Thoth Gala is About Excellence

If there's one event in the year that symbolizes what the PRSA National Capital Chapter is all about, it's the annual Thoth Awards Gala. That's when the Washington area's PR community comes together for a truly memorable event that recognizes and honors our best work and celebrates the tremendous value that public relations brings to the business world.

The entire evening is about recognizing and encouraging excellence. And, at its essence, that's what the chapter is all about.

All of our services, whether it's accreditation training or professional development programming or just plain networking gatherings, are about developing our skill set or enhancing our professional networks so we can be the best PR professionals that we can be.

But the Thoth Gala, which will be held Thursday, Sept. 23, at the historic InterContinental Willard Hotel, is when the "best of the best" come out. Not only do the nominees come out in full force, but so do their clients and colleagues. They come to recognize outstanding PR achievements in 34 categories, including 13 program categories celebrating the very best PR campaigns and 21 component categories highlighting top accomplishments in PR tactics

By recognizing the pacesetters in our community, we energize and challenge ourselves. Attendees see firsthand how we PR professionals from the Washington area affect change from board rooms to living rooms, from Wall Street to Main Street, and around the world. And it that doesn't inspire-or challenge-you, I don't know what will.

Sincerely,

Jeff Ghannam
2010 PRSA-NCC President

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What Will PR Look Like in 2015?

Tell Us Now Through August 13

During the PRSA International Conference on October 16-19, 2010, the Leadership Assembly will discuss "How knowledge, skills and abilities currently used by public relations professions will change in the future? What role will the public relations professional play in 2015?"

To prepare for the discussion, we are asking the membership of PRSA-NCC to provide feedback to a survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3P9S7CV

PRSA-NCC Seeks Nominations for Board, Officers, and Assembly Delegates

Leadership in PRSA-NCC has many outstanding benefits, including the opportunity to expand your professional network, develop your leadership skills, and get involved in planning and organizing the chapter's many activities.  NCC wants to bring new leaders onto the Board.

As the largest chapter in the nation with almost 1,400 members, there are many rewarding opportunities to participate at the Board level of PRSA-NCC.  wherever possible, we hope to include more than one candidate for each position.  NCC strives to include new ideas in our chapter progrms from a diverse gorup of people in order to maintain our vitality.

The Chapter is now seeking nominations for the following sixteen positions:

    * President-Elect
    * 3 Vice Presidents
    * Treasurer
    * Secretary
    * 3 Two-year Directors
    * 3 One-year Directors
    * 4 Delegates to attend PRSA's General Assembly (3-year terms)

The Nomination Package is available on the PRSA-NCC website, or you may contact NCC Chapter Manager Sherri Core at sherricore@aol.com to request materials.

Completed materials must be received by NCC Secretary Sylvia Aguilera by September 10, 2010.  If you have questions about the nominations/election process, please contact Sylvia at (540) 907-4432 or Sylvia_aguilera@comcast.net.

Thoth Awards to Recognize Outstanding PR Achievements Sept. 23

Raffle Contributions Needed for Pro Bono Fundraiser at Thoth Awards

Increase visibility for your PR product or service among area PR professionals and support to the local community at the same time by contributing a raffle item for the PRSA-NCC Thoth Awards Gala on Thursday, Sept. 23. Contact Pro Bono Chair, Helen Sullivan at hs@inhouse-com.com or 703-847-9702 to donate. Items are due by Setpember 10.

Proceeds from the raffle will raise money for the Center for Child Protection and Family Support, a local non-profit whose mission is to ensure that children are raised in families and communities free of physical abuse, neglect, sexual victimization and family violence.

Leveraging Your Congressional Testimony Panel Coming August 24

Taking your boss or client to Capitol Hill is one of the unique aspects of working in Washington. Given the fast pace of Hill events, you may only get one shot to convey your message. A panel of experts organized by the PRSA Public Affairs and Government Committee will discuss how to make the most of a Hill visit on Tuesday, Aug. 24, from 8-10 a.m. at the U.S. Navy Memorial & Heritage Center. The presentation will cover what to consider when preparing your client or boss for a visit to the Hill, how to involve "Legislative Affairs" in preparing for the visit; what those on the receiving end of your information - Members of Congress, their staff or Committee staff - are looking for from you and ideas on how to foster long-term relationships.

Speakers include Loren Dealy, Department of Defense (Office of the Secretary of Defense, Legislative Affairs); Darrell "DJ" Jordan, Office of Congressman Robert Aderholt (Alabama); Merwyn Scott, National Education Association and Scott Sobel, Media and Communications Strategies LLC.

The cost is $35 for PRSA members; $55 for non-members and $10 for students/retirees. Advanced registration encouraged via the PRSA-NCC website.

Half-day Seminar for Independent PR Practitioners Offered as Part of PRSA International Conference

Registration is now open for a special half-day seminar, "Secrets to Success for Building and Growing an Independent PR Practice," Sunday, Oct. 17, 8 a.m. -12 p.m. at the Washington Hilton. This is a pre-conference offering prior to the PRSA International Conference - full conference registration is optional.

Led by a team from IPRA, this practical, informative session will give you the tools, confidence and inspiration to get started - or boost the performance and profitably of your existing business. There will be two breakout sessions- one for new and prospective independents and one for established business owners.

The breakout session for new and prospective independents will cover: determining whether being an independent is right for you, assessing your skills, starting and running your business, establishing your brand and developing sustainable client relationships

The breakout session for established independents includes getting to the next level while maintaining momentum, building your brand, finding your unique value proposition, marketing your practice and keeping the pipeline full, teambuilding - pitfalls and profit opportunities and tackling sticky situations .

In addition, there will be a joint presentation on "Winning New Business: Competing Against Mid- to Large Firms and Conquering the RFP Process."

For more information visit www.prsa-ncc.org/documents/eIPRApre-conpromopiece.pdf. To register for the $300 program go to www.prsa.org/ic/ipra. Registration for the entire conference is not required.

PRSA Launches New "Accreditation in PR + Military Communication" Designation

PRSA has launched a new credentialing program, the Accreditation in Public Relations + Military Communication (APR+M). Obtaining your "APR+M" is one way to distinguish yourself from your colleagues and show that you have made a significant commitment to the profession of military communication. 

PRSA-NCC has a large number of eligible candidates who may want to take advantage of the first APR+M Readiness Review scheduled in conjunction with the APR Boot Camp held at the PRSA International Conference here in October. Those eligible for the APR+M credential include U.S. military active duty and reservists and National Guard members, U.S. Coast Guard members, Department of Defense civilians, and military contractors whose primary responsibilities lie in military communication-related fields.

For those above individuals already accredited and committed to professional development, they may pursue the +M designation by undergoing the Readiness Review process and receiving advancement by the Readiness Review Panel, which includes the questionnaire and portfolio.  However, these "APR Champions" who have already achieved the APR are not required to take the computer-based examination. 
For more information, visit http://www.praccreditation.org/apr_m/ or contact any of the following:  Kathy Mulvihill, PRSA, New York, NY: kathy.mulvihill@prsa.org; Felicia Blow, APR, Cox Communications:  Felicia.blow@cox.com or Erin K. Dunn, APR, Joint Public Affairs Support Element, Suffolk, Va.: erin.dunn@jfcom.mil.

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Meet Your Membership Ambassadors

Have you ever attended a PRSA-NCC event but did not know anyone there? Well, be sure to look for our Membership Ambassadors. Membership Ambassadors assist with outreach activities to new and prospective members by attending chapter events to network with new and prospective members. They also make phone calls to welcome new members and much more. Be sure to say "Hello" to Lisa Soda at our next event!

Lisa Soda
PRSA-NCC Membership Ambassador

Why did you decide to become an ambassador?  I was looking for a quick and easy way to get more involved with the organization. I wanted to get to know people better, share my experiences with PRSA and learn from other's experiences in the PR industry. I also wanted to make sure that PRSA-NCC membership continues to grow and thrive. It has been a great experience.

What do you like most about it? I love that I get to meet new people as a membership ambassador. I like hearing other's stories about their work environment as well as trends in the industry. 

How can new and existing members reach you? Members can reach me by email at lisa.soda@gmail.com or phone: 703-797-5436.
 

Have you or someone you know joined the Chapter within the last six months?  If so, would you like to be in our spotlight?  Just contact newsletter@prsa-ncc.org for a copy of the questionnaire. To view past new Member Spotlights, visit the membership section of the Web site.

(Q) How can I get experience in areas such as budgeting and research/assessment when my job has me only working on other areas such as marketing and planning?-BB, Alexandria

(A) Sometimes we all get stuck in a job that requires only certain skills, such as writing, media relations or website development.  That's great until you find yourself doing the same thing over and over.  Your question indicates that you are eager to grow, improve and try new skills.  Here are a few suggestions to get you started:

•    Acquire some expertise in another area, such as budgeting, research or evaluation.  Check the PRSA-NCC Web site often to find out about professional development programs that suit your interests. 
•    Network with colleagues outside your business environment to find out how they added professional skills to their portfolio.  Take advantage of networking opportunities such as PRONet (a social gathering of PR pros who want to establish professional contacts) or other events sponsored by the chapter. 
•    Take advantage of the best professional development and networking opportunity you will have this year by signing up for the PRSA 2010 International Conference, which will be held right here in the Nation's Capital October 16-19.  Register by August 27 and save $200!  Just go to the PRSA International Conference Web site. 
•    Finally, express your interest in taking on new responsibilities to your boss by volunteering to handle additional tasks for your next project.  You might find it both professionally and personally rewarding! 

Regards,
Fred

Fred Whiting, APR, is an adjunct professor at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. and Hood College in Frederick, Md.


Do you have a question concerning the practice of public relations that would be of interest to others? Ask a PRofessional! Visit our Ask a PRofessional page 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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