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Greetings!
We're almost halfway through the year. I can hardly believe it. In no time at all, Danny Kushmer will be handed the gavel and I will slip off into the sunset. Funny, I feel like picking out a horse... but I digress.
Your 2010-2011 Board of Directors has faced some big challenges this year. Each one of them has face various obstacles in fulfilling chapter obligations and they are to be applauded! Each of your board members has risen to the challenge and I am proud to be associated with each of them.
Recently, I had the pleasure of accepting state recognition for our chapter's efforts in the annual membership drive, as well as, our social networking savvy. It was great fun to get the nod from other chapters around the state. Rachel Bulman and Ashley Hall worked to ensure we met those goals. And we have so much more in store.
You'll notice that the newsletter is different. Well I sure hope you notice! After having Pam Starr with Constant Contact speak to our chapter, we learned that we could receive a free subscription through their partner program. Free?! Oh yea, free! Now the catch is that we will be posting a link from our website, facebook page, newsletter and any other collateral piece displaying the partner program. The good news is that when others sign up for Constant Contact link, we'll get 15% commission! So, we've been able to combine improving our newsletter at no cost with implementing a continues fund-raising initiative!!! Woo-hoo!!!!
But wait, there's more news.....I'm excited about the partnerships that have been developed with our student organizations. The layout for our Local Image Awards was the brain child of Southeastern University Student Chapter President Whitney Gonzalez. Chapter member, Katy Martin collaborated on the project and brought Whitney's concept to life. A special thanks to both Whitney and Katy, and to Sheree Saulter who worked to ensure our students had the opportunity to be a part of this project. Way to go ladies!
The media boot camp is shaping up to be a very exciting opportunity for our member, and for other local professionals. This unique concept, putting participants through media basic training, is a great way to enjoy learning, and confirming, skills and concepts necessary for successful media coverage for any story or event.
I'm also very excited to announce that our past presidents are actively working on the student scholarship project. This is a special group of professionals who have been long been a part of the progression of our chapter and who are committed to the public relations profession in Polk County. Watching the vast talent and tenure of these professionals as they take on the task of creating a living legacy for our students makes me gitty! I wax poetic when I think of the past meeting the future in a such a positive way as to honor both.
Ok, I've certainly rambled on, but I found some motivation and I had to share!!!!!
My best to you all,
Donna |
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Local Image Awards
Bursting with PRIDE - Public Relations Is Demonstrating Excellence!
 Are you proud of that big project or perhaps it was a fundraiser or event? Well here's your opportunity to share that pride with others. The Dick Pope/Polk County Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association has issued a call for entries for its 2011 Local Image Awards. Deadline for entries is no later than 5:00 pm, Wednesday, March 16, 2011, to Sheree Saulter, Local Image Awards Chair, and Community Relations Coordinator for Webster University, Lakeland Campus, 1479 Town Center Drive, Suite 202, Lakeland Florida 33803.
Submissions for awards must be presented in a detailed and specific format. Criteria for submissions can be found by visiting the DP/PC FPRA website at www.fprapolk.org. Thecompetition is open to FPRA members, non-members, and college students who developed and implemented PR programs in Polk County during the past year, January 1, 2010, through March 16, 2011.
Image Awards competition is conducted annually by the Florida Public Relations Association to recognize outstanding public relations programs in Florida and to encourage and promote the development of public relations professionalism in our state.
The Image Awards have become a standard of public relations excellence in the state of Florida. Winners demonstrate the very best examples of innovation, planning and design. The awards competition includes four divisions of categories: Public Relations Programs, Printed Tools of Public Relations, Audio/Visual Tools of Public Relations and Student Projects in Public Relations. To qualify for judging, an entry must incorporate sound public relations research and planning. Entries also must meet the highest standard of production, execution and evaluation of results and budget.
The DP/PC Chapter of FPRA is made up of more than 60 public relations professionals representing nearly every industry in the area; including government, tourism, non-profit, education, healthcare, financial, retail, agencies and big & small business.
For more information please contact Sheree Saulter at 863-687-9309. |
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Media Boot Camp
 The Few. The Proud. The PR Practitioners
This year's Media Boot Camp will be held Wednesday, May 18, 7:30 a.m. until noon, at the National Guard Armory at Bartow Air Base, and will give a few lucky participants the opportunity to get some help with an upcoming public relations project.
For more information, please contact Jamie Brown: jbrown@mywinterhaven.com.
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Past President's Message
Succession Planning for the Chapter - Professional Reward for YOU!
 It is certainly never too early to begin thinking about your career and your own professional development - setting goals and charting a path for success. And, also never too early to begin talking about how your membership and involvement in FPRA can help you realize your aspirations. And, because both of those statements are true, it must not be too early to plant a seed about how you can maximize the benefits or your membership by becoming even more involved in the chapter. Whether that means that you get involved on a committee, as a chair or as a board member is strictly up to you, but I can tell you from personal experience that if you "bump up" your active participation to the next level, whatever that may be, you will reap bountiful rewards - both professionally and personally.
As your Immediate Past President, not only have I experienced this phenomenon myself, but I've also observed the metamorphosis of many DP/PC members as they realized their true potential through acceptance of a leadership role in the chapter.
Don't you remember, in high school, your mother or father telling you you'd be judged by the kids you hung out with? Do you also remember that, at the time, you thought they didn't know a lick about anything - least of all your friends? I certainly remember it, and looking back, realize that I was clueless one!
Now, as an adult and a public relations professional, I definitely "get it." It's about image (and association) - the very thing we safeguard and enhance for our employer organizations. And, as professionals, we also know that we only get better when we surround ourselves with stellar people - those who will push us to move beyond our comfort zone in order to grow, learn and excel, rather than those who will just pat us on the back for accomplishments to date.
I n a very short time, I will be looking for members who "get it." I'll be looking for members who want to be more, do more, achieve more and be better rewarded for their efforts. I'll be looking for leaders and potential leaders! So, NOW is the time for you to begin evaluating where you want to be this time next year. Think about your special talents or areas where you'd like to improve and identify YOUR spot with this organization - the spot that will help you accomplish your goals while also enriching chapter life for our 60+ members.
But don't just take my word for it. Every one of our Board members and committee chairs are eager to talk to you about an increased role in FPRA. Reach out to one of us. Ask questions and get answers. Express any concerns you may have but, above all else...identify YOUR spot and don't let anyone beat you to it when we start soliciting expressions of interest!
- Cindy Rodriguez
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President Elect's Message
 Train your replacement or repeat your job!
After attending my second state board meeting with FPRA, I wanted to share some thoughts. My first year as a member was spent just getting to know the organization. While I was very excited to be a member, I realized the "true" value when I had the opportunity to become a board member. Then, attending the state conference, I really began to see how FPRA can help my career.
Now, just over 6 months into my term as president-elect I have had the opportunity to attend two state board meetings. Both meetings have been extremely beneficial. Just being around these exceptional PR professionals from around the state has added to my knowledge.
The DP/PC Chapter of FPRA has given me the opportunity to serve its members and soon, I will take on the role of president. In reflecting on my membership and preparing for a larger role I can honestly say, it wasn't until I became an active member did I start to realize how FPRA can help me.
Attending last Saturday's state board meeting (Feb. 19) and watching our president accept the awards for membership retention and member promotion made me very proud to be a member of our chapter. Our members, and especially our board and chairs, ROCK!
As board members and chairs we know the value we receive in our service but remember, we serve almost 60 PR professionals from all around Polk County and not all of them fully understand FPRA. Some of them are new members and we need to make sure we reach out to them.
With that said, I learned a new phrase over the weekend that I believe is very important to our chapter's leadership... " Train your replacement or repeat your job
". Your immediate past president (Cindy Rodriguez) will soon begin the succession process and will be calling on you and other members to gauge your interest in continuing your service to the chapter. I want to encourage those of you wishing to move up in leadership. And, let me be perfectly clear, it is a commitment but it is a commitment that reaps many benefits for personal and career growth.
- Danny Kushmer |
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Florida Public Relations Association DC/PC Chapter
The DP/PC Chapter of FPRA is made up of more than 60 public relations professionals representing nearly every industry in the area; including government, tourism, non-profit, education, healthcare, financial, retail, agencies and big & small business. |
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State Conference
FPRA's 73rd ANNUAL CONFERENCE
PR 2011: The Evolution of Public Relations
Held in Naples Florida at the Naples Grande Hotel.
For four days, FPRA members, as well as other PR professionals around the region, join together for one common goal - to enhance their career through professional development seminars led by nationally recognized speakers and networking opportunities.
By offering experts on a variety of industry-related topics, FPRA's goal for Annual Conference is to present tools, tactics and strategies that its members can immediately apply and implement in their jobs.
Download the 2011 Conference Registration Form
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