President's Message

In just a few short months, I'll turn over chapter responsibilities to Danny Kushmer.  Wow-that went by fast!  But we still have a lot of work left to do.

Your board of directors and I have been busy putting the chapter's "manifesto" together, and you guys have really accomplished a lot.  A chapter summary is requested at the beginning of the annual report and I thought you might enjoy reading about what we've been doing.

Chapter Summary to State Association:

To kick off our year, members of the DP/PC Chapter held an informal reception for the 2010-2011 State Executive Committee at Harry's Seafood in downtown Lakeland on September 17, 2010.   Approximately 35 people filled the bar area of the restaurant and in keeping with State President Jennifer Moss', APR, CPRC, annual theme of "Exceeding Expectations," an impromptu board induction was held.  Attention quickly shifted to our members.  And with a number of fledgling board members, the DP/PC board rolled up their sleeves and began the task of learning their new positions, reviewing the chapter bylaws and focusing on making the year a success.

Membership/Professional Development: Quality speakers for members have been the key to bringing people to monthly meetings with an average of 36 attendees per meeting.  That's a 20 percent increase from last year. And though our new member goal has not yet been realized, our retention goal was met and surpassed by 10 percent.

Community Involvement:  Community Involvement remains one of the most resounding sources of PRIDE the DP/PC Chapter has.  Our members- from nearly every industry in Polk County- private, public, government, non-profit, tourism, healthcare and education, are serious about giving back to the community in which they live and work.  This year's projects reflect that.

Project Fill-A-Bucket was again a successful initiative with the project receiving media coverage in several different applications.  Approximately 550 buckets were filled and were provided to Polk County Students in December 2010, exceeding last year's total of 468.  The chapter was not the only participating organization; however, this project is especially close to our hearts because it helps Polk's greatest resource, its children.

Sun n' Fun is an annual air show event held in Lakeland which draws local, national, and international visitors.   For two years, Danny Kushmer has ensured the DP/PC chapter has a high visibility role in the event.  This year, over 500 reporters, photographers, videographers, anchors, hosts, bloggers, writers from all over the world descended on Lakeland.   Ten chapter members plus two others considering membership volunteered 112 hours over the 7 day event. Chapter members operated a booth at the entrance of Sun n' Fun and were the first to greet the media as they arrived.

The Heritage Peace River Grand Opening was a long awaited event for chapter members.  Originally begun in 2009 under the direction of then DP/PC President Kris Keprios, during a special, "roll your professional sleeves up" work day, chapter members arrived at the location armed with weed-eaters, chainsaws, and all manner of gardening tools to help clear the property for the launch.  The chapter was pleased to participate as a host partner in the grand opening on Saturday, April 30, 2011.  A plaque with the chapter's name, and the names of the other project participants, will be placed on the property.  Several organizations worked together in a true private/public partnership to make it possible, including The Polk County Board of County Commissioners and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection on the public side and A-C-T Environmental & Infrastructure, Clear Springs and the DP/PC chapter of FPRA on the private side.

Ethics: This year will forever be the year the DP/PC Chapter President ended raffles.  However, in keeping with the FPRA Code of Ethics, the issue was presented to the Executive Committee for review.  Florida State Statutes prohibits any game of "chance," thus the practice of 50/50 Raffles, without the appropriate qualifiers, would be a violation of Florida law and violators subject to a criminal charge.  All state chapters were made aware of this issue during an Executive Committee meeting.  (Yea, I know, bummer...)

By-Laws: One of the most significant administrative duties preformed this year was that of updating/correcting the chapter's antiquated by-laws.  The document, filled with typos and obsolete communications references, such as "via telegraph," appeared on the chapter's website.

Several chapter members were asked to proof the document, to eliminate typos, then the document was reviewed by past presidents for recommendations to either omit or include pertinent information.

After multiple drafts, the final document was presented to members requesting a vote of approval at a monthly meeting, something that had not occurred in many years.  The revised by-laws were approved and forwarded to the Executive Committee for approval which was done in May 2011.

Special Events: The Media Boot Camp absolutely exceeded expectations!  There were 63 participants who attended the military themed event.  Program facilitators, along with 15 media representatives who made up the panel, all dressed in camouflage greeted attendees; and four sponsors.  Once "recruits" were checked in, they were served MREs (meals ready to eat, which was a breakfast buffet.)  The panelists, from print, broadcast-radio and TV, and digital media, responded to questions and critiqued news releases.  Responses have been exceptionally favorable from participants and from panelists.  One guest speaker even had an idea for next year!  Now that's success.

Communications:  No one tweets like DP/PC does - our President-Elect has posted/tweeted more than 200 posts/tweets alone.  Social media is certainly a communications medium frequently utilized by chapter members.

Our website has had a complete overhaul. Using the resources of a member company, Clark Nikdel and Powell, the board brought the old version into the 21st century.  The new website is supported by WordPress and has a sharp visual appeal.

The chapter is utilizing Constant Contact's Partner Program.  The use of the site is free for the chapter and we've added a link on each newsletter inviting others to join CC.  When new "partners" sign up, DC/PC gets 15 percent.

....and we're not done!  Stay tuned for the final months of the 2010-2011 year.

Thanks for all of your efforts, and see you at the June meeting.

Donna