Editor's Note: Tracy Moore has joined Goodwill Communications as a broadcast consultant. She served as the Executive Director and President of the National Broadcast Association for Community Affairs and has held positions as a community affairs director for both radio and TV stations.

Hats off to Community Affairs Managers at broadcast and cable stations across America. Your shining public service efforts to keep your viewers informed in times of crisis are stellar examples of how you have always risen to the call when your community needs you the most.

The role of Community Partner is an awesome responsibility for Broadcasters. As gatekeepers of the public interest you must skillfully balance the most important issues with tangible solutions. How do you manage this task? A good place to start is to examine the reservoir of resources available through your community partners.

Having served for many years as a broadcast community affairs director, I can certainly attest to the tremendous workload facing those who represent the public face of a TV or radio station. In addition to many other duties, you are charged with finding appropriate resources your station can use to strengthen the bond you have with your viewers and listeners. You also need to insure that the programming you carry represents positive values of those you serve in the community. From both of these perspectives, there is an organization whose central mission supports the community relation's role at stations - the Entertainment Industries Council (EIC).

Founded in 1983, the EIC was established by leaders in the entertainment industry to provide information, awareness and understanding of major public health and social issues as they are depicted by the entertainment industry and to audiences at large - in essence, "Encouraging the art of making a difference."

"Our goal is to encourage the entertainment industry to more effectively address and accurately depict major health and social issues, we strive to bring the public accurate information to deter misinformation about lifesaving issues," says Brian Dyak, President and CEO of the EIC. "The EIC is the ideal vehicle through which the industry can become a viable contributor to solutions. Among the issues EIC addresses are: drug, alcohol and tobacco use and addiction; gun violence, firearm safety and injury prevention; mental health; safety belt and traffic safety awareness; and HIV/AIDS prevention, among others."

Programs and services that the EIC offers free of charge to members of the entertainment community include:

• PRISM Awards^TM. The entertainment industry's syndicated television annual awards for the accurate depiction of drug, alcohol and tobacco use and addiction in film, television, music video, interactive and comic book entertainment. The 5th Annual PRISM Awards aired in August as a television special syndicated by Tribune Entertainment, and the 6th Annual is scheduled to take place in May of 2002. Local stations airing and promoting the PRISM Awards are a valuable resource for "Celebrating the art of making a difference."
• Spotlight on Depiction^TM. A series of science-based briefings provided to entertainment creators and executives, complemented by the latest edition of the resource encyclopedia Spotlight on Depiction of Health and Social Issues and a series of companion news briefs entitled Spotlight on..., each focusing on a particular topic area. Volume 1 of Spotlight on Depiction of Health and Social Issues focuses on drug, alcohol and tobacco use and addiction, and Volume 2 addresses gun violence, firearm safety and injury prevention. Briefings are routinely conducted for such companies as ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, WB, UPN, E!, MTV, VH1, Lifetime, Comedy Central, Disney Channel, Fox Family, Paramount, Warner Bros., Touchstone, 20th Century Fox, Studios USA, A & E, Imagine, Tribune, Regency, and many others.
• First Draft^TM. A free script and pre-production resource and research service available to creatives in the entertainment industry at 818-955-6845, through a toll-free hotline number at 800-783-3421, or through e-mailing firstdraft@eiconline.org. Expert advice on accurate depiction is provided to such shows as The West Wing, E.R., Judging Amy, Family Law, CSI, The Job, Raising Dad, Strong Medicine, and The Division, among others.
• PRISM Generation Next^TM. A series of guest speaker presentations held at film schools, this program educates future generations of entertainment creators about accurate depiction, utilizing entertainment industry presenters and advisors, technical experts, paid writing fellowships and scholarships, and resources from Spotlight on Depiction and First Draft.

"Since our central mission so closely parallels that of the broadcast community affairs director, we are natural allies," Dyak pointed out. EIC has been working closely with the media for years - both at the national and local level - to reinforce the fact that America's social problems are not insurmountable and that we can all work together to create a positive and healthy society. EIC welcomes the opportunity to work closer together with local radio and television Community Affairs Directors.

EIC Profile: 1760 Reston Parkway, Suite 415 Reston, VA 20190 (703) 481-1414 Contact: Corporate Business: Kenneth Paule Marketing Publicity: Kimberly Reinbold Websites: www.eiconline.org www.prismawards.com