President's Message
 Dear Colleagues,
I recently received the New Rules of PR in an email, which you can conveniently download, print and review at your leisure. If you're interested, contact me, and I'll send it to you.
The New Rules of PR got me thinking about the "old" rules, or really the general rules of PR. It inspired me to begin the conversation with all of you this month about good rules for good public relations.
Here's my attempt to begin the list of rules to remember:
- Be prepared for the absolute best and the absolute worst.
- Relationships, relationships, relationships. Build them and maintain them.
- Be relative, stay current and link it all together in your campaigns.
- Smile, even when you're talking on the phone.
- Thoughtfully communicate both in your conversations and in your writing.
- Listen carefully.
- Read to sharpen your skills, and read to stay in touch with your audience.
- Respect deadlines.
- A good all-inclusive strategy will make the difference in all you do.
- Manage, manage, and then manage some more.
- Work really hard and make sure to have fun along the way.
- Embrace creativity in your own work and in others.
- Celebrate progress and accomplishments.
- Be nice. It's a small world.
- Get involved in something that you're excited about in the community.
I welcome your own rules to include in next month's newsletter. Feel free to share them with me at lorelie.johnson@mybrighthouse.com.
For further tips on good public relations as a solo practitioner, join us on February 15 for our monthly luncheon, where some of the best solos in our community will share their thoughts about PR.
Keep up the good work!
—Lorelie Johnson, APR
Becoming a Successful Solo Communications Practitioner
Have you ever thought of becoming your own boss? Does the idea of flying solo and developing and managing your own clients appeal to you? If so, then you won't want to miss our February lunch program "Tips for Becoming a Successful Solo Communications Practitioner." A panel of Central Florida's top solo practitioners will walk you through everything you need to know for starting your own consultant business. Scheduled to participate on the panel are:
- Jackie Kelvington - President, Kelvington Consulting Group, Inc.
- Geri Evans, APR - President, Evans PR Group
- Suzanne Beranek, APR - Principal, Beranek Communications
During the program, you'll learn:
- What you need to know and do before going solo
- How to go beyond your first client
- Things no one ever told you about being a solo practitioner
- And much more!
The program will conclude with a Q&A session.
The lunch entree will include Pan Seared Grouper Miami with Bay Shrimp, Avocado and Tomato Salsa. Key Lime Pie will be served for dessert.
When: Thursday, February 15, 2007 - Networking and registration begins at 11:30 a.m.; luncheon begins at noon.
Where: The Citrus Club, 255 S. Orange Avenue, 18th Floor, Orlando, FL 32801
Cost: $20 for members, $30 for non-members, $15 for students
Register online now
Questions about Accreditation? Mysteries Solved at APR Meet and Mingle
If you've been thinking about achieving your Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) but were unsure of the process, please join us for an APR Meet and Mingle for answers to your questions. PR professionals who have earned the APR credential will be on hand at this informal get-together to talk about their personal experiences and go through the Accreditation process.
The APR Meet and Mingle begins the spring Accreditation program, which is held twice a year in partnership with the Orlando Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association.
The Accreditation program, scheduled to begin the week of March 12, includes orientation sessions to prepare candidates for the process and study sessions that guide candidates through the primary topics covered on the accreditation exam.
Even if you don't plan to take the exam right away, you are still welcome to attend the Meet and Mingle, as well as the study sessions.
When: Wednesday, February 28 at 6 p.m.
Where: Bennett & Company, 230 Westmonte Drive, Suite 1000, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714
For more information and to RSVP, please contact:
- Susan Howard, APR, at (407) 365-2162 or slh@duda.com
- Cluny McCaffrey, APR, at (407) 682-3664 x130 or cluny_mccaffrey@tnc.org
- Laura E. Richeson, APR, at (407) 478-4040 or lricheson@bennettandco.com
Visit the official Web site of the Universal Accreditation Board at praccreditation.org for a comprehensive overview of the Accreditation process.
Sunshine District Conference - Save the Date
Get Ready to Upgrade to HDPR!
High Definition Public Relations: Creating the Clear Picture
July 26-28, 2007
Disney's Contemporary Resort
Orlando, Florida
More information coming soon!
Ten Minutes/Ten Questions
Name: Treva J. Marshall
Occupation: President/Owner, TJM Communications, Inc. Public Relations Firm
PRSA Involvement: Member PRSA; Member, Travel & Tourism Section; Previous speaker at the national PRSA travel and tourism conference.
Person who has most influenced your life: My mother, Brenda Heck.
Quote to live by: "It takes faith to step out on nothing and believe something is there."
What made you choose PR as a profession? I was intrigued by the PR process and found it to be an ideal marriage between my personality, educational and professional background.
Best PR advice you ever received: News placements should be strategically aligned with the sales and marketing objectives of the organization.
Greatest accomplishment: Starting my own public relations firm, now in its 6th year.
Favorite thing to do on the weekend: Visit spas.
Something nobody really knows about you: I have a deep passion for shopping for house wares (I am literally in love with Bed, Bath and Beyond!). I am about to re-design my kitchen pantry to accommodate an unbelievable number of kitchen gadgets, etc. Also, I am a huge fan of herbal teas. I collect teas from every place in the world I visit.
Volunteers Needed!
Each year, the Orlando Regional Chapter of PRSA sponsors the Frank R. Stansberry Scholarship at UCF to help attract the best and brightest to our profession.
Volunteers are needed to assist with one or more of the following activities:
- Help research PRSA chapters with scholarship programs at local universities and make recommendations for managing our program as needed.
- Provide support for a promotional mailing to the Nicholson School of Communications alumni in the second quarter.
- Two (2) volunteers are needed to serve on the scholarship review committee in March (exact date TBD) to review applications and award the first scholarship.
- Help with general committee duties, such as board reports, from time to time.
If you are able to help, please contact Hue Lien Duxbury, APR, at (407) 835-0020 or huelien@onmessage.com.
Silver Anvil
The Icon of Best Public Relations Practices
The Silver Anvil, symbolizing the forging of public opinion, is annually awarded to organizations who have successfully addressed a contemporary issue with exemplary professional skill, creativity and resourcefulness. In the over 50 years that these citations have been made, more than 1,000 organizations have been awarded Silver Anvils for excellence in public relations.
Silver Anvil Awards recognize complete programs incorporating sound research, planning, execution and evaluation. They must meet the highest standards of performance in the profession.
- February 16, 2007 - Early Bird Deadline for Silver Anvil Entries
- March 2, 2007 - Final deadline for Silver Anvil Entries
Click here for more information
PRSA Promotion - Join Now And Save
Join PRSA in February or March 2007 and get A TASTE OF PRSA
Sign on during this promotion and save the $65 initiation fee!
- Click on the 'Taste of PRSA' icon at prsa.org, and follow the instructions for joining.
- Request a specially marked membership application from a local PRSA Chapter. Orlando PRSA contact: Scott Toncray at scott_toncray@wycliffefoundation.org.
- Contact PRSA member services at (212) 460-1400 or membership@prsa.org for an application.
Join today and experience the VALUE that membership provides. For details on member benefits, see "10 Reasons to be a PRSA Member" at prsa.org.
Check out the Job Bank
Keep checking PRSA Orlando's up-to-date job bank for the latest openings in Central Florida.
Or, if you're looking for the best talent in the area, post your company's open positions on the site.
Click below to check it out!
Submissions
To submit stories or ideas for the PRSA newsletter, please contact Communications VP Michelle Lynch.
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