Chapter Brings Value to Your Membership

As I write this month's column, I'm preparing to attend the PRSA National Leadership Rally, to be held June 4-5 in New York. The Leadership Rally is an orientation program for incoming chapter leaders, primarily presidents-elect, from around the country.

I'm attending because National PRSA wants the chapter to share its excitement about hosting the 2010 International Conference, which will be held at the Washington Hilton in Washington in October. But more on that later.

Planning for this year's Leadership Rally reminded me of my attendance last year as president-elect. It was my first national-level PRSA event and it gave me an opportunity to find out what other chapters around the country are doing to serve their members at the local level. And, frankly, it allowed me to compare how our chapter fares in comparison.

First, let me say that I picked up a lot of good ideas from chapters, both small and large, from around the country. But the one thing I learned is that National Capital Chapter--as the nation's largest chapter--simply offers a lot more programming than just about any chapter around the country. And PR pros living in the capital area are better off for it because it means they are getting more bang for their PRSA membership buck.

We offer anywhere from 3-5 events per month here compared to many chapters that offer just one event per month, if that. Our events run the gamut from APR preparation classes to networking happy hours to professional development workshops to luncheons for specific membership segments like our highly successful luncheon for independents. Our diversity of membership allows for incredible opportunities to network, conduct business, and make contacts. You simply don't get that kind of value if you lived in most other places around the country.

And the International Conference? Read here next month about our presentation to the Leadership Rally and our plans to host the first PRSA International Conference to be held in Washington since 1988. That's a long time, people, and it's one of the many reasons we are truly excited about hosting the nation's premier professional development meeting in Washington this year.

Sincerely,

Jeff Ghannam
2010 PRSA-NCC President

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Johnson Elected NCC President-Elect

Thoth Awards Deadlines Approaching

June 4 for Early Birds; June 18 Last Date to Submit

Deadlines are approaching for the 42nd Annual PRSA-NCC Thoth Awards Competition.

Winners from corporations, government agencies, trade associations, public relations firms and nonprofits, both large and small, will be selected in 34 categories for communications campaigns and tactics.  The early bird deadline is Friday, June 4, 2010 and the standard deadline is Friday, June 18, 2010

The winners will be honored at the Willard Hotel at the elegant Thoth Gala on September 23. Enter by June 4 and get a $20 discount on your first entry and Gala ticket. If you are a PRSA member, get both for $140 by June 4. Nonmembers pay $180 for both by June 4.

Visit http://www.prsa-ncc.org/thoth_awards/ for more information on categories and rules.

Judging Panels Forming for Thoth Awards

Whether or not you are submitting an application for an award, experienced PRSA-NCC professionals are invited to serve as judges for the Thoth Awards.  Judging the Thoth awards is a window on the best and most creative communications' energies inside the beltway.

Judging takes place all-day June 24, and in the morning on June 25 at the American Forest Foundation, 1111 Nineteenth Street, NW, Suite 780, Washington, DC.  The closest metro stop is Farragut West. Judging times are divided into morning and afternoon sessions. The morning session on Thursday, June 25, runs from 8 a.m.-12 noon and the afternoon session from 1-5 p.m. On Friday, June 25, there is a morning session.  Breakfast and lunch is provided on Thursday and breakfast on Friday.

Please contact Jackie Fishman at jackied881@aol.com or Susan Apgood at sapgood@newsgeneration.com by June 11 with the days and times you are available to volunteer or if you have questions.

Using Twitter as an Effective Communications Tool for Government, Business and Non-profits

Twitter isn't just about telling others where you are or what you are doing.  It's the fastest-growing social media platform and a growing facet of government and business communications programs. Leading social media practitioners will discuss how they leverage this evolving communications tool on Wednesday, June 9, from 8-10 a.m. at the U.S. Navy Memorial & Heritage Center. Presented by the NCC Professional Development Committee, this timely workshop will discuss everything form how to sell Twitter to wary colleagues and clients; how to use Twitter to engage key audiences; how Twitter complements traditional media outreach and ideas on how to measure your 'tweeting' success.

Speakers include Major David Faggard, Office of Public Affairs, USAF, @insidevector and @usairforce; Pete Snyder, Founder & CEO, New Media Strategies, @petesnyder; Cody Switzer, New Media Specialist, Goodwill Industries, @clswitzer and @GoodwillIntl; and Andre Francis, Social Media Representative, Pepco Holdings, Inc., @pepcoconnect.

The cost is $35 for PRSA & WWPR members; $55 for non-members and $10 for students/retirees. Advanced registration encouraged via the PRSA-NCC website.  An additional $10 will be charged at the door.

PRSA-NCC Membership Mixer and New Member Appreciate Event June 10

Professionals to Gather at Nationals Park

PRSA-NCC members, their families, friends and other guests are invited to mingle with fellow PR professionals and friends while taking in some action-packed baseball at National Park on Thursday, June 10.  The evening starts with a 6 p.m. networking reception at Red Loft Bar (Section 244) overlooking centerfield. Then at 7 p.m. the group will head to their seats in the stands to watch the Nats against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Special recognition will be given to newest members of the National Capital Chapter - so all you new members make sure to register and come get to know your fellow chapter members! The cost is $10 for PRSA and WWPR members and $15 for non-members, which includes entrance to the stadium and seating. Food and drink will be available for individual purchase.

For more details or to register, visit the PRSA-NCC website. 

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 Emily Howard at our next event!

Emily Howard
PRSA-NCC Membership Ambassador

How long have you been a Membership Ambassador? 1 year

Why did you decide to become an Ambassador? PRSA has been a great organization to be a part of so I want to share my stories and teach people about the association and its benefits.  The more people that are a part of the organization, the better it is!
 
What do you like most about it? The best part about being an Ambassador is meeting new people.
 
How can new and existing members reach you? You can reach me via e-mail: emily.f.howard@gmail.com; on twitter: emily_howard; or via linkedin: http://bit.ly/9ErZcK.

Also don't forget to register and look out for Membership Ambassadors at the PRSA-NCC Washington Nationals vs. Pittsburgh event on June 10. We're easy to spot, just look for the 'Ask Me About Membership' button we wear!

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Donna Vincent Roa, PhD, ABC, CSR-P
Managing Partner & Chief Strategist
Vincent Roa Group LLC

1) Why did you join PRSA?
It’s a great organization with a plethora of learning opportunities and networking events. Plus, so many people I admire in the communications and PR industry are members and active leaders in the organization. I am also eyeing the APR accreditation program.

2) How long have you been in the communications field?
Do I count high school? I was writing press releases for my 4-H club in the 70s. My first communications job was a disc jockey and field reporter at a radio station during my college years. I made a decision early on to take only jobs related to PR and communications, so I have a strong toolbox of skills. Overall, about 17 years. My full-time positions started after I completed my doctorate in communications.

3) What skills are required to do your job?
I’ve often said that a great PR professional has to be a psychologist, organizational behavior specialist, journalist, orator, analyst, conductor, artist, and cheerleader. I would also add student. We have one of the most rapidly changing fields of work on the planet. Keeping up with the new channels, methods, and techniques requires that we assume the role of student. Recently, I completed my Corporate Social Responsibility Practitioner certification to be an informed participant in organizations’ sustainability and energy work.

4) What’s your greatest career achievement?
I’ve been exceptionally pleased with the longevity of the brand programs that I’ve put in place for organizations. Solid and flexible programs can serve organizations for years. I’ve also established a strong track record in developing comprehensive communications strategies and providing grounded strategic council for domestic and international organizations.

5) Where would you like to see yourself in five years? Maintaining my passion about communications’ role in improving the environment and public health and delivering professional communication services that directly and favorably impact environmental awareness, sustainability and public health. 

6) How do you begin each day?
Open the curtains to allow the sunlight into my office, turn on classical music on my Bose, plan my day, delete/manage emails, and drink a great cup of joe or green tea with pine nuts.

7) What’s your dream job?
Depends on the year. At 65, I think I want to audition for plays or musicals on Broadway. Right now, I am in my dream job. Perhaps I will do it until I am 64 and a half, take six months off in Europe picking grapes and drinking pricey Merlot, then go to my Broadway dream job as a elderly chorus member in Phantom of the Opera.

8) Who’s your role model, and why do you admire him/her? Arlene Brown, my debate coach from college. She was one of those people that could spur excellence in someone with a raised eyebrow and a smile. I am still in touch with her after all these years and hold dear the friendship and mentoring that she still gives to me. She’s one of those elegant, Southern belle types with the grace and gutsiness of Scarlett O’Hara.

9)  What’s the last book you read or movie you saw?
Last book: The Hypomanic Edge: The Link Between A Little Craziness and A Lot of Success in America by John D. Gartner. It’s one of the best treatises on why so many Americans have hypomania, a genetically based mild form of mania that endows us with unusual energy, creativity, enthusiasm and a propensity for taking risks.

10) Tips for maintaining the elusive work/life balance? Program time for freedom to move (bike to work, meetings, the bank), learn (take a course), create (paint), sing (join a ladies barber shop harmony chorus or quartet), and volunteer in your community (become an Environment Commissioner).  Live your brand values (integrity, innovation, excellence, dynamism, diversity, and commitment to the environment, women and our community). Know when to say no.

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.

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(Q) I'm at a crossroads right now and would like your advice. I'm sitting in my newly purchased car at the intersection of flat-road, paycheck avenue and risky, no-streetlight boulevard. I'm in a 6-month contract job that ends in ten days, so I will be unemployed in eleven. I have a PR degree, agency experience, proficient in a couple languages, a freelance writer and live near D.C., the mecca of resources. But apparently I'm going ice-fishing, or the guy next to me knows something I don't. What resources do you suggest for a year-out-of-college graduate?-LNG, Fairfax, Va.

(A) If you look around, you will probably see a lot of other talented folks at your intersection, many of them in your position.  However, you are fortunate to be in the D.C. area, where opportunities for professional communicators like yourself are actually increasing.  The biggest employer, of course, is the federal government, and you can find job postings at USAJOBS.gov.  You should also check out the chapter's Jobline, where you will find PR job opportunities.  By all means, subscribe to Ned Lundquist's Job of the Week newsletter (it's free-just send a blank e-mail to JOTW-subscribe@topica.com), where you will find scores of job openings across the country and around the world each week.  However, your best strategy is through networking (trite, but true).  Visit the PRSA-NCC Web site often to find announcements for professional development workshops, networking opportunities and chapter activities.  You're not alone-as the old phone company commercial said, "Reach out and touch someone!" 

Regards,
Fred

Fred Whiting, APR, is an adjunct professor at 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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