Dear Members,

 

As I decompress from travelling to Destin for February's State Board meeting I am reminded of how lucky I am to have been chosen as president of the Dick Pope/Polk County Chapter. I am humbled to be surrounded by great PR leaders from around the state all gathered together to conduct the business of FPRA. While I was gone your chapter conducted its monthly board meeting and I wanted to thank President-elect and chapter treasurer Jenny Baker for leading our group in my absence.

 

The state board meeting was filled with many new and exciting ideas for improving the experience and membership opportunities for all our valued PR practitioners. I would like to take a moment and highlight just a couple.

 

First, what are you doing on August 4th through the 8th? Hopefully you are making plans to attend the 74th Annual Conference "A Treasure Trove of PR Strategies & Tactics" to be held at the Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village in St. Augustine. This year promises to be more exciting and informative than ever filled with speakers from around the country all sharing their strategies and tactics in order to educate, enlighten and inspire you to do your job better. There are still opportunities (albeit, very few) to showcase your business during the conference. If you or your business is interested in sponsorship send me a note or contact Paul Ramey (conference chair) Assistant Director of Marketing & PR at the Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville. Paul can be reach at 352-273-2054 or email: pramey@flmnh.uf.edu.

 

Did you know..... Since 2001, 17 student scholarships have been awarded for a total of $22,500. Since 2008, seven professional members were able to attend Annual Conference for a total of $3,985. And, since 2001, a total of 92 members have received a rebate that assisted them in completing their accreditation, earning the APR designation for a total of $8,465. All from the Florida Public Relations Education Foundation, Inc. (FPRE Foundation) which has been bridging the gap for students and professional members to obtain professional development. This year the FPRE Foundation introduces the "Every Member Annual Campaign" in the hopes of raising $25,000 to ensure that our Foundation continues to grow to meet the needs of our students and our members. More information will follow in the weeks and months to come and I would like to encourage your participation.

 

For more information on Annual Conference, FPRE Foundation and other great news in PR make sure you read FPRA E-Facts delivered to your inbox each month.

 

Finally, your chapter was recognized for meeting its MEMBERSHIP GOAL during February's State Board meeting in Destin. Thank you to all that renewed and a special thanks to Jessica Lawson membership chair for her tireless efforts. Remember, a new member orientation will be held on February 28th. For more information please contact Jessica at (863) 646-7722 or email her at: jlawson@lovemyspca.com. 

 

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.

 

Sincerely,

 

Danny Kushmer

@DannyKushmer

 

 

 

The Dick Pope/Polk County Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association will present Sip Sip Hooray, an FPRA PRowl, on Thursday, February 16 at the Lake Morton Bed and Breakfast. Complimentary cheese, crackers and fruit will be served starting at 6 p.m. The event is free, but please bring a bottle of your favorite wine to share. The Lake Morton Bed and Breakfast is located at 817 South Boulevard in Lakeland. Parking is available across the street in front of Saint Joseph's Academy. RSVP to Daniel Jimenez or Danny Kushmer.