 |
|
The
monthly newsletter for the
Hampton Roads Virginia Chapter of PRSA -
January 2007
The
monthly newsletter for the |
|
|
January
Meeting Preview
Mr. Ginnow's topic is "Emergency Communications in Hampton Roads." Everyone in Hampton Roads automatically thinks of hurricanes as the obvious disaster scenario. The reality is that regional emergency and crisis can occur in numerous ways. Mr. Ginnow will speak on preparation communications spanning multiple levels of the community (personal to corporate), as well as during- and post-event communications. He will answer questions from the floor after his presentation.
Congratulations 2006 PRSA Pinnacle Awards Winners! The Hampton Roads Chapter of PRSA recognized the best in public relations in the region at the 6th Annual Pinnacle Awards dinner on December 6 at Toques in Norfolk. Charles Hartig, media advisor and chief speech writer for Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim, emceed the event. The
Pinnacle Awards recognize winners in two main categories: public relations
tactics, which include newsletters, brochures, annual reports, audiovisual
and interactive communications; and public relations practices, including
crisis communications, special events, media relations campaigns and community
awareness campaigns. Entries were judged on factors such as research,
planning, quality, creativity, technical excellence and results. The Best
in Show award went to the entry that received the most votes. The Rising
Star award went to the public relations practitioner who has worked in
the public relations field for less than five years and who has demonstrated
a commitment to the field of public relations and an aptitude for leadership
through his or her involvement in, and contributions to, the chapter.
And
the winners are... Brochure
- under $3,500:
Brochure
- over $3,500:
Crisis
Responses - over $3,500:
Crisis
Responses - under $3,500:
Annual Reports - over $3,500:
Annual Reports - under $3,500:
Audio-Visual/Interactive--over $3,500:
Audiovisual/Interactive - under $3,500:
Special Event - over $3,500
Special
Event - under $3,500:
Special Event - over $2,500
Media
Relations Campaigns - over $3,500: Community
Awareness Program - over $3,500
Rising
Star Award Winner: Katherine Espiritu
Ciesielski, public relations coordinator BEST IN SHOW: Liberty Tax Service for Liberty Tax Service Franchise Introductory Kit (Audiovisual/Interactve - over $3,500) From
the President
So what does "Catch the Spirit of Public Relations!" mean? During this calendar year, I want to catch members in the act of having the spirit of public relations. I simply love my profession and can't imagine doing anything else. As PR professionals, we get the opportunity to work in diverse organizations on a wide variety of tasks and have the power to affect change. Yes, oftentimes we are considered the "cheerleaders" of our organizations because we're planning events or celebrating anniversaries, but who wouldn't want to be a cheerleader? Everybody LOVES the cheerleaders! I know I do and I've always secretly wanted to be a cheerleader. Plus, who wouldn't want to have the great figures that cheerleaders have? And those outfits? Don't get me started on the outfits. I digress too much. As you can see, I'm all about enthusiasm, energy and spark. I want to ignite my excitement for the field in you and also want to acknowledge those that have the spirit of public relations. So, welcome aboard the spirit wagon because we're going to have a great time this year. The monthly meetings won't ever be the same, so look out! On a more serious note, I'm stepping out of my comfort zone and strapping on my communications tool belt this year. I was inspired by Debbie Weil, keynote speaker at our 2006 professional development conference, who spoke about corporate blogging. As a result of this inspiration, I felt a sense of urgency to get on this new technology bandwagon and start my own blog. Also at the conference, I met a young man, Jered Benoit, who works at Christopher Newport University and is a wealth of information about blogs. So, I engaged Jered in blog discussions and asked him to help me start my own blog. It will be a way for me to share up-to-the-minute information with members during my term as president of the chapter. So with a lot of help from Jered, I'm going to have my blog linked to the chapter Web site so you can read along during my journey as president. Hopefully, I'll have something insightful to offer. For those of you who missed this conference, it was fabulous. Thanks to Nina Cunningham for planning yet another successful workshop. Happy New
Year to you all. I'm looking forward to an exciting year. Cheers! 2007 Officers and Board of Directors The slate proposed by the Nominating Committee for 2007 chapter officers and board of directors was elected to office at the November 1 meeting. Officers Board
Members-At-Large (and term expirations) Assembly
Delegates (and term expirations) 2007 Committee Chairs Many thanks to those who served as committee chairs and committee members in 2006. Without your dedication and hard work, the chapter would not have been able to have been so successful. Thanks too to those individuals who have agreed to lend their time and expertise on committees in 2007. If you are interested in joining any of the following committees, please contact the respective committee chair. Contact information can be found at http://www.prsahr.org/officers.shtml. Accreditation: Michelle Rogerson Dragas, APR Awards:
Becky Cutchins Diversity: Sharon Harris Job Bank: Karen King, APR Media Directory: Sid Bridge, APR Membership:
Jennie Burge, Christine Dwyer, Co-Chairs Newsletter:
Jennie Burge Programs:
Sean Brickell, APR, Pam Marino PRSSA
Advisor: Rosalynne Whitaker-Heck, APR Professional
Development: Rosalynne Whitaker-Heck, APR, Francis McDonald, APR,
CO-Chairs Public
Service: Meredith Mobley Web site: Rob Chapman, APR Mingle/Social:
Amy Cobb Focus
on Leadership Even though the 2006 Pinnacle Awards recently wrapped up, it is never too early to start planning next year's event. Becky Cutchins, 2007 Pinnacle Awards chair, is ready to start planning and recently took time out of her busy schedule to answer a few questions.
Current
position: Media relations manager for the Portsmouth Convention &
Visitors Bureau. The best part of my job is showing off my hometown to
travel writers of newspapers and magazines…and later reading descriptions
of Portsmouth such as "On High Street, high times are back again"
(Southern Living, Aug. 2001) or "Portsmouth gives its citizens a
sense of belonging" (Coastal Living, Nov-Dec 2001). Makes a hometown
girl proud!
Member Milestones
Get
some face time! Putting a face with a name is easier with PRSA Hampton Roads' online membership directory, complete with members' contact information and photos. Don't have a headshot? Don't worry-- you'll have a chance to have your picture taken at the January chapter meeting and other meetings throughout the year. If you do have a photo that you would like to submit for the directory, please e-mail it to PRSA-HR@associationbuilders.com. Treasurer's
Report- November 2006 Deadline
for submissions for News
& Views is published monthly for members of the Feedback please! Your opinions are important. Please e-mail questions, comments, suggestions, story ideas or concerns about News & Views to Jennie Burge. Miss an issue? Visit our archives collection. Listings for the job bank should be sent to Karen King, APR. Changes in membership information should be made in the Chapter's online Membership Directory. |
|||||||
"Catch
the Spirit of Public Relations!" That's my platform for 2007. Just
like contestants in a beauty pageant have their platforms to speak about
throughout their reign, I too, have chosen a platform for my term as president.
Now, I've never even been close to wanting or being in a beauty pageant,
but hey, the platform thing works for me!
Full
name: Rebecca Myers Cutchins
Karen
King, APR,
former chapter president, is now working as an independent consultant,
specializing in writing and editing, Public and Media Relations, Strategic
Communications Planning and Implementation and Employee Communications.
Karen is a national award-winning writer with nearly 20 years experience
in marketing and public relations. Most recently she served as Director
of Communications for USAA's mid-Atlantic region. She can be reached at
(757) 362-3970 or (757) 270-0123 (cell).
