2007 eNews Vol. IV

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What's in this issue?

Evening Business-Networking Event
Leadership Opportunities
Welcome New Members & Renewals
Membership Special – Expires June 30 (Several have joined)
O'Brien Named as Interim Delegate
Why Diversity Counts

1) Evening Business-Networking Event with Seven Professional Organizations

Interested in meeting and networking with members of other professional organizations? Then plan on stopping in at the "Evening Business Networking Extravaganza" at the Cabanne House in Forest Park, Thursday, July 12. Cost is $10 per person (pay at the door) but advance reservations are needed. Sponsored by The Saint Louis Ambassadors, the event is directed at bringing together members and friends of the following St. Louis professional organizations: American Marketing Association (AMA); American Society of Training and Development (ASTD); Institute of Management Consultants (IMC); Missouri Venture Forum; Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and Yellow-Tie International Business Development Association as well as members of the Ambassadors. To learn more, find links to each of the groups and to register, go here. The event is scheduled from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The cost includes food and beverages. Be sure to bring plenty of business cards to exchange, your winning smile and a strong handshake.

Can you help at the name tag table for 30 minutes or an hour? We need four volunteers to staff our registration table. Please e-mail prsa@prsastlouis.org with your name and phone number. We will provide you more details.

2) Chapter Offers Leadership Opportunities – In 2008 and remainder of 2007

Interested in expanding your career and experience in PR? Many public relations professionals in the St. Louis area have grown their skills and contacts by becoming actively involved in PRSA St. Louis Chapter operations. Opportunities to network with other professionals and enhance your communications and leadership skills abound by becoming a committee chair or being elected to a Chapter office. The 2007 Nominating Committee is beginning to assemble our slate of 2008 officers and committee chairs to be elected this fall. We’re interested in hearing from members who’d like to be considered for an office, a committee chair, or just want to join a committee as a member. Moreover, we have two immediate openings due to resignations of two Board members because of changes in their lives.

Treasurer
Membership Committee Chair

If you’re interested in being either of the above, you have an opportunity to sample a leadership position through the remainder of the calendar year. Both positions are well-supported by co-chairs, assistants and the Chapter Administrator.
If you’re interested in finding out more about what’s involved in the two immediate openings, other leadership positions or being a member of a committee, please contact Nominating Committee Chair Chuck Reitter to talk about it. Phone: (314) 551-5006.


Donna Gamache The Lawrence Group	Jenny Burns Synergy Group	Meghan Maguire Enterprise Rent-A-Car	Elizabeth Hise Hughes Group

3) Welcome New Members, Renewals (and some reinstatements)

New (May 2007)

Lisa Ann Esneault, Director, Employee Communications, Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation
Rosemary Monaco, Instructor, Speech Communications, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville
Cameron Satterfield, Public Information Officr, St. Charles County Health Department

Renewals & Reinstatements

Elizabeth (Beth) Fagan, Missouri Baptist Medical Center
Susan Garritano, McCarthy Building Companies
Lynn McDowell Harmon, Harmon Group
Jeanne Howard, Commerce Bank
Kym McGee, American Cancer Society#
Barbara O'Malley, SIU-Edwardsville
Kelly Fitzgibbon O'Malley, O'Malley Hansen Communications
Daniele Oser, APR, Brown Smith Wallace LLC
Mistie Thompson, The Standing Partnership, Inc.
Paul Tandy, APR, Parkway School District
Jim Williams, American Red Cross
Marie Yancey, Lambert-St. Louis International Airport
^{# New to St. Louis Chapter and community}

4) Not a Member? Join by June 30 and Save $50

Not a member of PRSA and PRSA St. Louis? Visit our Membership page and check out the copy in blue. PRSA National is offering a May/June special, whereby it will pick up your St. Louis Chapter dues ($50) for your first year of membership. The special application must be used. And it is good for full membership only. If you are just out of college, were a PRSSA member while in school, or are working on a graduate degree, you qualify for other special discounts. Check out the same page. But hurry. Nearly a dozen St. Louis PR professionals have already taken advantage of the special offer. NOTE: If your membership has lapsed for more than a year, PRSA wants you back. You can use the form and save, as well.

5) O'Brien Named Interim Delegate

Holly O'Brien, Harrah's St. Louis, has been named Interim Delegate through June 2008 for the position being served by Dawn DeBlaze, DeBlaze & Associates. The selection was made by recommendation of the Nominations Committee and voted upon by the PRSA St. Louis Chapter Board at the June meeting. DeBlaze had asked to take a one-year leave of absence. The term expires Dec. 31, 2009. (Also see 2007 Officers and 2007 Committee Chairs.)

6) Why Diversity Counts

Diversity in the work place is changing. It is not just the right thing, it is the smart thing. The competitive thing. Check out Why Diversity Counts: The Business Case from Monster.com. If you are interested in working with the St. Louis Chapter Diversity Committee, please e-mail Val Joyner or call her at 314.531.7526 ext. 336.

Young Professionals At Work

Young Professionals Stephanie Phillips (v-Fluence), Stephanie Flynn (Cushman/Amberg Communications), Matt Pollett (Shannon & Wilson) and Christy Oldani (RSM McGladrey, Inc.) - all PRSA members - were among a team of 30 who spent a June Saturday volunteering. See Young Professionals Team Up With United Way for details.