PRSA-NCC wraps up 2005 and looks forward to 2006.

The Holiday Reception was an event filled evening. Congratulations to the Diversity Champion and Diamond Award winners, Gloria Rodriguez and Tracy Schario, respectively, who were recognized for their contributions to advance the profession and the professional. The Chapter also welcomed the new accredited in public relations (APR) members: Tara Sine Landis, APR; Michelle Hudgins, APR; and Mark Erwin, APR. 

During the evening’s annual raffle, we raised $250 for student scholarships. The chapter also collected donations for the Independent Public Relations Alliance’s (IPRA) holiday drive. IPRA’s efforts raised $1,000 in cash donations and gift certificates for the Center for Child Protection and Family Support.  Many D.C. households will be brightened because of the generosity of the members of PRSA-NCC. 

It is also the time to thank the board of directors, committee chairs and members, and assembly delegates for their dedication and contributions in making 2005 a terrific year for the chapter. A big thank you to our sponsors, whose support has helped facilitate chapter programming and communications. And a sincere thank you to the hundreds of members and guests who have attended the more than 30 programs held throughout the year.  Thank you.

I now have the pleasure of leading a talented and energetic team to help the chapter achieve more in 2006. It’s a tall order. We are already busy planning for the New Year as you can see from the accompanying events calendar. We should have the new officer and committee rosters posted to the Web site shortly. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please contact me or the chapter manager Sherri Core (703-691-9212).

I look forward to seeing many of you on Jan. 19th at the kick off membership mixer and leadership rally.  The event is free and the perfect opportunity to catch up with colleagues and friends, as well as share your questions and suggestions with the board and committee leadership.

Best wishes for a warm and healthy 2006.

Cheers,
Tracy Schario
2006 President
tschario@gwu.edu

PS – Please take a few moments to read the recap of the National Assembly held December 3 in Chicago.

PSS – In January, we’ll release the results of the fall membership survey. Thank you for your time and input.

Sign up for the Jump Start APR Preparation Course

Perhaps one of the chapter’s best kept benefit secrets is the comprehensive preparation sessions and mentoring for the accreditation exam. The next Jump Start APR preparation course is February 25.  The Jump Start class provides a comprehensive overview of the major areas covered on the APR exam. Class materials include a study guide that presents essential information to prepare for the APR accreditation process. Moreover, Jump Start participants have an opportunity to apply and integrate key communications concepts into a class presentation, which provides excellent preparation for the Readiness Review Panel process. Jump Start is an informative and supportive experience that helps build a strong foundation for achieving the APR designation.

A Tribute in Memory of Paige McMahon

The National Capital Chapter expresses its condolences in memory of Paige McMahon. Paige served as NCC president for 18 months in 1996-1997, chaired the program committee coordinating monthly lunches, was chapter treasurer, and contributed to the NCC board for many years.  During her presidency, NCC became the largest chapter in the country, and Paige appointed the 50th Anniversary Task Force to celebrate the occasion in 1999. Paige also received the Chapter's Thoth Award for Outstanding Personal Achievement in 2000.

Recently, she was the catalyst in establishing the independents section at PRSA national.  Paige participated on panels at several national PRSA conferences – speaking about how to set up and succeed as an independent practitioner – and served on the national PRSA nominating committee. Over the years, Paige gracefully gave her time and talents to PRSA in countless ways.

PAIGE EVERSOLE McMAHON

On Sunday, January 1, 2006 of Bethesda, MD. Beloved wife of Anthony J. McMahon; step-mother of Eleanor Sachs, Tony McMahon and Catherine McMahon; daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clark Eversole; sister of Mark Eversole and Fr. Paul Eversole; aunt of Matthew and Laura Eversole. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at Church of the Little Flower,  5607 Massachusetts Ave., Bethesda, MD on Thursday, January 5, 2006 at 10 a.m. Interment St. Paul's Church Cemetery, Hague, VA at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 650309, Dallas, TX 75265-0309.

Please view and sign family guestbook at: www.pumphreyfuneralhome.com.

Published in The Washington Post on 1/3/2006.

Katherine Doe

A recent college graduate and member of PRSSA, Katherine Doe joined PRSA in the summer of 2005 to network with fellow public relation members while keeping abreast of industry news and developments. Katherine currently works as a Marketing Specialist with the Arlington Virginia Federal Credit Union. 

1. What skills are required to do your job? Strong writing skills, communicating effectively with vendors, using marketing and other tactics to portray the right image to our community and members, occasionally pitching a story to local news outlets.
   
   
2. What’s your dream job? I'm not sure anymore.  I studied public relations and marketing (double major) in college to move to L.A and represent "famous people."  However, now that I'm working here and in the financial industry, I really enjoy it!  I guess it would be ideal to be my own boss someday, as scary as it may seem now.
   
   
3. Who is your role model, and why do you admire him/her? My role model was my alumni college mentor Constance Schwartz who works for The Firm in Los Angeles, Calif.  She started out at the same small town college as I did and just worked different jobs that eventually led to the one she is at now which includes producing a movie with Snoop Dogg, a client of her’s.  Also, my mom, who went back to get her Ph.D. while she had two small children.
   
   
4. Tips for maintaining the elusive work/life balance? For me, I try to use my commute home as a "buffer" so I can unwind and get into home-mode.  I also try to start my day early so I can leave earlier and have some time to myself after the work day.  Flex hours help with that quite a bit. 

Prepared by Chanda Gilmore. If you’ve joined the chapter within the past six months and would like to receive a questionnaire, please contact newsletter@prsa-ncc.org.