PRSA-NCC Providing Value in 2009

April was a very busy month. Along with several successful professional development and networking events, NCC was host to PRSA National's board meeting - with space and facilities graciously provided by the National Education Association through Steve Grant, APR, and Michelle Hudgins, APR. As part of the meeting, PRSA provided a forum on Thursday, April 16, with panelists discussing the important role PR will play in renewing our nation. The event was both well received and well attended. Check out the pictures in our Photo Gallery!

On Friday, April 17, NCC briefed National on our chapter and highlighted the great work by Robert Udowitz and President-elect Jeff Ghannam as sponsorship co-chairs. Also highlighted, was our "Membership Ambassador" program, and Sheri Singer talked about the new initiatives underway by IPRA (the Independent PR Alliance). Ivonne Couret and Michael Sheward, APR, Host Committee co-chairs, provided valuable input and demographics for the upcoming 2010 International Conference that will take place here in DC. The PRSA board was appreciative and impressed with the energy and enthusiasm within our chapter and is looking forward to working with us toward a successful conference next year. In the meantime, don't forget to sign up for this year's PRSA International Conference in San Diego!

ACCREDITATION
April is Accreditation Month! Accredited in Public Relations (APR) is an achievable goal. If you have not yet completed this career milestone, check it out. NCC has an active accreditation committee to assist candidates in navigating the process. Find out more and see our calendar at: http://www.prsa-ncc.org/accreditation_(apr)/.

Accreditation Calendar
June 20 - "JumpStart" Class
July 24 - Readiness Review 2 Written Submission Due
August 8 - Readiness Review 2
September 26 - "JumpStart" Class
October 30 - Readiness Review 3 Written Submission Due
November 14 - Readiness Review 3

THOTH Awards Update
Check out our chapter's annual Thoth awards Call for Entries posted on the PRSA-NCC's Web site. You can participate by compiling at least one award entry or you can submit multiple entries. Get your entries in by the June 5 (early bird) or June 19 (final) deadlines.

If you are not currently involved on a committee or activity, please check out the great list of possibilities in our committee section of the chapter web site. And for our PR colleagues that are unemployed, keep an eye on Jobline.

If you have any questions, contact me at barbara.burfeind@dma.mil or 703-428-0712.

See you at one of our many upcoming events!

Sincerely,

Barbara Burfeind, APR
2009 PRSA-NCC President

Potential PRSA Members: Join Now

Are you, a friend, or a colleague interested in joining PRSA? Are you a former PRSA member who has been inactive for at least one year? National PRSA is offering a substantial discount for new and lapsed members who join in May and June during its Stay Smart with PRSA promotion. For those who join (or rejoin) during this period, PRSA will waive the $65 initiation fee. Please note that you MUST use the special the promotion code SPRING2009 on your printed or online application. And, don't forget to join the National Capital Chapter when you sign up!

Celebrate the Value of Public Relations - Thoth Awards

Earn the recognition you deserve and celebrate the value of inspired public relations efforts for your clients and organizations.

Submit your winning entries for the 2009 Thoth Awards. PRSA-NCC Thoth Awards entry forms are now available at www.prsa-ncc.org/thoth2009.

Named after the Egyptian god of communication, the Thoth Awards are designed to closely replicate national PRSA Silver and Bronze Anvil Awards. The PRSA-NCC Thoth Awards and Certificates of Excellence are given in 39 categories that include full public relations programs, media relations outreach, and tactical components, such as corporate video, newsletters, blogs and podcasts.

Entry forms are available to download at www.prsa-ncc.org/thoth2009. Early-bird discounts are available on entries recieved by June 5. All entries must be submitted by June 19.

Still not sure about how to submit an entry? First, check out the entry information and forms at www.prsa-ncc.org/thoth2009. More information is available at the workshop, "Tips for Submitting a Winning Entry," 8 am-10am, Monday, May 11, 2009 at the U.S Navy Memorial & Heritage Center, 701 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, D.C., 20005.

For more information, contact Michael Sheward, APR, at 703-218-2802 or Shewardmcs@aol.com.

Winners will be honored at the 2009 Thoth Awards Gala, which will be held on September 24th at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel. The annual Thoth Awards Gala is the largest awards show in the Greater Washington area that recognizes outstanding achievement, creativity and innovation in the field of public relations. This event has grown over the past several years to be a sold-out event, attracting the best and brightest from top communications agencies, corporations, government organizations, associations and non-profits from throughout the Capital region.

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Erika Cotton
Public Affairs Specialist,
Project Lead
ICMA-RC

1) Why did you join PRSA?

I joined PRSA primarily to develop a network among other public relations professionals, and to take advantage of unique professional development and training opportunities in our field.

2) How long have you been in the PR field?

I have been a public relations professional for three years. Before that, I worked for the Fourth Estate as a news reporter.

3) What skills are required to do your job?

Excellent writing, editing, and research skills
Good time management and organizational skills
An ability to work as a team player

4) What's your greatest career achievement?

I wouldn't say that I've had a greatest career achievement yet. Each small victory I have, whether it's a story I've placed, or an advertisement I've written, or a blog I've posted online, is just one more step toward my greatest career achievement. I simply haven't made it there yet.

5) Where would you like to see yourself in five years?
In five years, I would like to see myself serving as director of communications for a nonprofit organization.

6) How do you begin each day?

By waking up.

7) What's your dream job?

I think it would be incredible to serve of SVP of Communications for the American Cancer Society. Breast cancer runs heavily in my family, and so, their message, is very important to me.

8) Who's your role model, and why do you admire him/her?

Cliche as it may be, I would have to say Oprah Winfrey. One of the reasons I admire her is because the prestige she's built over the years is nothing short of a phenomenon. She's been on the Time 100 - Most Influential People in the World list six times. And it's rare to be mentioned on the list more than once. I heard somewhere once that a person should never let the universe regret his or her existence. I tend to live my life by this motto, and I see Oprah as having more than exceeded it.

9) What's the last book you read or movie you saw?

The last book I read was Salem's Lot by Stephen King, and the last movie I watched was Saw V.

Do what makes you happy.
Follow your dreams.
Take time off when you need it.
Learn to tell people no.

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I will graduate from college with my public relations degree soon, but I'm concerned about finding a job in this terrible economy. Do you have any suggestions for finding an entry-level PR job in the Nation's Capital?-AP, Washington, DC

AP: Finding a job in any field is particularly difficult in the current economy, whether you are at the beginning or the middle of your career. But take heart-there are jobs out there. I know, because I happen to be looking for one.

• First, it's very important to know what kind of job you're looking for and what skills or talents you have that would qualify you for that job. If you're just about the graduate from college, that may seem difficult, because you probably haven't had any professional PR experience (unless you have worked as an intern, which is an excellent way to get your first PR job). Take a moment to consider what kind of job you would like. Would you like to work in a PR agency, mostly for corporate clients? Would you prefer to work with an organization in the nonprofit field, where you will focus on promoting a particular cause? Or do you see yourself in the public service sector working for the federal, state or local government? Each has benefits and limitations.

• Once you've decided on what economic sector you'd like to work in, focus on specific organizations in that field. Identify the PR agencies-small, medium and large-in the DC area. Survey the field of nonprofit organizations for things that interest you personally. Or go to USA Jobs (http://www.usajobs.gov/) where you can search for job openings in federal agencies.

• Take advantage of the technology that's available. There are several organizations, such as the Public Relations Society of America (http://www.prsa.org/) and the International Association of Business Communicators (http://www.usajobs.gov/), where you can set up a personal job alert that will notify you of a new job opening that matches your criteria. And by all means, check the National Capital Chapter's Job Openings page and the List of Online Job Resources page.

• But all of the technology in the world doesn't replace good old fashioned networking to land a job, whether it's your first or your 15th. Contact everyone you know and ask them if they have a PR job opening at their organization. Then ask them for the name of someone they know who may have a job opening. If you call 10 people a day and get 10 referrals each day, by the end of the week you will have contacted more than a hundred people!

• Also, take advantage of the many networking opportunities offered by the National Capital Chapter: professional development workshops, involvement in chapter committees or networking opportunities coordinated by PRONet. Ask your fellow NCC members if they know of jobs opening up in their organizations or if they have colleagues who might be hiring. Gather business cards and follow up with an e-mail reminding them of your conversation, what kind of job you're looking for, and attach your resume.

Good luck with your job hunt. Don't wait for the economy to improve, because jobs are available jobs right now. I should know-in the past month, I've responded to more than 30 job announcements suitable for my experience level and qualifications, and I've scheduled two interviews already. I figure the next offer just hasn't been made-yet.

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! 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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