April 2004 eNews

This edition of PRSA-St. Louis Chapter eNews is sponsored by Bacon's Information, Inc.

What's in this Issue
1) April 29 Program reminder; future dates
2) Chapter Plan presented
3) Know your Chapter Members - on sight
4) Our Next New Member Perk
5) Board adds one, loses one, looks for one
6) Accreditation Update
7) Meet new Members, Renewals
8) Extensive changes coming with Job Bank
9) What Others are doing - Opportunities

1) Polls, An Historical Look and How PR can use them
Polls - political, religious, talent, brains, athleticism, low-carb - they're everywhere and used by everyone.  Watch a TV program and go to your computer and give your on-the-spot opinion.  On April 29, Maryville University professor Paul Lee will look at the use of polls, particularly the most recent Democratic caucuses and how they shape our political scene.  Professor Lee has had an interest in polls for more than 20 years, can trace wrong readings in our country's political past and help us, as PR professionals, in correctly using polls to help clients.  It should be a fascinating program.  If you haven't registered go to Polls, Politics and PR. Registration deadline is 5 p.m., Tuesday, April 27.  Also, visit our Programs page and put the May and June dates on your calendar.  You can sign up for those as well.

2)  2004 Chapter Plan
Where is your chapter headed in 2004?  Diversity, a more friendlier presence at meetings, a continued balance of educational professional development opportunities with a smidgeon of other opportunities to get to know your peers and pick their brains in less formal situations and yes, even plans for the salty professionals in our midst - oops, make that "seasoned" professionals.  Check out the approved and full plans put into action in our new 2004 Chapter Plan and jump in where applicable.  Your input and assistance are always appreciated.

3) Know your Chapter Members - On sight

Do you know these people?  They're all PRSA-St. Louis members! Left to right: Marie Casey, Casey Communications; Matt Krell, Child Enforcement Support, Illinois Department of Public Aid; Andrew Shea, MissouriPro; Burt St. John III, APR, United States Postal Service; and Rick Stoff, Stoff Communications. They're scattered from Jeff City to Webster Groves to Belleville.  But you can find them in our Members' Only Directory.  Just go to our Home page, click on the Members Only line in the blue border at the top.  Your e-mail address is your User Name, your PRSA Membership Number your Password. If you are a member and haven't sent us your photo or you're having trouble getting into the directory e-mail us PRSAstlouis@charter.net.

4) Our Next New Member Carrot
Not a member of PRSA as yet? PRSA National REALLY wants you to join them and us.  Join in May or June (special application will be available April 26 online) and National will pick up your St. Louis Chapter dues for your first year of membership - a $35 value and savings to you. Go to our Membership page for more details.

5) Board Update - Comings, Goings, Opportunities
Coming:  PRSA-St. Louis has added a new Board position with responsibilities for the Chapter’s Diversity initiative. Rita Holmes-Bobo, APR, has accepted the position and will begin work in May.  Meet Rita in our Committee Chairs listing.

Going:  Janet Powell, Web Co-Chair, has resigned due to work conflicts. 

Opportunity: The Board is looking for someone who is interested in joining the Board and working on the web initiative.  If you’re interested, email Trudy Barthels at tbarthels@ascensionhealth.org

6) Interested in Accreditation?
Several members of the St. Louis chapter have started preparation for the accreditation exam to earn APR status and we look forward to sharing news of their success later in the year.  In the meantime, Accreditation Chair Denise Bentele Heintz, APR, is tentatively planning a one-day prep session for “new” candidates to be held in conjunction with the Columbia PRSA chapter.  We may choose a Friday or Saturday in August to host a six-hour session for our two chapters to share resources and prepare to succeed. Please email dbheintz@commongroundpr.com with your interest or questions.

7) Say Hello to our Newest Members (You'll find more on them in our Membership Directory)
Angelia Bills, VP Communications, Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis*
Michael Montague, Public Affairs Lead, Pfizer St. Louis Research Site
Kaite Ann Northcutt, Assistant Account Executive, Nestle Purina PetCare Company
Anthony Sardella, Evolve Strategy Consultants, LLC
^{* National member - local dues pending}

And a big Thank you and Welcome Back to these renewals
J. Kevin Ament, Patrick Davis Communications, Inc.
Robert Arrol, ESP Missouri Inc.
Matt Gerke, APR, Salvation Army of St. Louis
Carolyn Green, C. Green & Associates
Jeanne Howard, Commerce Bank
Kathryn Hundman, Saint Louis University
Dallas Meneely, APR, PR Consultant
James Mohan, National Imagery & Mapping Agency
Wes Morgan, Clayco Construction
Danielle Oser, APR, Brown Smith Wallace, LLC
Greg Scott, Southern Illinois University Alumni Association
Sylvia Sharockman, BJC HealthCare
Jan Sheehan, The Hughes Group
David Strand, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
Carrie Thearle, Future Combat Systems, Integrated Defense Systems
Ann Daly Tretter, Tretter Group

8) Job Bank Changes, Procedures Coming
To better serve our members, our Job Bank is changing.  Soon you'll be able to see the latest listings from employers looking for PR help, full- and part-time, in our area.  We will send notices to Members when a new listing is posted.  We will no longer take or move your resumes to employers.  Instead, we'll alert you so you may or may not take the initiative when a job opens.  Employers will be charged to "place ads" on our site.  Non-members will have access but will no longer have to pay a fee.  Better for you.  Better for your Job Bank co-chairs.  Details to come as available.

9) What Others Are Doing
United Way PR Workshop set for June 3
The United Way of Greater St. Louis will host its annual public relations and communications workshop “Communications Matters: Getting to Know the Local Landscape," Thursday, June 3, at the Missouri Botanical Garden. The all-day workshop, primarily geared toward the non-profit sector, will feature panel discussions and seminars involving local media personalities and communications professionals. For a registration form or more information, call Brian Flinchpaugh at (314) 539-4029. Registration deadline is May 26. Cost (including lunch):  $65 for individuals from United Way member agencies; $70 for attendees from nonmember organizations.

Pro-Bono Help Sought
WITS, Create your event, and Connections to Success are hosting a benefit to raise funds for their new Mothers off Public Assistance Program (MOPA). They are looking for help with getting the word out and creating a Press Packet. Anyone willing to donate some time will have his/her name attached as a sponsor. The benefit, to be held at St. Louis City Hall, is to completely fund a single mom from start to finish. Single moms will get: A computer at home, training to use, a full scholarship to get an online degree, resume posting training, interview training and clothing, IT skills training, and a job with one of 2,500 partnering companies. If interested and able to help during the next month please call WITS at 314-382-1650.

Bacon's  Information, Inc. The complete solution for all your media intelligence needs.
Acknowledge our sponsors. And thank them for their ongoing support.