As Summer Quickly Becomes Fall

It’s hard to believe more than half the year is over already! I hope this finds each of you having enjoyed the summer and ramping up for an exciting line-up of PRSA networking and professional development events on the horizon.

On Sept. 20, the Chapter’s signature event—the Thoth Awards Gala—will be held at the National Press Club and is sure to bring out the crowds. Well known as one of the Washington area’s hottest annual communications awards shows, this year’s celebration of the Best in PR will salute the important and unique relationship between PR and the media. This will be one fantastic awards show and networking opportunity you won’t want to miss!

Then, don’t miss the PRSA’s 2007 International Conference in Philadelphia, Oct. 20-23. Public relations and communications professionals in all stages of their careers will hear about the most critical issues facing the profession and learn the newest strategies, tools, techniques and best practices from presenters from across the nation and around the globe. With more than 120 sessions and 200 speakers, this year’s international conference promises to address the trends and issues that keep you up at night. Also, I’d like to point out that our very own PRSA-NCC member Gayle Reimer, APR, Director of Communications at Lockheed Martin, is serving as the 2007 International Conference Vice-Chair.

Prior to the opening conference Gala on the evening of Sunday, Oct. 21, PRSA-NCC will be hosting a happy hour on the roof deck of one of Philadelphia’s best known martini bars: the Continental Midtown (just two blocks from the conference hotel). Please join us for hors d’oeuvres and cocktails at this special reception for Chapter members attending the conference. Network with colleagues and friends and enjoy a Philly hot-spot. Be sure to RSVP via email to info@prsa-ncc.org by no later than Oct. 10.

Please check the “Next Up” section for a quick reference on several additional events coming up this fall and check back on our Chapter site as the schedule is continually updated with breakfast sessions, and luncheon and evening networking events. Don’t miss out on our upcoming programs—and register early to reserve your seat. We’ve had a number of sold-out events this year.

As always, we are proud to serve. Please don’t hesitate to call us with your ideas and feedback. Together, we will continue to make this the “must-join” society in the industry.

Respectfully,

Sandra Wills Hannon, Ph.D., APR

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Don’t Miss a Minute of Professional Development

PRSA-NCC is proud to announce the inauguration of a new member benefit: video casts of professional development seminars available for download. The first video cast—on Search Engine Optimization is being made available to Chapter members for FREE as a special introductory rate for the new service.

PRSA-NCC is committed to providing the best programs and professional development and making those accessible through a variety of channels. Please visit www.prsa-ncc.org for video cast programs and the latest podcasts.

2007 Thoth Awards Gala, Sept. 20th at National Press Club

Reserve your VIP Table and Tickets Now!

Limited VIP Tables and tickets are now on sale for one of the Washington area’s hottest annual communications awards shows—the 2007 Thoth Awards Gala. This year’s celebration of the Best in PR will feature Kathleen Matthews as emcee. Ms. Matthews is an award-winning producer, reporter and former anchor with WJLA-TV and Executive Vice President, Global Communications and Public Affairs for Marriott International. More friends from national and local media will also join us to help present awards and salute the important and unique relationship between PR and the media. This will be one fantastic awards show and networking opportunity you won’t want to miss! Reserve online now at: www.prsa-ncc.org

PRSA-NCC Issues Call for Nominations

PRSA National Capital Chapter is seeking nominations for positions on the Board of Directors, Executive Officers and Assembly Delegates. Elections will be held in October, with terms of office beginning January 1, 2008. This is a great opportunity to nominate yourself and/or other NCC members and become part of the leadership group of PRSA’s largest Chapter

Nominations are being solicited for the following leadership positions:

• President-Elect
• 3 Vice Presidents
• Treasurer
• Secretary
• 3 Directors for a two-year term
• 3 Directors for a one-year term
• 3 Delegates to attend PRSA's General Assembly (3-year terms)

All of the nomination documents and forms are available on NCC’s Web site or you may contact the NCC Office at (703) 691-8733 or sherricore@aol.com to request materials. The nomination package includes: (1) a letter outlining the nomination/election process, (2) job descriptions outlining duties and responsibilities of each elected position, and (3) a nomination form. Completed materials must be received by Mary-Jane Atwater, NCC Secretary, by September 10, 2007.

If you have questions about the nomination/election process, please contact Mary-Jane at 703-683-4213 or mj@atwatercommunications.com.

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LaToya Drake

Communications Coordinator, AOL

Welcome to one of our newest members, LaToya Drake, a public relations professional in her third year who joined our Chapter this month to learn from colleagues and to “connect and share ideas with the best in the industry.” In her daily work at AOL, LaToya is embroiled in “writing, creativity, research, fearlessness and salesmanship that would make a car dealer blush.”

1. What’s your greatest career achievement?
   My goal has always been to find a career that I absolutely love, and that has been my greatest achievement. I’ve always said that I never wanted a job, instead a career that has me popping out of bed each morning and excited about the day ahead.
   
2. Where would you like to see yourself in five years?
   I would love to work as an adjunct at a university and write books on communication, technology and new media.
   
3. How do you begin each day?
   Two cups of coffee and news from my favorite news sources including the top dailies, tech blogs and pop culture blogs (I’m a TMZ addict!).
   
4. What’s your dream job?
   Hosting a show on the Food Network. Secretly, I think I’m a younger version of Paula Deen!
   
5. Who’s your role model, and why do you admire him/her?
   I adore and admire my mother because she effortlessly holds traits that, at times, require additional work on my part! She has a genuine heart and is the most rational, level-headed person I know.
   
6. What’s the last book you read or movie you saw?
   The last book I read was Ayaan Hirsi Ali’s Infidel. The last movie I saw was High School Musical 2 – and only because I need to keep my finger on the pulse of youth and pop culture!
   
7. Tips for maintaining the elusive work/life balance?
   I find that personal hobbies are not only a de-stressing mechanism, but they also allow you to bring fresh ideas and energy to work. Having a life outside of work is imperative because no one wants to work with boring people, and the water-cooler conversation is far more interesting when everyone has something to share! 

If you've joined the Chapter within the past six months and would like to receive a questionnaire, please contact newsletter@prsa-ncc.org. To view past new Member Spotlights, visit the membership section of the Web site.

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I am a current public relations professional with a sister who has recently graduated with a Masters Degree in Communications with a focus in Public Relations from a Washington D.C. university. She has found it quite difficult to find her first job.  It is now about a month after her graduation.  What would be your suggestion in this matter?—DLC

Dear DLC: Your sister is fortunate to be looking for her first job in the current job market, which generally favors entry-level employees. It may be that because she has a Master’s degree (congratulations to her, by the way!), she may have set her expectations rather high. The unfortunate reality is that most employers in our field don’t make much of a distinction between entry-level job seekers who have a graduate degree versus those who don’t. As far as they’re concerned, the job seeker is right out of college and probably doesn’t have many practical skills.

I suggest your sister distinguish herself from all of those other entry-level job seekers with whom she’s competing for her first job. Build on the strengths she has acquired by pursuing a Master’s. Did the curriculum include courses in business, government or nonprofit management? Did she have the opportunity to conduct primary as well as secondary research? How about hands-on involvement in production of publications, video or audio formats such as public service announcements, magazine articles or newsletters (both printed and electronic)? If she can demonstrate that she is ready to hit the deck running, she might be more attractive to an employer who doesn’t feel he has time to train an inexperienced newcomer.

Most employers need a problem-solver. However, an experienced problem-solver might not be cost-effective for the organization at this time, whereas a newcomer who has demonstrated that he or she has the skills that postgraduate education provides might be the right fit.

Please let me know when your sister’s landed her first PR job. I wish her well.

Regards,
Fred Whiting, APR

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