 | Jenny Baker
2012-2013 DP/PC Chapter President |
Season's Greetings! I hope your holiday celebrations are well underway and you will soon gear up for the New Year. As you prepare your list of New Year's resolutions, I strongly encourage you to increase your involvement in FPRA. Trust me when I say that it's fulfilling both personally and professionally. Also, as you plan your 2013 budget, make sure to include FPRA's annual conference being held August 4-7 in St. Petersburg. We look forward to a great representation from the members of the Dick Pope/Polk County Chapter.
Don't forget that local image award entries will be starting up after the first of the year. More details will be forthcoming from our Local Image Chair, Marybeth Soderstrom. Now is the time to start thinking about successful projects you've completed over the past year and begin pulling together details that will help you to complete a winning entry.
Also, if you have been thinking about the accreditation process, now is the time to take a leap! Our accreditation chair, Cindy Rodriguez is organizing a professional development seminar after the first of the year for those interested in learning more about this valuable process. Be on the lookout for more information to come.
Our chapter has much to celebrate this holiday season. We just wrapped up our Fill-A-Bucket/Bag project providing personal hygiene items for the growing number of homeless children in the Polk County area. I would like to thank everyone that helped promote and participate in this event, by being a drop off location, donating items or stuffing the bags. I would also like to thank our Community Involvement chair, Cassie Jacoby, for organizing this worthwhile project.
At the state board meeting in Sarasota last month, our chapter was recognized as having the highest number of renewals so far this year. Thank you to those who have already renewed your memberships. To be included in the 2013 membership directory, be sure to send your renewal by December 31. The state office is also looking for historic photos to use at the 75th Anniversary state conference this coming year. If you have any photos of our chapter, please let me know so they can be forwarded to the appropriate person.
Finally, our next monthly meeting will be on Wednesday, December 19 with Roy Reid Jr., APR, CPRC, speaking on "Dealing with the Angry Public." You don't want to miss this luncheon!
Happy holidays to you and yours!
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2013 Annual Conference
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The association's most anticipated professional development event will take place August 4-7, 2013 at The Vinoy in St. Petersburg, Florida. The registration fee is $695 and the room rate is $139 per night plus tax. Be sure to calculate this in your budget for next year...you don't want to miss out.
A group of FPRA members are meeting together to identify speakers who will offer different topics of PR to inform you and help you do your job better. Plus, they are planning a big 75th birthday celebration. Keep an eye out for additional information on www.fpra.org and future editions of our Exposure e-newsletter.
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| Welcome New Member |
 | | Renee Campisi, Public Relations Manager for Regal Automotive Group, was pinned at the November luncheon. Welcome aboard! |
New Member Spotlight - Q&A with Renee
How many years have your worked at Regal Automotive Group? 11 years
What was your first job in PR? This one!!
How long have you been in PR? 1 year. Before this, I worked in the areas of finance and HR at Regal
Favorite book? Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer
Favorite singer? Carrie Underwood
Hometown? Lakeland
What city do you currently live in? Lakeland
Favorite hobby? Cooking
What sports teams do you root for? Florida State Seminoles
What is something many people don't realize about you? I am quite witty!
To welcome Renee to our chapter, contact her at:
925 Hwy 98 South
Lakeland, Florida 33801
863-904-1170
renee@regallakeland.com
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| Renew Your Membership Today! |
This year the state office is putting together a membership directory for its 75th Anniversary, that will be given to all FPRA members. Be sure you renew your membership by December 31st so you don't miss the opportunity to be listed in this directory that goes to all members' state wide. Also, starting this month if you have not renewed you will be charged the non-member rate at our monthly meeting.
So don't miss out on networking, professional development, credential opportunities and much more. You can renew online if you can't find your renewal letter, just go to Renew Membership at www.FPRA.org.
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| Fill-a-Bag/Bucket Wrap Up |
 | | DP/PC FPRA members and guests gathered to stuff bags for children in need this holiday season. |
We wrapped up our Project Fill-a-Bucket and Fill-a-Bag collection drive with 20 FPRA members and volunteers who filled ziplock bags with hygiene products for homeless students while enjoying a pizza party at Danny Kushmer's SWFWMD office.
Many thanks to our members and partners who helped make this year's project a success. In addition to donating the bags, Polk County Fire Rescue provided 30 drop-off locations throughout the county. Other locations included Community Southern three branch locations, A-C-T and Webster University. Hughes Corporate Printing doanted graphic design and printing for flyers and Sun Coast Media Group ran a free quarter-page ad in all their local newspapers including the Polk County Democrat, the Lake Wales News, Fort Meade Leader, Lake Placid Journal and Frostproof News. Plans are already underway to increase the collection of shampoo and conditioner; toothbrushes and toothpaste; bath soap; brushes and combs; deodorant; and wash cloths. Bring your donations to each meeting starting in January. Kudos to all who helped brighten the lives of homeless kids in our county!
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| November Luncheon Addressed Ethics |
 | J Lenora Bresler presented "Ethics and the Law in Public Relations" at the November luncheon.
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At the November luncheon meeting at the Lakeland Yacht and Country Club, the Dick Pope/Polk County Chapter welcomed J. Lenora Bresler, J.D., SPHR, ASC, owner of Bresler Training and a renowned legal expert, who spoke about ethics and public relations and how those words are not an oxymoron. Bresler addressed ethical hot topics, challenges and scenarios that PR professionals may encounter on the job, such as: greenwashing, releasing confidential information, failure to disclose financial gains (in blogging, etc.) and copyright infringement.
Bresler reminded attendees that, as PR professionals, it is our job to "serve the public by acting as responsible advocates to aid informed debate." She ended her presentation, with one final thought: "Keep calm and stay ethical." Bresler's presentation was especially timely for those pursuing their accreditation in public relations. The follow-up surveys completed by members proved Bresler's presentation was valuable to all who attended.
As a professional member of the Florida Public Relations Association, here's a reminder of our association's code of ethics, which serve as a guide to decision-making in our profession: http://fpra.org/Prospective_Members/Code_of_Ethics.aspx.
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| Member News You Can Use |
Chapter president Jenny Baker spoke to the South Eastern University student chapter on Thursday, Nov. 29 on "How to Balance Career Demands and Being Successful!"
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| Job Bank |
Looking for a great public relations, communications, or marketing job opportunity? Visit our website (www.fprapolk.org) for the latest postings. Many of the top companies in the area post their jobs with us. Job listings are updated frequently, so please check back often while on your job hunt. |
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December Luncheon
Speaker |  |
Dealing with the Angry Public
Roy W. Reid, Jr., APR, CPRC
Partner, Consensus Communications
12/19/12 at 11:45 LYCC RSVP
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Renewing Members
to Date... |
Amy Wiggins
Angie Birdwell
Bob Gernert, APR, CPRC
Bradley Ruhmann
Callie Neslund
Cassie Jacoby
Cathy Wolosin
Christine Nikdel
Cindy Rodriguez
Cindy Sternlicht
Cyndi Jantomaso
Daniel Kushmer
Donna Sheehan
Fernando Valverde, APR
Frances McMichael, APR, CPRC
James DeGennaro
James Frankowiak, APR
Jennifer Bush
Jennifer Cooper Baker
Jennifer Olivier
Jessica Lawson
John McShaffrey, APR
Josh Hallett
Katie Worthington
Katy Martin
Kelly Rote
Ken Nelson, APR
Kris Keprios
Kristin Guira Lawrence
Leah Lauderdale, APR, CPRC
Leigh Ann Wynn
Lori Edwards
Marybeth Soderstrom
Mianne Nelson
Nancy Martinez
Pam Crain
Renee Campisi
Rosa Driggs
Samantha Lane
Sandra Dimsdale Horan
Sara Hallett, APR
Sheree Saulter
Shirley Whitney
Susan Clayton Black
Susan Sartain
Teresa Griffin
Tiffany Ellis
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| Save these Dates! |
12/13/12 - FPRA Board Meeting
12/19/12 - FPRA Monthly Meeting
3/19/13 - Media Breakfast
5/25/13 - Carillon Classic 5k Run & Walk
Aug. 4-7, 2013 - Statewide Annual Conference
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Happy
Anniversary! | |
Jennifer Olivier - 1 year
Mianne Nelson - 1 year
Sandra Dimsdale Horan - 2 years
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Be a Monthly Meeting
Sponsor | |
Contact Rosa Driggs at rosadriggs@polkfl.com or
863-701-5247 if you would like
to be a sponsor.
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| Quick Links |
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| Newsletter Notes |
If you would like to submit content and photos for the newsletter, contact newsletter editor Jennifer Olivier at jolivier@fphi.org.
Toot your horn! We are happy to include your new job/baby/degree/
certification/promotion/wedding
announcement, etc.
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