Winter Issue 2008

 
SabrinaGreetings!
 
 LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
SPRF has experienced another amazing year.  I have been so blessed to have one of the best board's a President could ask for who made it all happen.  They were truly committed and excelled in their respective positions.  We should all be proud.

With that said, I wanted to use this "year in review" to let you know how hard at work we have been for you...our members.  In fact, our commitment to this organization comes as a critical point considering the current economic conditions that we all face.  Your SPRF membership is more important than ever.  Historically periods of recession drive up our membership, which means that the organization is successfully achieving its goals and taking steps to improve future services, programs and offerings.

A few of our accomplishments this past year includes:
· Re-hiring our Association Assistant Kim Collins, APR to oversee the day-to-day operations of our organization and  assist the President and board with various duties.
· Continuation of a formal board retreat and end-of-year strategic planning session.
· Adoption of the first Association Policy and Procedure Manual, so that our organization can operate in a more effective and efficient manner.
· Establishing a permanent mailing address and central meeting location lessening the transportation burden on many of the board members.
· Creating two new award programs - Chapter of Distinction and Educator of the Year.
· Launching the redesigned website and online directory.
· Finalizing re-incorporation, so that we are now incorporated as non-profit under Alabama state law.

In addition, your incoming President Adam Kelley, APR has been working diligently with the board to update the organization's long-range plan. Some of the items that have been discussed that may be a part of that plan include:
· Offering chapters free web hosting and development opportunities.
· Creating a true master calendar of related events.
· Helping form new chapters in and outside the current SPRF "footprint."
· Improved branding opportunities through development of a corporate identity program.
· Creating a PR Hall of Fame
· Moving to the "bleeding edge" of social media opportunities.
· Building a "rainy day" fund for investments."
· Formalizing the Past President Council and tasking them with managing the generous endowment that Past President Jamie Palmer, APR has committed to.
 
As you can see we have been busy and have even bigger and better things planned for 2009.  On a personal note, let me say that it has truly been a privilege serving all of you.  I was reminded several times this year why I look to my SPRF family both personally and professionally.  Again, I thank you and wish you nothing but continued success in the coming year.
 
Best regards,
Sabrina McLaughlin, APR
SPRF Anounces Its Two Newest APRs
 
Pram Mississippi Beach Chapter's Ron Barns and Mary Ann Caldwell
 
APRs
SPRF's newest APRs Ron Barnes and Mary Anne Cauldwell with PRAM APR Chair Susan Perkins (middle)
 
The Universal Accreditation Board (UAB) has announced that Ron Barnes and Mary Anne Caldwell are the two newest SPRF members to successfully complete the Examination for Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) and 15 more are in the pipeline... Read on for more details

Now is the Best Time to Take Adventage of Your SPRF Membership Benefits

SPRF Christmas Tree

This is the time of year when reality and fiction find themselves blended more than any other. Consider Santa Claus. The perception of many children is that of a plump man in a red suit sliding down chimneys and dropping off presents, for free, no less.
The reality, of course, is that the presents only get under the tree after the fatigued parents battle other fatigued parents for parking spots at the mall.
Another perception - one that the SPRF Board of Directors wants to make understandable and believable - is the true value of SPRF membership. Did you know as an SPRF member, you receive benefits such as:
o  Representation on the Universal Accreditation Board (UAB) and the opportunity to earn professional APR credentials
o   Accreditation educational opportunities and reimbursement
o   Industry recognition programs such as awards programs like Professional Achievement, Senior Practitioner and the Lanterns
o   Access to an information-packed and weekly-updated website
o   An online membership database at your fingertips
o   Extensive networking and professional development opportunities
o   Extensive and increasing member discounts
o   Significant member discount to annual conference
o   Access to a professional resource library
o   Membership survey data
o   Possible speaking opportunities to any of 21 chapters
o   Survey tools
o   A Professional Code of Ethics
o   Local, state and regional leadership opportunities
o   SPRF group on LinkedIn
 
The SPRF Board strives to increase the value of membership at the individual and chapter levels through improved professionalism, membership recruitment, marketing, the more efficient administration of resources and a desire to improve web services to chapters.
SPRF Offers Member-Only Discounts
 
SPRF is partnering with companies from around the nation to bring discounts to our nearly 1,400 member public relations professionals. Chosen partners are aligned with specific initiatives of the Federation. Companies who choose to provide discounts to SPRF members are typically those who provide PR services but also those who offer useful products that our membership may use regularly. Many members recently signed up for the free introductory PR Week subscription, just one of many discount offers available. SPRF Discount Offers

If you are interested in offering a discount to SPRF, download the guidelines and submit or contact Kim Collins, APR (kim@collinspr.com) with questions.  
SPRF MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY EASY AND CONVENIENT TO USE
Records have recently been updated in the SPRF online directory, but please take a moment to log-in and verify your information is correct.It is critical that you keep your profile updated so you receive the benefits you deserve. 

It is simple:   
  • Go to www.sprf.org
  • On the right side of the page, locate the Member login and password section to the private section of the website.
  • Use your email address on file with our chapter.  If your e-mail is invalid, send an e-mail request to Jarrod Ravencraft, SPRF vice president membership, ravneja@msh.state.ms.us, and it will be corrected.
  • All passwords have been changed to lowercase sprf unless you have previously logged in and changed your password.  Then, it will be the password you have chosen.
  • This will open the private membership page that has the Membership Directory.
  • To update your personal membership record, click on Edit My Directory Profile.
  • Update your info. and click on update.

Helpful Hints for Accurate Records

  1. For password, change it to something personal, but remember, your default will always be lowercase sprf.
  2. For e-mail, be sure you have a valid e-mail address.  Most of the communication at the regional, state and local level is sent to members via e-mail from this directory.
  3. Be sure you include the area code on all your phone numbers.
  4. Please include home phone numbers and URLs.
  5. If a member's name is "Mary Jones-Smith," then the hyphenated "Jones-Smith" goes in the last name column.  If a member's name is "Mary Jones Smith," then only the Smith goes in the last name column.
  6. If a corporate membership is paid, but the company has not selected an employee to fill the membership, then put "TBA" in the first name and last name columns.

    Please contact SPRF Vice President Membership Jarrod Ravencraft 601-351-8290, ravenja@msh.state.ms.us, with any questions.
SPRF wants your chapter news!
 
No matter how big or small, please make it a habit to send your chapter news to SPRF for posting region-wide.
 
Send us your job postings, new positions, 2009 board releases, chapter or member news.
 
You can do this by contacting Mary Cracchiolo-Spain at (228) 547-8473 or mcracchiolo@beaurivage.com.
 
Mary Cracchiolo-Spain
VP Communications
Southern Public Relations Federation
 
 
THANK YOU!