Orlando Chapter -- PRSA Newsletter

October 2008

PRSA Orlando October Luncheon
Rebranding Orlando

President's Message

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Becoming a leader is something many people strive for, but what is a leader, really? Ask 10 people for a definition and most likely you'll get 10 different answers. The American Heritage Dictionary defines the term leadership as: 1)The position or office of a leader; 2) Capacity or ability to lead; 3) A group of leaders; and 4) Guidance; direction.

This doesn't really tell us much about what a leader is or what it takes to become a leader. John C. Maxwell, author of "Developing the Leader Within," believes there are five levels of leadership including Position (people follow because they have to); Permission (people follow because they want to); Production (people follow because of what you have done for the organization); People Development (people follow because of what you have done for them); and Personhood (people follow because of who you are and what you represent).

This description makes a little more sense to me. Certainly people follow leaders they trust, who are influential, and who can affect change. There are many leaders we trust, and many we don't. Just consider today's unsettling economic situation. Clearly some of our leaders have let us down. Certainly that's not the kind of leader you want to be, nor do I. So how do we become a trusted leader, an influencer, but one with integrity willing to do the right thing?

Clearly ethics plays a role in the success of a leader. A leader must be willing to stand up for what's right and walk away if they're not in agreement with their own leader's position or policy. As PR professionals, we can look toward of own Code of Ethics for guidance. You can also join us this month for a very special presentation, Lessons in Leadership, on Thursday, October 29. Ian Woodall will present Tao of Everest, sharing his personal insights and leadership techniques as he lead expeditions to the summit of Mount Everest. We'll learn first hand how leadership played a role in his success and that of his teammates.

So, back to that definition of leadership. Personally, I feel if you have the desire you certainly have the ability to become a leader. Resources such as books by John Maxwell and others offer a wealth of knowledge. But don't discount those around you who are proven leaders. Seek out one of them as a mentor and learn from them. Then surround yourself with great people who share the same values and goals you have. Together your influence will grow and others will look to you to lead.

Dawn Vaughan, APR

October Luncheon
Re-Branding Orlando

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Tourism means $31 billion to Central Florida's economy. Come hear how Orlando is positioned worldwide to maintain its leadership position as a top leisure and meetings destination.

Danielle Saba Courtenay, Orange County Convention and Visitor's Bureau, will share how Orlando is positioned worldwide as a top leisure and meetings destination and how the CVB is repositioning the destination for success in the future.


Cost: $25, chapter members; $40, nonmembers; $15, students.

Special October Location: Meets 11:30 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 16, Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Ballroom G (near self-parking), One Cypress Blvd., Orlando. RSVP online at PRSA Orlando.

Menu: Cucumber Wrapped Greens with Caramelized Walnuts and Feta Vinaigrette; Chicken Picatta on Truffle Angel Hair Pasta; Grilled Portobello Wedge with Lemon Caper Sauce; and Tiramisu-Martini dessert. A vegetarian meal is available upon request.

October's luncheon is sponsored by Orlando Health.



To learn how your organization can sponsor a PRSA Orlando event, go to PRSA Orlando Sponsorships.

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Chatting Up A Charity: The Russell Home

The Russell Home for Atypical Children is our featured charity for the 4th quarter of 2008. Located in South Orlando, the home has been in operation for over 50 years without any government support.

Considered the first non-profit institution in the country for brain-damaged children, the facility was created Nov. 13, 1951, when Mrs. Vantrease "Grandma" Russell opened her home to the first child to "see if it would work out." Since then, the home has opened its doors to hundreds of youngsters, sometimes after hearing pleas from desperate parents, and in more than one instance, finding them just left on the doorstep.

The home consists of a nursery, dormitory wing, playrooms, living room areas, kitchen and large laundry room. The nursery, decorated with bright colors, posters and plush stuffed animals, provides a cheerful atmosphere. However, if you're fortunate enough to visit, bring plenty of tissue as you will find you won't have a dry eye. The love found in this home, expressed through the eyes, sounds, and smiles from the children will make you count your blessings for the simple things in life.

The Russell Home is the only private, non-profit facility of its kind for severely handicapped children in Central Florida. To learn more, visit www.russellhome.org.

October 23rd Is The Ultimate Mixer!

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Join your colleagues in Marketing, Advertising and Public Relations for the Ultimate Mixer!

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When: 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 23
Where: Brick & Fire Pizza & Wine Co.,
116 W Church St., Orlando
Exclusive Event Tickets: $20, includes 2 drinks, food and entertainment
RSVP Online: Ultimate Mixer

Lessons in Leadership:

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Join us Wednesday, Oct. 29, at the Mennello Museum of American Folk Art (900 E. Princeton St.) for Lessons in Leadership, an evening designed for APRs, as mountain climber Ian Woodall presents "The Tao of Everest: The Gentle Art of Personal Inspiration and Practical Leadership."

Between 1996 and 2007, Ian led five expeditions to Mt. Everest, summiting on two occasions. He is one of the select few to have climbed the world's tallest mountain by both its north and south sides.

Ian also was on the mountain in 1996 when a violent storm claimed the lives of five climbers. Though trapped at 8,000 meters, his team triumphed and eventually reached the summit. Today, he shares his leadership insights with organizations around the world, including Price WaterhouseCoopers, Microsoft UK, and BP Chemical.

A special reception for APRs and APR candidates will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. General registration takes place at 6:45 p.m. and the event begins at 7.

Proceeds benefit the PRSA Frank R. Stansberry Scholarship at the University of Central Florida.

Interested in sponsorship opportunities? Contact Heather Morgan, VP, Programs.

Join PRSA and Receive Free Local Membership!

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PRSA is offering a free one-year local membership to all professionals who join by Friday, Oct. 31 (not applicable for associate membership). Please encourage colleagues who are not members to take advantage of this great opportunity. New members MUST reference promotion code CONNECT2008 to receive this offer. To learn more, contact Lashonda Eaddy, VP, Membership Recruitment.

New PRSA Orlando Members
Welcome!

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• Jamie Roy, Director of Mall Marketing, Seminole Towne Center

Applause! Applause!

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• Ashley Pinder has been promoted to communications strategist at Curley & Pynn Public Relations and Marketing Communications in Maitland
• Michelle Lynch has been named Marketing/Public Relations Director for Florida Hospital Ormond Memorial in Ormond Beach

10 Minutes/10 Questions

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Name: Kari Conley, APR

Occupation: Director of Community Relations and Orlando Magic Youth Foundation for the Orlando Magic NBA Basketball team

PRSA Involvement: I was involved in PRSSA years and years ago as a college student. I have been involved with the PR profession for nearly 15 years and involved with the local chapter for the last few.

Person who has most influenced your life: My sister and each boss throughout my career has given me even more depth to my skills.

Quote to live by: I have two quotes that I live by. The first is from the Bible, Jeremiah 29:11, and the second is an Ancient Chinese proverb "Always take care of yourself first, then your family, then your community and then the world. Or, as an ancient proverb puts it, 'If there is light in the soul, there will be beauty in the person. If there is beauty in the person, there will be harmony in the house. If there is harmony in the house, there will be order in the nation. If there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world.

What made you choose PR as a profession: There are many aspects of the profession that I love. The first is that there are many paths you can create for yourself such as community relations, corporate communications, media relations, crisis communications, etc. The second reason is that the PR profession is a way of changing lives by increasing awareness of the world around us through various communication tools and resources.

Best PR advice you ever received: Don't forget the details and always be transparent.

Greatest accomplishment: Earning my APR is one of the highlights of my career.

Favorite thing to do on the weekend: I love to read and spend time with my family.

Something nobody really knows about you: I am very adventurous and include jumping out of an airplane as one of the best experiences of my life!


Media Spotlight
^Featured Guest: Walter Pacheo, The Orlando Sentinel^

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Describe your job? I am the morning/early afternoon criminal reporter at the Orlando Sentinel. I cover crime and other criminal justice related news between 5 a.m. and 2 p.m. As part of my job, I deal with public information officers, police officers, deputies and other law- enforcement officials. I am often at the scene of a crime and I feed the story to the Sentinel's online staff. That story is later reworked and further investigated for publication in the Orlando Sentinel's print edition.

What time/day is best to call? Anytime between 5 a.m. and 2 p.m.

How do you like to be contacted? (e-mail, phone, fax, mail) I prefer to be contacted by phone, then e-mail.

Which topics are hot right now? Which are not? Right now the Sentinel is working the case of missing 3-year- old Caylee Marie Anthony.

How did you start out in news? I started out at the Miami Herald in 1998 covering development on the beaches and government issues in about seven municipalities, towns and villages.

What's your most memorable experience with a PR person? I find that a PR person who is always willing to help in a timely and polite manner is always memorable.


Diversity Dimensions: Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month By Learning The Facts

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By Rochelle L. Ford, Ph.D., APR

Hispanic Heritage Month began Sept. 15, the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries - Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. As it comes to a close on Oct. 15, take this opportunity to evaluate your company's effectiveness in reaching this important, and fast-growing, demographic.

Let's look at the facts about the U.S. Hispanic population released by the U.S. Census Bureau this past July. According to the latest projections, the Hispanic population is expected to nearly triple by 2050, growing from 46.7 million to 132.8 million.

Click here to read the entire article online.

2009 PR Grants Available for Not-for-Profit Organizations

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CyberAlert, Inc., an online media monitoring service, will award a minimum of 15 public relations grants to not-for-profit organizations. Each grant consists of one full year of free news monitoring/press clipping services, ranging in value from $2,700 to $3,900.

All not-for-profit, educational and charitable organizations in the United States and Canada are eligible to apply for the grants, except previous grant recipients.

For the past five years, CyberAlert has awarded 102 grants to not-for- profit organizations. The list of 2008 recipients include Action Against Hunger, America's Second Harvest, Campaign Finance Network, Canadian Breast Cancer Network, Gilda's Club Worldwide, Jour de la Terre (Earth Day) Quebec, NAACP, National Coalition Against Censorship, Special Olympics, and United Nations Association of the U.S.A.

CyberAlert is accepting grant applications until Dec. 31 and will announce grant recipients in January. More information and a simple and secure grant application is available online at CyberAlert.


Post Your Openings On The Job Bank

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Looking for the best talent for your company? Then send your job openings to Meredith Spinder jobs@prsaorlando.org , PRSA Orlando's Job Bank coordinator.

PRSA Orlando's up-to-date job bank features the latest openings in Central Florida.

· PRSA Orlando Job Bank
· Submit an opening to the Job Bank