are amongst the leading refinery companies who are likely to take a hit following the sharp increase in international crude prices which have been rising at a faster pace than the product prices. Standalone refineries like the Mangalore refinery have cut production by almost one-third. Crude throughput, (processing crude in the refineries) has fallen significantly forcing the government to increase product imports. But theres a risk of getting exposed to a more volatile product market and going in for short term deals which may not always be on the best rates. Sources claimed that they have been fortunate in being able to procure the products at reasonable rates. â€Å"However, this is not a favourable situation, and should be avoided,† industry experts said. Sources argued that the benefits of attaining self sufficiency in refining capacity are not being reaped as the domestic refineries cannot function at optimum margin levels under the given duty structure. Had the duties on crude been lower, refineries would be encouraged to import and produce. â€Å"Buying crude at $24 a barrel may still allow you to make your margins, but when you pay an additional $3 just as duties, selling products become unviable.† In an update on an

The Simple Life and the Corruption of Technology :: Exploratory Essays Research Papers

The Simple Life and the Corruption of Technology "Let's take it home boys!" Not really paying attention to our altitude, we headed towards base after a flawless mission against an enemy tank. As we reached the jungles edge, anti-aircraft shells began exploding all around us. I ordered the formation to climb as fast as possible. Almost as quickly as I had given the order, my plane was hit. Luckily, the round didn't explode, but had traveled through the center of the fuselage. I realized my plane was fatally crippled, including my ejection seat. As my plane fell into the jungle, I woke up. Though I did not know what had drawn me from the dream, I had an idea it was the splitting pain in my leg. As the pain slowly crept up my leg, I became aware of my surroundings. I could now feel the perspiration on my face and faintly hear mumbled voices; I was not in my bed. As I opened my eyes to blurry vision, I made out dark moving objects among a background of fire. Listening closely, I realized it was people speaking a foreign tongue. Moving my eyes from the dark skinned, scantly clad humans to my leg, I found the source of my pain. Driven through my left leg was a sharp piece of metal from the wreckage that surrounded me. With a swift jerk from one of my assumed rescuers, my leg was free of metal, and I was passed out from the pain. I awoke in a hut made of large leaves, mud, and grasses. The light crackle of the fire outside could be heard over the voices of the people surrounding it. I asked my self, "Where am I? How did I get here?" With my questions I made an astonishing discovery: I could not remember who I was! Feeling myself panic, I did the best to calm down and analyzed the situation. I had been pulled from some type of wreckage, but of what? The people who had saved me were very primitive. They wore little more than a loin cloth of a cheap textile, and they had dressed me the same. They were eating some yellow muck from wooden bowls and again my ears greeted the new language. Trying to sit up, I flexed my leg and a crippling pain powered a scream from the bottom of my lungs. My scream had caught the attention of those who had been talking outside.

Week Two Learning Team Reflection on Personal Liability

Week Two Learning Team Reflection on Personal Liability Law/531 October 2, 2012 ? Week Two Learning Team Reflection on Personal Liability Benefits to Commerce Team C colleagues decided on the following opinions in respect to the advantages of commerce using shareholders and other entities for protection against personal liability losses. Commerce is the buying and selling of goods or services within cities, states, and globally. The legal structure of a business will establish the liable responsibilities of the business owner.When a business is established as a Corporation or an LLC this structure separates business owner’s personal assets from the business debit and liability. The benefits of commerce acquiring shareholders or other entities to protect and shield their members from personal liabilities are a consideration that every entrepreneur should seek professional advice before starting a business. â€Å"As a separate legal entities, corporations are liable for their o wn debts and obligations† (Cheeseman, p. 558, 2010). By the corporation having shareholders it is limiting their loss if a potential suit arises.If they were to be sued they would be limited to the extent of their financial investment in the corporation. The officers of the corporation create a shield that protects them from liability, and from having their personal assets at risk. The benefit of having a corporation is that corporations itself becomes a legal entity; therefore the liability is taken away from an owner. If lawsuits arise the assets of the corporation will be at risk; however, the shareholders will not bear any personal liability. Therefore, potential investors in a corporation seek to have professional executives who use good judgment in running a business.The net worth of the corporation is also determined by the shareholders investment in the business and should there be a suit the corporation stands to be financially stronger than a business owned by a sole proprietor. If protecting investors was not available through legal methods most investors would not take the risk of losing their personal assets along with their investment. Personal Liability of Shareholders Team C colleagues decided on the following opinions in respect to the advantages of needing personal liability attached to individuals in violation and performing misdeeds.The United States is a country of laws. Believing that individuals and businesses are responsible for the actions and decision they make while in a position of authority. Personal liability is sometimes imposed the shareholders are normally not liable for the corporate debts incurred. (Cheeseman, 2010) Beginning around 1940, the government started enacting laws that attempted to protect society from unscrupulous businesses. History has shown that these laws alone cannot protect society from the misdeeds of individuals.Businesses always have relied on the consumer for continued existence. Therefore, a mutua l trust must occur to maintain the balance of commerce. People run businesses; therefore it is reasonable to consider that those that have a fiduciary responsibility should be held accountable for the misdeeds or torts that occur because of their negligence. Current laws consider a corporation as a legal entity accountable for any torts the members of that company may commit. Members of management under the same laws are afforded protection against claims on personal assets.If this protection did not exist individual’s assets could be attached to any litigation against the company regardless of which members were at fault. One may think attaching personal liability to managing members would be a reasonable solution. After all, they are the individuals who have stewardship over the company. In fact, this action would be counterproductive harming society and commerce alike. Corporate officers and business leaders would not want to take on the risk and would refrain from seeking a managing role within a corporation. The immediate effect on commerce would be devastating.Those with experience and know-how would simply remove themselves from management responsibilities, creating a vacuum for less qualified individuals, increasing the potential for torts to occur. Shareholders confidence would wane, stock markets would falter, and the economy would suffer a financial meltdown. Team C members also concur that corporations have protection for their shareholders regarding their personal information, but they do not hold the shareholders responsible if the corporation goes bankrupt or shuts down. Shareholders are only responsible for the amount of money they have invested in the company.Piercing the corporate veil is the doctrine stating that if the shareholder uses the corporation improperly, the court of equity disregards the corporate entity. The shareholder is personally liable for the corporation's debts and obligations (Cheeseman, 2010). This is also known a s the alter ego doctrine because the corporation becomes the alter ego of the shareholder. Still today sole proprietorships are the most popular form of starting a business and having ownership. The definition is a business owned by one person and not incorporated with any others.In the business world sole ownership is not separate and cannot be split apart from the owners personal assets (Fairfax, 2011). The unincorporated business is exposed to unlimited liabilities and loss of personal asset protection. In today’s commerce environment having unlimited liability is the single most substantial difference between having shareholders and other entities shielding the business and sole ownership. Concluding, it is imperative that individuals interested in starting a business take the appropriate measures to decide how they simply will protect the business from potential liability, or loss.Seeking the advice of professionals can facilitate making the proper decisions. ? Reference Cheeseman, H. (2010). Corporate Formation and Financing, Business Law (7th ed. )(pp. 556- 576). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Errors And Omissions Insurance – E. (2012, September 28). Retrieved from (I) INVESTOPEDIA: http://www. investopedia. com/terms/e/errors-omissions-insurance. asp#axzz27oyyIDBO Fairfax, L. M. (2011, July). The Model Business Corporation act at Sixty. Law & Contemporary Problems, 74(1), 19-30.

Walls Book Review

THEO 330-D03 Walls â€Å"Do you ever have the feeling that you are missing out on something important? † Ryan starts. â€Å"It’s Probably because you are. † (Loc. 247) Many of us are missing out on all God has for our life. What is keeping us from living the life God intends? Walls– separating us from the greatness God has destined for us. We get stuck plateauing in our spiritual progress, seeming to come to a screeching halt with our growth in the Lord. This is the issue Rush begins to portray in his book, Walls. Rush paints a wonderful picture of how we, as Christians, are to live authentic lives.He provides much Biblical insight in this book to help us break the walls holding us back. We might overcome these stumbling blocks by learning to trust and chase after our Creator with all we have. Only then, He will begin to unveil His plan and promises. One of the greatest quotes of this book, is Ryan’s definition of a wall. He describes them as, †Å"an unhealthy mind-set that keeps you from living life as God has intended. † (Loc. 453) These bricks, slowly laid down over time, can consist of negative thoughts, sins, doubts, and bitterness against our God.There are no quick fixes in breaking these walls. He says that we need decision, self-control, and a plan in order to get through. In order to break the wall, Rush describes, we need to be able to recognize that the wall is there. Throughout the book, Rush does a great job and telling the people what to do. He really lays down plans and ideas that can get you closer to breaking through. He gives us many tools and actions to help us. We are told to make a plan, to have self-control, and make decisions to break the walls. Rush really emphasizes on the different types of walls we might see.He names almost a dozen different walls and how we are stuck behind them. He always ended with emphasis on our decision is what keeps us locked up behind them. â€Å"Everybody is stuck, but nobody has to be,† he names the chapter. One of the only issues, that I had found, was we were not given specific instruction about how to use these tools. He tells us we need to plan, but unfortunately, we do not se how to formulate such a plan. He tells us to use a hammer, but we do not know the specifics to using it. He gives us the keys to use the wrecking ball, but we receive no instruction to operate the crane.Without knowing how to operate the equipment, we are very unlikely to excavate these barriers–especially if you are the type-a kind of person. We need detailed instruction on how we are to begin the process, continue the process, and end the process of demolition. The positive aspect of this, would be that each reader has to learn from experience on how to succeed. We typically cannot cross these barriers in such short time. Applying this book to my life has been a great experience. I have been struggling much with different walls in my life. Pride has definitely been one of the most prevalent in my observation.I see that over time, I have built a wall brick by brick. Creating these barriers do not usually happen overnight, but they seem to be a progressive construction– they take quite a bit of time. I just remember, in my own life, that after a year of keeping my guard down, I looked up and saw a giant wall that I never realized was there. If we aren’t careful, then we will slowly build a wall that can keep us enclosed for way too long and seem near impossible to break through. What we need to realize, is that we have to see that the wall is there and that you built it. This was one of the hardest steps for me.We have to decide to tear down the wall. This is a ton of work! Unfortunately, if you begin to procrastinate the demolition, there is a good chance that the wall will continue to grow. We can’t just start hitting the wall with a hammer; we have to plan the demolition. If we just swing aimlessly, there is a slim chance that we will knock it down. We have to know where to hit, what to use, and how to prevent it from building back. Throughout this book, I have learned much about demolition that I have used in my own life. I am so glad that I was blessed to read this book; it was a great help!