Spring in Full Swing

Greetings Colleagues:

It might only be March, but it feels like the Chapter has been in the swing of things for much longer. As many of you know, on February 21 we held our first board meeting since the leadership rally.  It was an incredible, standing-room-only event full of your fellow colleagues who have gotten involved and are taking full advantage of the benefits of membership. Thank you to all of those who took the opportunity to join a committee. If you are still interested in joining the marketing, sponsorship, Thoth event or membership committees, please contact me right away.

You often hear me sing the praises of our committee chairs and co-chairs, but I cannot praise them enough.  NCC is a machine with many moving parts and your committee chairs consistently keep it running smoothly and seamlessly. They are true leaders within the organization who keep our activities fresh and exciting and their accomplishments are an awe-inspiring testament to the level of professionalism within our organization.  Because of our outstanding committees, members are well networked and keeping their professional skills sharp with new information the latest topics of interest to our profession. Congratulations, committee chairs!

We have already had a number of successful events covering topics like PR writing and industry trends, as well as social media and international communications. On February 28 the gracious Pekka Lintu, Ambassador of Finland to the United States, hosted PRSA-NCC for a mixer at the Finnish Embassy. Orchestrated by our International committee, the event began with networking and was followed by an introduction to Finnish culture and cuisine. This well-attended event turned out quite a few non-members as well and helped us spread the word about our organization, a critical objective outlined in our strategic plan.

We are also continuing to expand the ways members can access our professional development events online. Beginning this quarter, select events will now be available via webinar. Throughout the year, key events will be turned into podcasts, video casts or webinars as yet another avenue for you to access our great programs.  Our first webinar, Association PR: Selling it to Management and Making it Work, will be available for download soon.  Check out the download media content page on the PRSA-NCC website for regular updates.

This month, our line-up includes even more networking and educational opportunities from our first APR JumpStart course to a powerful ethics panel on how to avoid a crisis in credibility. Space is limited so register now at http://www.prsa-ncc.org.

Look out for information regarding future must-attend events including seminars on new media relations strategies, pitching to bloggers, using online video in your PR campaigns, what employers are looking for in today’s job market and much, much more.  Don’t miss an event: download the National Capital Channel for instant access to NCC’s calendar and the best way to stay connected in 2008!

Sincerely,

Heathere Evans-Keenan, APR

PRSA-NCC President, 2008

Back to Top

Download the National Capital Channel for Chances to Win Starbucks Gift Card, iPod Touch – Now, Through March 31

The National Capital Channel is a free new benefit from PRSA-NCC.  It is a fun little widget you can download to your desktop that helps you stay in the know about PRSA-NCC chapter news, events, jobs, podcasts, weather alerts and special announcements. 

And now, being in the know has even more perks.  The first 100 people who download the National Capital Channel to their desktops between now and Monday, March 31, will receive a $5 Starbucks card and also get a chance to win a new iPod Touch ($299 value).

Click here to download.

Those who already downloaded the National Capital Channel can earn a chance to win the iPod Touch by telling a friend.  Simply use the ‘Share with a Friend’ option under ‘Menu’ on the National Capital Channel on your desktop to forward a download recommendation to one or more friends and you’ll automatically qualify for the drawing.

Special thanks to PIMS DC for sponsoring the iPod Touch giveaway and to the BIA Information Network for their sponsorship of the National Capital Channel.

Ethics in PR: Learn How to Avoid a Crisis in Credibility on March 20

The PRSA-NCC Professional Development and Ethics Committees will present a compelling discussion offering perspectives on ethics from business, academic and PR experts on Tuesday, March 20. The event will be held 8-10 a.m. at Widmeyer Communications at 1825 Connecticut Ave., Fifth Floor, Washington, DC 20009.

The PRSA Code of Conduct holds the public relations industry to the highest levels of ethical behavior. According to the code, PR professionals are charged with: Protecting and advancing the free flow of accurate and truthful information is essential to serving the public interest and contributing to informed decision making in a democratic society.

Speakers Katie Lang, managing director of programs, Ethics Resource Center; Lane Bailey, managing director southeast region, GolinHarris; Doug Pinkham, APR, president, Public Affairs Group and Kim Brown, vice president, ethics and corporate responsibility, U.S. Foodservice, Inc. will discuss ethical responsibilities we have towards ourselves, our clients, our employers, and our profession. George G. Brenkert, professor and director, Georgetown Business Ethics Institute, will be the moderator.

The cost is $35 for members, $55 for non-members and $10 for students and retirees. To register, visit PRSA-NCC or call 703-691-9212.

IPRA Lunch on April 3 Features Good, Bad and Ugly of Broadcast News

TV and radio stations receive literally hundreds of press releases a day and almost as many phone calls. While most of us are aware that we need to speak to a producer, assignment editor or planning editor, we frequently are left scratching our heads as our story was passed up for yet another update on the latest celebrity in rehab. What gives?

The NCC special section for independents, the Independent PR Alliance (IPRA), will answer this question at its monthly luncheon series on Thursday, April 3, from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Embassy Suites Hotel/Tysons Corner in Vienna, Va.

The discussion will include how the powers that be in broadcast journalism make the decisions on what stories to cover and what to pass up. The IPRA April luncheon features a first-hand view by Matt Glassman, an NBC4 producer, and Darci Marchese, reporter and managing editor for WTOP radio, discussing what producers look for when they deem a story idea appropriate for broadcast.

Buffet lunch is provided. Advance payment online is $20 for IPRA and PRSA-NCC members and $25 for non-members and guests. The cost is $25 for IPRA and PRSA-NCC members and $30 for non-members and guests at the door. Cash only at the door. No checks or credit cards.

Visit PRSA-NCC to register in advance.

New Feature Articles on Chapter Web site

The PRSA-NCC newsletter is now offering full-length feature articles online. The articles can be accessed from the Web site homepage. This month’s articles include:

• The Benefits of Being APR by Amanda Piasecki

As PRSA-NCC members participate in the Jump-Start! Seminar on APR designation on March 15, longtime APR, Margery Zylich of MedStar Health, discusses the benefits of designation.

• 10 Things They Never Told You in Communications Classes by Fred Whiting

As the chapter expands its outreach to local PRSSA members, Fred Whiting, APR shares an entertaining look at 10 things they never told us in communications classes.

To submit a contributed article idea or to inquire about being a contributing author, contact newsletter@prsa-ncc.org.

Senior-Level PR Pros – PRSA Fellow Applications Due by May 2

Have you earned your accreditation and been a PRSA member for 20 or more years? If so, you are a candidate for one of our industry’s top honors: PRSA Fellow. The deadline for 2008 applications and supporting letters is Friday, May 2, at 5 p.m., ET.

For more information or questions about the application process, contact Don Bates, APR, Fellow PRSA, 202-994-9419, dbates@gwu.edu. For full qualifications and details, visit http://www.prsa.org/leadership/cof.

AIA Double-Shot at Forum on Public Relations for Associations

Two AIAs, the American Institute of Architects and the American Insurance Association were bookends of a well-attended Professional Development workshop put on by PRSA-NCC and ASAE & The Center's Communication Section council on Thursday, Feb. 20. Association PR: Selling it to Management and Making it Work, moderated by Imre Communications VP of Associations Martha Mallonee, also featured the American College of Cardiology and the Software and Information Industry Association. 

The association panelists offered lots of practical advice: how to raise awareness for an association while justifying the expense and how to measure ROI, were among the highlights.  The representatives of the four groups invest a wide range of different amounts of money on external PR efforts and offer differing measurements of effectiveness to their boards.  Self-assessments on how thoroughly their associations embrace digital communications were also mixed.

Look for the first NCC webinar on the session here.

Special Membership Promotion Now Available Through March

Are you, a friend or colleague interested in joining PRSA?    National PRSA is offering a substantial discount for new members who join in February and March during its Taste of PRSA promotion. For those who join during this period, PRSA will waive the $65 initiation fee.  Please note that you MUST use a special membership application (if mailing or faxing) or the promotion code TASTE2008 (if joining online).  And, do not forget to join the National Capital Chapter when you sign up! Visit http://www.prsa.org/membership/taste2008.html to join.

Back to Top

Spotlight on the Membership Committee

Membership Committee

With a focus on recruiting new members and keeping current members engaged, the PRSA-NCC Membership Committee has begun the year in full gear. The committee is partnering with Scott Oser, president of Scott Oser Associates, Inc, who has more than 15 years of marketing and membership recruitment experience to invigorate the chapter’s current strategy.

In support of the chapter strategic plan, Scott is developing an innovative approach to recruitment and retention including engaging members early on in ensuring they stay involved in the chapter for years to come. The committee is also planning a number of promotional activities to entice prospective members to join PRSA-NCC chapter – one of the most active chapters in the country. 

How can you help?

Every member can be a part of recruiting new members and making the chapter better for its current members. Word of mouth marketing is especially appreciated. Assist us simply by telling communicators how much you enjoy your PRSA-NCC membership benefits including free member only events, professional development seminars and much more.

Being a member of the Membership Committee is another great way to spread the word about our chapter. Membership benefits include opportunities to network with other professionals and share your professional skills with the chapter.  Some examples of a committee member’s responsibility include:

• Making phone calls welcoming new members;
• Attending chapter events to network with new and prospective members;
• Participating in committee planning meetings in preparation for promotional activities and events.

As an added bonus, Membership Committee members will be able to attend certain NCC professional development and networking events for FREE in return for serving as a membership liaison at the event.

Whether you would like to take an active role in the committee or you only have a limited amount of your time to give, we have a role for every level of commitment on the committee.

For more information or become involved with the NCC Membership Committee, contact co-chairs Bren Landon at brenlandon@gmail.com or (202) 572-0563 or Amy Schossler at schossler_amy@bah.com or (703) 377-1745.

Back to Top

I work for a national nonprofit on a tight budget, and we would like to find some pro bono resources to produce a PSA. (We can write it, but we need support for the filming and production.) Do you know of any such resources in the DC metropolitan area?

EJ, Washington, DC. 

A place to start would be with video production companies that are sponsors of PRSA-NCC. They are listed here. Another idea is to go to a School of Communications at one of the local universities (American University, the University of Maryland, George Mason University or Hood College) and ask if a class is working on video production and would like a real client. It wouldn’t cost you anything, the students would get experience and credit and your production could be excellent.

Keep in mind that a successful public service announcement is more than a free commercial for a nonprofit organization. The message (and its sponsor) must be acting in the public interest, addressing issues such as poverty, homelessness, AIDS and the like. Don't be too self-serving in crafting your message. State a problem and offer your organization as a source of information.

One other consideration is that TV stations and networks get many more PSAs than they can broadcast. I read once that ABC-TV gets 7,000 public service announcements EACH MONTH. In order for your PSA to get used, it must stand out in some way by offering something unique or dealing with a public interest issue that is very topical.

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! Click on Programs/Mentoring/Ask a Professional or just click here 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.

Back to Top