Fall Brings Stellar End-of-Year Events, Continuation of Strong Leadership

The PRSA-NCC election conducted last month secured a stellar leadership team for 2008 comprised of individuals with incredible professional experience and dedication to the profession.  Congratulations to the 2008 leaders: 

President:
Heathere Evans-Keenan, APR, principal and owner, Keenan PR, Inc.

President-Elect:
Barbara Burfeind, APR, senior advisor to the deputy assistant secretary of defense for joint communication, U.S. Department of Defense

Treasurer:
Jeff Ghannam, communications director, Biotechnology Institute

Secretary:
Rita Mhley, president, Mhley/Davis & Associates, Inc.

Vice Presidents:
Mary-Jane Atwater, president, Atwater Communications
Kristina Messner, vice president, public relations, Focused Image

Fred Whiting, APR, former director of strategic communication, Points of Light Foundation & Hands On Network

Immediate Past President:
Sandra Wills Hannon, Ph.D., APR, owner and principal, The Hannon Group, LLC

Two-Year Directors:
Sylvia Aguilera, counsel, global alliance development, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) (term expires 2008)

Tim Ayers, president, Ayers Associates (term expires 2008)

Brigitte Johnson, APR, director of communications and executive editor, American Forest Foundation (term expires 2009)

Fred Lash, APR, assistant to deputy assistant, secretary of defense, DoD (term expires 2009)

Scott Shaw, principal, CreatiVerge Communications (term expires 2009)

One-Year Directors (term expires end of 2008):
Deborah Deal, APR, executive director of Saint Blackwell, Inc.
Michelle Hudgins, APR, senior press officer, National Education Association
Phil Simon, APR, managing director, marketing and promotion, American Institute of Architects

Assembly Delegates (term expires in parentheses):
Rebecca Andersen, APR, corporate communications manager, Opnext, Inc. (10)

Kathleen Bergeron, APR, marketing specialist, Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation (09)

Barbara Burfeind, APR, senior advisor to the deputy assistant secretary of defense for joint communication, U.S. Department of Defense (08)

Ivonne Couret, public affairs officer, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (09)

Aaron Ellis, APR, communications director, American Association of Port Authorities (10)

Steven Grant, APR, manager, public relations, National Education Association (10)

Tia Mason Howard, APR, director of communications, Erickson Retirement Communities (10)

David Kinsman, APR, senior associate, public affairs, American College of Physicians (09)

Fred Lash, APR, assistant to deputy assistant, secretary of defense, DoD(09)

Nancy Mayes, APR, president, Mayes Communications, Inc. (09)

Kristina Messner, vice president, public relations, Focused Image (09)

Samantha Villegas, APR, manager of communications, Loudoun County Sanitation Authority (08)

Gwyn Walcoff, APR, principal, CCG, LLC Public Relations (09)

Leadership on the National Front and Other National News

At the National Assembly held in Philadelphia on October 20, our own local practitioner, David Imre, APR, was elected as a Director-At-Large to the National board.  David is president, Imre Communications, LLC, Baltimore, Md.  

2007 PRSA-NCC Membership Satisfaction Survey

By now you have received an invitation, via email, to participate in the PRSA-NCC member satisfaction survey.  This member survey, which is conducted every three years, is a critical tool in ensuring we are producing the kind of networking and professional development workshops that meet your needs. When you take the survey please complete it in one sitting as you cannot log in and out of the survey. The survey should take only 10 minutes to complete. Thank you in advance for your time and consideration and for helping to make our Chapter a greater resource to you.

The Hannon Group, LLC is a proud sponsor, for a second time, of the PRSA-NCC Membership Survey (2007, 2005). Your response is needed by November 26, 2007.

Can’t Miss End-of-Year Events

There are two key events not to be missed as we move to the end of 2007. 

First, the PRSA-NCC Holiday Party…This will be an event to which you will want to bring your spouse or significant other. Spend what is sure to be a memorable evening  with colleagues and friends.  In addition, we will salute and celebrate our chapter leaders.  Enjoy heavy hors d'oeuvres, fun cocktails and a live band. Join us at the Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, Dec. 4, from 6:30-8:30 pm.

One night later, celebrate the oneness of it all at The One Party at the spectacular Lima Restaurant and Lounge from 6:00-10:00 pm.  The One Party was launched last year and continues this year as THE holiday party of all communicators sponsored by heavy hitters such as PRSA-NCC, the Ad Club and the American Marketing Association, to name a few.  For details and registration, go to www.oneholidayparty.com.

I hope you find this issue packed with valuable information.  As always, we are proud to serve.  Please call us with your ideas and feedback. Together, we will continue to make PRSA-NCC the “must-join” society in the industry.

Respectfully,

Sandra Wills Hannon, Ph.D., APR

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PRSA National, NCC Chapter Vote No Increases To 2008 Membership Dues

The PRSA National Assembly voted in October not to increase National dues for 2008.  On the local level, PRSA-NCC also will not increase Chapter dues for 2008.

PRSA-NCC Responds to FEMA’s Staged Press Conference

PRSA-NCC has received a number of inquiries regarding the recent FEMA controversy surrounding the staging of a faux press conference during the California wildfires.

Gwyn Walcoff, APR Chair, PRSA-NCC Ethics Committee has written an Op Ed to express the “egregious violation of our Code of Ethics and our Standards of Professional Practice.”

Walcoff’s letter continues:  “With a vision to unify, strengthen and advance the public relations profession, PRSA has established itself as an organization that builds value, demand and global understanding for public relations. Representing 1,200 public relations professionals in our nation’s capital, PRSA-NCC goes on record as strongly opposed to the obstruction and manipulation of information.”

The Chapter is also considering holding a program on ethics in the future.

The PRSA by-laws state that the there are only two conditions upon which the APR status can be revoked:  Either the person has to be convicted in a court of law or he or she is sanctioned by a government agency.  No one involved in the FEMA controversy has had their APR status revoked.

Power of 2 Program Pairs PR Pros With American Red Cross During California Wildfires

Devastating wildfires in Southern California in October greatly affected millions of people. However, PRSA members across the country were prepared to offer support through “The Power of Two Program” sponsored by PRSA and the American Red Cross.

The program pairs PRSA members with local and national American Red Cross chapters in times of crisis. For more information or to register to participate in the program, visit http://www.prsa.org/powerofTwo/index.html. PRSA-NCC members who participated in supporting communications during the wildfires are encouraged to share their personal experiences by sending an e-mail to newsletter@prsa-ncc.org.

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Mary Fletcher Jones

Owner, Fletcher Prince

Why did you join PRSA? 

I’d dreamed about starting my own public relations practice for more than ten years.  My business partner, David Hyson (who is a graphic designer) encouraged me to go for it this year.  When I saw all the great programs organized by PRSA-NCC, I signed up as a member.  I’ve been told that I go to more PRSA-NCC programs than any other member!

How long have you been in the PR field?

My first public relations position was in 1987, but I’ve spent the past several years managing my son’s autism interventions full-time.  Because he has come so far, I can focus on my career again.

What skills are required to do your job?

Creative problem solving and writing for a variety of online media.

What’s your greatest career achievement? 

I produce a podcast for parents of children with autism, and it has been downloaded thousands of times by listeners all over the world.  I’ve also helped a nonprofit group, a realtor, and an educator produce podcasts. 

Where would you like to see yourself in five years?

I hope I will have built a good reputation for my business, and that I’ll have lots of friends in public relations.  I’ll continue to support parents of children with autism.

How do you begin each day? 

After my son gets on the school bus, I nuke a cup of tea, crank up iTunes, and check The Fletcher Prince Blog.  Then I sketch my ideas on big sheets of easel paper and touch base with David. 

What’s your dream job? 

I am doing what I would do if I won the lottery.  I practically run to my home office every morning.  I only wish there were more hours in the day.

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

There isn’t anyone I pattern myself after, but I greatly admire David’s easy manner with clients and his ability to see the big picture.   We have complementary strengths and work well together.

What’s the last book you read or movie you saw? 

I saw “Lars and The Real Girl” this weekend.  The actors portrayed complex and difficult emotions with sensitivity and tenderness.  I was blown away by how original, funny, and touching the story line was.

Tips for maintaining the elusive work/life balance?

I knew I had a problem with balance this summer when I spent most of my beach vacation working!  But my family is going to Disney World next week, and I’m leaving my lap top in my office!  I try to keep active.  My son takes me on long walks, and I work out at my gym.

If you have 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 have relocated to DC, with ten years in PR on the corporate side. My former employers do not have great name-ID, though, so since we may move again, I would like to get big-name agency experience under my belt. I have been told by a recruiter that the big agencies will not want me. What is the thinking behind this? I have hustle, have been an entrepreneur, know the pressures facing their targeted industry and audiences, have first-hand client experience, and have always worked in high-pressure environments. How can I overcome this bias, and what level of position should I aim for?—EP

Dear E.P.-

I don’t know who you’ve been talking to, but I think they’re wrong.  It sounds to me that you’re splendidly qualified to work for a “big-name” PR agency (or a small-name agency, for that matter!).  What do agencies want?  Certainly someone with 10 years of PR experience, especially in the corporate world, since they have mostly corporate clients.  And they thrive on people with hustle who understand how to work with clients and can handle a high-pressure environment.  Your experience would appear to qualify you for a position as a senior account executive or an account supervisor, based on what level of responsibility you are ready for.  So it appears that you are well suited for agency work, if that’s where your career is headed.  The question, however, is do you want to work for a PR agency?  It sounds like your primary interest is having something impressive to add to your resume for your future marketability (not that there’s anything wrong with that!).  But what is the kind of job you want to position yourself for?  If it’s agency work, fine—but I suggest it’s more important for you to find the job you love rather than to have an impressive-sounding name of an employer on your resume.  Yes, it’s true that impressive-sounding employers, like impressive colleges and universities, can catch the attention of a recruiter and possibly identify you as someone worth interviewing.  But when that time comes, it will be more important who you are than who you’ve worked for.  Good luck!

Regards,

Fred Whiting, APR

Do you have a question concerning the practice of public relations that would be of interest to others? Ask a PRofessional to pose your question and receive a personal reply. Your question and the answer may appear in a future issue of the PRSA-NCC Chapter newsletter.

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