April 2005 eNews

This edition of PRSA-St. Louis Chapter eNews is sponsored by VMS "The Worldwide Leader in Integrated Media Intelligence" Check out their Web site.

What's in this issue?
1) April 20 luncheon reminder “Special events - BIG Special Events”
2) Win a Free PRSA Membership
3) Know Your Chapter Members - on sight
4) Meet new Members, Renewals
5) Chapter opportunities – For professional growth, recognition
6) What Others are doing – Related meetings of interest locally

1) "Event PR to the Max - How to do a Slam Dunk"

Was it a Slam Dunk? The 2004 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament in St. Louis topping off March Madness. The time of the year when everyone is in an office pool even if they know nothing about who is playing. The real reviews are in (from the men) and Missy Slay will share with us how to score a slam dunk on major special events - those that put a firm or organization or a city on the map. Did Missy do as good a job with the Men's event, a much bigger and higher profile event at the Edward Jones Dome than the Women's Final Four event she directed here four years ago at the Savvis Center? Come and learn. It's our April 20 luncheon at the Junior League of St. Louis. Registration deadline, to be assured of a seat, is 5 p.m., Monday, April 18 and cancellation without penalty, noon, Tuesday April 19. Go to Event PR to the Max for details and menu options or go directly to Register Now to get your seat.

ALSO, if you are young and/or new to PR check out the Young Professionals Happy Hour event, set for Tuesday, April 26 (details at the bottom of this eNews). More than 60 people have contacted the committee and announced they will attend or want to be informed of future events.

And, if you missed the monthly chapter luncheon in March, catch up on the experiences of four veteran PR professionals - Dixie Platt, Judy Taylor, Donna Vandiver and Glynn Young on our Speakers page. Check out the tabs on the left for past presentation recaps.

2) Win a Free PRSA Membership

Don't believe in getting something for free? Well you do have to answer five questions (hints provided) to enter a drawing for free one-year full memberships by PRSA National. Go to Membership and click on the logo. But hurry, the applications need to be in by April 30. It's a $335 value and you don't have to buy a lottery ticket to enter. During the “Taste of PRSA” it costs just the $225 national dues plus $50 chapter dues to join.

3) Know your PRSA-St. Louis Members On Sight
           
From left to right: Deb Carpenter, Webster University; Liz Lustgarten, The Vandiver Group; Matt Gerke, The Salvation Army; Tressa Robbins, Burrelle's/Luce; Iris Salsman, Salsman Lundren Public Relations; Robert Schenk, Centene Corporation; Carrie Trammell, Weber-Shandwick.

4) Meet Your New Members, Renewals

Say Hello to our newest St. Louis area members
Jacqueline Barnes, Sr. Advisor, Public Affairs, Pfizer-St. Louis
Robert Alexander Batterson, Principal, Robert Batterson, LLC
Maria C. Bingaman, Freelance
Mack A. Bradley, Sr. VP, The Vandiver Group
Kelly A. Doria, PR Manager, Scottrade Inc.
Karen Berryman Harvey, Planning & Development Director, Family Care Health Centers +
Laura Katherine Derickson, PR Associate, Mardi Gras Inc.
Stephanie M. Flynn, Account Executive, Cushman/Amberg Communications
Jackie Knolhoff, Marketing Specialist, Edward Jones +
Lisa Ann Martini, PR Specialist, Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Kimbery B. Middleton, Communications Specialist, BKD, LLP
James O'Brien, President, J. O'Brien Communications, Inc. ++
Mark Andrew Polzin, Sr VP & Partner, Fleishman Hillard, Inc.
Debbie Warshawski, Jewish Federation of St. Louis
^{+ Pending acceptance by National++ Pending payment of local dues}

And Welcome Back These Renewing Members*
Jim Altemus, APR, retired; Robert Arrol, ESP Missouri, Inc.; Julian Beisman, Fleishman-Hillard, Inc.; John Boul, Edward Jones; Sonia Crites, National Association of Electrical Distributors; Mary DeHahn, Kupper Parker Communications, Inc.; N. Paul Dusseault, APR, Fleishman-Hillard, Inc.; Suzane Holroyd, PhD, APR, The Vandiver Group; John Miller, APR, Miller Communications/Radio Actuality News Service; Andrew Shea, MissouriPro; Carrie Thearle, Future Combat Systems Integrated Defense Systems; Kristy White, Carpenters' District Council.

*Renewing soon? Pay your chapter dues direct. When you pay chapter dues direct you save your chapter $5 which normally goes to National as a processing fee.

On the Move
Lawrence Cox to Engineered Support Systems, Inc. from Scott AFB
Debbie Johnson from consulting to National Multiple Sclerosis Society-Gateway Area Chapter
Michael J. Montague, PhD, from Pfizer St. Louis to Resource Line, Inc.
Wes Morgan to HBE from consulting
Elizabeth Niven to The Nature Conservancy from The Hughes Group
Emily Riney from TGI Marketing to The National System
...and Casey Communications to 8301 Maryland Ave., Suite 350 in Clayton

5) Chapter Opportunities for Growth/Recognition

Accreditation Classes Set May 25 – July 5
Contemplating getting your Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) this calendar year? The Accreditation committee has set up a series of 90-minute classes, mostly Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the St. Louis County Library on Lindbergh across from Plaza Frontenac. Seven different chapter members – all APRs – will help you prepare for the exam. Sessions are at no cost to PRSA members and you do not have to attend all. Each is a separate segment although the May 25 meeting will introduce you to the program. For a complete schedule and list of presenters see Accreditation Syllabus 2005. Contact: Karen Thomson at kthomson@youthinneed.org or call at 636-946-0101.

PRSA National Board - Midwest Director's Opening
Ever want to give PRSA National a piece of your mind? Or be a voice for your chapter? Now you can. National has a director's position open for the Midwest and it would be great to have someone from our chapter in that slot. Deadline for nomination papers is June 13. Candidates have to be APR, in good standing and have served in one of the following capacities in the past: Voting delegate in at least one national PRSA Assembly; Chapter president; Section chair; District chair; or, Chair of a national committee. If you qualify or know someone who does and would be a good spokesperson for chapters like ours, here is the link for more information.

Young Professionals get-together April 26
The PRSA St. Louis Young Professionals Committee will host a "meet and mingle" happy hour, Tuesday, April 26 at at Modai, 6100 Delmar (in the Delmar Loop). Meet and network with other young area PR professionals as well as enjoy free sushi from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Drinks and other food will be pay as you go. RSVP committee co-chair Carrie Trammell ctrammell@webershandwick.com if you plan to attend or for more information. And alert co-workers and friends (PRSA members and non-members) who may be interested.

6) What Others Are Doing

June 2 Annual United Way Communications Workshop Mark your calendars and look for more information program and registration information soon for the annual United Way Communications workshop, a day-long event held at the Missouri Botanical Garden. If you just can't wait for more details contact Brian Flinchbaugh at flichb@stl.unitedway.org.

Our April, May and June 2005 eNews editions are sponsored by VMS. Thank our sponsors for their support.