PRSA-NCC Continues to Hit it Out of the Park!

Greetings Colleagues:

At just over half way through the calendar year, this is a good time to evaluate our chapter’s mid-year performance and look ahead to the fall. Thanks to the commitment and follow through of stellar volunteers, your chapter is either meeting or exceeding each of the objectives set forth in the strategic plan. Following are a few highlights:

Membership – PRSA-NCC remains the largest PRSA chapter and growing! In the first six months of 2008, we already have 175 new members, compared with 162 at the same time last year.

Events – Our average attendees at professional development events increased four percent, sold out events are being brought back by popular demand and post-event survey feedback is being seamlessly integrated into future programs. All this is thanks to the leadership of co-chairs Phil Rabin and Debbie Friez with support by an amazing group of long-time active chapter members who help create fresh new events every month. One such member is Aaron Cohen, who helped orchestrate last month’s excellent panel on Scoring the Big Media Placement. “We had great attendance, lots of volunteers, seamless logistics, good food and plenty of moral support to go around,” he said. No wonder our professional development events are some of the best in the Nation’s Capital!

Accreditation – We currently have a record number of accreditation candidates—more than double the total number of accredited professionals in 2007—due to the outstanding work of the Accreditation committee, led by co-chairs Brook DeWalt, MA, APR, and Mitch Marovitz, APR.

Sponsorship – PRSA-NCC currently has more than 30 chapter sponsors (already 10 more than last year!) who support our events and ensure we continue to offer excellent professional development and networking opportunities. As chair of the sponsorship committee for the second consecutive year, Robert Udowitz continues to outdo even himself! We are so grateful for his creative and strategic thinking, and flawless execution.

Ethics – PRSA-NCC is in the process of creating an unprecedented Ethics Resource Panel and launching a dedicated page on our Web site for ethics-related articles, information and resources thanks to the dedication of committee chair and long-time active board member Gwyn Walcoff, APR. Visit the PRSA-NCC Web site to read more and check back for updates coming soon!

Technology/New Media – PRSA-NCC continues to build upon last year’s expansion into new technologies to bring more programming to your desktop. Check the PRSA-NCC Web site for webinars and podcasts, as well as the widget-like National Capital Channel for instant access to PR blogs, videos and local events. Stay tuned for this fall when PRSA-NCC’s new media strategy brings you additional platforms for maximizing your membership, including post-event online discussions, a chapter blog and new online PR communities.

Quite simply, you belong to a phenomenal chapter. NCC members are some of the best in the country when it comes to committee leadership and enthusiasm for advancing our profession. I am proud to serve alongside you. As always, if you have any comments or questions, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

Heathere Evans-Keenan, APR

PRSA-NCC President, 2008

p.s. Don’t miss out on experiencing the new format for this year’s Thoth Awards Gala! Being held at the Hotel Monaco with a ‘casino night’ theme and a cocktail party awards ceremony, this year’s event promises to be packed with networking and fun for all. Reserve your seat today!

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PRSA-NCC Issues Call for 2009 Nominations

PRSA-NCC 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, 2009. This is a great opportunity to nominate yourself and/or other NCC members and become part of the leadership 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
* 2 Delegates to attend PRSA's General Assembly (3-year terms)

All of the nomination documents and forms are available on the PRSA-NCC 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) information 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 Rita Mhley, NCC Secretary, by Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2008.

If you have questions about the nomination/election process, please contact Rita at 301-840-1454 or rmassoc@aol.com.

Thoth Awards Selected: Results To Be Announced September 25

by Fred Whiting, APR and Barbara Brown, APR

The ballots have been counted, and the results were placed in a hermetically sealed mayonnaise jar and buried under the U.S. Capitol’s new Visitors Center.  However, all will be revealed at the Annual Thoth Awards Gala on Thursday, Sept. 25, beginning at 6 p.m. 

Named for the Egyptian god of communication, the Thoth (pronounced “tot”) Awards recognize the top achievements in Washington public relations.

This year’s event is billed as an Enhanced Networking and Cocktail Party Awards Ceremony taking place in the Paris Ballroom of the fashionable Hotel Monaco, 700 “F” Street, NW, convenient to the Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro stop. 

With a Las Vegas Night theme, the Gala will honor the most outstanding strategic public relations programs and components developed and produced in the Greater Washington area.  Those in attendance will also enjoy casino-style gaming, networking, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. 

This year’s Thoth Awards competition generated the second-highest number of entries in the past five years.  It also involved nearly 50 public relations professionals who volunteered to evaluate more than 140 entries in 40 categories ranging from Reputation and Brand Management to Advertorials. 

The Thoth Awards Gala is an opportunity to network in a relaxed party atmosphere.  To register, visit the PRSA-NCC Web site or call (703) 691-9212.

Interactive PR Writing Seminar Aug. 21

Writing well is one of the most important skills a public relations professional can have. And everyone, no matter what their skill level, will benefit from this new PR writing course on Thursday, Aug. 21, presented by the PRSA-NCC Professional Development Committee. Through presentation, exercises and discussion, attendees will learn the best principles and practices for effective PR writing. Participants will also learn how to focus their time, attention and creativity so they can write more efficiently and effectively.

The class will be held from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Media and Public Affairs Building at The George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management conveniently located off of the orange/blue Metro lines at Foggy Bottom. The cost is $150 for PRSA members; $220 for non-members; and $75 for students and retirees.  Registration, networking and a continental breakfast will begin at 8:30 a.m.

The class is expected to sell out fast, so register early by visiting the PRSA-NCC Web site.

PR PRO’s To Gather at BlackFinn in Bethesda Aug. 13

PR professionals with seven years or less experience in the field of public relations, graduating students, or other professionals new to the industry are invited to celebrate happy hour with the PRONet committee on Wednesday, Aug. 13, from 6-9 p.m. at BlackFinn, 4901 Fairmont Ave., Bethesda, Md. 20814.   This PRSA-NCC committee aims to create networking and education opportunities for those starting out in their PR careers in the Washington, DC area.

The $10 fee includes one free drink and appetizers. RSVP by August 7 to Sabrina Kidwai at skidwai@acteonline.org or call 703-683-9312.

PRSA-NCC Members Gathered To Learn about New Media in July

A standing-room-only audience of PRSA-NCC members gathered to learn how to build relationships in a Web 2.0 world at a July program offered by the PRSA-NCC Professional Development Committee and the DC Chamber of Commerce. Below Brook DeWalt, APR, Lt. Cmdr., U.S. Navy; Director, New Media Operations, Dept. of Defense and Above Adam Kovacevich, Senior Manager, Global Communications and Public Affairs, Google, present about new media tools and discussed case studies of how new media is complementing traditional PR tactics in both government, private and nonprofit sectors.

Helen Sullivan, APR, Named to PRSA College of Fellows

PRSA-NCC and IPRA member Helen Sullivan, APR, has been admitted into the PRSA College of Fellows. An advocate and role model for independent practitioners, Sullivan was recognized for her expertise in industry-wide public relations programs for associations and credentialing boards. Election to the PRSA College of Fellows, based on lifetime achievement, is a professional honor awarded to senior practitioners and educators. Only about 500 of the nearly 32,000 members of PRSA are members of the College of Fellows. Sullivan is President of InHouse Communications, LLC, based in McLean, Va.

Donate an Item for the Silent Auction at International Conference Oct. 25-28

All PRSA-NCC members are invited to participate in the PRSA Silent Auction that will take place during the International Conference in Detroit October 25-28, 2008.  All Chapters, Districts, Sections and National Committees, PRSA members and friends are may provide silent auction items representing their region, state, county, special interest or place of work.

In the past, some of the most popular auction items were travel packages, signed athletic attire, and dinner packages at award winning restaurants in several major U.S. cities.  In 2007, more than 50 auction items were received and sold at auction, generating $7,000 in revenue, which will be used exclusively to offer scholarships and award research projects for the PR Journal in 2008. 

This year PRSA would like to double the number of auction items and revenue for 2008!

Once you decide what your auction item will be, please complete the confirmation and description form posted on www.prsa.org. Then supply a photo, preferably in JPEG format, representative of the donated item/package and e-mail the completed form and photos to malia.moore@prsa.org by September 15, 2008.  Upon receipt of the form and photo, a 2008 Silent Auction Committee member will be in touch with you to finalize the auction donation information.

For more information or questions regarding the Silent Auction, please contact BJ Whitman at (808) 348-0057.

PRSA Member to Be Keynote Speaker at LiveStrong Summit

by Sheri Singer

The Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) has tapped Sheri Singer, President, Singer Communications (SC) and PRSA-NCC member as a keynote speaker at its annual LiveStrong Summit to be held in Columbus, Ohio, July 24-27, 2008.

As the keynote speaker in the strategic outreach section of the Summit, Singer will share the public relations success of LiveWell! Life Beyond Cancer a program of the LAF and The Wellness Community (TWC). Launched from January to April 2008, the LiveWell! Life Beyond Cancer six-week program was held in 10 TWC centers located across the U.S. The program was designed to provide cancer survivors with the skills to make the transition from active treatment to post-treatment care.

“There are few programs addressing the unique healthcare needs of the more than 10 million cancer survivors,” said Singer. “We were delighted in the opportunity to channel our passion for social change to make a real difference in improving the quality of life for cancer survivors.”

Tough Love from Scribes for Media Relations Pros at PRSA-NCC Panel

by Aaron Cohen

“We need you, and we need you to cut to the chase.” That was the message from three top journalists before a packed house of PRSA-NCC Professional Development workshop attendees.  Pete Williams of NBC, Neil Irwin of The Washington Post and Charles Mahtesian of Politico had a sometimes tense, occasionally entertaining and very educational exchange with nearly 150 workshop attendees on July 23.  Aaron Cohen, Media Relations Director at Imre Communications, moderated the annual session entitled, “Scoring the Big Media Placement.” 

An unusual fish story pitch worked for NBC’s Williams, faux personal e-mail subject lines are a turn-off for Irwin of the Post, and “the carpet-bombing approach” of blast pitches do not work for Politico’s Mahtesian.  All three scribes said emphatically that they use blogs to help guide editorial decisions.  Shiny press folders were ridiculed.

One senior association executive commented afterward that the session was, “the best I have attended.”

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Tara Parker
Marketing Specialist, Mid-Atlantic Region
Holland & Knight LLP

• Why did you join PRSA? 

As my position at Holland & Knight has progressed, I have been responsible for more and more internal and external public relations efforts.  Although I have had PR experience in my previous jobs, I wanted to join an organization that specialized in this area.

• How long have you been in the PR field?

I have been a legal marketing, business development and PR professional for more than 7 years.

• What skills are required to do your job? 

Editing, proofreading, creativity, the ability to work with all personality types, and of course, a smile on my face!

• What’s your greatest career achievement? 

My greatest career achievement to date has been getting ABC-WJLA to Emcee the Holland & Knight Charitable Foundation's Holocaust Remembrance Project in July 2008.

• Where would you like to see yourself in five years? 

As a Marketing/Communications/PR Manager at an international law firm.

• How do you begin each day? 

Coffee!

• What’s your dream job? 

Hosting QVC. 

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

My mother is my role model.  She has worked very hard to support my sister and me through difficult times.  I have never gone without and from her I have a very strong work ethic.

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

The last book I read was The Oral Biography of Buster Casey by Chuck Palahniuk.

• Tips for maintaining the elusive work/life balance? 
  

I always get to work early, get things done before the 9am crowd starts getting in and always stay a little late.  I make sure to schedule dinners and happy hours with friends, see my family and attend networking events.

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 have recently started consulting for a manufacturing firm out of state. When I break down my hours how do I handle the time for traveling to meetings at their location? Do I bill for the flight time and early arrival in the airport in addition to the actual meeting? I recognize my travel to the airport should not be included, but if a 2 hour meeting requires 2 hours at the airport (1 hour early each end) and 3 hours total flying can I bill for 7 hours? When they send me to speak to a user can I bill for the travel to and from as it is normally at least an hour away?—CA, Hollis, NH

Dear CA: It is standard industry practice to bill a client for time spent traveling because it usually precludes time you could spend working on behalf of another client. Consultants vary on how much to bill a client for travel.  Traveling today means standing in line to get your ticket and check your bags, going through security and experiencing delays on the tarmac.  You may not be doing any actual work for the client, but you may want to bill the client as a lower hourly rate. 

If you are able to conduct business for another client while at the airport waiting for your plane to depart, then of course you should bill that client and not the one you are traveling for.

You are right, however, in not billing for time spent going to and from the airport, although you should be compensated for mileage at the standard U.S. government rate. And if your travel involves driving from one destination to another, you should bill for both time and mileage. All of this should be worked out in advance with all of your clients through a contract or letter of agreement, so there won’t be any questions when your invoice arrives.

Regards,

Fred Whiting, APR

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