As we welcome 2012, PRAM Mississippi Beach also welcomes a new board of directors. First and foremost, Keith Guillot is serving in one of the best positions the board has to offer. Keith has earned the title of Past President after leading our chapter through a great 2011. I am very grateful for Keith's hard work and effort in our chapter's continued success. I am also grateful to the nominating committee for assembling a wonderful board of directors this year.

To kick off a great new year, we have put together an award-winning panel to discuss the upcoming PRAM PRism Awards. The panel, featuring Kristie Aylett, APR, from the KARD Group, Ron Barnes, APR, from Coast Electric Power Association, and Samantha McCain from Hattiesburg Clinic and Three to Five Creative Communications, will discuss the process of entering awards and provide great tips for creating award-winning entries.

Also kicking off the new year is a new community service project. Our community service chair has come up with a unique idea that will benefit many of our local organizations on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. This month your donation of either money or canned goods will support the St. Vincent de Paul Community Pharmacy and the Gulf Coast Rescue Mission, respectively. Our chapter has always been very charitable and I hope we are able to continue that through 2012.

Please join us for lunch at 12 noon Monday, January 9, at the Great Southern Club. Our lunch meetings are always a great opportunity to network and catch up with colleagues.

Yours in PRAM,

Charmaine Schmermund