March Madness. April Showers.
May Flowers. Cherry Blossom Festival.

Spring is here.  The National Capital Chapter has an equally energetic agenda for spring – professional development workshops, networking, awards and honors, and several national seminars in the DC – Baltimore region.

The chapter programming is made possible by dedicated volunteers.  Each issue we will feature a committee – the personalities and mission – so that you can learn more about what goes into chapter programming. This month, mentoring, PRONet, and university relations committees are highlighted. If you are interested in joining these committees, please contact the committee chairs.  The Web site, association/non-profit, international, program, and Thoth committees are also still interested in volunteers. The full list of committee contacts is available on our Web site.  Or you can drop me a line as well.

I also would like to thank our sponsorship committee and the many returning and new chapter sponsors.  This support from PR firms, universities, service partners and corporations is critical to the success of the chapter’s programming. 

On a personal note, one of the main reasons that I joined PRSA-NCC was to network. After nearly a decade with the chapter, I’m reminded of the benefits of this professional and professional network time and time again. Whether soliciting a referral for consulting services, sharing opinions about media tools and trends, or bouncing off ideas to solve a problem, PRSA colleagues are a valuable resource.  I hope that the chapter’s committees and programming afford you the opportunity to become involved and network with your peers, mentors, and protégés. 

I look forward to seeing you at the April 6 luncheon in Tysons Corner, at the April 25 networking event downtown, or one of the many upcoming events this spring.  And be sure to check your email and mail box in the coming weeks for the Thoth Call for Entries – if you submitted a Silver Anvil entry, the Thoth Award follows the same model. 

Cheers,
Tracy Schario
PRSA-NCC Chapter President

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PRSA Foundation News

The PRSA Foundation invests in the future of the profession by awarding scholarships to outstanding university students studying public relations. A $17,000 gift from AdFed, which was reallocated to the PRSA Foundation by the PRSA Alaska Chapter, will be used to establish the PRSA Alaska Scholarship Fund. The fund will be used to award the Leonard McLean Scholarship to undergraduate students in Alaska. For more information or to establish a scholarship fund in your Chapter's name, contact Ival Grant-Williams at 212-460-1424 or ival.grantwilliams@prsa.org.

Are you Ready to Take the Next Step in Your Public Relations Career?

Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) is the hallmark of ethical professional practice. It is an affirmation of the art and science of our work. PRSA values Accreditation highly and supports members in their pursuit of this career milestone. 

The first step on the journey to Accreditation is to complete an application and send it to the Universal Accreditation Board (UAB) c/o PRSA. The application can be downloaded from the PRSA Web site or by sending an e-mail to kathy.mulvihilll@prsa.org to learn about important timelines for earning the APR.

Up Close with PRSA-NCC’s Mentoring Committee

By Kisha Wiggins

Do you have a question about the practice of public relations?  Just Ask a PRofessional. This exciting tool on the PRSA-NCC website—Ask a PRofessional—is available for PRSA members seeking answers to questions such as:

• finding your first (second, or fifth) PR job;
• how to communicate the value of public relations to your boss and your colleagues;
• keeping your work skills fresh through professional development and education;
• how to manage staff or how to deal with an unreasonable boss;
• advice on pursuing your APR;
• working with non-PR professionals;

Ask a PRofessional was first introduced as a way to reach professional men and women of all ages in various career stages, as well as a fun, interactive way to learn from other members. Our “PRofessional” is Fred Whiting, APR, a long-time member of PRSA-NCC and its board of directors, and chair of the Mentoring Committee. The mentoring committee links mentors and protégés so that they can assist each other with a career question or professional development challenge.  The Ask a PRofessional Column is the most visible manifestation of the mentoring committee.

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"Ask a Professional”

By Fred Whiting, APR

(Q) I graduated with a BA in Mass Media with an emphasis in PR. Since volunteering my time as a teenager at a hospital in their PR department, I just knew I wanted to be involved with PR. I found that it was a little difficult to get my foot in the door without having much PR experience in college. I would love to have a job in communications, PR or event planning. Is there anyway to have someone look at my resume and critique my experience? Does any of my past and current experience include some aspects of PR/communications where I can start applying for jobs in PR or communications?—KLM, Alexandria 

(A)  Thanks for your inquiry.  I have a few suggestions for your resume that might be helpful:

1. First, think of a resume as a marketing tool, not a recitation of your jobs, titles and responsibilities.  Ideally, you would fashion your resume in response to the requirements of the job; at least, you should write a cover letter that identifies those requirements and the experience you've had that shows you could do the job. 
2. Second, I would include a short summary at the beginning of who you are and what you do best.  Identify your skills and professional strengths.  Convey a sense of enthusiasm and dedication to your work. 
3. Finally, I suggest deleting or summarizing your PR-related experience in college.  Since you've had several professional positions, you don't need to "pad" your resume with student activities. 
4. For online job-seeking resources, go to the PRSA-NCC Web site.  Be sure to look for professional development seminars and other chapter events that would provide networking opportunities to seek the kind of job you’re looking for. 

Do you have a question that relates to the practice of public relations?  Then go to Ask a PRofessional, and your question and answer may appear in the next PRSA-NCC newsletter or online!  (All submissions are confidential.) 

Two Committees, One Goal: Encouraging Young PR Professionals

By Chanda T. Gilmore

With more public relations students entering the field, it is important to encourage them to cultivate their craft and network for the benefit of their career and organization.  “Everyday someone enters the public relations arena and calls themselves a PR pro, yet they do not subscribe to the professional practices and ethical codes established by our field,” Richard J. Toth, APR, Fellow PRSA, said.

In addition to the mentoring committee addressed above, PRSA-NCC has two established committees – PRONet and University Relations – to help new public relations professionals navigate the sometimes hazardous roads of D.C. public relations and also strengthen the relationship between PRSA-NCC and its local PRSSA chapters, ensuring a smooth transition from PRSSA to PRSA membership.

“It is important for PRSSA students to network with local PR professionals.  Establishing and maintaining that thread between the two will ensure a stronger bond is formed between PRSSA and PRSA members,” Toth stated.  This tie will encourage PRSSA members to join PRSA upon graduation.

The University Relations committee, chaired by Toth and Anne Eigeman, is charged with enhancing the relationship between PRSA-NCC and PRSSA chapters at the University of Maryland, Howard University, American University, Hood College and George Mason University. The committee has also taken on the role to act as a communication network for public relations faculty. “PR faculty are not in competition; instead we try to collaborate with each other to provide greater PR educational and career opportunities for students,” Toth explained. 

University Relations is developing plans for a networking picnic of pros and students for early May, as well as exploring the feasibility of a career fair with all area PRSSA chapters this spring.

The Professionals Network (PRONet) committee was designed to be a network for public relations professionals with seven years or less experience in the field.  “The committee aims to build a following of public relations professionals around similar stages in their career and provide a series of networking and educational events targeted to the group,” Patricia Mensah, co-chair of the PRONet committee, said.  

PRONet members can expect to receive greater insight into the various facets of public relations and media, while meeting new people and having fun through happy hours, media tours and topical workshops/discussions.  Mensah, along with co-chair Katherine Doe, is trying to re-establish the committee to bring “targeted programs for different stages of a PR practitioner's career.” 

For information on how to join one of these committees or for upcoming programs, please contact the committee co-chairs.
PRONet: Patricia Mensah patricia.mensah@prnewswire.com 202.347.5155 or Katherine Doe kdoe@arlingtonvafcu.org 703.526.0200 x266
University Relations: Richard Toth rtoth2@umd.edu 301-405-0873 or Eigeman eigeman@case.org 202.478.5571

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Victoria Dillon

Account Coordinator
Euro RSCG Magnet Communications

It was a natural choice for Victoria Dillon to join PRSA after graduating from Syracuse University. Though actively involved in PRSSA, it wasn’t until she attended PRSA’s 2004 national conference and witnessed first-hand the advantages of belonging to the nation’s largest public relations association that the choice became clear. Dillon has been a PRSA-NCC member since October 2005 and working in the field for about five months.

1. What’s your greatest career achievement?
   At this point, starting my career takes the cake. Interning and working in the British Parliament was my most amazing experience to date, though. It allowed me to view our system from the outside and really appreciate its complexities.
   
   
2. Who’s your role model, and why do you admire them?
   I admire my mother for teaching me that a glass ceiling is worth pushing. I admire my aunts for making me keep perspective on what should be fun and when to stop being a perfectionist. I’m inspired by my father who convinced me that you can do anything you put your mind to, so put your mind to things that matter.
   
   
3. Who would you invite to an afternoon lunch?
   Bill Clinton, George Bush, Jimmy Carter, Bono, George Stephanopoulos, Tim Russert, DeeDee Myers, Karen Hughes, Condoleezza Rice, Tony Blair, Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Chuck Schumer, Bill Gates, any White House Press Secretary and a representative from Air Force One.  That would make for a great afternoon lunch.
   
   
4. Tips for maintaining the elusive work/life balance?
   Remember that if you’re going to be the most effective at work, you have to be in a frame of mind where you can focus. You have to have fun so you don’t burn out. Really, you’re doing yourself more than one favor when you catch up with old friends for no reason.

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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