August/September 2004 eNews
This edition of PRSA-St. Louis Chapter eNews could be sponsored by your firm or vendor. Check out Sponsorship Opportunities or contact us at PRSAstlouis@charter.net to find out more.
What's in this issue?
1) Programs update & reminder
2) New registration process; ability to use credit cards
3) Accreditation Update
4) Know Your Chapter Members - on sight
5) Aug/Sept membership incentive - and a bonus for (Member) finders
6) Meet new Members, Renewals
7) Diversity Initiate Instituted - Vendor spotlight set
8) September is Ethics Month
9) PRSA-St. Louis responds to PD Editorial
10) What Others are doing - Opportunities, New AP link
1) Heavy, heady fall lineup set
One of the priorities of PRSA-St. Louis in 2004 has been to address the issue of diversity. It is also a high priority and emphasis of PRSA National. With the appointment of a diversity chair, the formation of a committee and the introduction of a monthly Diversity Spotlight Vendor table at our August luncheon, the program is in full gear. On Sept. 15, one of PRSA's National spokespersons on the subject will be our featured speaker to talk on the challenges, the complexity and exactly what is diversity. Read more about Marc Little from Jacksonville, Fla. And register at Managing Diversity. Our September luncheon is being sponsored by Ameristar St. Charles.
Also our Oct. 20 presenter (we'll have limited seating for this one) looks like she is probably going to be on a local morning show during her visit and then have a book signing session immediate following our luncheon. Atlanta-based Laura Ries. If you don't have her on your calendar, do so. You'll also note on our Programs page of a CEO panel set for Nov. 11 and a tentative Dec. 14 luncheon featuring a local media personality. See more about sign-ups in "New Registration Process" below.
Media Panel - Now Feature This
If you couldn't make it to the Aug. 19 luncheon "Feature This" with Amy Fenster, Elaine Grant, Joe Holleman and Chris Mihill, check out this review. You'll also find contact information, when to and how not to reach these local editors and producers. Look for the "Fenster, Grant" tab on our Speakers page. You'll find links to previous presentations on that page as well. For bios on recent speakers/presenters go to http://www.prsastlouis.org/programs/speakers/
2) Accreditation Prep Session, Sept. 25
Thinking about Accreditation? PRSA-St. Louis is planning a one-day prep session for new candidates with the Columbia (Mo.) PRSA chapter now nearly confirmed for Saturday, Sept. 25, most likely to be held at the Common Ground Public Relations in Chesterfield. All interested please advise Denise Heintz dbheintz@commongroundpr.com ASAP with your interest or questions.
3) New Registration Process Coming Soon - Online, with credit card
It has been in the works for some time now. We're waiting for the kinks to be ironed out. Then, with some new e-mail addresses for specific offices, you'll be able to register for upcoming PRSA-St. Louis events online directly and pay in advance via credit card. As many employers have asked for it, and it will reduce time in line at luncheons, your chapter is working with our Web designer, Bryan Consulting, to offer this service. When it is completed, you'll not only be able to register and pre-pay for luncheons and other PRSA events, you'll be able to renew chapter memberships and hopefully pay for new memberships online, via credit card. The latter step will help save the chapter $5 on each chapter membership renewal - money that currently goes to National as a processing fee. We'll let you know when it is ready to roll. Payment at the door will still be cash or check.
4) Meet Your Fellow Members
     
Get to know your PRSA-St. Louis Chapter members. From left to right: Tim Davidson, Chesterfield Community Development; Alison Fondaw, Bryan Cave LLP; Cindy Gibson, Ritenour School District; Mike Montague, Pfizer-St. Louis; Aimee Muldrow, Transworld Systems, Inc., and Jen Peters, Synergy Group.
5) Join during August/September
August-September is MGAM with PRSA - or Member Get-A-Member with incentives for those of you who for one reason or the other are still not a member of the best PR association in town. And there are incentives for those of you who are already members. Check out the info on our Membership page. And join the in-crowd.
6) Say 'Hello' to our Newest Members
Alison Johns Fondaw, Business Development Manager, Bryan Cave, LLP
P. Michael Donatt, Manager, Communications & Public Affairs, Lambert-St. Louis International Airport
Cindy Lynn Gibson, Assistant to the Superintendent, Ritenour School District**
Lisa Hays, Enterprise Imformatics Coordinator, Pfizer
Aimee Josephine Muldrow, Manager Corporate Communications, Tansworld Systems Inc.
Christi Oldani, Marketing Manager, RSM McGladrey, Inc.
Jennifer Peters, Communications Strategist, Synergy Group
Regina Waters, Associate Professor, Drury University (Springfield, Mo.) *
* Pending payment of chapter dues; ** Paperwork forwarded to National
And a big welcome back to these renewals
Derrell Carter, Express Scripts
Jennifer Condren, Nestle Purina PetCare Company
Brenda Kimberlin, Freelance Writer/Media Trainer
Lance LeComb,Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District
Heather McClurg, Missouri Foundation for Health
Rob Staggenborg, APR, Christian Brothers College High School.
7) Diversity Initiative
Diversity in the workplace - Does it mean minority quotas? And who is in the minority today - women, seasoned professionals, the new kid on the block? On the week of Sept. 14, PRSA National will kick off its National Diversity Campaign. (See our Sept. 15 meeting info above). Check out the St. Louis Chapter venture, new chair, committee and programs being initiated. The Diversity Spotlight Vendor introduced at the August luncheon is just one facet. Check out Diversity for the complete story.
8) September as Ethics Month
PRSA is promoting September as Ethics Month to its members, potential members and media via op-eds, panel discussions, articles in "Tactics" and luncheon speakers. This promotion is an effort to publicize the fact that PRSA members practice our profession under a specific code in the same manner as other professions such as medicine, law and accounting. For more information check out our PRSA's Code of Ethics page. If you find yourself with a question of ethics and need some input or guidance, contact Liese L. Hutchison, APR, ethics officer for the St. Louis chapter of PRSA at hutchill@slu.edu or 314-977-3345.
9) PRSA-St. Louis Responds to Post Dispatch Editorial
Ethics Officer Liese L. Hutchison, APR, responded to an Aug. 27, 2004 St. Louis Post-Dispatch editorial that positioned public relations as the opposite of truth. Her letter, on behalf of PRSA-St. Louis, appeared in the Monday, Sept. 6 edition. You can check it out via this very long link.
10) What others are doing
IABC/Kansas City (Oct. 28)
Looking for a one-day professional development opportunity that you can drive to? Check out the inaugural KC/IABC Business Communicators Summit, Oct. 28 in Overland Park, Kan. It will include one-stop shopping for communication professionals at any level. Check out: http://www.kciabc.org/news/news_item.asp?NewsID=23 for details. You can register online at www.kciabc.org.
PRSA/Cedar Rapids, Iowa (Sept. 16)
Here's another one-day session, a little bit earlier and a little further away. it's a full-day PRSA Seminar featuring featuring Frasier Seitel and Barbara Mack, along with some interactive case studies. The day's focus: "Politics and 'Writes'" New perspectives on Current Topics in PR. Registrations are due Sept. 3 so contact Jennifer Noehl 319-273-6409 or jennifer.noehl@uni.edu to register or for more information.
PRNewswire/Associated Press
Miss the Aug. 12 session with Missouri AP Bureau Chief Beth Grace and St. Louis Correspeondent Jim Salter, sponsored by PR Newswire? Check out Missouri/Metro East links and some contact suggestions under the Associated Press Contacts.
The Power of Two
PRSA and the American Red Cross have been teaming up to provide trained PR professionals to assist in times of crisis or disaster. Check out The Power of Two and the recount of how one of our chapter members was able to help in the recent Hurricane Charley aftermath in Flordia. Experienced and trained PR professionals are needed for future unanticipated events.
PRSA-St. Louis introduced its Diversity Spotlight Vendor with the introduction of minority-run Gray Communications & Marketing at the August luncheon. Here Joe Gray (center) and assistant Amanda Diel (left) share some handouts and a sample CD of their firm's works with a luncheon attendee. President Casino is providing a table for the spotlight firm at each monthly luncheon.
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