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Greetings!
 LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
Each day, it seems, the news is filled with stories of layoffs, bailouts, rebailouts (I am officially coining this phrase) and foreclosures. I know personally I am keeping a running tally of the number of resumes friends (and sometimes strangers) send me asking that I circulate it in hope of helping them land a job. Yet thanks to the efforts of our chapters, state organizations and the SPRF Board, our membership is on track for another record year of membership and our value and influence as a hub of networking and professional development has never been greater. I have listed SPRF's most valuable member benefits below so that you may share this news with others - perhaps someone who contacts you looking for a job and is not in our organization - or learn of a member benefit of which you were previously unaware:
- Representation on the Universal Accreditation Board (UAB) - this is the sole method by which SPRF members may be Accredited in Public Relations. Due to the increased number of APR members in SPRF we are now one of the few organizations outside of PRSA with dual representatives on the UAB, which has increased our travel costs. Additionally, the SPRF Accreditation subsidy far exceeds an annual dues payment for those who pursue Accreditation.
- SPRF Annual Conference - the top public relations-related conference in the region. The SPRF member discount on registration far exceeds cost of SPRF dues.
- Online membership database - previously this was a state organization/chapter expense and responsibility that SPRF now provides its state organizations/chapters at no cost.
- Extensive regional awards programs - Lanterns, Professional Achievement, Educator of the Year and Chapter of Distinction.
- Increased professionalism of the organization - SPRF now has an Association Assistant whose sole responsibility is to serve the volunteer board by maintaining the organization and improving its operations and efficiency.
- A professional Code of Ethics.
- Local, state and regional leadership opportunities.
- Extensive networking with professionals from a four-state area - Our membership has hit record enrollments the last two years.
- Member discounts (a complete list is published on the website).
- Exclusive SPRF news and information.
- Job Bank postings.
- Professional resource library.
- Membership survey data.
- Survey tools (e.g. SurveyMonkey account for use by any state organization/chapter).
- Teleconferencing account for use by any state organization/chapter.
Additionally and thanks to previous investments, we are proud to introduce some new features recently added to www.sprf.org. Specifically SPRF is now in position to offer its state organizations and chapters free website services. Following our "umbrella" model of focusing SPRF efforts on responsibility for mutual state organization/chapter needs (Accreditation, membership, networking), this service is intended to save your state organization/chapter money, improve SPRF value to you and make membership in your organization more desirable. The upcoming SPRF board meeting dates are posted in this newsletter. The board welcomes your questions and input leading up to these meetings and we want you to know that all minutes are posted on the SPRF website. Best regards, Adam Kelley, APR |
SPRF Announces Its Three Newest Accredited Members
Shannon Coker, APR April Lollar, APR Robin Street, APR
Mississippi is proud to congratulate the regions newest APRs
The Universal Accreditation Board (UAB) has announced that Shannon Coker, APR, PRAM Central Chapter; April Lollar, APR, PRAM Mississippi Beach Chapter; and Robin Street, APR, PRAM Oxford/Ole Miss Chapter, are the three newest SPRF members to successfully complete the Examination for Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) and 13 more are in the pipeline... Read on for more details | |
| 2009 Board of Directors
Meeting Dates
Feb. 13, 2009 - in Meridian, Miss.
April 3, 2009 - Conference Call
July 17, 2009 - in Meridian, Miss.
Oct. 4, 2009 - Tunica, Miss. (at SPRF Conference)
Dec. 11, 2009 - Meridian, Miss. (Board Retreat and Transition meeting) |
Chapter of Distinction
Search for the Best is On
A new award is on the horizon. The SPRF board of directors has assigned a team to create the premiere "Chapter of Distinction Awards" to be handed out at the SPRF Annual Conference in Tunica, October 4-6. The rules are set, the procedures are being ironed out, and chapter presidents soon will receive details for entering. The Chapter of Distinction team is Sabrina McLaughlin, APR, ECPRO; Joy Carter, APR, PRCA; Kristie Aylett, APR, PRAM; Jennifer Jenkins, APR, PRCA; and Glen Duncan, APR, PRAL.
"The idea was to find a way to encourage every chapter and every chapter president to seriously consider how to improve, how to be a great chapter, how to make an impact on our profession, our communities and our colleagues," Duncan said.
The awards include Chapter of the Year and President of the Year.
" In order to consider an entire year's work, the submissions will always consist of the prior year," Duncan said, "So our first tip is for current presidents to assign the task of applying to their immediate past president, because that's who will get recognized. Then current presidents should volunteer to head the assignment up next year, so they can win."
The initial awards will consider work completed during calendar year 2008. So Duncan recommends to start now, gathering the memories, photographs, collateral material, notes and "anything else" to support the chapter's work in eight areas: PR education, Communication, Projects, Chapter Management, Membership, Programs, Accreditation, and Community Service.
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Accreditation News
Submitted by Dr. John E. Forde, APR
SPRF Vice President of Accreditation
I'm very excited to report that interest in APR (Accredited in Public
Relations) is alive and well in the Southern Public Relations Federation. Colleagues from throughout the region are engaged in the study process, and many others are inquiring. We are firm believers that our profession is enhanced greatly every time someone completes the accreditation process.
Congratulations to our newest SPRF accredited members from 2008-2009: Ron Barnes, Kurt Brautigam, Mary Anne Caldwell, Shannon Coker, Laura Lee-Laundry, April Lollar, Annie Mitchell, Michelle Zeringue Spielman, Robin Street, and Kay Yarbrough. We currently have 124 APRs in SPRF, which places us only behind the Public Relations Society of America and with very similar numbers to the Florida Public Relations Association. We would love to have 20 more SPRF APRs by the end of 2009!
One of our major initiatives over the past couple of years has been to build in Readiness Review opportunities at the state and regional conferences. This has worked well since APR colleagues are required to sit on these panels to assist candidates, and usually there are many APRs already planning to attend conferences. We are continuing this practice in 2009 and hope this will provide a realistic deadline to target for many of you not yet accredited. Other pre-conference workshops, such as the APR Boot Camp held in Montgomery last year, have also enhanced the interest in APR.
On a personal note, I have enjoyed serving the past year on the Universal Accreditation Board, and I look forward to our continued progress. Michael Tullier, APR, has been an excellent mentor to us on the board as he chaired the UAB in 2008. His leadership demonstrated to other organization representatives the quality of practitioners we have in SPRF.
The UAB continues to improve study materials for our candidates and encourages more members to pursue the APR credential. One of my major roles this year on the UAB is to chair the Professional Development Work Group. Our latest project has been to assist with the completion of a new APR Online Study Course that is available at http://www.online2learn.net/APR. We are also working closely with the Participating Organizations Work Group to build more relationships between the nine UAB groups. SPRF now has links on our website to the other UAB Participating Organizations at http://sprf.org/accreditation/accredited-members.
As always, please see www.praccreditation.org for many details on the overall accreditation process and other new services for you. Please contact me at any time if I can help you or your chapter with APR interests. Local and state chapters also have accreditation chairs available to help.
Also, there is a new Accreditation events page on the UAB Web site, check it out by clicking here. |
SPRF Appoints Student Chapter Committee
The Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF) has appointed a Student Chapter Committee to develop guidelines for student members within its local chapters, announced Adam Kelley, SPRF president.
The committee will develop processes for implementing student chapters within SPRF and guidelines on membership benefits for students. The committee will also develop a start-up kit for local chapters to use in operating a student chapter.
The following SPRF members will serve on the committee:
Celeste Cade, Baptist Children's Village,
Clinton, Miss., PRAM Central Chapter,
Chair
Susan Broussard, APR, Cleco Corporation,
Pineville, La., PRAL Alexandria Chapter
Veronica Carter, Crestwood Medical
Center, Huntsville, Ala., PRCA North
Alabama Chapter
Nia Johnson, Community Bankers
Association of Alabama, Montgomery,
Ala., PRCA Montgomery Chapter
Missy Laborde, APR, Louisiana State
University, Alexandria, La., PRAL
Alexandria Chapter
Melissa Lott, Marketing Alliance, Inc.,
Jackson, Miss., PRAM Central Chapter
Sabrina McLaughlin, APR, Insight
Marketing Communications, Navarre,
Fla., ECPRO
"We already have interest from PRAL Alexandria in starting a student chapter," said Celeste Cade, chair. "The committee and I look forward to exploring options for our student members and expanding their benefits within SPRF." |
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List YOUR Events on the SPRF Master Calendar
Are your chapter's meetings listed in the SPRF Master Calendar at www.sprf.org? If not, don't get left out - send your meeting dates (i.e., PRCA-Birmingham meets typically meets the first Thursday of each month) to Adam Kelley so you can get your meetings promoted across the region. So far PRCA-Birmingham, PRCA-Montgomery, PRAM-Central, PRAM-Mississippi Beach, PRAM-Oxford/Ole Miss, ECPRO, PRAL-Baton Rouge and PRAL-Alexandria are the only chapters listed. Don't get left behind! |
SPRF Now on Facebook
Do you love keeping up with all your friends and colleagues on Facebook? Well if you're a Facebook member, you'll definitely want to join the SPRF group and check out the "Take Me Away to Tunica" event page for information on which of your Facebook friends plan to be in Tunica this October for SPRF's Annual Conference! Click here for the link |
Members in the News
 The USA International Ballet Competition (IBC) named a new director of public relations just prior to the new year. Chantel Lott of Brandon, Miss. will now serve the IBC. Read more here
Mayhall - PRAL
 On Friday, Oct. 24, Robin Mayhall, APR, received a Distinguished Service Award from the Arthritis Association of Louisiana. Read more here |
| SPRF Now Offering Constant Contact and Survey Monkey to Members
SPRF is pleased to offer its Constant Contact and SurveyMonkey accounts to its membership for all SPRF-related business. To inquire and make arrangements, please contact Adam Kelley, Pam Swain or Kim Collins to get started... | |
SPRF Welcomes 2009 Board of Directors
President - Adam Kelley, APR, PRCA President-Elect - Jarrod Ravencraft, PRAM
VP, Professional Development - Jennifer Jenkins, APR, PRCA
VP, Communications - Pam Swain, PRAM
VP, Accreditation/UAB Representative -Dr. John Forde, APR, PRAM
VP, Membership - Susan Broussard, APR, PRAL-Alex
Secretary - Cathy Landroche, APR, ECPRO
Treasurer - Stephen Loy, APR, PRAL-BR Member at Large - Pete Smith, PRAM
Member at Large - Joy Carter, APR, PRCA
Member at Large - Ken Hair, ECPRO
Member at Large - Kathy Newby, ECPRO Member at Large - Missy LaBorde, APR, PRAL-Alex
Member at Large - Marc Goldstein, PRAL-BR
Member at Large - Nan Baldwin, APR, PRCA
UAB Representative/Member at Large -Michael Tullier, APR, PRCA
Member at Large - Nancy Borden, PRAL-Alex
Member at Large - Glen Duncan, APR, PRAL-BR
Member at Large - Kristie Aylett, APR, PRAM
Past President - Sabrina McLaughlin, APR, ECPRO
Association Assistant (non-voting) Kim Collins, APR, PRAM
Please feel free to give the board your feedback throughout the year. |
| SPRF CONFERENCE 2009
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SPRF to Examine PR at a Crossroads: Where Strategy and Opportunity Intersect
Like no other time in the history of our profession, public relations is at a crossroads. While many see us as the "feel-good" people of our organizations, others still view us as the "spin doctors" of the last millennium. Are we strictly information providers, image makers, marketing, advertising or a cross-section of all of the above?
 Technology has also brought us to a crossroads, where the media gatekeepers of the past give way to the bloggers of the present and we can only imagine where the technology of tomorrow will take us. At the Southern Public Relations Federation 2009 Conference, we will examine PR at a Crossroads and discover ways that we can use strategy and opportunity to advance the goals of our organizations.  The conference will begin on Sunday, October 4 at a fabulous reception at the newly-opened Red Door Nightclub at the Gold Strike Casino Resort in Tunica, Mississippi and conclude with the Lantern Awards Banquet on the evening of Tuesday, October 6. Come early and stay late-you won't want to miss a minute of the exciting events, speakers and attractions at the 2009 SPRF Conference! Best of all, this is one of the most affordable professional development opportunities you will ever have. The early bird conference registration rate that will start in June is $225. Plus, we have the opportunity to stay in the Gold Strike's newly renovated Four-Star rooms for an incredible $69 room rate per night. Join us at the crossroads of Delta Blues and Mississippi Hospitality for a great time, rocking with dynamic speakers, interesting sessions, and terrific networking opportunities. Visit www.sprf.org for more information. |
PRAM to celebrate 'Excellence in Every Endeavor' April 17 in Jackson
 PRAM members don't do anything halfway. We aim for Excellence in Every Endeavor.
One way we celebrate achieving excellence is through the annual Prism Awards. This year, we will celebrate our Prism winners at a luncheon on Friday, April 17, 2009 at 11:30 a.m. at the Hilton Hotel in Jackson. Along with the recipients of the Certificates of Merit, Awards of Excellence and Prism Awards, the Professional Achievement Award recipient, Educator of the Year and PRAM Scholarship recipient will be announced at the luncheon. The cost for the luncheon is $40 per person or $350 for a table of 10. But wait. There's more. More than just awards. More than just a luncheon. PRAM members will find out more about the pursuit of excellence in a panel discussion of members who have recently become accredited. They will share how they earned the APR designation, their experiences along the journey and how the experience benefits them and helps them to achieve Excellence in Every Endeavor. The APR Panel Discussion will be held at 10:00 a.m. at the Hilton. There is no cost for the panel discussion. In addition, if you're ready to begin your own APR journey, there is an opportunity for Readiness Reviews from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Just contact the APR Coordinator for your region: North-Kim Collins, APR, kim@collinspr.com; Central-Lisa Shoemaker, APR lshoemaker@osa.state.ms.us; South-Kurt Brautigam, APR, kurt14@comcast.net, to schedule yours. If you have demonstrated excellence by completing the APR journey, serving as a State PRAM president or as a current State PRAM Board member, you are invited to a Champagne Brunch in recognition of your achievements and leadership to the organization. The Champagne Brunch begins at 9:00 a.m. at the Hilton and is complimentary to those receiving an invitation. There are sponsorship opportunities for chapters or organizations that would like to join PRAM in celebrating Excellence in Every Endeavor. All sponsors will receive recognition in the program and on appropriate signage. Platinum Sponsor, $2000 Title sponsor, includes: Name/logo on front of program
Name/logo on all signage
Opportunity to speak at luncheon
Opportunity for display booth
Table for 10 at luncheon
Diamond Sponsor, $1,500
Champagne Brunch sponsor, includes:
Name/logo on coordinating page in
program
Name/logo on room signage
Opportunity to speak at Champagne
Brunch
Opportunity for display booth
Table for 10 at luncheon
Gold Sponsor, $1000
APR Panel sponsor, includes:
Name/logo on coordinating page in
program
Name/logo on room signage
Opportunity to speak at APR Panel
Discussion
Opportunity for display booth
Table for 10 at luncheon
Silver Sponsor, $500
Table sponsor, includes:
Name/logo on back of program
Name/logo on awards display table
signage
Table for 10 at luncheon
Bronze Sponsor, $100
Name/logo on back of program
One ticket for luncheon
To register or become a sponsor, visit www.pramonline.org or contact Caron Blanton, APR, Vice-President, Programs, 601-359-3706. Deadline for registration: Wednesday, April 1, 2009. |
Revenue Committee Organized
Sabrina McLaughlin, APR, appointed a New Revenue Committee last year to augment the operating budget and to help implement the organization's goals as published in the long-range plan. The committee is being led by Marc Goldstein of PRAL-Baton Rouge. Other members of the committee are Nan Baldwin,APR; Pete Smith, Kim Collins, APR; and Sabrina McLaughlin, APR.
The committee has generated a list of possible events that would benefit the membership while also possibly generating new revenue. The events mentioned at the last SPRF Board meeting were:
- Training for chapter treasurers
- How to win a Lantern
- APR training
- How to set up a company blog
- Training for nonprofits
- PR in a hurricane
- Create and sell a media guide
- SPRF cookbook from contributing members
- Transcript down from the SPRF conference
- Sell DVDs from the SPRF conference
- Salary survey
- Hosting chapters on SPRF website
- Sell advertising on website
- Silent Auctions at SPRF conference
- Growth of vendors at SPRF conference
- Sell Podcasts
- Sell award-winning books
- Charge companies for posting jobs
- Charge individuals for posting resumes
- APR workshops at SPRF conference and other add-ons
- There will be income from the COD entries
- Sell multi-year, regional sponsorships for SPRF conference
- Increase dues for associate members
- A one-time life time membership to SPRF(this could be problematic with local chapter dues)
- Invite the local public at SPRF conference to see a speaker they would pay to see or make it a public event that would attract the locals
- Write a best practices book and sell it
The committee seeks feedback on which ideas should take priority and would be most valuable. Feedback can be sent to SPRF President Adam Kelley at Adam.Kelley@chsys.org. |
PRAL-Alexandria Update
Robin Mayhall, APR, corporate communication writer with Louisiana Blue Cross Blue Shield, presented a great program in February on the importance of evaluation to your public relations plan. Robin took home six Lantern Awards during the 2008 Lantern Awards Program. In fact, BCBS won recognition for each entry it placed in the competition. PRAL members were seeking Robin's insight and expertise since a committee is working on establishing an awards program for the central Louisiana area. In March, members will host Adam Kelly, APR, and current SPRF president with a social media panel discussion in April. | |
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 Lantern Awards Deadline Set
Start Planning your Submissions Now
LANTERN SUBMISSION DATE: JUNE 30
Are you getting ready for this year's Lantern Awards competition? Now is the time to plan your submissions, and your Lantern Awards team has some dates to make that planning easier!
First, with the SPRF Conference in its later slot of Oct 4-6, we've set a slightly later submissions deadline for Lanterns this year. You have until June 30. So, not only do you have a bit more time, you also have a wider window of eligibility -- we've extended the window for eligible work to span materials from May 1, 2008 through the month of June, 2009. That gives each chapter some bonus time and perhaps bonus eligible entries. This year's regional awards competition is being run by Lori Miller and her team from PRCA's North Alabama Chapter.
Much, much more to come but this should get you all started. Your Lantern Awards team hopes you are as excited as we are!
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 SPRF Senior Leadership Council Organizing
Fellow Practitioners,
There's exciting news in the Southern Public Relations Federation!
Many of you will remember we've had informal discussion over the years about putting together a senior leadership group to include past SPRF Presidents, Professional Achievement Award recipients and others who have been critical to the growth and development of our organization. Several things have happened in the past year to move the discussion forward:
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The current board of directors has established the SPRF Chapter of Distinction award. The inaugural presentation will be this fall in Tunica, Mississippi, at the SPRF annual conference, and the board has asked that a group of senior leaders review the entries each year and select the winner.
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A SPRF endowment fund is being established based on a start-up donation, and the board would like the senior leadership group to "steward" this fund on behalf of the organization.
Obviously, it's early days yet. While guidelines must be developed -- especially with relation to group name, membership, and the above items with which we're charged --it's our wish that this group evolve organically and not be hidebound by an overabundance of rules and regs. We want your thoughts, comments, input, and whatever else -- whether it's about what we should be named, what we should do on behalf of SPRF, what we might do for senior leadership members, etc. If you feel as though you should be a member of this group and did NOT receive an email from us, please contact us immediately and we will be glad to add you to the list.
We plan to continue discussion via e-mail and other technologies, but please put our first "real time" meeting on your calendar -- this October, most likely the afternoon before the conference kicks off. This will enable us to review the entries and judge the Chapter of Distinction. Plans are underway by the current board to develop some form of yearly discounted conference rate for the senior leadership group, so we hope to see you there! In the meantime, let's get some dialogue going!
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| Upcoming Awards Deadlines
DATE: EVENT:
Friday, May 1, 2009 PAA Nominee Selection/Submission
Friday, May 1, 2009 Educator of the Year Nominee Selection/Submission
Tuesday, June 30, 2009 Lantern Awards Deadline
Friday, July 31, 2009 PAA Nominee Entries Due
Friday, July 31, 2009 Educator of the Year Nominee Entries Due
Friday, July 31, 2009 Sr. Practitioner Nominee Names Due
TBD Chapter of Distinction Books Due (Postmark Date)
August 2009 Judging of PAA/Educator of the Year/Chapter of
Distinction Awards
Monday, September 1, 2009 Sr. Practitioner Nominees Receive Communication
about their Recognition
October 4-6, 2009 All Awards (PAA, Educator of the Year Senior Practitioner,
Chapter of Distinction) will be presented at SPRF Conference
in Tunica, Mississippi
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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, chapter or member news.
You can do this by contacting Pam Swain at (662) 234-4651 or pam@oxfordms.com.
Pam Swain
VP Communications
Southern Public Relations Federation
THANK YOU!
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