Blogging, Podcasting and Moving Forward

Not surprisingly, the new media topic continues to garner great interest from our members. Case in point: this month’s professional development seminar on blogging, podcasting and other new media was a sold-out performance. 

PRSA-NCC has established a Technology Task Force this year to explore how to incorporate new media into chapter services and programs. Our first venture into new media will be to offer podcasting versions of select programs and professional development seminars. We want to accommodate individuals who may want to attend an event, but cannot for one reason or another. Given that we have had three sold out events so far this year, podcasting would enable our members to “virtually” participate in our outstanding programs.

Our goal is to test technology and produce a podcast of a program or professional development seminar in the second quarter of the year. Stay tuned for more information on the pilot test. In the meantime, we ask you to take one minute to complete our one-question poll to get a sense of what individuals would pay for a podcast of a PRSA-NCC program or professional development seminar. You can complete the poll by visiting the chapter’s Web site at www.prsa-ncc.org. 

Many thanks to the Technology Task Force headed by Scott Shaw and Susan Matthews Apgood who are joined by Reggie Kouba and Jen Becker.

As always, we are here to serve. Call with your ideas, your challenges or needs. We will always work to support your professional development and networking needs. After all, we are the “must-join” society for anyone working in public relations.   

Respectfully,

Sandra Wills Hannon, APR

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Thoth Call for Entries and Silent Auction Items

Named for the Egyptian god of communication, the Thoth Awards recognizes the most outstanding, strategic public relations programs and components developed and produced in the Washington, D.C. area.

The 2007 Thoth Awards will be held Sept. 20, 2007 at the National Press Club and is currently seeking entries for this annual competition that recognizes outstanding achievement, creativity and innovation in the field of public relations. All entries must be received by June 7, 2007. Details are available at www.prsa-ncc.org.

The awards committee is also seeking items for the Silent Auction that will be held in conjunction with the program. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the PR Friends for Pam Miles Campaign (with the Children’s Organ Transplant Association as recipient of donations). Those interested in donating items or would like additional information, contact Rachel Foltz at rachel.foltz@ogilvypr.com.

PRSA-NCC Revitalizes Online Membership Poll to Provide Ongoing Feedback Each Month

Every three years, the PRSA-NCC Chapter conducts a survey to ensure that the Leadership is responding to the needs of its members. The information from this survey is instrumental in forming the strategic plan that guides the chapter on an ongoing basis.

In order to make sure we receive more timely information on the wants and needs of our members, the Chapter has decided to use the online membership poll to survey its stakeholders on a regular basis. Starting this month, the chapter will post a new question on the homepage of the web site and will base future activities on the results of these questions.

Please be sure to complete this month's survey and let us know "What is the most you would pay for a podcast of a PRSA-NCC program you could not attend?"

PRSA-NCC Web site Committee: Communicating Through Technology

The PRSA-NCC Web site Committee is responsible for the online communications efforts of the chapter from training committee members how to update the web site, to making sure that the members know about upcoming events and professional development opportunities.

The purpose of the Committee is to provide 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.

The 5-person Committee conducts monthly conference calls and quarterly in-person meetings and is currently looking for a Promotional Coordinator. This new addition will be responsible for adding photos to the web site photo gallery, posting banner ads and sponsor logos, and reviewing site traffic and search engine rankings for inclusion in monthly web site committee reports to the board. Interested members may send an e-mail to webmaster@prsa-ncc.org.

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Mary R. Olsen

Public Affairs Staff Officer
Department of Defense POW
/Missing Personnel Office

Why did you join PRSA?

Being in the military, I don’t interact much with my civilian public relations counterparts and I believe PRSA and PRSA-NCC will give me that opportunity.

What skills are required to do your job?

I must be comfortable interacting with the media, families of service members still missing in action from past wars, veterans and others. I write news releases, manage the organization’s newsletter and help communicate the government’s efforts to account for missing Americans.  

What’s your greatest career achievement?

As a junior officer in the military, I’ve had very unique and exciting opportunities such as traveling to Guam during a B-2 Stealth Bomber global power mission, coordinating a cross-country tour with civic leaders, and being selected to represent the Air Force in my current job in the POW/MIA office.

Where would you like to see yourself in five years?  

Havig a master’s degree and progressing my career in the Department of Defense.      

Who’s your role model, and why do you admire him/her? 

I admire my parents for their selflessness, work ethic and values.

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