Dear Members,

 

Since our last newsletter your board of directors and chapter chairs were sworn in by State President Melanie Mowry Etters APR, CPRC. Did you know the gavel used during the ceremony is the original gavel of Colonel John Dillin APR, CPRC? It now has a prominent place in my office until I get the opportunity to pass it on.

 

I would like to thank Bob Gernert APR, CPRC; Cindy Sternlicht; Frances McMichael APR, CPRC; Sara Hallett APR; Jennifer Bush and Becky Murphy (all past presidents) for making the installation/awards luncheon a very special day. I was also both surprised and honored to have received the chapter's Rising Leader Award, thank you Donna Wood. Other and more notable award winners include Publix Super Markets receiving the Public Service Award (accepting the award was Jennifer Bush); Rachel Bulman received the Bob Gernert APR, CPRC Member of the Year Award; and Ashley Hall received the Colonel John Dillin APR, CPRC Professional of the Year Award.

 

Did you see your chapter in the media? Several articles were printed after September's luncheon announcing your new board and award recipients. If you see an article and have the ability to either send a link (if online) or scan the article, please send it to Katy Martin, Publicity & Social Media Chair at katy.martin@lrmc.com. We would like to keep track of the press we receive.

 

According to PR Daily (www.prdaily.com), auto-posting your Facebook updates hurts engagement. The article indicated, "In order to maximize your Facebook marketing efforts, we advise that you post directly on Facebook.com or use an Official Facebook App. Posting directly will give your posts the greatest chance of engagement. We recommend not relying on third-party App's for Facebook updates." Furthermore, Inside Facebook (www.insidefacebook.com) on Tuesday published the results of a study indicating pages that sync or auto-post their content to Facebook from Twitter or blogs using tools like HootSuite, Twitter and NetworkedBlogs receive significantly fewer Likes and comments per posts than those that post manually using Facebook's web and mobile interfaces. Bottom line, if you want more interaction on Facebook use Facebook.

 

Finally, as many of you know September brought a great loss to one of our members. Barbara Nixon, Professor at Southeastern University lost her son Kyle, a student at Auburn University. As mentioned in earlier correspondence, I can only imagine the pain the Nixon Family is experiencing, but I believe "the day which we fear as our last is but the birthday of eternity." Please keep the Nixons in your thoughts and prayers. The family has created a scholarship fund to honor the life of Kyle. If you would like to contribute please go to the chapter's website and click the dropdown box for PayPal and select "Memorial Donation." Your chapter will be accepting donations until the end of the month. At that time, all donations received will be tabulated, and a check will be presented to the Nixon Family.

 

For more information on your chapter visit the website at www.fprapolk.org and if you haven't already, "Like" your chapter on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DickPopePolkCountyFPRA and follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/FPRAPolk. Oh, and join the discussion at your chapter's Linked In page. Remember, while the state is focused on "Discovering the Treasure of FPRA" I want you to focus on "Public Relations: Every Organizations Hidden Treasure" and learn how to make PR a focus of the "C" Suite. Make your treasure known!

 

Sincerely,

 

Danny Kushmer

 

 

 

FPRA Membership: One of the best investments during tough times

 

The year of discovering our treasure in FPRA is in full swing! We have lots of exciting programs and community activities in the works, but we also have to pay special attention to one of our primary orders of business in October: RENEWALS.

 

To make certain there are no gaps in your membership, we encourage you to renew before the October 31 membership expiration date. Big thanks to the 28 members who have already renewed! We are sensitive to the fact that in challenging economic times, many members face budget cuts. While it may be hard to afford professional association membership during difficult times, this is exactly when it is most important to invest in your career and professional development. FPRA membership offers excellent networking and business connections, top-notch professional development programs, workshops, resources, career advancement and public service opportunities - all of which pay dividends to your employer or organization as well.

 

If you can't afford a full membership right now, please consider renewing as an Associate Member. This temporary membership is open to those who are professionally or academically qualified for professional membership but who may not be actively engaged in a public relations position. This membership is available for one year and only costs $52.50.

 

In the next few weeks, you'll receive an email or call from me encouraging you to renew. If you have any problems renewing for whatever reason, please let me know as soon possible. You may always reach me on my cell phone at 863-986-8093 or contact me at 863-646-7722, ext. 105 or jlawson@lovemyspca.com.

 

I look forward to getting to know each and every one of you better as we "discover every organization's hidden treasure": public relations!

 

-Jessica, Membership Chair