From PRRT Member Jean Gonsoulin

Media and presentation skills trainings do a great job of preparing spokespeople to communicate with polish, professionalism and panache, but what happens months later when they are facing a significant media interview or a keynote presentation at a major conference and the skills they learned are already rusty?

For the first time, The Gonsoulin Group is opening up its popular corporate training session, Coach, to individual public relations, corporate communications, advertising and marketing professionals on preparing spokespeople for successful outcomes.

Learn how to:

• Craft topic-specific messages that align with corporate messaging
• Develop and conduct role-playing scenarios
• Push an executive in a high pressure or negative practice exercise
• Address spokesperson nerves and problematic behaviors
• Provide constructive critiques with difficult personalities
• "Actively" staff media interviews

 Tuesday, December 14 (8:00am to 12noon)

1550 Bryant, Penthouse, San Francisco 

Register at www.coachtrainingworkshop.eventbrite.com

California Takes Initiative on Alzheimer's

by Jill Center

As founding Communications Director (1997-2008) for the Alzheimer's Association here in Northern California, I was pleased to see real progress on the California State Plan for Alzheimer's, the result of a joint advocacy/media campaign that we began just after mid-decade.  California is currently one of the few states in the U.S. facing how to cope with the coming dementia tsunami. 

Following are:

�        an update from my friend Ruth Gay, Alzheimer's Association Advocacy Director, who was instrumental in the creation of the planning process, and then its implementation,

�        along with a letter published this past Saturday in the New York Times by Sherrie Matza, a member of the State of California Statewide Eldercare Policy Task Force charged by the Governor with responsibility for the State Alzheimer's Plan.

From Ruth Gay:

The past year has focused on community meetings intended to reach members of the public who have lived with Alzheimer's disease, who have questions or concerns about a loved one with memory loss, or who work with these families. More than 1,000 members of the public had the opportunity to contribute their first-hand experiences, hopes, disappointments, ideas, criticisms and solutions. 

The State Plan, as it will soon be presented to the Governor - for late November publication - has these key draft recommendations: 

Goal 1: 

Eliminate Stigma - Heighten public awareness through culturally appropriate public education campaigns

Goal 2: 

Ensure Access to High Quality, Coordinated care in the setting of Choice

Goal 3: 

Develop an Alzheimer's proficient, culturally competent workforce

Goal 4: 

Advance Research

Goal 5:

Establish a comprehensive approach to support family caregivers

NEW YORK TIMES   November 6, 2010

Facing the Scourge of Alzheimer's

To the Editor:

I've spent more than two decades hoping that a "magic pill" was on the horizon, only to become more realistic. But we'll certainly get no closer to this "magic pill" if we don't treat Alzheimer's as the national crisis it is and develop a concerted federal policy to increase research financing.

Equally important, however, is to equip caregivers with the necessary tools to improve and maintain the quality of life for the person they love. Too often, the burdens of caregiving lead to illness, stress and depression. It doesn't have to be that way.

I know. I spent years caring for my mother and didn't have the knowledge that exists today. We can do better. We must.

Sherrie Matza
San Francisco, Oct. 28, 2010

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Here's some good advice from Erin O'Toole, Corporate and Foundation Specialist at the Alzheimer's Association - and Past Chair, Philanthropy Day at AFP Silicon Valley Chapter.

As an employee, or employer, you can act to move the dial on this disease and support your co-workers coping with it.  Visit www.actionalz.org/champions_at_work.asp

today to learn more about Alzheimer's disease, why it matters to you, what you can do about it, and how the Alzheimer's Association can help.

If you know of anyone who may need assistance with a loved one dealing Alzheimer's or any other dementia during the holidays, contact the Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline: 1-800-272-3900.

Best wishes to you and your family for a healthy, happy Thanksgiving!!!