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Committee & Section Leadership |
Updated April 8, 2008
One of the goals of the National Capital Chapter is to promote the growth of the individual in the practice of public relations. Much of this is done through the chapter's extensive committee structure. Plan to join one of the following committees and contribute to the professionalism of public relations in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. A description of these committees is found below and you may also click here for a list of contact information for the chapter's Leadership and Committee Chairs.
Accreditation/Continuing Education Committee
This committee promotes the professional accreditation process. The APR Committee encourages members to consider accreditation and advises interested PRSA members on accreditation requirements. The APR committee offers Jump Start preparatory seminars twice each year along with 2 two-hour Review Sessions and two to three Readiness Reviews, depending on candidate interest. The committee offers candidates mentoring for the Exam and recognition for new APRs. The chapter’s professional accreditation efforts are coordinated through three groups. One group will be responsible for study seminar instruction (Jump Start, Review Sessions), another group will coordinate Readiness Reviews , and the third works with candidates as they prepare for the Exam.
The Committee also consider ways the chapter can promote maintenance and increase the visibility of the APR. Up-to-date information on Universal Accreditation can be found at www.prsa.org.
Co-Chairs: Brook DeWalt, APR, brook.dewalt@hq.afis.osd.mil
Mitch Marovitz, APR, marovitz_mitchell@bah.com
Career Academy
Career academies are an effort to provide high school students nontraditional curriculum that can prepare them for both college and careers. Studies have found that career academy students do better in high school and are more likely to pursue a college education when compared with other students in the same schools. PRSA supports the communications function that is part of most career academies in order to ensure that public relations is promoted along with other studies in communication. The National Capital Chapter is currently looking for a school in the DC area to have a career academy.
Communications Committee (Member e-newsletter, etc.)
In addition to producing the chapter's electronic newsletter and coordinating content on the PRSA-NCC website, this year the Member Communications Committee will conduct an in-depth analysis of current member communications practices and processes, and develop a comprehensive member communications strategy to drive the chapter's business results. Volunteers interested in contributing articles or photos to either the newsletter or the website, or participating in the communication audit and development of the communications strategy, should contact Susan Rink (committee chair), Jennifer Strom (newsletter editor).
Chair: Susan Rink, rinkcomms@verizon.net
Newsletter Editor: Jennifer Strohm, mailto:jstrohm@vepublicrelations.com
District Liaison
Diversity
The National Capital Chapter's (NCC) Diversity Committee is dedicated to promoting and preserving ethnic and cultural diversity within the Public Relations Society of America and the practice of public relations, itself. Our work fosters the philosophy of inclusion and advances the notion that the communications field is infinitely stronger and more effective when it reflects the broad diversity inherent in American life. We are a multicultural society; we must become a multicultural profession and a multicultural professional association.
Co-Chairs: LaVerne Gordon, laverne.gordon@montgomerycollege.edu
Leonie Campbell-Williams, lcampbell@advancingequality.org
Ethics & Advocacy
The ethics counsel participates in board meetings and ensures that relevant ethical factors and/or perspectives inherent in the topic of discussion are brought forth and considered, provides advice as requested or if it is warranted, and recommends strategies and tactics to support the chapter's objectives pertaining to ethics. The committee maintains environmental scanning for ethics-related issues in the media that may impact PRSA-NCC, its membership, or the profession at large. Committee members also make recommendations on tactical measures to mitigate negative issues and may take action to respond to such issues, with approval of the chapter board, in a timely manner.
Chair: Gwyn Walcoff, APR, gwyn@ccgpublicrelations.com
Government Relations & Public Affairs
The Government Relations and Public Affairs section represents PRSA members working in all levels of government, as well as those from counseling firms, corporations and associations who are responsible for communicating with various audiences on public policy issues. This group is focusing on new ways to involve Hill staffers and agency PAOs in the National Capital Chapter.
Chair: Fred Lash, APR, fred.lash.ctr@osd.mil
Hall of Fame
This committee helps to identify and honor the most esteemed public rleations practitioners in the greater Washington, DC area.
Chair: Paul Forbes, APR, Fellow PRSA, paulsforbes@verizon.net
Independent PR Alliance (IPRA)
IPRA is a network of experienced public relations counselors who own or operate independent PR businesses and consultancies. Members serve clients in both the public and private sectors across a wide range of industries as freelancers, consultants or team members in a virtual agency.
The Alliance, affiliated with the National Capital Chapter, provides a forum for networking, lead referral on new or existing business, resource sharing and professional development. Members meet monthly; participate in IPRA’s online discussion group and web site; share materials and vendor resources, such as discounted group memberships; offer professional development opportunities; and cross-refer business and team up on projects where members’ skills and interests complement one another.
If you are an independent public relations practitioner, please contact Sandra Wills Hannon to join this dynamic group or visit their Web site, www.ipralliance.com, today. For a list of independent practitioners, click here.
Chair: Tim Ayers, tim@ayersassociates.net
International Committee
International public affairs and media relations issues are the focus of this committee. The Committee hosts several programs each year (mainly held at the National Press Club) that attract senior U.S and international luminaries as speakers.
Co-Chairs: Ruth Sexton, ruthsexton@earthlink.net
Doris Wilson, 202-584-3299
Jobline
This committee manages and promotes the Jobline employment referral service (located at www.prsa-ncc.org) This year, the committee will explore opportunities for networking and programming to support both job seekers and employers. This committee is also responsible for developing current resources and tools for PRSA NCC members and their career development.
Chair: Stephanie Oppenheimer, APR, skylitecomm@yahoo.com
Marketing/Publicity
The External Marketing Initiative will focus on increasing chapter visibility in local business and industry communities, streamlining processes for chapter activity and event promotion, and supporting membership recruitment and internal communications initiatives. Members are encouraged to join in support of this effort by providing suggestions for partnerships and promotional vehicles and well as volunteering to help build the committee that will take on the responsibilities of driving this initiative forward.
Chair: Kristina Messner, kmessner@focusedimage.com
Membership Committee
As the “welcoming committee” for new NCC members, the Membership Committee is responsible for the recruitment and retention of NCC members. The group also examines ways to build additional value into members’ membership and to encourage active involvement by NCC members. If you are interested in volunteering for this committee or would like details on NCC membership, please contact the above individuals.
Co-Chairs: Bren Landon, brenlandon@gmail.com
Amy Schossler, CAE, schossler_amy@bah.com
Mentoring
PRSA-NCC has launched new effort to match younger PR practitioners and students with more "seasoned" PR pros in an effort to benefit both. The PRSA-NCC Mentoring Project is available only to members of the National Capital Chapter and PRSSA. Mentors will be matched with protégés who have similar areas of work experience and mutual interests. Those interested in being mentors or protégés can go to http://www.prsa-ncc.org/mentoring.html.
Chair: Fred Whiting, APR, whiting_fred@bah.com
Nominating
The Chapter's immediate past president is responsible for forming the nominating committee and overseeing the nominations process.
Chair: Sandra Wills Hannon, Ph.D., APR, shannon@thehannongroup.com
President's Council
This committee is an honorary council of the Chapter's past presidents that are available to address specific issues and offer expertise. This year's charter for the council is to develop a plan for supporting the 2010 PRSA International Conference being held in Washington, D.C.
Professional Development
This committee is responsible for planning and implementing a full schedule of professional development workshops - everything from new communications tools to insight into developing trends - with the goal of identifying and meeting the needs of our diverse membership. To join the committee, suggest a professional development topic or volunteer as a seminar or workshop coordinator, contact Debbie Friez or Phil Rabin.
Co-Chairs: Phil Rabin, prabin@westglen.com
Debbie Friez, dfriez@burrellesluce.com
PROnet Committee
PROnet is our chapter's "New Professionals" committee for public relations practitioners with 7 years or less experience in the field or in the Washington, DC, area. (Of course, all members are welcome.) PROnet organizes professional development workshops and happy hour networking located at Metro-accessible locations throughout Washington, DC. Past PROnet event locations include WTOP, NPR, Smithsonian, ABC News' Nightline, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Pentagon, the U.S. Supreme Court, The Washington Capitals Hockey Team/Organization and The Washington Post. To learn more about PROnet and to be added to the Upcoming PROnet Events Listserv, please click here.
Co-Chairs: Stephanie Maynor, smmaynor@yahoo.com
Alex Meerovich, a.meerovich@max-well.com
Public Service/Volunteerism
Chair: Deborah Deal, APR, deborah@saintblackwell.com
Special Events Committee
The Special Events Committee works closely with the other committees to provide resources for planning and coordinating NCC events, including: providing a list of venues and pricing for vendors, scheduling photographers for large events, and providing best practices in event planning. The committee is also responsible for organizing several networking events throughout the year, as well as the holiday party for the entire chapter. To submit a programming idea or to volunteer on the committee, please contact Jennifer or Diana.
Co-Chairs: Jennifer Collins, jennifer@epgevents.com
Diana Burkett, dburkett@ccapr.com
Sponsorship Committee
This committee is responsible for soliciting sponsorship dollars and in-kind contributions from industry service providers and the greater PR community to help support the chapter's programs. The committee also manages those relationships throughout the year to ensure NCC sponsors receive maximum benefits for their support. To learn more about advertising, exchange of services, gifts-in-kind, sponsorship and co-sponsorship opportunities, click here.
Co-Chairs: Robert Udowitz, udowitz@earthlink.net
Barbara Burfeind, APR, barbara.burfeind.ctr@osd.mil
Strategic Planning & Survey
Scheduled to be updated in 2009 and 2010.
Technology/Web Site Management Committee
This group provides committee members with a hands-on opportunity to manage an organizational website and enhance their knowledge of online communications, including content management, vendor management, technology evaluation, banner advertising, e-mail marketing, blogging and podcasting, search engine optimization, and web site traffic analysis. To improve member professional development by extending traditional workshops and events into videocasts, podcasts and webinars, broadening reach to members through the use of technology.
Co-Chairs: Susan Aggood, sapgood@newsgeneration.com
Jill Kurtz, APR, jill@balancegroup.us
Thoth Awards Committee
Volunteer to help plan PRSA-NCC's hallmark event, the “Thoth Awards,” (Thoth is the Greek god of communication) that is held in September and recognizes local excellence in PR. This committee is responsible for the Call for Entries, working with the Thoth Judging committee to recruit volunteer judges, and the organization and logistics for the awards gala. (See http://www.prsa-ncc.org/www.prsa.org for information on the Silver and Bronze Anvils, sponsored by PRSA National.)
Co-Chairs: Rachel Foltz, rachel.foltz@ogilvypr.com
Ashley Duncan, ashley.duncan@ogilvypr.com
University Relations Committee
Public relations is rapidly becoming a global profession in an increasingly connected world. PRSA-NCC recognizes that students are our future. This committee is dedicated to helping students develop an understanding of applied knowledge and skills in our field, integrate the experiences of practitioners and educators in domestic and international public relations, and realize their professional goals and aspirations through PRSA involvement and affiliations. Join this committee and contribute to our support for public relations education at local PRSSA (student) chapters at the University of Maryland, Howard University, American University, George Mason University and Hood College. Help coordinate student participation in chapter professional development events, manage the chapter's Internship Directory, organize student career fairs, and plan activities.
Co-Chairs: Sergey Samoylenko, ssamoyle@gmu.edu
Pender McCarter, APR, Fellow PRSA, p.mccarter@ieee.org
In addition to the above committees and task forces, PRSA NCC supports locally organized PRSA Sections that work closely with their colleagues at the PRSA National level. (Visit www.prsa.org for details on Sections at the National level.)
Association Section
Washington, DC is the "association capital of the world." As such, NCC supports local efforts and initiatives of the Association Section. Members include professionals in trade and professional associations and nonprofit organizations. (Thirty-six percent of NCC's members work for an association or nonprofit.)
Travel and Tourism
Travel and tourism is a crucial industry to the local Washington D.C. economy. The role of PR is an integral part of preserving the success of travel and tourism-related companies and organizations. This committee is a localized version of the PRSA (National) Travel and Tourism Section, designed for professionals working for hotels, airlines, attractions, convention and visitors bureaus, state tourism agencies, public relations firms with travel-related clients, rental cars, meeting planning and travel planning services. Contact Mike for more information and ways to get involved today!
[Didn't find what you're looking for? Please feel free to also contact Chapter Manager Sherri Core at sherricore@aol.com, 703-691-8733 or NCC President Heathere Evans-Keenan, APR, at heathere@keenanpr.com or 703-875-8969. Sherri and Heathere will refer you to the right person or committee. Also, check back for future committees and task forces as they develop.]
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