 | Jenny Baker
2012-2013 DP/PC Chapter President |
It's time to start registering for FPRA's Annual Conference August 4 - 7 at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club. The room rate is $139 a night, plus tax. This year's conference early-bird registration fee is $695 for members (most meals included). After July 21 the registration fee for members is $775. The rate for non-members before July 21 is $875 and is $955 after July 21. Our chapter, as well as the state office, has scholarship funds available for members who like to attend but need assistance with the cost. Your only expense would be your room fee that you might be able to share with a friend. More details on the scholarships will be coming your way shortly. Conference is a professional development opportunity for all our members. It gives us the latest and greatest information for public relations practitioners. For additional information on conference or to register, please visit the state's website at www.fpra.org.
If you want to get more out of your membership, be sure to get involved with the DP/PC chapter's initiatives. Now is the time to express interest in a Board position, by serving on one of our many committees or even becoming a committee chair. Our chapter needs your expertise and talent to bring new ideas to our chapter and community. Please contact Immediate Past President, Danny Kushmer (Danny.Kushmer@swfwmd.state.fl.us) if you have any interest.
It's also time to recognize those who have gone above and beyond in 2013 for our chapter and our community. Please start thinking of a deserving public relations professional that you would like to nominate for the prestigious Colonel John Dillin, APR, CPRC, Professional of the Year Award, the coveted Bob Gernert, APR, Member of the Year Award or the exciting Rising Leader Award. This is important to recognize and celebrate the leadership we have within our chapter. We also have our Public Service Award that recognizes an organization or local business - specifically, one that has demonstrated outstanding public service that is not a part of the organization's normal mission. All forms (interest and nomination) are available on our website, www.fprapolk.org or, contact me directly (JBaker@WatsonClinic.com) for additional information.
Finally, I would like to congratulate the winners of the local image awards and our chair, Marybeth Soderstrom for organizing everything. I encourage members that submitted an entry to revise them with the judges' comments and resubmit at the state level. The deadline is May 17 for state entries. If you would like to submit an entry and didn't at the local level, and need some help, please contact Marybeth (marybeth_soderstrom@polkworks.org). Thanks again, Marybeth!
Reminder, our next meeting will be May 15 at the Cleveland Heights Golf Club. Networking begins at 8 am, breakfast and program at 8:30 am! I hope to see you all there with your bosses.
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Local Image Awards Bestowed!
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 | Pictured left to right: Ken Nelson APR, Cindy Rodriguez,
Sara Hallett APR, Danny Kushmer, Katy Martin, Jenny Baker
and local image chair Marybeth Soderstrom |
 | Pictured left to right: Cindy Rodriguez, Sara Hallett APR,
Ken Nelson APR, Jenny Baker, Nancy Martinez and
local image chair Marybeth Soderstrom |
The DP/PC chapter was pleased to present two local image awards during the April luncheon. A Judges' Award went to Katy Martin, Jenny Baker, and Danny Kushmer for their entry "A-C-T Carillon Classic 5K Run and Walk" and an Award of Distinction went to Jenny Baker and Nancy Martinez of Watson Clinic for their entry "Watson Clinic Mommy and Baby Expo." Congrats, all!
Two other entries were submitted and received valuable feedback from the judges. It is important to note that you do not have to enter the local image competition in order to enter the state-wide golden image competition; however, if you are new to the competition or PR, entering the local image competition first is a good way to get your feet wet and receive feedback on your entry so it can be the best it can be before entering it into the state-wide competition.
Thank you to judges Ken Nelson APR, Cindy Rodriguez and Sara Hallett APR, who judged 15 entries from the Treasure Coast chapter. (Treasure Coast judged our four entries.)
The deadline for golden image entries is May 17. You should have received the call for entries in the mail. Visit the state website for more info: http://www.fpra.org/Recognition/Golden_Image.aspx.
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Dick Pope/Polk County FPRA Chapter: Named After a Public Relations Legend
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 | | "Back in the day" with Dick Pope, Sr. and Bob Gernert, APR, CPRC |
On Wednesday, April 17, the Dick Pope/Polk County FPRA Chapter was joined by past-president Bob Gernert, APR, CPRC, who spoke about public relations legend Dick Pope, Sr. and why our chapter (and the top Golden Image Award) was named in his honor. Mr. Pope knew the value of public relations. In fact, he brought it to a whole new level. As the founder of Cypress Gardens, he was said to have made one of the largest impacts on Florida tourism in his era -- bringing Johnny Carson to host his only television special at Cypress Gardens. Pope was known for thinking outside the box to draw attention to the attraction and making it among the most photographed places in the world.
Pope was from Des Moines, Iowa, and later attended Winter Haven High School, where he worked in his father's real estate office. He was a dare-devil at heart, participating in stunt ski shows with his brother Malcolm. By the time he met his wife, Julie, he was an accomplished amateur golfer. Pope opened Cypress Gardens in 1936, and it became the Water Ski Capital of the World. Numerous movies were filmed at the park because Pope recognized early on that the more photos and videos of Cypress Gardens -- the more free publicity he had to attract new visitors. Carol Burnett and Bette Davis were among the stars who visited the attraction.
Bob Gernert had the pleasure of meeting Dick Pope, Sr., and we are thankful to Bob for sharing this major piece of our chapter's history! To learn more about our chapter's history, go to: http://www.fprapolk.org/about/chapter-history/.
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| Volunteer to Help with the DP/PC FPRA's Carillon Classic 5k Run & Walk |
 Volunteers make the race happen! We are in need of volunteers for the Carillon Classic 5k Run & Walk! Come join us and help support the FPRA and the George W. Harris, Jr. Runaway and Youth Crisis Shelter. We need 60 volunteers to ensure we have a safe and fun race. We will need volunteers in the following areas: registration, hospitality and food preparation, water stations, course support, and clean up. The first 60 volunteers to sign-up will be guaranteed a free shirt!
Who can volunteer for the Carillon Classic 5K? Parents, teachers, coaches, local college students, and junior or seniors in high school are all welcome to help. We also welcome any local businesses and organizations to come out and help too!
Your involvement will give you the opportunity to positively impact the community. If you or your organization would like to volunteer and help out with the Carillon Classic 5K, please contact John Kazaklis via email at JKazaklis@yfainc.org or phone (863) 595-0220 x206.
When you contact John, include your full name, email address, phone number and t-shirt size. Also, please indicate if you can volunteer for:
- Set-up on Friday, May 24 at Bok Tower Gardens (volunteers needed from approximately noon until 6 p.m.)
- Race day! May 25 at Bok Tower Gardens (volunteers needed from approximately 6 a.m. until 10:30 a.m.)
- Or, both Friday and Saturday!
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| FPRE Foundation |
The Florida Public Relations Education (FPRE) Foundation is an amazing resource, but it needs YOU!
Help us reach our chapter goal of 100 percent participation in the Florida Public Relations Education Foundation's "$25 for 25,000" campaign. What can you do to make a difference? If you are able, please consider making a $25 donation to the Florida Public Relations Education (FPRE) Foundation through this link: http://fpra.org/FPRA_Foundation/Contributions.aspx. What will happen if every member in our state association donates at least $25? More than $25,000 will be raised to help raise the bar for the public relations profession in the state of Florida through scholarships, networking opportunities, professional development programs and more.
Did you know that because of the FPRE Foundation...
- Since 2001, 18 Student Scholarships have been awarded. Total: $24,000
- Since 2008, eight professional members were able to attend Annual Conference thanks to a scholarship. Total: $4,580
- Since 2009, six scholarships have been awarded for attendance to the Counselors Network Winter Symposium. Total: $2,330
- Since 2001, a total of 98 members have received a rebate from the FPRE Foundation that assisted them in completing their accreditation, earning the APR designation. Total: $9,065
A grand total of $39,975 has been given back to assist in the professional and educational development of FPRA members. Please remember the FPRE Foundation in your charitable giving. Even a small contribution to this years campaign, and will make a lasting difference in the lives of our students and professional members.
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May
Speaker |
Joe Hice, APR, CPRC
VP of Public Relations & Marketing
Moffitt Cancer Center
Joe will walk us through a public relations case study that starts with preliminary research, planning, action and measurement on Wednesday, May 15. We will meet at 8 am for networking and 8:30 am for breakfast and the program at Cleveland Heights Golf Club (2900 Buckingham Ave, Lakeland).
Don't forget to bring your supervisor to this special leadership breakfast. Please RSVP!
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May Meeting
Sponsor |
Kara A. Huebsch
Promotional Items
Contact Rosa Driggs at rosadriggs@polkfl.com or 863.701.5247 if you would like to be
a monthly meeting sponsor. The cost
is only $100, and includes one lunch.
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Save these
Dates |
5/9/13 - May board meeting
5/15/13 - Leadership Breakfast - bring you boss!
5/25/13 - Carillon Classic 5k Run/Walk
Aug. 4-7, 2013 - Statewide Annual Conference
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Happy
Anniversary! | |
Christine Nikdel - 11 years
Katy Martin - 7 years
Donna Sheehan - 5 years
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A Great Big
THANK YOU! | |
Seven chapter members have been meeting regularly and preparing for the APR exam over recent months. APR chair Cindy Rodriguez wishes to thank the following professionals for providing outstanding instruction to the "Magnificent Seven" during some of the recent study sessions:
Leah Lauderdale, APR, CPRC
Frances McMichael, APR, CPRC
Ken Nelson, APR
John McShaffrey, APR
Jim Frankowiak, APR
Sara Hallett, APR
Bob Gernert, APR, CPRC
It's been quite a while since our chapter has added an APR to its ranks. It's a very rigorous process, and we applaud members who are making the commitment to study, apply and take the exam.
If you'd like information on the accreditation in public relations program, please contact Cindy Rodriguez, crodriguez@a-c-t.com.
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2013 Annual
Conference |
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.
For conference topics, to register and additional information, please visit the state website.
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Fill-a-Bucket/Bag
Summer Drive |
Chapter president Jenny Baker, Polk Fire Rescue Chief Long, FPRA members and government officials posed for the media on April 18 at the Peace Creek Fire Rescue Station in Bartow. The photo opp kicked off our summer collection drive. Donated hygiene items are needed for more than 2,400 homeless students in District schools and nearly 200 students in Lake Wales Charter Schools. The schools will receive the donations on May 30 for distribution to the students before schools recess for the summer.
Please remember to bring items to the May 15 breakfast meeting.
Anyone can drop off donations to 30 Polk County Fire Stations and office locations, the Lakeside Village campus of Webster University in Lakeland and A-C-T in Bartow. Monetary donations are also appreciated. Checks should be made payable to Florida Public Relations Association and mailed to FPRA at 1606 Taylor Brooke Dr. Bartow, Fla. 33830.
shampoo/conditioner | bath soap deodorant |combs | washcloths
toothbrushes/toothpastebrushes
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Quick
Links |
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Job
Bank
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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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Newsletter
Notes
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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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