February is Super Bowl, Olympics and Valentines ...

Hearts, bruises, beer advertisements and medals. Champagne, chocolate, ski vacations and beaches. This edition of the PRSA-NCC Capital News is equally eclectic in its breadth of coverage of chapter activities and features. We’ve also added more news from around PRSA.

We started the New Year with a well attended leadership rally.  Nearly 200 members attended events in January, including the membership mixer and professional development workshop. There’s plenty of worthwhile information in this issue, which I’ll let speak for itself.

If you have any questions about chapter operations or how to get more involved, please give me a call – 202-994-3566. Or visit www.prsa-ncc.org to contact a committee chair or board member. We look forward to seeing you again soon.

Cheers,
Tracy Schario
PRSA-NCC Chapter President

PS – “Ask a PRofessional” feature returns next issue. Submit ideas or feedback to newsletter@prsa-ncc.org. 

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Taste of PRSA - February & March

New members who join between February 1 and March 31, 2006, will not only save, but they will get a taste of PRSA as well.  During this promotion we will waive the $65 initiation fee, and new members will receive a $20 voucher that can be applied toward PRSA National's seminars or teleseminars, or specific gift items offered through the PRSA Store. This offer is valid for new members or for members who have been inactive for at least one year, who join as Members at $225 annual dues. And remember to join the National Capital Chapter -- dues are $75. Visit www.prsa.org to sign up.

New Gay/Lesbian Affinity Group

PRSA is pleased to announce that the Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender Affinity Group (GLBT) was approved in October.  This is PRSA's second Affinity Group, the first group is for New Professionals. The GLBT group's mission is to recognize the contributions of GLBT practitioners within the public relations profession and to encourage the pursuit of careers in public relations by GLBT individuals. It also strives to provide resources, programs - such as teleseminars and networking opportunities - for GLBT members, as well as all practitioners working within organizations that support or provide services/products for the GLBT community.  PRSA members who are interested in more information about the group, or in joining, should contact membership@prsa.org or call Member Services at 212-460-1490. 

Historical Archive Committee

In preparation for the 60th anniversary of PRSA, the PRSA Historical Archive Project was launched to help bring focus to the task of forming a historic document outlining the history of the public relations pioneers who formed PRSA in 1948, as well as significant milestones reached by PRSA and the leaders that have paved the way to help make us the largest organization for public relations professionals in the world.  The Historical Archive Committee will be responsible for locating historical information to fill in the gaps for the current collection; developing and implementing a communications plan for the historical archives; and lastly to develop a book, film or other deliverable to commemorate the 60th anniversary of PRSA.

If you, or anyone you know (preferably with recent experience working with a historical project for a company or client; collecting oral histories, or similar projects; or experience marketing for a historical society, 50 years+ anniversary celebration, or similar)  is interested in service with this committee, please submit a one-page statement outlining your background, experience, career and service to PRSA and send to Cheryl Procter-Rogers, APR, Fellow PRSA.  For more information on the Historical Archives Project see the June 2005 Tactics - PRSA's Historical Archive Project Moving Forward.

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An Inside Look at the PRSA-NCC Executive Board 2006

By Kisha Wiggins

PRSA-NCC President- Elect Sandra Wills Hannon, Ph.D., APR is the founder and CEO of The Hannon Group—a small, but well-respected firm located in Fort Washington, MD.  The Hannon Group, Sandra’s most proud achievement, has been awarded two Magellan and one Thoth award—no small feat, and certainly a major factor in the firm’s earning a “reputation for getting the job done well, on time and on budget.” 

Sandra has been an active member of PRSA for almost 15 years and decided to join the National Capital Chapter because she believes that “PRSA is absolutely the best networking group available.” She continues, “I have met terrific colleagues who are at the top of their game and are just an inspiration.  I learn so much from them and have made great friends as well.  PRSA continues to be a great resource for me as a source of industry information and professional development.” Since joining PRSA-NCC, Sandra has served as the program chair, Sponsorship Chair and on numerous committees & board positions.  This year, Sandra is working to bring her past experiences to her position as President-Elect of PRSA- NCC and “support Tracy Schario in executing the terrific plans she has for the Chapter.”

In her ‘down time’ Sandra enjoys hanging out with her six-year-old at gymnastics & ballet and cooking her husband's favorite southern cuisine meals.

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Meka L. Lloyd

Communications and Marketing Strategist, Witeck-Combs Communications, Inc.

Meka L. Lloyd made a New Year’s resolution to stop procrastinating and honor her professional career goals.  At the top of that list was to join PRSA to learn to cultivate her public relations skills and meet like-minded communication professionals. Lloyd has been in the communications field for about five years but working specifically in public relations for about two years.  She currently serves as communications and marketing strategist at Witeck-Combs Communications, Inc.

1. What skills are required to do your job? Patience. It also takes analytical skills, the ability to negotiate and compromise.  People skills are also a must have.  No matter my mood, I have to be ready to put my best foot forward as I am always representing my clients and their brands.  Writing skills and the ability to communicate verbally are also equally important.

2. How do you begin each day?  While my computer is booting up, I’m changing my voicemail dreaming about my first cup of coffee.

3. What’s your dream job?  My dream job wouldn’t have job in the description.  I would love to spend my time as a socialite hosting grand soirees and martini parties for a living.

4. Who’s your role model and why do you admire them?  I don’t prescribe to role models.  There are people I admire and respect but nobody I want to imitate my behavior or life after.  Instead of imitating others, I want to be my most authentic self at all times.   

5. Tips for maintaining the elusive work/life balance?  Striking a balance between work and life is simple: do what you enjoy and work in a field your soul is passionate about.  Be grateful for having a job that allows you to enjoy your life.  Finally, dedicate as much effort and energy to recreation/leisure as you do at the office and at work. 

Prepared by Chanda Gilmore. If you’ve joined the chapter within the past six months and would like to receive a questionnaire, please contact newsletter@prsa-ncc.org.

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March 2, 2006
National Capital Chapter’s Diversity Committee Meeting
Arlington, VA

The NCC Diversity Committee will be meeting on March 2, 2006 from 7:00 – 8:30 pm at the Art Institute of Washington,        1820 N. Fort Myer Drive, Arlington, VA 22209 (703.358.9550).  Future meetings are tentatively scheduled for April 6, May 4, June 1, and July 13.

The 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. For more information, please contact co-chairs Sylvia Aguilera Luna, sa@comunicad.com, or Ivonne Couret, icouret@aii.edu.

March 31, 2006
In the Spotlight, Center Stage: Developing Public Awareness for Associations & Nonprofits
New York, NY

Six hours of learning geared specifically for practitioners facing the challenges and reaping the rewards of building public awareness within associations and nonprofits.  You’ll hear from three unique points of view:  Association/Non-profit communications leaders, PR agencies creating the messages to build awareness, and news media professionals who will share what influences their decisions to develop a story.  Join us in the Big Apple for a day of networking and high-caliber learning — exclusively for the Association/Non-Profit professional.  PRSA Association/Nonprofit members receive a significant discount as a benefit of Section membership! Nonmembers can join the Section today to benefit from the discount. For more information contact Tina Honer at tina.honer@prsa.org or 212-460-1438. For information about association/non-profit happenings in the D.C. area, please contact Aaron Ellis at aellis@aapa-ports.org.  

April 7-8, 2006
PR in D.C.: It’s Not Just Politics
Washington, D.C.

The American University PRSSA Chapter is hosting a Regional Activity April 7 and 8, 2006 at American University in Washington, D.C.  New and improved in its second year, the theme of this public relations conference will be “PR in D.C.: It’s Not Just Politics.”  With an expected attendance of 150 students from Washington, D.C. and across the country, we are looking for experienced communications professionals to assist us in making this event happen.

You can get involved in any of the following ways:

1. Present a 45-minute workshop on Saturday, April 8 on a public relations topic of your choice (either individually or in a panel)
2. Participate in a "speed networking" lunch on Saturday, April 8 with communications students
3. Sponsor this event through a monetary donation to lower the student registration cost or promotional materials for student registration packets

Email regionalactivity@auprssa.org to request participation materials or check out our website at www.auprssa.org/regionalactivity for more information. 

April 15, 2006
Bateman Competition Judging
New York, NY

The PRSSA 2006 Bateman Competition is set to take place by teams across the country, and we are looking for experienced public relations experts to serve as judges for this prestigious competition.  Judges are needed to evaluate research, planning, execution and evaluation for the 2006 competition, which challenges teams to increase Habitat for Humanity’s brand awareness, by educating the DIY Network’s 18- to 25- year-old demographic audience on the Habitat mission, as well as integrating the new logo at the affiliate level, increasing the volunteer levels for the target demographic and/or provide a resource for public relations and marketing support at the local level of the organization.  Bateman judging will be held on Saturday, April 15 at PRSSA Headquarters in New York City.  If you have questions or are interested in serving as a judge, please contact PRSA Headquarters: Jeneen Garcia at (212) 460-1466 or Brent Hendrix at (212) 460-1476. 

April 30-May 2, 2006
PRSA Military and Public Safety Section Conference
Baltimore, MD

This conference will take a hands-on approach to providing today’s government public affairs practitioners with the requisite skills needed to accomplish our mission during times of natural disasters and domestic terrorist events. For the culminating event of the conference, we will conduct a Joint Information Center (JIC) that will focus on executing the public affairs plan for an emergency response event.  The exercise, titled “Zero to 90”, will emphasize training in function al areas such as leadership; roles and responsibilities in a team operation; information coordination; information production; giving media interviews on camera; and conducting media briefings and news conferences.  More information is available at www.mns.prsa.org.  Questions?  Contact Tina Honer at 212-460-1438.

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