This site shares the story of need in the world today through profiles, analysis and commentary. It also provides resources for readers who want to “write themselves” into the story of need.

As the founder, editor and primary author of content on EverydayEpics.com, I follow journalistic standards in my reporting, research and writing. However, I also approach the story of need with a faith-inspired dislike for systems that lead to or perpetuate suffering, and a faith-inspired compassion for people on the margins of those systems. I work actively among faith communities, non-profits and community organizations, alike, to raise awareness of the story of need, and to help people in need, including, where possible and appropriate, some of the people profiled on this site.

The following policies and guidelines help me hold my roles of minister, storyteller and journalist in proper tension.

“The function of reporting and the press is the best obtainable version of the truth.” (Carl Bernstein, famous Watergate journalist, from the documentary “Page One“)

Ethics

• Fairness, accuracy & transparency – The stories I publish on EverydayEpics.com are as fair, complete and accurate as I can make them within my monthly publication schedule. I check my drafts of stories for accuracy before I publish them. When I perceive a potential conflict of interest in a story I publish, such as when I profiled my friend Tim for a piece about local homelessness, I disclose it at the end of the piece. While I openly share my opinions through the EverydayEpics.com “Commentary” section, as well as through my public speaking and group engagements, I try to base my opinions as much as possible on verifiable research and expert sources.
• News v. Opinion – News stories are located in the “Profiles” and “Month-in-Review” sections of this site. Opinion, analysis and commentary are found in the “Commentary” section. The “Featured Stories,” “Projects” and “Resources” sections include a combination of news, service-oriented information, analysis and research.
• Accountability – For financial accountability and oversight, the Everyday Epics initiative is part of Global Service Associates, a non-profit order of entrepreneurs in mission. For journalistic accountability, I voluntarily embrace the Code of Ethics of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ). (I am not a member of the SPJ.)
• Sources – When referencing a fact or other information in a story, I routinely provide the date and name of the source, and a link to its website. I only use “unnamed sources” to help tell a story as a last resort. When I find it necessary to change the name of a source in a story, I note the change at the beginning of the story. Photo source information is included in parentheses at the end of its caption. When feasible, photos within full stories link to the original source.

 

Other policies

• Syndication & links to our site – Readers and news sites, alike, are welcome to subscribe to our RSS feed. When referring to stories or commentary from EverydayEpics.com, name our site and provide a link, and ensure that your link does not state or imply any endorsement or sponsorship of your site by Everyday Epics or any group or individual affiliated with Everyday Epics. Email us for permission to reprint content from EverydayEpics.com.
• Contributions – While this site occasionally publishes profiles and columns by guest authors, their aims and perspectives do not necessarily represent those of Everyday Epics. We also consider unsolicited stories and opinion pieces between 500-1,000 words. Submit your work to us via email along with a brief summary of your piece and why you want to publish it here.
• Reader comments – To help promote discussion of the story of need in the world today, we publish constructive, respectful and libel-free comments by registered readers. (To register on our site, click here.) We do not fact-check reader comments, but do reserve the right to approve or disapprove them.
• Corrections – Any necessary corrections to a piece will be made within the body of the piece in question, and an explanation will be added to the end of the piece detailing what has been corrected or clarified.
• User Privacy – Everyday Epics will not share registered users’ personal information (email or IP address) with any third party, except as required by law.
• Third-party links – By using EverydayEpics.com, users agree that this site and its owner are not responsible and will not be held liable for any damage, injury or loss that results from interaction and/or transactions between the user and Web sites the user visits by clicking links on this site.