BE HEARD
IABC Lincoln Member Profile
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Meet Matt Gersib
For more about Matt
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 Chapter Leaders
Chapter Coordination
Jacque Smith, ABC,
Union Collegejasmith@ucollege.edu,
486-2538
Marcia White, ABC, UNL
mwhite2@unl.edu, 472-0074Lisa Behrns Sedivy,
Olsson Associates
lsedivy@oaconsulting.com,
458-5992
Administration
Michelle Drahota,
UNL Extended Education & Outreach
mdrahota@windstream.net, 472-4425
Finance
Dee Fuehrer,
Cetero Research
dee.fuehrer@cetero.com,
476-6863
Professional Development
Robb Crouch,
University of Nebraska Foundation rcrouch@nufoundation.org, 458-1142
Janet
Denison, Vision Exhibits
janetd@visionexhibits.com,
477-1050
Special
Events
Kathryn Witte, United Methodist Conference Nebraska; kwitte@umcneb.org,
464-5994
Leader in Communication, Spring
Workshop, Bronze Quill
Membership Development
Nance
Harris, ABC, Nebraska
Trucking Association
nharris@nebtrucking.com,
476-8504
Christy
Rasmussen, St. Elizabeth Foundation
crasmussen1@stez.org, 440-7799
Student Chapter
Michelle Velazquez Mesnard, Union College
mimesnar@ucollege.edu,
486-2600
Communications
Carol Jess
CJJ Communicationscarol@cjjcommunications.com,
310-9997
Lee Foster
State Farm Insurance
Web site (ex-officio), lee.foster.ahc4@statefarm.com,
327-5220
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Greetings!
As the song from the musical "Oklahoma" says, "June is Bustin' Out All Over." IABC Lincoln is bustin' with activities. Read on.
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Bronze Quill Event Memorable
 There were no azaleas on the ninth hole and Tiger wasn't
putting for a sudden death win, but it was every bit as beautiful and memorable
at Quarry Oaks Golf Course high above the Platte River on Thursday, May 28.
On a balmy late spring evening, communicators gathered to
recreate a bit of Augusta in Nebraska. Instead of clubs, tees or Titleists,
27 Bronze Quill recipients used excellence in planning, words, graphics and
measurement to bring home awards.
Rich Bailey, founder and retired chairman of Bailey
Lauerman, used the occasion to entertain and enlighten the crowd of nearly 50. He
reminded them thatHe reminded them that unlike when he started in
communications and advertising, today communicators are "keenly aware of who
you're communicating with." Forty years ago, Bailey said, it was "one size fits
all."
Bailey went on to share the Beloit
(Wisconsin)
College Mindset List for 2009. The annual list is comprised of assembled
observations that help identify the experiences that have shaped the lives-and
mindsets-of students starting their post-secondary education this fall. www.beloit.edu/mindset/2009.php.
More entertainment followed when Bailey engaged the audience
in few word-oriented guessing games. Among them: what four words in the English
language have -ous as their ending? (Answer: tremendous, stupendous, horrendous
and hazardous). And, what is the longest word without a letter repeated
(Answer: uncopyrightable).
Kathryn Witte, Bronze Quill Awards chair said she was
pleased with the quality of entries for this year's program. "I want to
continue to work to enhance the reputation of the Bronze Quill awards and I
think we made impressive inroads this year." Witte worked closely with the Omaha chapter. "They were
great," she said. "We truly value the relationship we have with Omaha and want to take
advantage of the talents each chapter brings to the table. Sixty miles is not
that far."
Award winners and photos of the event will be posted on the
IABC website this week. www.lincoln.iabc.com
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Inside the Winner's
Circle
They researched. They planned. They implemented. They
evaluated. They won.
Come peer inside the winner's circle of the 2009 IABC Nebraska
Bronze Quill as we learn from talented masters about the construction of
award-winning communication projects. We'll hear about strategy, obstacles,
goals and the impact of their effective communication and marketing programs.
Then we'll take their concepts and run. (Fortunately,
they're slow runners.)
Wednesday, June 24,
2009
11:45 a.m.
NET, 1800 North 33rd Street
Free parking
Members: $17, Guests: $22, Students: $15
Registration deadline:
Noon, Friday, June 19
Register online: http://lincoln.iabc.com/events/?event
Cancellation policy: No-shows
and cancellations not made by the registration deadline will be billed;
however, you are welcome to send someone in your place.
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Marcia White, ABC
Named Green Jacket Winner
 Comments from Nance
Harris, ABC, at the Bronze Quill Awards:
"Just like the Masters golf tournament, IABC attracts talent
from around the world. Just like at the
Masters, any IABC member with focus, confidence and game can rise to the top of
the leader board...in our profession, and within our chapters.
Just like at the Masters, some of these individuals have a
vision beyond that moment at the top. A few of these talented players stay
engaged for a lifetime. They encourage the engagement of others, contribute
time and resources so others can develop their skills, and become role models
for those who follow.
In our IABC Lincoln chapter, we are fortunate to have more than
one of these lifetime MVPs. We want to single one out this evening because of
the champion she has been for us over the past two years.
Because just like at Augusta National, things don't always
go as planned. Chapters have sand traps and water hazards, too. These might
be declining membership, lack of succession planning, volunteer
lapses, leader resignations, or loss of connection to the IABC value
proposition
The individual to whom we present an IABC Masters green
jacket tonight rolled up her pant legs and waded into the water hazard where
our ball had landed. Her choice of clubs was inspiration. Her backswing was
patience. She kept her eye on the ball and followed through.
The result has been a determined, enthusiastic, no-guilt
leadership cult. (It's on the green...) A
leadership team that reconnected with IABC's mission. (It's spinning toward the cup!) Individuals who happily committed
to staying in the game of chapter management. (It's still in motion, inches away. Did she read the break correctly?)
Because her aim is true, we have been renewed by excellent
programming, expanded member communication, two accreditation candidates
waiting for their results and two more ready to start the process, a chapter
now in the top 25 for member growth worldwide...and fresh new chapter leaders
lacing up their soft-spikes for the coming year.
(It's in the hole!) Tiger Woods has nothing on our most
inspirational Marcia White, ABC. It's not that she single-handedly accomplished
our renewal. But if each one of us considers the Marcia moments we've
experienced on this journey back into the game, we know that she has been the
catalyst for our success.
And like authentic champions Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson,
Marcia also has her priorities in the correct order. She's unable to be with us
this evening because she is attending a celebration recognizing a member of her
family.
We hope as she dons her Masters green jacket, she truly
feels the respect and admiration we have for her commitment to each of us and
to IABC Lincoln."
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IABC Lincoln Proposed
Leadership Team 09-10
Meet some familiar and
not-so-familiar faces who are slated for spots on the chapter leadership team. Please respond to the e-mail ballot that was
sent last week.
Chapter
Coordination/Leader Development
Lisa Sedivy, Communications Coordinator
Olsson Associates
Jacque Smith, ABC, Public Relations Director
Union College
Administration
Trudy Burge, Coordinator/Lecturer
UNL College
of Journalism & Mass Communication
Finance
Dee Fuehrer, Trade Show and Event Manager
Cetero Research
Sponsorships
Joyce Halvorsen, PR/Marketing Director
Nebraska Community
Blood Bank
Membership
Development
Christy Rasmussen, Director of Annual Giving & Events
Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center
Angela Barry, Director of Marketing
Engineering
Technologies, Inc.
Professional
Development
Robb Crouch, Director of Public
Relations
University of Nebraska
Foundation
Janet Denison, President, Vision Exhibits, Inc.
Molly Nance, Director of Planning
and Marketing
Madonna
Rehabilitation Hospital
Special
Events
Team
Leader: Kathryn Witte,Communications Director Nebraska United
Methodist Conference
Quill
Awards - Jenny Hammond, graduate
student, UNL
Sarah Brockhoft, Communications
Coordinator
Nebraska
United Methodist Conference
Leader
in Communication - Kerry Hoffschnieder
Public Relations Director, Epworth
Village, Inc.
Communications
Newsletter - Sue Riedman, Vice
President of Corporate Communications & Marketing
Nebraska Book Company
Web - Holly Woldt, Director of IT
Nebraska United
Methodist Conference
Student
Chapter
Michelle Velazquez Mesnard,
Associate Professor of Communications, Union College
Kay McCarthy, student representative,
Union College
Past Coordinator
Marcia White, ABC, E.N. Thompson Forum Coordinator, UNL
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THE WORTH OF A PLAN
By Steve Freeman and Linda Mastaglio, ABC
Employees
want to believe in their organizations. The wise PR professional knows this and
guides communication accordingly. Here is an example of the types of communication
that can help strengthen that belief:
- Clear explanation of the
state of the company-quarterly or periodically.Timely reporting of new
directions the company is taking.Kudos to high-achieving
teams.
- Exposure of good ideas that
improve operations.
- Acknowledgement of shifts in
the employee base, either from new arrivals or departures.
- Profiles of key personnel
whose responsibilities need to be understood by people across departmental
lines.
- Explanation of how changes in
processes or the product line can benefit the company.
- Motivational and educational
messages that instill workplace excellence.
- Announcements about upcoming
meetings or events to enhance participation.
- Stories of satisfied
customers to boost morale.
- News from the parent company
to keep employees up-to-date on changes.
- Explanation of benefits and
their value to employees.
- Promotion of internal
training opportunities.
- Managers' viewpoints on hot
topics identified by employees.
- "Outside" news of indirect
importance to those in your industry.
Strategic plans serve a two-fold purpose. They keep the
employee communication team on track by identifying the most important goals
for the next several years. They also create a shared expectation for your
department and build a positive reputation for the communication team among
other managers.
This article is excerpted from Vital Connections: Building
Relationships with Key Stakeholders, available at the IABC Knowledge
Centre. Member price: US$199, non-member price: US$299
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Matt Gersib
Public Relations Manager
Snitily Carr
What historical
figure do you most identify with
and why?
Leonardo da Vinci - his left-handedness and interest in
machines, flight and the human form have always fascinated me.
Which word or phrase
do you think is overused
right now?
I hear a lot of people saying "it is what it is" a lot... I
catch myself saying it a lot. I'm trying to be better about it, because I
recently came to the realization that if something isn't what I want it to be,
I simply need to work to change it. Almost anything has the capacity to
change.
How would you explain
your profession to a child?
Most of the time, my job is to help news people write their
stories. Sometimes, I get to be the one writing the story. Those
are really fun days.
What did you have to
learn the hard way?
The difference between the 'Reply' button and the 'Forward'
button.
What do you sing or
hum when you're alone?
"All or None" - Pearl Jam
What talent would you
most like to have?
I wish I could fly. I have wanted that for as long as
I
can remember.
If you could choose
another profession, what
would it be?
I love what I do, but if I could go back and do it all
again, I still think I should have been a professional motocross racer. I
believe I could have been the best ever but I didn't have the support of my
family at the critical time.
What movie character
would you like to portray
and why?
Hmmm... That's a tough one. Believe it or not, I don't
see a ton of movies, but I get to see a lot of really beautiful places in Nebraska when I'm out
doing those crazy long rides on my bike. But if you forced me to choose,
I guess it would be Han Solo in Star Wars. Why? He was a
stud. And he got Chewbacca as his sidekick - how cool was that?
(Pretty cool...)
Is there a book that
changed your perspective
on life?
"The Secret" by Eckhart Tolle was a very impactful book in
terms of my outlook on life and how I consider my future.
What's the best
reward for a job well done?
Inner peace.
What is your personal
motto?
Persistence pays.
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ABC Means Much More...than the first three letters of the alphabet
In IABC terms, it means Accredited Business
Communicator, a mark of excellence in professionalism that is available only to
IABC members. It's not given lightly. You must earn your ABC designation. To
learn more about an accreditation study group that is forming this fall,
contact Marcia White, ABC, mwhite2@unl.edu
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